Tourism had its humble beginnings in the early 1900s when the Butson family first ran a simple camping area on the northern side of Lake Burrill in 1924. As roads slowly extended south of the Shoalhaven River passenger services (mail car) expanded and more adventurous tourists braved the difficult roads.

Then in the 1940s-50s as motor vehicles became affordable and popular, roads improved and new tourist accommodation was built, visitor numbers multiplied.

The 1960s saw a new era promoting the growth of housing subdivision releases such as at Mollymook, Bannister Head and Narrawallee. The commonly called ‘weekender’ was built on these small blocks of land and purchased by people from Sydney to Canberra.

The desirability of ‘weekenders’ grew as Sydneysiders could leave home on Friday afternoon and reach their coastal destination within four hours.

The 1970-80s again saw an increase in the number of Australian families on annual Christmas and Easter holidays and long weekend trips, staying in the region to enjoy the beach, the bush, the lakes and streams and the promise of the healthy lifestyle of the ‘great outdoors’.

Motels and ‘Bed and Breakfasts’ proliferated to accommodate the influx of the travelling public.

The towns began to grow and business developed. Families, workers and sea-changers moved in, as did retirees building permanent homes, seeking sun and surf and walks and a quiet, relaxed lifestyle.

The towns and villages of Milton-Ulladulla offer an ever-expanding range of accommodation for tourists, including historic B&Bs, modern motels, family cabins and camping, caravan parks, conference facilities, farm stays and luxury resorts.