The paper began in 1871 as Shoalhaven News and was published by Charles Isaac Watson.
This publication ceased (possibly 1890) and was continued by The Shoalhaven News and South Coast Districts Advertiser in 1891, published by C.J.B.
This publication also absorbed the Shoalhaven Telegraph and ran from October 1937 until December 1945.
The paper changed to its current name The Shoalhaven and Nowra News in January 1946 and is published by F. & J. G.
[1] The various versions of the paper have been digitised as part of the Australian Newspapers Digitisation Program[2] project hosted by the National Library of Australia.