The Saltwood Cafe / Kioloa, NSW

Kioloa and it’s neighbours, Merry and Pretty Beaches are sleepy holiday towns just down the coast road from us. That’s about as far as this road goes in this part of the world. It disappears there into the Murramarrang National Park as multiple fire trails.

Kioloa is home to a marine rescue station situated on a headland at the southern end of a long sweeping beach, a RFS fire station, sporting grounds and a community centre.

It also has a huge camp ground which usually overflows with people during holiday periods. But not this Christmas.

For years the area was serviced by a general store which eventually closed down after a small shopping centre was established near Bawley Point a few kilometres away.

This fibro shack of a building lay abandoned and for sale for many years.

Early last year we noticed that the building had been demolished and the rumour was a new cafe/bar was to be its replacement.

And indeed a quite spectacular structure took shape and the Saltwood was ready  to open at the beginning of November; right at the beginning of the bushfire emergency in the area that was to last nearly three months. Kioloa was one of the many villages under serious fire threat and forced evacuation.

After that tough beginning and still suffering now a little from the dearth of tourists, we notice increasing numbers of customers every time we go there. Of course the locals are fully supportive and try to get there as often as possible. There is only one other eating out place in Merry Beach which is not all that good. At one time it was when taken over by a well known Adelaide chef and was quite spectacular but he moved on to bigger and better things in Ulladulla/Mollymook.

Saltwood is built in the Balinese style (which has caused some local controversy) with indoor and outdoor seating and open kitchen. It also incorporates a gift shop.

The coffee and cakes are great and meal menu is expanding as they are now open for not only lunch but also dinner. Not a bad wine list either.

So if you are in the area please support this burgeoning business. You won’t be disappointed.