The 140km Grand Pacific Drive starts in the Royal National Park, located just outside of Sydney, about an hour's drive from both Sydney's CBD and Wollongong. Experience the 15,000 hectare expanse of bush, beaches and waterfalls at one of the world's oldest national parks. Highlights in the park include; Audley, Wattamolla, Garie Beach, The Coast Track, Governor Game Lookout and Bonnie Vale Campground. Tip: Follow the Grand Pacific Drive directional signage from Farnell Avenue, at the start of the National Park, and it will direct you along the entire drive passing through Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama en route to the Shoalhaven region.
Discover Royal National ParkGlistening beaches, a spectacular green backdrop, a brand new city centre, several vibrant eating and entertainment zones . This dynamic changing city is just the perfect size. You'll see skydivers descend to the beach, surf schools and hang gliders. Enjoy 17 amazing patrolled beaches, beautiful botanic gardens, a spectacular historic harbour and the beachfront 'Blue Mile', the entertainment centre, art gallery, small bars and now a brand new world class shopping centre and city mall. The Illawarra escarpment is the Great Dividing Range as it adjoins the coast with its dramatic cliff faces, spectacular lookouts and many moods and colours. The northern villages of Bulli, Thirroul, Austinmer and Coledale are beachside playgrounds with great food and shopping.
Discover WollongongYou'll marvel at the shades of blue, green and yellow as the Grand Pacific Drive takes you across the Lake Illawarra estuary, the start of our aquatic playgrounds.You're soon in one of Australia's most forward-looking and fastest growing communities, a leader in urban design and planning. The latest shopping and community services are alongside lovingly preserved nature along our beaches and coastal reserves with an outlook that embraces the past and builds an innovative future. The city is building a marina to complete its excellent array of facilities that include a stunning golf course and other sporting venues. At the Illawarra Regional Airport an aviation museum features flying examples of historic planes as well as an F-111 and the first ever Qantas 747. You can often sit in the pilot's seat for a selfie!
Discover ShellharbourThe first settlers called it Kiama for 'the Place where the sea makes a noise' but today the noise comes not just from the famous Blowhole and its cousin the Little Blowhole, but from a picturesque caf scene set amid historic buildings housing unique shops, the maritime atmosphere of our harbour and famous lighthouse and attractions such as the breathtaking coastal walking tracks around places like Bombo and Jamberoo Village with its awesome action park. Kiama is surrounded by coastal beauty in areas like Gerringong, Gerroa and the cool tranquillity of Minnamurra Rainforest and its roaring waterfalls and soothing streams. The rolling hills around Kiama offer picturesque drives along lanes lined by dry stone walls past classic dairies and farmhouses. Saddleback Mountain lookout allows you to get a bird's eye view of the entire district and coastline.
Discover KiamaWhen George Bass named the 'Shoals-haven' he couldn't have imaged it would become so loved as a holiday destination. The very names of the dozens of towns and localities of the Shoalhaven conjure up images of great vacations ranging from placid relaxation at beaches or national parks to some of Australia's best fishing, to wineries and restaurants. Think places like Kangaroo Valley, Berry, Shoalhaven Heads, Coolangatta, Greenwell Point, Culburra, St Georges Basin, Bendalong, Manyana, Lake Conjola, Milton, Narrawallee, Mollymook, Ulladulla, Burrill Lake, Dolphin Point, Durras - all holiday favourites.Accommodation ranges from various styles of camping or cabins, to Australia's first 'glamping' resort, to luxury stays with dinner like Rick Stein's Bannisters.
Discover ShoalhavenThe Southern Highlands is an atmospheric destination where magnificent homes and gardens dot the rolling hills and towns like Bowral, Mittagong, Berrima, Moss Vale, Bundanoon and Robertson have a character all their own. Bowral is famed for its boutiques, gourmet restaurants, gardens, galleries and Tulip Time Festival. It's aptly the site for the Bradman Museum as young Don grew up in the town, practising his cricket against a water tank. The highlands have some of Australia's best country accommodation from magnificent manor houses to cosy B & Bs. Natural treasures include Fitzroy Falls, the Illawarra Fly Tree Top Walk and Wombeyan Caves with their surrounding wilderness area. The town has some of the most interesting shopping and galleries. The area has many quality wineries with welcoming cellar doors and top restaurants.
Discover Southern HighlandsThe Clyde River is one of Australia's most beautiful with a backdrop of green hills, national parks and state forest. It runs through the famous resort town of Batemans Bay with its endless attractions from great food (especially oysters), accommodation from luxury to camping. From beaches to the famous foreshore walk, to world class fishing, to diving and snorkelling in Bateman's Marine Park to family attractions like Birdland Animal Park-Eurobodalla has it all!
Discover EurobodallaThe Sapphire Coast on the NSW South Coast is the ideal adventure landscape where you can reconnect with nature. All year round the national parks are natural playgrounds and the lagoons and seas are our wonder-filled aquarium. Explore artisan galleries, taste the freshest of produce from the land and the sea, sample local wine, study Aboriginal history and culture, and the history of the pioneers. Or lose yourself in nature, in whatever way you choose.
Discover Sapphire CoastGlistening beaches, a spectacular green backdrop, a brand new city centre, several vibrant eating and entertainment zones. This dynamic changing city is just the perfect size.
You'll see skydivers descend to the beach, surf schools and hang gliders in the air. Enjoy 17 amazing beaches, beautiful botanic gardens, a spectacular historic harbour and beachfront 'Blue Mile', the entertainment centre for international acts, art gallery, small bars and now a brand new world class shopping centre and city mall.
The Illawarra escarpment is the Great Dividing Range as it adjoins the coast with its dramatic cliff faces, spectacular lookouts and many moods and colours. Mount Keira is directly west of the city and provides sweeping views and a variety of walking tracks. Mount Kembla is a beautiful historic village with an amazing story. The northern villages of Bulli, Thirroul, Austinmer and Coledale are beachside playgrounds with great food and shopping.
Monday | IC | 16°C | 27°C |
Tuesday | IC | 17°C | 20°C |
Wednesday | IC | 16°C | 20°C |
Thursday | IC | 14°C | 25°C |
Friday | IC | 20°C | 29°C |
Saturday | IC | 20°C | 27°C |
Bald is totally beautiful!
Hanging out in thin air from Bald Hill
Travel writer Bruce Elder called it “arguably one of the best coastal views in Australia” taking your eye on a tour of about 20 kilometres, from the perfect coastal village of Stanwell Park, to the engineering artistry of the Sea Cliff Bridge, along the Illawarra escarpment almost to Kiama. Meanwhile, Illawarra’s famous thrill seekers are ‘hanging out’ in mid-air all around you with their multi-coloured gliders, continuing the tradition of our world-famous Lawrence Hargrave, father of flight. What an introduction to the beauty of the Illawarra!
Nature's supermarket for apples, stone fruits and more straight off the tree
Glenbernie Orchard at Darkes Forest in the beautiful northern Illawarra escarpment is a 5th generation working orchard. You can taste and buy Royal Gala, Jonathan, Red Delicious, Fuji, Pink Lady and Granny Smith apples or stone fruits such as nectarines, peaches, apricots and plums in season.
There's rich bush honey and pick-yourself raspberries and other treats at times. They turn some of their fruits into their award-winning Darkes Cider. One of the great experiences is exploring the orchard and the chance to ask the family owners anything you ever wanted to know about their fruit and farming.
See ocean, cliffs and so much more along the World famous Sea Cliff Bridge.
So much more than a bridge - shaped like a snake, majestically sweeping over the waters of the Pacific! To drive it is exhilarating, but take our Bridgewalk and you’ll see deep into the aqua waters clear to the bottom, looking down on sealife like massive manta rays, every kind of water bird, jagged rock platforms and pools like mirrors to the sky. That’s the sea, but look the other way at the cliffs and find the eagles living there, the ancient layers of the eastern edge of this timeless land, and always little surprises like the minute microbats that flit by like fairies. One of Australia’s most photogenic experiences!
Keeping the entire family entirely happy
Australia's and the world's favourite wildlife from the cutest koala to the crankiest crocodile in a natural setting where you can get up close and sometimes even cuddle (not the crocs) at Symbio Wildlife Park.
Go up the walls tall or small at Hangdog Climbing Gymor take your riding to the next level at the purpose built 3Sixty Indoor Skate Park. Make astounding discoveries at the Science Space and visit Australia's most innovative centre of wonders for the young at the Early Start Discovery Space at our beautiful University.
Visit The Australian Motorlife Museum and gain an insight into the history of motoring through its showcase of historic vehicles and memorabilia.
Beach City's ocean front paradise
It's been called one of the most beautiful miles on the coast anywhere and it's a showcase of the new Wollongong with a natural coastal garden and lagoon, several fantastic beaches including trendy North Beach, spectacular picnic grounds and parklands, world class waterfront restaurants and bars, classic architecture, reminders of Australia's history…and of course two lighthouses on a headland and harbour that are great to explore.
Adventure on 2 wheels, 4 wheels, no wheels!
Look up in the sky…is it a bird or a plane? No it's another visitor dropping in to our city with Skydive Australia. We're probably the only city in the world where you can skydive right in, landing on the coastal strip or right on the beach. If you prefer something a little different but still on the edge, a tandem hang-glide with Sydney Hang Gliding Centre or para-glide would be the ultimate adventure where experienced instructors are ready at Bald Hill.
Other ways to rev up your fun level are to pilot a Porsche with Cliff to Coast Sports Car Drives or hop on a trike tour with Just Cruisin' Motorcycle Tours.
Small Bars, Big Welcomes and all today's food trends
Wollongong continues to wow the palates of diners as its reputable food culture continues to evolve, from stunning Vietnamese at Mylan to the freshest of seafood at Lagoon Seafood Restaurant.
If brekky is more your thing then don't miss the locals' favourite, Diggies or Lee & Me, for that morning coffee and delicious big breakfast.
Downtown our many eating precincts offer every cuisine you'll find in a big city from beachside maritime-themed Pepe's with its variety-filled menu or stylish harbourfront levelone to Americana-themed His Boy Elroy for burgers, sliders and pancakes and hundreds of other restaurants from casual to five star. The imaginative small bar scene offers great atmosphere from three-level Humber with rooftop bar to The Throsby for fine wines and cheeses and Breakout Bar and Escape Rooms for a evening out with a twist and maybe even some karaoke to follow! Others to discover too throughout the streets and lanes of our inner city.
Hotels and motels and tourist parks...oh my!
From the big names such as Novotel and Best Western, to apartments, tourist parks, camping grounds and homestays, you'll find an accommodation style to suit your taste and budget.
Of all the regions that dot the Grand Pacific Drive, Wollongong boasts the most extensive range of accommodation. The Headlands Austinmer Beach, Novotel Wollongong Northbeach and The Sage Hotel Wollongongboasting waterfront views, with the Best Western City Sands and Quality Suites Pioneer Sandsoffering apartment-style living.
Search online to find your perfect Wollongong accommodation at the best possible price.
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