The regional centre of Nowra, situated on the beautiful Shoalhaven River, is a major town on the New South Wales south coast and is close to the many popular natural and cultural features of the Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands districts. Nowra's bustling commercial centre belies the pleasant laid back lifestyle enjoyed by locals.
Nowra is the region's commercial and administrative centre. Nowra hosts a major rural business district and a diverse population in its suburbs and myriad satellite villages. Many local, state and federal government offices service the region from here, including the Shoalhaven City Council, the local council responsible for the administration of the region.