Located on the northern banks at the mouth of the Shoalhaven River on Seven Mile Beach, Shoalhaven Heads began as a fishing village for the nearby Berry township. The name 'Shoals Haven' was originally coined by George Bass in 1797 to describe the entrance to the river.

At the foot of Mount Coolangatta, 'The Heads' are nearby to the site of the first European settlement in the Shoalhaven. These days, many of the historic buildings dating from that time are preserved within the Coolangatta Estate Winery, which has now been restored and is situated about 1 kilometre inland from The Heads.

Besides having seven miles of beach and three quality boat ramps on the river, there are 7 vineyards in the vicinity, and combined with the several studios and galleries, the shopping in Gerringong and Berry and the proximity to the whole south coast, Kangaroo Valley and the southern highlands, The Heads is a great starting point for a variety of inspiring day trips.