Culburra Beach local Julie Gauci gives us her favourite gluten free family hot spots across the NSW South Coast
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Our gluten free story
When my son Levi was eight, I took him to the doctor convinced he was gravely ill. My head went straight to the worst. I demanded blood tests and brain scans. My happy, healthy, always-on-the-go boy had become spaced out and lethargic. He was falling asleep during the day, he was pale, and he had dark circles under his eyes.
Our GP suspected coeliac disease. We knew next to nothing about it. In fact, I'd only ever known one other person with it, a work colleague. Levi was sent to Royal North Shore Hospital for a biopsy, and it was confirmed: the villi in his intestines were completely depleted.
The good news was there was a way to get him well again. The hard part? A strictly gluten free diet, for life.
We were immediately overwhelmed. I still remember the drive home to Culburra Beach. Levi was starving after his procedure and we had no idea what to feed him. We pulled into a service station and, not yet knowing how to read labels, grabbed a pile of packaged junk simply because it said "gluten free" on the front. Then we hit Woolworths and spent over $500 on anything and everything with a gluten free label.
Those were the early days. For a while we kept a separate section of the kitchen for Levi and tried to manage cross contamination, but it didn't take long to go all in. My daughter, who was ten at the time, felt for her brother, and we decided there and then that we'd become a gluten free household. We've never looked back.
These days, eating at home is a breeze. We're an active family who love the gym, sport and keeping fit, so a gluten free lifestyle suits us perfectly.
Levi is now 19, and the hardest part for him, the part that takes a real mental and emotional toll, is eating out and socialising. He heads to the pub with his mates but can't have a beer (unless they stock a gluten free one) and can't eat the pub food. We always know when he's been glutened: a few hours after eating he's violently ill, followed by brain fog and lethargy.
Living on the South Coast, we're spoiled with pristine beaches, national parks, wineries and a myriad of pubs and clubs. But there isn't a single dedicated gluten free venue in our area. That's exactly why the places that do it well mean so much to us.
Here are our favourites.
Culburra Beach
Culburra’s The Little Snapper offers a perfect coastal seafood meal. Image via: Find Me Gluten Free
Culburra Beach is a small coastal village surrounded by water, with two beaches, the Crookhaven River and Curleys Bay on our doorstep.
Things to do: Spend the morning on the beach or wander along the Crookhaven River foreshore, then work up an appetite for lunch.
The Little Snapper
The Little Snapper is a relaxed restaurant with ample indoor and outdoor seating, and it's become our go-to. They offer gluten free sushi, grilled fish and chips, calamari, muscles, steak and burgers.
While the kitchen does handle gluten, they're hyper aware of cross contamination. We dine in or grab takeaway regularly, and Levi has never once been sick. The sushi is the best sushi I've had!
Around the Shoalhaven
Things to do: Vincentia sits right on Jervis Bay, so spend the day on its famous white sand beaches or explore Booderee National Park.
The Salty Crab, Vincentia
A must for battered fish and chips. They have a dedicated gluten free fryer, so you get the real deal, crispy and safe.
Jump Start Cafe, Worrigee
It’s hard to go past high-quality sushi during a South Coast getaway, found at The Little Snapper in Culburra Beach
We've tried Jump Start a few times, though Levi has only eaten there once. When I chatted with the owner, I learned she has a family member with coeliac disease, and she had a really good understanding of cross contamination. They were incredibly accommodating, and I've heard plenty of good feedback from others too.
Macro Junkie, Vincentia area
Not a cafe, but a lifesaver. We always keep pre-prepared meals from Macro Junkie in the freezer for busy nights, or take them to work for lunch. Healthy, gluten free and she delivers to your home, which is so convenient.
Further down the coast
Things to do: Browse the shops of historic Milton, then head to nearby Mollymook for a swim.
Hayden's Pies, Milton
One of the owners is coeliac and the staff are trained to keep everything separate. In the spirit of honesty, Levi did get sick after eating a pie here once. It may have been a rare slip-up, or he may simply have been unwell, and we'll never know for sure.
“The South Coast has Airbnbs galore, which makes a gluten free getaway easy. Pack your own toaster, give the cooking equipment a wash, and you’re set!”
When I let the owner know, she was baffled, as they're so careful. As every coeliac knows, there's always some risk when eating somewhere that isn't 100% gluten free. Hayden's has strong support from the coeliac community, and it's well worth a try.
Milk Haus, Milton
On the outskirts of historic Milton, Milk Haus is reported to cater well for gluten free diets, with trained staff. We're yet to try this country cafe with its relaxed homestead feel, but it's high on our list.
Worth the drive
The Boys on Veronica, Warilla
We'll happily drive an hour to Warilla for The Boys on Veronica. They do the best gluten free burgers, toasties and bacon and egg rolls, plus sweet treats. They've also made some of our family's most special cakes: a caramel mud cake for Levi's birthday and an absolutely stunning cake for my daughter's 21st.
I even ordered one for a baby shower where none of the guests were gluten free, and no one could tell. It was divine. Take an esky and stock up on frozen items like fish cocktails, chicken tenders, bread and more.
For delicious fish and chips on the Coast, drop by The Salty Crab. Image via: Trip Advisor
Staying on the South Coast
The South Coast has Airbnbs galore, which makes a gluten free getaway easy. Pack your own toaster, give the cooking equipment a wash, and you're set! We always bring foil and baking paper to cook safely.
As every coeliac knows, it pays to come prepared. As you come into Nowra, call into Nowra Fresh Meat and Seafood Market, which stocks a variety of gluten free sausages and kebabs, and the farmers market on the highway, and stock up on beautiful local produce before settling into your stay.
We love a trip to Sydney to enjoy the gluten free options there, but I'm sure city folk would love a few days of the peace and quiet the South Coast has to offer. From pristine beaches to farm stays and bushwalks, there are so many coastal and country towns to choose from.
Come and see for yourself.
As always, menus and practices change, so check with each venue about your dietary needs before you order.
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