Visit Sydney Australia

Royal National Park is the second oldest national park in the world, offering spectacular scenery from sub-tropical rainforests and sandstone heathlands, to dramatic coastal cliffs and unspoilt ocean beaches. "The Royal" is home to many great walks that hug the park's coastline, taking you along the cliffs, beaches and escarpments ranging from 1km (suggested time 30 minutes) to 26km (suggested time 2 days).

The sleepy village of Otford is situated in the Otford Valley, north of Stanwell Park and Stanwell Tops. The town is on the southern tip of the Royal National Park and is used as the southern entrance to the park for both motorists and bushwalkers as well as the start/finish point for walks through abandoned railway tunnels between Otford and Helensburgh. The original line was built in 1885. The current railway tunnel between Otford and Stanwell Park was built in 1917 as the buildup of smoke in the unventilated route and the steep descent led railways to build a different route. The abandoned, original railway tunnel between Otford and Stanwell Park was used for a mushroom farm but is now disused. Otford railway station once had award winning gardens and picturesque buildings, but is now a stark concrete and brick commuter stop.

Stanwell Park is a picturesque coastal village at the northernmost point of the Illawarra coastal strip too the south of SRoyal National Park. It is situated in a small valley between Bald Hill to the north, Stanwell Tops to the west and Mount Mitchell to the south. It has two lagoons from the villages two creeks, Stanwell and Hargrave Creeks and a pretty swimming beach running between headlands. It has a very pleasant picnic area. One of the village's most famous places of interest is the curved railway viaduct over Stanwell Creek Gorge. It was built in the 1910s when problems with the old railway route forced the construction of a new track higher up the mountainside.

At 65 m above the creek bed, surrounded by profuse rainforest vegetation and containing an estimated five million bricks, it is the largest railway viaduct in Australia. An early resident was Lawrence Hargrave, one of the world's most important aviation pioneers of the 1890s in the lead-up to powered man flight. It was on the beach below Bald Hill that Hargrave experimented with box kites in the early part of the 20th century. A memorial cairn dedicated to Hargrave is located at the peak of the hill near the carpark.

Walking tracks include the Stanwell Tops lookout track which runs from Stanwell Park train station up the hillside to the Peace Garden, where there are historic Aboriginal carvings on the trees, and to the Stanwell Tops Lookout. Another track, the Wodi Wodi, Bullock, or Mount Mitchell Track, leads from the former track down to Stanwell Creek, around the viaduct and up Mount Mitchell, then down to the railway and a carpark on Lawrence Hargrave Drive. On the Wodi Wodi track, an aboriginal drawing of a whale can be seen, as well as several middens. Access to Bald Hill from Stanwell Park is available from a track on Chellow Dene Avenue, leading to the top of the hill. Nearby Kelly's Falls has a viewing platform.

Stanwell Tops rests on the Illawarra escarpment, overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the neighbouring village of Stanwell Park. It is bounded on all sides by state-forest reserves and other forested crown lands, which are contiguous with the Royal National Park and the Garawarra State Conservation Area. Though Stanwell Tops is actually a small residential town, the name is generally used to identify Bald Hill, a flat area above the ocean cliff face near the village. Bald Hill, at the apex of Lawrence Hargrave Drive, is a mecca for paragliding and hang gliding activities, with many gliding from Bald Hill down to Stanwell Park beach, which lies nested between the high sea cliffs.



Rock climbing is another popular recreational activity, which offers a view over the village below. Bushwalking is possible on several tracks, most notably the Wodi Wodi Track that climbs Mount Mitchell from Stanwell Park station, and a rather degraded track ferom the station to Stanwell Tops Lookout. Bald Hill takes in the views of the Northern Illawarra and the escarpment. Whale watching, when in season, captivates many a Sydney day-tripper. The spot is also a notable location for DX radio communication due to its southern and eastern vistas. Symbio Wildlife Park is located on Lawrence Hargrave Drive, near the intersection with the Old Princes Highway, at Stanwell Tops. Just east of the Symbio Wildlife Gardens, on Lawrence Hargrave Drive, is a turnoff that leads to Sri Venkateswara Hindu Temple. Australia's first Hindu Temple.

The coal in the escarpment, which gives the coastal village of Coalcliff its name, had been known of since early colonial days, but it was not until 1850 that it began to be excavated. The Coalcliff Railway Tunnel No. 8 (also known as the Clifton Tunnel) is owned by the State Railway and was the first tunnel built on the Illawarra Line. The line and tunnel were opened on 25 July 1888, extending the then isolated line so that passengers could transfer by coach at Coalcliff to the operating line between Waterfall and Sydney. Lined with 3 million bricks, the Heritage-Listed tunnel is the second longest tunnel on the Illawarra line.

Leeder Park, situated on Paterson Road, is a rest park and children's payground which provides access to Coalcliff's tidal rock pool. The Sea Cliff Bridge surrounding the coal cliffs was opened on 11 December 2005 and offers a spectacular walkway and cycleway above the ocean and along the escarpment. There are splendid views offered towards Wollongong and Port Kembla in the south, and towards Bald Hill and the Royal National Park in the north. Coalcliff Beach fronts the valley, but because of three dominant rips, bathers are recommended to use the Coalcliff's rockpool, situated south of the beach. It offers a safe swimming area, including a children's pool. There is a fresh water shower on a platform west of the pool, and an additional shower and toilet facilities located nearby in Leeder Park.

like its neighbours, Scarborough sits on a narrow stretch between the Illawarra escarpment and sea cliffs. The escarpment behind Scarborough is approximately 300 metres above sea level. Scarborough is a popular surfing beach and hosts a number of surfing competitions. The Scarbough Hotel was built in 1885 to coincide with the opening of the South Clifton (Scraborough's original name) to Wollongong. Its Seacliff Garden and Horizonal Balcony, which offer commanding views out to sea and along the coastline, have ensured the hotel remains a favourite spot to relax with family and friends over a drink or meal.

The escarpment is a very striking feature of the environment. There are two main areas of rock fall and these are along the coastline in the Coalcliff/Scarborough area and along the scarp. The former area is subject to frequent small rock falls due to the rate of erosion of the toe of the cliffs by wave and salt spray action.

Coledale

Coledale is a small sea-side village located 18 km north of the Wollongong's central buasiness district. Coledale Beach is a great place to swim, surf, fish, dive, or just sit back, enjoy the views and the pounding of the surf at your feet. Regular visits by dolphins playing just off the beach and close views of migrating Humpback and Southern Right whales just add to the experience. Coledale Beach is also a haven for campers, with a reserve right on the beach edge. There are fantastic views of the waves, and both ends of the beach are closed in with rock formations.

Previously spelt Coaldale, the name refers to the coal deposits in the area. The first coal mine was opened in 1889, the last mine closed in 1926. The escarpment foothills, between the Illawarra railway and the escarpment face, are steep and generally forested and form the low level backdrop to the plains and coastline.

Austinmer

Austinmer Beach is one of Wollongong's most popular beaches, located just 25 minutes north of the central business district. Its popularity dates back to the 1900s when people came by train to stay at several guest houses. The relatively small beach is wedged between two low headlands and their extensive rock platforms. Two large rock pools lie on the southern rock platform. A second smaller and unpatrolled beach lies directly to the north of Austinmer beach, and is known locally as "Little Austi".



Austinmer attracts large summer crowds to its patrolled beach (between September to April), and has ample parking, picnic facilities, shops and eateries to cater for the seasonal influx of visitors. As a result, Austinmer is one of the best places on this coastal strip to visit on weekdays, when the number of visitors is down, but the cafes, restaurants and hotel are still open for business.

Thirroul

The oceanside town of Thirroul lies between the Pacific Ocean and a section of the Illawarra escarpment known as Lady Fuller Park, adjacent to Bulli Pass Scenic Reserve. The town's major commercial area lies between an area just north of Bulli Pass, where the Princes Highway splits to form the Lawrence Hargrave Drive, to Thirroul Station. The boutique clothing and jewellery shops, florists, conveniences stores, news agencies and other shopping essentials have made Thirroul the main shopping area for the northern suburbs of Wollongong. Many cafes can be found in Thirroul's main commercial area, adding to its popularity as a seaside holiday town. The Beaches Hotel and Ryans Hotel are lively pubs for locals and tourists alike, both located on the main road. Thirroul has many fashion, gift and lifestyle shops along the main streets. It is also home to King's Theatre (1913), which is now known as Anita's Theatre.

The annual Thirroul Seaside and Arts Festival is held over a weekend in the first week of April. It includes activities such as art exhibitions and workshops, kids activities, live stage entertainment, buskers, a variety of stalls, pony and carnival rides and face painting. The festival won the 2003 Illawarra tourism Award in the events/festivals category. Involved in organising the event is the Austimer-Thirroul Lions Club. The festival actively involves community organisations, educational institutions, sporting groups, performing and visual art studios, scouts, surf lifesavers and the general public. Thirroul beach is popular with both locals and tourists, becoming particularly busy in summer months and long weekends.

A suburb of Wollongong, Bellambi lies on the flat northern Illawarra coastal plain, with views of the escarpment to the west, one of note being Broker's Nose, 440 metres high. To the east is Bellambi Beach and a creek inlet in a reserve, and to the south of the inlet is Bellambi Harbour and Bellambi Point. Bellambi Lagoon Reserve, at Bellambi Point, is a protected reserve area in which are the lagoon and small islands of that name, mostly forested in swamp oaks (casuarina), coastal sclerophyll and saltmarsh.

Bellambi beach is part of one beach immediately north of Bellambi Point. There is a large playground and reserve with public toilets. The beach is at the southern end of a two kilometre stretch of beach and is backed by a reserve with mountain views. There is a boat ramp and small harbour nearby. There is a surf club with a large car park available. Bellambi beach is patrolled during the summer.

82 kilometres south of Sydney, Wollongong is the business and adminstrative centre of the Illawarra region. A large city with a population around 300,000, Wollongong is noted for its heavy industry, its port activity and the quality of its physical setting - the narrow coastal plain between an almost continuous chain of surf beaches and the cliffline of the rainforest-covered Illawarra escarpment. In the area of music the city is home to various music and jazz ensembles. The Wollongong Conservatorium of Music provides musical tuition for instruments and voice in classical, jazz and contemporary styles. It is one of the largest regional conservatoriums in Australia and located in the historic Gleniffer Brae Manor House, part of the Wollongong Botanic Gardens. The Wollongong City Gallery houses a significant collection of the art of the Illawarra, contemporary Australian, Aboriginal and Asian art. In addition there are a number of private and community galleries, particularly in Wollongong's northern seaside suburbs.

The main beaches of central Wollongong are North Wollongong (or simply North) Beach, extending from the harbour up to the Para Creek lagoon and Puckeys Estate Reserve, and Wollongong City Beach, extending south from Flagstaff Point and into Coniston Beach. Wollongong's Blue Mile located along Cliff Road is the best vantage point from which to absorb the beauty of the South Pacific Ocean to the east and the Illawarra Escarpment to the west. The boardwalk along the harbour and foreshore are perfect for a casual walk or jog, or stop for a coffee or lunch at one of the many seaside dining options along the way.

Whilst having a sandy beach and a sand spit where the Minnamjurra River flows into the ocean, Minnamurra is known for the the Minnamurra Rainforest Centre, located just 15 km west of Kiama. The centre offers visitors an opportunity to experience a rare rainforest remnant which is representative of the once extensive rainforests of the Illawarra region. The sandstone canyon in which the centre is located enables visitors to experience the various types of rainforest and examine the diversity of ferns species. Visitors can see first hand the fauna of the area such as lyrebirds, Australian Water Dragons and a host of bird species which make Minnamurra their home. The centre also provides a cafe for light meals, snacks and refreshments, and a barbecue/picnic area.

Nearby is Jamberoo lookout, perched on the edge of the coastal escarpment, and its viewing platform offers a striking panorama over rolling hills and paddocks and out to the Pacific Ocean. If you re a keen photographer, Jamberoo lookout is an absolute must. On a clear day, you can see Kiama, Lake Illawarra and even Five Islands off the coast of Wollongong. Snap away and capture it all.

A popular holiday destination towards the southern end of the Illawarra coast, Kiama is a classic seaside town with great beaches, and surrounded by pastures and forests. Kiama is famous for its blowhole. On the cliffs at Blowhole Point, waves surging into an underground cavity are compressed and forced upwards, exploding high into the air and accompanied by a loud 'oomph'. The strength varies according to the wind, waves and tides, and when it's pumping, it always draws a crowd.

Situated on Blowhole Point adjacent to the Visitors Centre, the Pilot's Cottage Museum tells the story of Kiama's colourful past, from the time of the cedar cutters to the basalt quarrymen and dairy farmers. Kiama Terrace, the row of weatherboard cottages along Collins Street, was constructed in 1886 to house quarry workers and their families. Don't miss the Kiama Lighthouse. You can take in the area's stunning coastline along the Kiama Coast Walk and visit the Kiama Blowhole and Lighthouse.

Gerringong is ideally located for outdoor fun at the beach. Werri Beach is one of the best surfing beaches on the South Coast while Seven Mile Beach is one of the best for wind surfing. You can learn to surf at either beach with local experts. Be sure to also check out Werri Beach. Werri is distinguished by having point breaks at both ends of the beach, so there's often a nice wave peeling nicely off either the north or south headland.

This hilltop village overlooks a great swathe of blue ocean that promises long days of sport and sunshine. Stay around town a while and you'll discover this atmospheric town also has a taste for the finer things in life, including wines, great fishing and golf. There are seven courses in close proximity to Gerringong.