Category: Shoalhaven

Discover the Best Places to Stay along The Grand Pacific Drive​

  • Headlands Austinmer Beach

Articles

Discover the Best Places to Stay along The Grand Pacific Drive

From luxury coastal escapes to budget-friendly stays. One of the most iconic coastal road trips in Australia, the Grand Pacific Drive is as much about where you stay as it is about the journey itself. From Wollongong through to the Shoalhaven, here’s a curated guide to the best accommodation options along the way — whether you’re chasing luxury, value, or something a little more unique.

Luxury Coastal Accommodation

  • Sage Hotel Wollongong – A modern coastal hotel perfectly positioned near the harbour, offering spacious rooms, event facilities and easy access to beaches, dining and the waterfront. Ideal for a polished weekend escape or city-meets-coast stay.
  • Adina Apartment Hotel Wollongong – Stylish, self-contained apartments designed for comfort and flexibility, featuring full kitchens, balconies and generous living spaces — perfect for longer stays or a home-away-from-home experience.
  • Novotel Wollongong Northbeach – A beachfront favourite overlooking North Wollongong Beach, combining ocean-view rooms, a lively atmosphere and resort-style amenities including a pool, bar and restaurant.
  • Headlands Austinmer Beach – Set high above the coastline, this relaxed yet refined retreat offers sweeping ocean views, modern apartments and a stunning clifftop location ideal for slow coastal escapes.
  • The Sebel Kiama Harbourside – An iconic harbourfront stay with front-row access to Kiama’s coastline, coastal walks and blowhole, offering spacious rooms and uninterrupted water views.
  • Bellevue Accommodation Kiama – A boutique-style stay known for its thoughtfully curated interiors, warm hospitality and central location just moments from Kiama’s cafes, shops and ocean outlooks.
  • The Cove Jervis Bay – A truly special beachfront escape set on pristine white sand, offering luxury houses and a private, secluded feel — perfect for group getaways, weddings or special occasions.
  • Bannisters by the Sea – A premium coastal retreat famed for its oceanfront location, infinity pool and award-winning dining, delivering a refined yet relaxed South Coast luxury experience.
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Novotel North Beach Wollongong
Novotel North Beach Wollongong

Mid-Range Accommodation

Comfortable, stylish and perfectly located for a coastal getaway

  • Quest Wollongong – Centrally located serviced apartments offering space, convenience and reliability, ideal for both short stays and extended visits in the heart of the city.
  • Hotel TOTTO Wollongong – A design-forward hotel with a fresh, urban feel, featuring compact yet stylish rooms and a vibrant on-site dining experience.
  • Nova Kiama – A contemporary and well-appointed stay just moments from Kiama’s beaches, cafes and attractions, offering comfort with a clean, modern aesthetic.
  • Bannisters Pavilion – A modern, beach-chic escape near Mollymook Beach, featuring light-filled rooms, private balconies and a rooftop pool and bar that brings a relaxed yet elevated coastal vibe.
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Hotel Totto
Hotel TOTTO, Wollongong

Motels

Classic road trip stays with coastal charm and great value

  • Thirroul Beach Motel – Simple, no-fuss accommodation just steps from the beach, perfect for a quick coastal stop or laidback overnight stay.
  • Surfside 22 Motel – A refreshed boutique-style motel that reimagines the classic roadside stay with elevated interiors, clean design and a relaxed coastal feel
  • Berry View Motel – A comfortable and convenient base in the heart of Berry, within walking distance to popular cafes, boutiques and local favourites.
  • Motel Molly – A vibrant, retro-inspired motel brought to life with colour and personality, offering a fun and stylish stay close to the beach.
  • Hillcrest Merimbula – Perched above the coastline, this relaxed motel offers sweeping ocean views and a peaceful base on the Sapphire Coast.
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Surfside22 Motel
Surfside 22 Motel, Wollongong

Budget- Friendly Accommodation

Affordable options without compromising on location

  • Wollongong Surf Leisure Resort – A laidback coastal stay with cabins, villas and great facilities, ideal for families, groups and longer stays near the beach.
  • The Palms Motel Wollongong – A simple, centrally located motel offering great value and easy access to Wollongong’s beaches and CBD.
  • Sky Accommodation – A modern and affordable option with clean, comfortable rooms suited to short stays and quick stopovers.
  • Lakeside Inn Wollongong – Positioned between Lake Illawarra and the ocean, this scenic and budget-friendly stay offers a relaxed coastal setting.
  • Boat Harbour Motel – A well-located, no-frills stay near Wollongong Harbour, perfect for travellers wanting to stay central on a budget.
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Boat Harbour Hotel
Boat Harbour Motel, Wollongong

Unique Accommodation

Memorable escapes that go beyond the ordinary

  • Paperbark Camp – A luxury safari-style glamping experience immersed in bushland, combining nature, comfort and a truly unforgettable atmosphere near Jervis Bay.
  • Bangalay Luxury Villas – Architecturally designed villas nestled among native bushland, offering a refined, peaceful retreat just moments from the beach.
  • The Lodge Jamberoo – Located on a stunning riverfront, surrounded by acres of natural grounds. Find stylish rooms, beautiful resort pool, outdoor hot tub, indoor gym & spa.
  • Cupitt’s Estate – The perfect place to unwind and enjoy a country escape at the Villas, take in sweeping vineyard views, luxury accommodation and an award-winning restaurant, winery and cellar door right at your doorstep.
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The Lodge Jamberoo
The Lodge, Jamberoo

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Must-Visit Ocean Pools and Rock Pools

  • Bellambi Rock Pool, Dee Kramer Photography

Articles

Ocean Pools Along the Grand Pacific Drive: The Ultimate Guide from Wollongong to Eden

Discover these must-visit ocean pools along the Grand Pacific Drive on this ultimate South Coast road trip from Wollongong to Eden. From iconic ocean pools and rock pools to hidden coastal swimming spots, this guide takes you through some of NSW’s most stunning places to swim, relax, and explore.

Wollongong & Shellharbour

This stretch of coastline is home to some of NSW’s most iconic and accessible ocean pools, perfect for a refreshing dip, sunrise swim, or lazy summer afternoon.

Highlights include the dramatic Coalcliff Rock Pool, tucked beneath towering cliffs, and the classic coastal favourites of the northern Illawarra like Wombarra, Coledale, and Austinmer Rock Pools, each offering crystal-clear water and sweeping ocean views. Further south, the lively stretch from Thirroul, Bulli, Woonona, and Towradgi Rock Pools showcases the region’s easy-access, community-loved swimming spots.

In Wollongong, the expansive North Wollongong Continental Pool is perfect for laps with a view, while Port Kembla Olympic Pool offers a more structured ocean swim experience. Just down the coast, Shellharbour’s gems include the sheltered Fishermans Beach Rock Pool, the scenic Barrack Point Ocean Pool, and the popular Beverley Whitfield Ocean Pool, known for its family-friendly design and ocean views.

Port Kembla Pool

Kiama & Gerringong

Continue your coastal swim trail through Kiama and Gerringong, where ocean pools are set against rolling green headlands and some of the South Coast’s most scenic shorelines. This stretch blends iconic landmarks with quieter local favourites, making it perfect for a slower, more relaxed day by the water.

In Kiama, the centrally located Blowhole Point Ocean Pool is a standout, sitting right beside the famous blowhole and offering easy access with incredible coastal views. Just around the corner, Pheasant Point Rock Pool (Continental Ocean Pool) feels a little more tucked away, while Kendalls Beach Rock Pool is a calm, family-friendly option ideal for an easy swim close to town.

Further south in Gerringong, Werri (Ourie) Beach Rock Pool is a long, scenic pool at the southern end of the beach, perfect for laps, ocean dips, and soaking up uninterrupted views of the coastline. Campbells Hole in Gerringong is a hidden, natural rock pool tucked into the headland near Werri Beach. Best at low tide, it’s perfect for a quick dip, with clear water, rugged surrounds, and a quieter, off-the-beaten-path feel.

Campbells Hole, Gerringong – Image by Mark Fitz

Eurobodalla

Explore the ocean pools of the Eurobodalla region, where laidback coastal towns meet some of the South Coast’s most scenic swim spots. This stretch offers a mix of easy-access pools and more natural rock formations, perfect for a refreshing dip between road trip stops.

Standouts include the centrally located Batemans Bay Ocean Pool, ideal for a calm, quick swim, and the picturesque Broulee Rock Pool, known for its clear water and relaxed beachside setting. Further south, Moruya Heads Rock Pool offers a more rugged, local feel, while Narooma Bar Rock Pool is a favourite for its unique position near the inlet, blending river and ocean views.

NRMA Murramarang Beachfront Holiday Resort, South Durras

Sapphire Coast

Discover the ocean pools of the Sapphire Coast, where striking headlands and vivid blue water create some of the most iconic swim spots in NSW. This stretch feels a little wilder and more untouched.

Standouts include the famous Bermagui Blue Pool, perched dramatically on the edge of the ocean, and nearby Bruce Steer Pool, a quieter local favourite with equally stunning views.

Further south, Tathra Rock Pool offers an easy, family-friendly swim close to town, while Pambula Beach Rock Pool and Aslings Beach Rock Pool near Eden deliver relaxed coastal dips with wide ocean outlooks.

Bermagui Blue Pool (@davey_rogers)

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The Best Lookout Spots along the Grand Pacific Drive

  • NRMA Murramarang Beachfront Holiday Resort, South Durras

Articles

The best lookout spots along the Grand Pacific Drive

From cliff-hugging roads to beachy headlands and quiet southern-coast lookouts, this stretch is made for slow trave and numerous stops. Here are the absolute must-stop lookout spots from Stanwell Park to Ulladulla.

1

Bald Hill Lookout (Stanwell Tops)

Bald Hill is the perfect first stop and is one of the most iconic lookouts for the entire drive, serving up sweeping views over Stanwell Park Beach, Wollongong and beyond. With the escarpment rolling dramatically into the sea and the Sea Cliff Bridge in the not-too-far view. You’ll usually see hang gliders launching from the top, you can also grab a coffee or walk down to Stanwell Park using the new walking path. 

 Best time: Early morning or golden hour 

Bald Hill Lookout

2

Sublime Point Lookout

High above the Illawarra coast, Sublime Point delivers endless views. On a clear day, you’ll get Wollongong, the ocean, escarpment north and south. There is a walking track that takes you to the bottom of the escarpment at Austinmer, although it isn’t for the faint-hearted. 

Bonus: The Southern Gateway Centre is a close drive with post-viewing snacks available. 

Sublime Point Lookout
Sublime Point Lookout - Image by @scottruzzene

3

Flagstaff Hill Lookout (Wollongong)

Overlooking Wollongong Harbour and the iconic lighthouse, Flagstaff Hill is an easy stop to get some great photos. It’s coastal, historic, and super accessible.

Perfect for: A quick stop without leaving the car too long

4

Kiama Coast Walk Lookouts

The Kiama region is stacked with ocean viewpoints, especially along the Coast Walk. From dramatic cliffs to rocky platforms, this area gives you front-row seats to wild seas and blowhole action.

Tip: Even a short section of the walk is worth it

5

Saddleback Mountain Lookout

Perched above the coastline near Kiama, the Saddleback Mountain Lookout is one of the South Coast’s most breathtaking vantage points, offering sweeping panoramic views that stretch from rolling green farmland to the sparkling Pacific Ocean. It’s a peaceful, elevated escape where you can take in the curves of the coastline, the Minnamurra River, and distant towns all in one frame, making it a favourite for photographers and sunset chasers.

Getting there is easy, with a scenic 10-minute drive from Kiama along Saddleback Mountain Road, which winds its way up to a car park just steps from the main lookout, plus a second viewpoint a little further along for a slightly different perspective.

Tip: Even a short section of the walk is worth it

6

Warden Head Lookout (Ulladulla)

Finish strong at Warden Head, where cliffs, crashing waves, and the Ulladulla lighthouse come together beautifully. It’s especially magical when whales migrate past the coast in May to November. 

Best time: Sunrise or whale season.

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Coolangatta Estate

Alive with history, the original convict-built village is surrounded by sprawling vineyards and landscaped grounds. Coolangatta Estate is a fully integrated wine/tourism destination providing modern heritage accommodation, restaurant complex, wedding venue, wine cellar/tastings and recreational facilities. Situated on the foothills of Mt. Coolangatta and located only 2 hours south of Sydney on the popular South Coast of NSW, it is truly the ideal destination to wine, dine and stay.

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