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.
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Some of Australia's best snorkelling and a 260 hectare coastal park you can stay in.
The fabled beaches Mystics and The Farm are the stuff of legend, some of the best on the coast. Killalea State Park is over 260 hectares of pristine coastal reserve with spectacular coast, littoral rainforest walking trails, extensive estuarine wetlands and seabird breeding areas. You can camp amid all this or stay in the backpacker-style bunkhouse.
A Segway Touris the perfect way to explore the stunning Shellharbour coastline on an exhilarating guided adventure. You can zip along paths and the beautiful Killalea Beach, twist and turn through tracks and cover so much ground without your feet even touching the ground!
Don't forget to visit the nearby Bushrangers Bay Aquatic Reserve regarded as one of the best snorkelling and diving spots in the state.
Step back into a beautiful seaside past time
Shellharbour Village is a vibrant oceanfront strip filled with cafes, restaurants and shops with real distinctiveness and interest. There's a range of specialty boutique shops, a range of health, well-being and beauty services which compliment its relaxed seaside atmosphere.
Beside the Pacific is Little Park with its great views, children's playground, pool and harbourside markets on the fourth Sunday monthly. The waterfront offers opportunities for easy walks while you explore rock shelfs and pools.
There is also a variety of accommodation in the Village that includes quaint B&B's, motels, holiday houses and units and an ocean front tourist park with beach cottages, cabins and camping-there's something for everyone.
Take a deep breath for the wonderful sea air and old time atmosphere that is Shellharbour Village.
For your golfing getaway swing to The Links
The Links Shell Cove golf course is part of the bright new future of Shellharbour, built to complement the coming boat harbour and marina at Shell Cove. It has a friendly tradition of welcoming guests as a course for all skill levels. With four tee options, staff will help you choose your own golfing adventure. Voted as one of Australia's top 50 courses under $50, The Links is brilliant value. The Links Hotel is your 19th hole with a great atmosphere, great beer and excellent food.
Flying through the ages - our amazing airport museum
From a flimsy looking Tiger Moth to the first world record breaking first Qantas 747-400 to an F-111 fighter bomber, the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) displays more than 40 fascinating planes at Illawarra Regional Airport Albion Park. Many are still flying including a Caribou, Super Constellation and legendary Catalina flying boat.
You can often sit in the cockpit and get up close to these planes like nowhere else and see behind the scene 'off limits' areas in aircraft like the jumbo jet.
Stockland is not just a shopping destination, but a great experience all round
Its dazzling variety of food offers virtually every cuisine, along with Woolworths and Coles for all you'll need for your coastal getaway. Stockland Shellharbour has a huge range of over 250 specialty shops which is the largest in the area. There are also all the banking, pharmacy and other services for any last minute needs. Add a fresh new Myer, Kmart, Target and JB Hi-Fit and you'll find everything together in one place.
Relish in the Village rhymes with delish!
Open since 2002, Relish on Addison is a dining name that stays on the tongue of locals and visitors as a great venue for couples, families and groups. During the day it's a casual upmarket café. By evening Relish becomes a contemporary Australian restaurant with menus changing seasonally. A tapas menu is available early evening and for Sunday lunch and breakfast is served on Sundays. The smart atmosphere includes a sunny veranda allowing you to take in the flavour of the village as you dine.
Where you can live like a local
As you make your way along the Grand Pacific Drive into the seaside township of Shellharbour, you'll notice a shift in accommodation options as holiday houses, bed and breakfasts, self contained units and tourist parks become the norm.
There are a few small hotels on offer for those that prefer them, but the real beauty of spending the night(s) in Shellharbour is that you'll truly live like a local when you stay in a home, cabin or apartment.
View some of the available Shellharbour properties at the top of this page or visit the Shellharbour website.
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