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 CoastClassic Grand Pacific Drive takes you through Royal National Park, to Wollongong and Shellharbour with their beaches and city attractions and then to the coastal gems of Kiama and Shoalhaven and further. For a country contrast the Southern Highlands is an easy detour.
You can stop for wonderful natural experiences such as walks or camping, or city attractions like cafes, small bars, restaurants, art galleries or shopping. And then there are about 100 beaches plus coastal lagoons and estuaries to explore. Wineries abound along parts of the drive and if you choose to stay, there are plenty of options from cosy B & Bs to luxury hotels and resorts.
This 15,000 hectare natural playground was the first national park named in the world and includes over 100 kilometres of walking tracks, cycling trails, spectacular beaches, coastal scenery and many picnic and barbecue areas. The most popular walk is the 30 kilometre Coastal Walk which can be approached in sections.
In season, Royal National Park is the perfect location for whale watching and highlights include Wedding Cake Rock and Eagle Rock. Swim at Garie or North Era patrolled beaches.
At Audley you can hire rowboats and kayaks from the historic boatshed. Wattamolla offers a beautiful lagoon, patrolled beach and picnic ground. Bundeena and Maianbar are the twin villages surrounded by the national park. There are camping sites at Bonnie Vale, North Era and Uloola Falls.
Wollongong is home to glistening 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, hang gliders. 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 Kiera 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.
You'll marvel at the shades of blue, green and yellow as the Grand Pacific Drive takes you across the Lake Illawarra estuary and into Shellharbour, 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 on 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!
The 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 café scene set amid historic buildings housing unique shops.
The maritime atmosphere of the 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 have made Kiama a popular place for visitors for many years. 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.
When 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. Kangaroo Valley is a lush sanctuary offering gentle natural experiences as well as rafting and outdoor pursuits. Cambewarra is a characterful first settlers village with award-winning winery and resort.
The 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, practicing 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 Treetop Adventures and Wombeyan Caves with their surrounding wilderness area. Berrima boasts Australia's oldest continuously licensed pub, the stone Surveyor General with its wonky angles and colourful history.The town has some of the most interesting shopping and galleries. The area has many quality wineries with welcoming cellar doors and top restaurants.
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