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Closest
Capital City:
Sydney NSW
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Closest International
Airports:
Sydney International Airport
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Golf, Tennis Bush Walking, Swimming,
Surfing, Sailing, Fishing, Hang Gliding, Steam
Train Rides, Abseiling, Para-Sailing, Ultra Light
Flights, Horse Riding, Bird Watching, Art Galleries,
Shopping, Antique
Browsing,
Mountain
Biking.
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The Illawarra region stretching
along the New South Wales coast from the Royal National
Park to the Shoalhaven River. It is and ideal place for
touring and weekend retreats due to its close proximity
to Sydney.
The beaches and national parks provide ample opportunities
for outdoor activities.
The Illawarra can be viewed from some spectacular
lookouts on top of the Eastern Escarpment as you approach
Wollongong from Sydney at Bulli Pass. This is where
the Illawarra escarpment meets the ocean.
The main towns of the Illawarra region are located
along the coastline and include Stanwell Park, Thirroul,
Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama, Gerringong and Gerroa.
The beautiful clean beaches, superior services, shopping,
boutique accommodation makes the Illawarra an ideal
destination all year round.
The Illawarra region offers festivals, events, and
a variety of cultural, activities and entertainment
for all the family. Alternately there is a huge range
of outdoor activities for families or the adrenaline
junkie ranging from bush walking, abseiling, hang gliding,
para-sailing, ultra light flights, steam train rides,
relaxing at the beach, shopping or enjoy one of the
numerous local pubs.
There are townships and country villages hidden off
the main roads. They are filled with treasures just
waiting to be discovered by art, crafts and antique
lovers. Wonderful, arts and crafts including pottery,
prints, paintings, furniture, antiques, and a variety
of collectables await.
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Gerringong
Gerringong is a coastal village, which offers amazing ocean views and clean
sandy beaches.
Gerroa
Gerroa like Gerringong is a coastal village also offering fabulous views, and
beaches. South of Gerroa is the famous Seven Mile Beach. This superb beach
is located in a National Park and is backed by an exquisite forest.
Illawarra Escarpment
The Illawarra Escarpment stretches from Bulli Pass in the north to Bong Bong
Pass in the south. The escarpment gives Wollongong a unique backdrop and includes
a wide variety of flora and fauna.
Kiama
The Blowhole at Kiama is well known and attracts visitors from around the world.
As well as the Blowhole Kiama is also famous for its amazingly rugged coastlines
and the rolling green hills that stretch towards Jamberoo Valley. Read More.
Wollongong
The City of Wollongong is approached via dramatic cliffs from the north through
Stanwell Park, to the lighthouse at Flagstaff Point. Wollongong is a working
fishing harbour and is a city of contrasts from North Beach to the magnificent
Nan Tien Temple.
Shellharbour
Shellharbour, located below the spectacular coastal escarpment, is a water
enthusiast's dream with its rugged coastline and sheltered beaches. Surfing,
boating and fishing are popular. Read more.
Stanwell Park
Stanwell Park is considered the jewel in the crown of the beautiful Illawarra
region. Famous for its hang gliders which take off gracefully from Bald Hill,
and glide majestically over the Pacific Ocean. Read
more.
Thirroul
Originally named Thurrural, by the local aborigines, which means "The
Valley of the Cabbage Tree Palms". The cabbage tree palms although diminished
in numbers can still be viewed on either side of the Bulli Pass.
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Royal National Park
The Royal National Park is New South Wales oldest national park and is the world's
second oldest national park after Yellowstone in the USA, established
in 1879. The Royal National Park is one of the
region's most popular destinations. The park covers more than 15,000 hectares
and includes rugged sea cliffs, swamps, heaths, rainforests and eucalypt woodlands.
It offers visitors beautiful picnic spots next to rivers, fabulous surf
beaches, heath land bush walks, rainforest cycle tracks, and much more.
Seven Mile Beach National Park
Seven Mile Beach is rimmed with sand dunes
as well as a variety of coastal sand forests, some
of which are listed as endangered ecological communities.
A viewing platform is located at Beach Road and provides
easy
beach access to all, including the disabled. There is
a large picnic area with barbecues in a forest
setting.
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The Illawarra region has a very similar climate to Sydney with a mild, sunny,
coastal climate. Winter temperatures average 17 degrees Celsius and summer
averages 27 degrees with afternoon sea breezes. The water temperature drops
to around 15 degrees Celsius in winter and can go as high as high as 21
degrees Celsius in summer. Swimming is usually pleasant from mid November
to mid March. Most rainfall occurs between February and June.
The Illawarra region's highest recorded
temperature is 42.3°C and its lowest recorded temperature is
-0.5°C.
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By Car
The Illawarra Region is easily accessed by car from both Sydney and Canberra.
It is about a 1 hour drive from Sydney via the F6 freeway. Canberra is about
2.5 hours drive via the Hume Highway to Moss Vale then the Illawarra Highway.
By Train
Trains depart approximately every hour from Central Station in Sydney for the
Illawarra and South Coast. For timetables please visit the CityRail website
at www.cityrail.info
By Coach
Coaches travel through the Illawarra region connecting with Sydney, Melbourne
and Canberra on a daily basis. For more information on coach services visit
www.murrays.com.au, www.greyhound.com.au or www.mccaffertys.com.au
By Air
The Illawarra Regional Airport is located at Albion Park Rail. Commercial flights
operate weekdays from Melbourne. Sydney International Airport is located
about 1 hours drive from the centre or the Illawarra region.
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The Illawarra
region offers a varied range of accommodation types to
suite all budgets and tastes including luxurious rural
retreats
and guesthouses, small Bed & Breakfasts, hotels and
motels, cabins or cottages, self contained holiday units
and apartments, beach houses and caravan parks.
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