Former Culburra resident Kristie Murray and friend, former St Georges Basin resident Emma Shute, feature in two episodes; ‘Top Secret Swimming Holes’ and ‘Top Secret Beaches’.

Greenfield Beach and Belmore Falls are the star locations revealed. 

With both episodes filmed in March 2017 it was a long, but worthwhile wait for travel blogger Kristie to see the Shoalhaven aired in all its glory. 

“I have been so excited in the anticipation of waiting for the episodes to air,” she said. 

“Both the episodes have come up so well and have hopefully helped to put the area on the map.”

The USA Travel Channel crew filmed the historic Kangaroo Valley Bridge, droned the three-tiers of Belmore, the farmlands surrounding Kangaroo Valley and Greenfield Beach from above. 

Both episodes highlighted Jervis Bay’s and Belmore Falls’ close proximity to Sydney, Australia’s most visited capital city. 

“I really hope it does encourage more people to visit the Shoalhaven as both of the locations were portrayed in all their beautiful glory,” Kristie said. 

“They even managed to get shots with Kangaroos – that always sells Australia well overseas right? 

“Greenfield Beach looked like a true paradise from above with its white sand, pristine waters and surrounding green bushlands. It truly was portrayed as an unspoiled secret haven.”

While she welcomes tourism in the local region, Kristie recognised the importance of sustaining it long-term. 

“As long as we encourage eco-friendly and sustainable tourism down here in the Shoalhaven, I think tourism can be a real positive for our area,” she said. 

“Many small businesses and industries thrive on the success of local tourism and it creates many jobs for young people, especially in the summer months, so I do hope it plants the seed for prospective overseas tourists to want to visit the area.”

It wasn’t all sunshine and smooth sailing for the team during filming, with March’s rainfall making Belmore Falls a little tricky to navigate. 

The shoot was rescheduled and the team returned two days later with more success – but not warmer water. 

“Swimming under the sheer power of Belmore Falls and floating on giant blow up colourful floats with my friends was just exhilarating and heart pumping stuff,” Kristie said. 

“The water was absolutely freezing at 15 degrees, but we managed to make it look like a whole lot of fun. I’d have to say it was one of the most fun adventures I’ve had here on home soil in Australia.” 

With plenty of swell during filming at Greenfield Beach, Kristie’s surfing skills make an appearance in the USA Travel Channel episode. 

“It’s the one and only time I’ve surfed at Greenfield and we even had the entire beach to ourselves, mid-summer,” Kristie said. 

Kristie now lives between the Maldives and the Shoalhaven and while she’s travelled most of the world reviewing luxury properties and surfing exotic locations, she said her hometown will always be number one. 

“I spend a lot of the year travelling the world and there really is no place like home – we’re so lucky to call the Shoalhaven home,” she said. 

Find more on Instagram at @you.theworld.wandering, Kristie’s website, Facebook or the @travelchannel

Belmore Falls features in season three, episode 11. See here for the TV schedule. 

Australian residents with Fetch TV can access the Travel Channel here.