well i have onlu holidayed around there (a lot). nowra is pretty substantial so has a lot more shops etc - as you would know. exciting!
a lot of my school friends came from close to there - they had to board in canberra. so if you wanted more schooling choice (private for example) i think you would have to look into canberra or sydney. but i dont know what the local schools are like - Cally may know more (not right in her area but close enough that she or her DH would know more).
hopefully someone who lives close can help you. x