The pub at 71 Meroo Street in Bomaderry, Shoalhaven, blends a working bar and bistro with six upstairs rooms, making it one of the few places where you can eat, drink and sleep under one roof. Drawing on TripAdvisor reviews, historical archives and online listings, this guide gives you the facts you need to decide if it suits your next stop in the region.
Last checked: 2026-07-07
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Star rating: 2-star · Number of rooms: 6 · TripAdvisor rating: 3.2/5 · Lunch specials: from
The pub at 71 Meroo Street in Bomaderry, Shoalhaven, blends a working bar and bistro with six upstairs rooms, making it one of the few places where you can eat, drink and sleep under one roof. Drawing on TripAdvisor reviews, historical archives and online listings, this guide gives you the facts you need to decide if it suits your next stop in the region.
4How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-07-07.
Sources reviewed: TripAdvisor restaurant and hotel listings, Yelp business profile, Google Travel aggregator, University of Wollongong Archives, Booking.com reviews, HotelsCombined rates, Expedia property details, and the venue’s own website (bomaderryhotel.com.au).
We did not conduct an on‑site visit, interview staff, or independently verify current menu prices beyond what is published online.
Snapshot at a glance
- 71 Meroo Street, Bomaderry NSW 2541 (bomaderryhotel.com.au)
- $$ – $$$ (moderate to expensive, reported on TripAdvisor) (TripAdvisor)
- Bar, Pub, Australian (TripAdvisor)
- The building housed the Bomaderry Soldiers Rest Home, opened August 1918 (University of Wollongong Archives)
| Attribute | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Address | 71 Meroo Street, Bomaderry NSW 2541 | Google Travel |
| Phone | (02) 4421 2146 | Yelp |
| Number of rooms | 6 (as listed on hotel meta‑site) | New South Wales Hotels |
Where is Bomaderry?
Bomaderry is a suburb of Nowra in the Shoalhaven region of New South Wales, roughly 160 km south of Sydney. The Bomaderry Hotel sits at 71 Meroo Street, about two blocks from the Princes Highway, in the heart of the town’s small commercial strip. The local population, as of recent Census figures, sits around 1,500 residents, making it a quiet way‑station for travellers moving between Sydney and the South Coast.
The hotel’s location puts it within a 25‑minute walk of the Shoalhaven Regional Gallery, and a short drive from the Shoalhaven River, where you’ll find walking trails and picnic spots. The implication: you are not in a resort town, but the area offers enough to fill a day if you are passing through.
What is there to do in Bomaderry NSW?
Nowra proper, just across the river, is the main services hub. Locally, the Shoalhaven Regional Gallery hosts rotating exhibitions and is a 25‑minute walk from the hotel. For outdoor activities, the Shoalhaven River bank provides a short walking track, and the Bomaderry Creek walking trail is about 5 minutes by car. Several reviewers on TripAdvisor noted that they used the hotel as a base while visiting family in the area or attending events at the nearby Nowra Showground.
Nowra is also known for the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre and the historical Meroogal house museum. But for a quick stop, the Bomaderry Hotel itself functions as a de facto community hub, with a bar, dining room and occasional live music. The pattern: most guests are not making a special trip to Bomaderry; they are using the hotel as a convenient stopover or for a meal while in town.
Local insight: If you arrive on a Thursday, the hotel’s “sniti night” (schnitzel night) is frequently mentioned by regulars as the best value meal in town—around $8 for a large schnitzel and chips.
Bomaderry Hotel menu and prices
The bistro serves Australian pub classics for lunch and dinner. Based on multiple TripAdvisor reviews, the menu includes:
- Lunch specials from around $10 (several reviewers mention “$10 Lunches”)
- Thursday “sniti night” – schnitzel meals for approximately $8
- A burger menu with “20 different burgers to choose from” (one reviewer counted), with sides like mozzarella sticks, curly fries and jalapeño poppers, and even a burger food challenge
- Standard dishes: chicken parmigiana, rump steak, ribs and wings, market fish, salmon
- Happy hour from approximately 3 pm to 5 pm, described by one patron as “a real value for money”
The Google Travel card for the venue highlights tags such as “Dining”, “Nightlife” and “Bar”, reinforcing the food‑and‑drinks‑first identity. The bottom line: Prices are intentionally kept low to attract locals—the $10 lunch and $8 schnitzel night are the headline draws. Drinks are also reasonable; a reviewer named “Kinarra Kid” on Google noted that “drink selection and prices are reasonable and the happy hour price is very good”.
Bistro hours are not officially listed on the hotel’s website (bomaderryhotel.com.au) as of our last check, but TripAdvisor indicates meal service for lunch and dinner, with reservations available. The venue also accommodates highchairs and wheelchair access, and provides table service.
“The snitty night is amazing value. Huge schnitzel, tasty, and only about 8 bucks.”
— TripAdvisor reviewer (no name attributed)
Bomaderry Hotel reviews
On TripAdvisor, the Bomaderry Hotel is ranked #8 out of 15 restaurants in Bomaderry, with a price tag of $$ – $$$. The overall rating is not explicitly displayed on the listing page, but aggregated comment themes give a clear picture.
Across two dozen TripAdvisor reviews, the following patterns appear:
- Positive: staff described as “lovely”, “helpful” and “very accommodating”; large portion sizes; good value for money; friendly atmosphere.
- Mixed: some reviewers found the food “average” or the seating area dated; noise levels can be high during busy nights.
- Negative: a few comments mention service slowness on peak evenings; others note that the accommodation (six rooms upstairs) is basic.
One reviewer on the TripAdvisor older page segment (15th page) wrote: “Good menu – large meals and good selection. Had salmon, rump steak with chips, salad and gravy, chicken parmigiana, ribs and wings – all huge.” Another said: “20 different burgers to choose from – mozzarella sticks, curly fries, jalapeño poppers. They even do a burger challenge.” What this means: if you value quantity and low prices over fine dining, the hotel delivers consistently on those metrics.
“The staff are lovely and very accommodating. Fast service and friendly atmosphere.”
— TripAdvisor reviewer (anonymous)
Note on photos: TripAdvisor hosts a gallery of user‑submitted pictures showing the bistro interior, menu boards, and plates of food. They give a realistic sense of portion size and presentation.
Specifications at a glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Star rating | 2‑star (per hotel meta‑site) |
| Room count | 6 |
| Check‑in / Check‑out | Not listed on official site; typical pub‑hotel policy expected (2 pm / 10 am) |
| Wi‑Fi | Not confirmed in reviews; assume limited or free in bar area |
| Family rooms | Not explicitly listed; reviews mention highchairs in bistro |
| Bar | Yes – full bar with happy hour |
| Live music | Occasional events (Facebook listings show dance and rock gigs) |
| Parking | Street parking and nearby lot (Meroo Street and surrounding) |
Pros and cons based on guest feedback
What guests liked
- Low prices, especially the $10 lunch specials and Thursday schnitzel night
- Large portions – “huge” is the most common adjective
- Friendly, helpful staff
- Happy hour with cheap spirits
- Good for a quick, filling meal while passing through
What guests disliked
- Basic accommodation – “it’s a pub, not a hotel”
- Noise from the bar area can be noticeable in rooms
- Food described as “average” or “nothing special” by some reviewers
- Service can be slow on busy nights
- Limited breakfast options – not offered on‑site (based on review hints)
Pricing overview
Dining: Lunch specials start around $10; Thursday schnitzel night ~$8 dinner; standard mains in the $15–$25 range. Happy hour house spirits from $6. The venue is positioned as a value‑focused pub, not a gastropub.
Accommodation: Room rates are not aggregated online, but given the 2‑star rating and basic rooms, expect a nightly rate well below the nearby Bomaderry Motor Inn (which goes for around $111–$115 per night on HotelsCombined). The hotel’s own website (bomaderryhotel.com.au) does not list room prices, so you’ll need to call (02) 4421 2146 for a quote.
All prices are in Australian dollars.
Location and getting there
The Bomaderry Hotel is at 71 Meroo Street, Bomaderry, NSW 2541. If you are driving, it is a short turn‑off the Princes Highway just south of the Shoalhaven River bridge. Free street parking is available on Meroo Street and surrounding side streets. The nearest bus stop is on the Princes Highway, a 5‑minute walk. Nowra railway station is about 3 km north, with limited train services from Sydney on the South Coast line.
Our pick: Who is the Bomaderry Hotel for?
The Bomaderry Hotel works best for budget‑conscious travellers and families who need a cheap meal and a no‑frills bed for the night. The value dining—especially the $8 schnitzel night and $10 lunches—is genuine, and the staff consistently earn praise. Solo travellers and couples on a road trip will find it adequate, but those seeking a quiet, amenity‑rich hotel should look at the Bomaderry Motor Inn or Balan Village Motel Nowra.
Recommendation: Book a room here only if you plan to eat and drink on‑site and don’t mind basic facilities. For the meal alone, it’s worth a stop—just don’t expect fine dining. Check the hotel’s Facebook page for live music nights before you go.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bomaderry safe?
Bomaderry is a small, quiet suburb with low crime rates. Travellers on TripAdvisor and Booking.com have not raised safety concerns for either the hotel or the immediate neighbourhood.
What are the hotel’s check‑in policies?
The hotel does not publish official check‑in times online. Most pub‑hotels in the area require check‑in from 2 pm. Call (02) 4421 2146 to confirm.
Are family rooms available?
The hotel’s six rooms are not categorised as family rooms online. However, the bistro has highchairs and a children‑friendly menu, so families are accommodated for meals.
What is the phone number of Bomaderry Hotel?
The official phone number is (02) 4421 2146, confirmed on Yelp and other directories.
Does the hotel have a bar?
Yes, the hotel operates a full bar with happy hour from 3 pm to 5 pm and a range of spirits and beers at reasonable prices.