Explore The Highlights of Dharawal Country
There is so much to do and discover in the Illawarra. With over 17 world class beaches, kilometres of lake and beachside walking trails, a stunning mountain range and three large shopping complexes – you’ll be scrambling to fit it all into one visit.
Here are some of our favourite things to do and places to see around Berkeley, Wollongong, and the wider Illawarra region.
Sea Cliff Bridge (42-min drive) – Lawrence Hargrave Dr, Clifton. The 665-metre-long Sea Cliff Bridge is a highlight along the Grand Pacific Drive. A drive which takes in 140 kilometres worth of coastal scenery from the Royal National Park, Loftus down to Nowra. Click here for directions.
Wollongong Botanic Garden (15-min drive) – Stunning botanic garden at the base of Mt Keira, featuring a playground and duck pond. Free entry. wollongongbotanicgarden.com.au
Wollongong Art Gallery (17-min drive) – Beautiful local art gallery. Free entry. www.wollongongartgallery.com
Mt Keira Lookout (23-min drive) – Queen Elizabeth Drive Mount Keira. Located at the top of the Illawarra escarpment, it is a significant Aboriginal cultural heritage site. You can enjoy awe-inspiring views over Wollongong from the lookouts and explore multiple bushwalking tracks. wollongongbotanicgarden.com.au/conservation/mount-keira-summit-park-and-lookout
Nan Tien Temple (6-min drive) – 180 Berkeley Road, Berkeley. The largest Buddhist Temple in the Southern Hemisphere. Nan Tien is very different from most tourist attractions because there is so much on offer. The visual delights of grandeur architecture, art and culture including unique exhibitions and festivals. Free entry. www.nantien.org.au
Shellharbour Marina (22-min drive) – 13 Marina Dr, Shell Cove. The marina is at the heart of The Waterfront, Shell Cove development, with multiple harbourside dining options and walking paths. shellharbourmarina.com.au
UOW Science Space (Science Centre) (19-min drive) – Science Space is the only dedicated immersive science experience in NSW and exists to advocate for and foster science literacy. They provide experiences for all the family to learn and explore the world around us through hands-on play and visual encounters. sciencespace.com.au
Symbio Wildlife Park (33-min drive) – Features a large animal park, splash water park and Adventure playground. symbiozoo.com.au
Flagstaff Point Lighthouse (Wollongong Head) (20-min drive) – The most iconic location in Wollongong – the tall lighthouse that oversees South Beach at Flagstaff Hill, Wollongong. Click here for directions.
Blue Mile (18-min drive) – A stunning walk spanning from North Beach to South Beach, in the costal heart of Wollongong. wollongong.nsw.gov.au/council-projects/ongoing-projects/the-blue-mile
Jamberoo Action Park (31-min drive)- NSW’s largest family owned and operated water theme park, offering world class rides and attractions in an impeccably maintained, natural setting between the mountains and the sea. jamberoo.net
Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures (45-min drive) – See some of the best views in the Illawarra from a zipline and treetop walk. illawarrafly.com.au
Cathedral Rocks (25-min drive) – The distinctive rock formations of Cathedral Rocks are just one of Kiama’s many geological delights. kiama.com.au/listings/things-to-do/cathedral-rocks
Kiama Blowhole (30-min drive) – Kiama’s famous Blowhole is the largest in the world, and when the swell is running from the southeast, you’re in for a real treat. The 2.5 metres opening in the rock face has had its plumes of water recorded at heights of over 30 metres! kiama.com.au/listings/things-to-do/kiama-blowhole
Minnamurra Rainforest (32-min drive) – 345 Minnamurra Falls Rd, Jamberoo. www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/visitor-centres/minnamurra-rainforest-centre
Crown Street Markets (15-min drive) – Crown Street Mall, Wollongong. Weekly local markets featuring local produce, street food, handmade gifts and art. crownstmarkets.com.au – Every Friday (8am-3pm).
HARS Aviation Museum Australia (13-min drive) – Shellharbour Airport, 54 Airport Road, Albion Park Rail. hars.org.au
Explore Lake Illawarra
There’s a wonderful bike and walking path that lines most of the shore edge of Lake Illawarra – lending itself to some spectacular views and bird life especially at sunrise and sunset.
A few of our personal favourite places to walk are:
Purry Burry Jetty, Primbee (12-min drive) – Best to visit at sunrise or sunset – Click for directions
Dix’s Wharf, Berkeley (5-min drive) – Click for directions
Wollamai Point Jetty and Boat Ramp, Berkeley (4-min drive) – Click for directions
Hooka Park Loop and Bridge, Berkeley (4-min drive) – Click for directions
Explore The History Of The Illawarra
Berkeley Pioneer Cemetery (3-min drive) – Berkeley Pioneer Cemetery is one of the oldest remaining burial sites in the Illawarra area. It’s packed with information about the history of Berkeley. wollongongmemorialgardens.com.au/locations/berkeley-pioneer-cemetery
Illawarra Museum Wollongong (18-min drive) – 11 Market Street, Wollongong. It’s free entry but only open for a few hours on Wednesdays and Sundays. Worth a visit if you have the time. www.illawarramuseum.com
Windy Gully Cemetery (16-min drive) – Cordeaux Rd, Kembla Heights. A time capsule honouring the areas largest mining disaster over 100 years ago. Click for directions.
Helensburgh Glow Worm Tunnel (44-min drive) – 2 Vera St, Helensburgh. Helensburgh, NSW, Australia is home to a sequence of historic tunnels, with one being home to a spectacular, but fragile, colony of glow worms. helensburghtunnels.org.au – Click for directions.
Explore The Steel Works
Steelworks Tour (13-min drive) – One of the best tours we’ve ever done. The Inside Industry run a range of local tours taking you inside the innerworkings of the steelworks at Port Kembla. insideindustry.org.au
Night Drive (11-min drive) – Christy Drive, Port Kembla. The Steelworks look spectacular at night, if you’re wanting to explore it at night, we recommend heading down Christy Drive, Port Kembla for some great views (a great drive during the day too). Click here for directions.
Indoor Activities
Breakout Bar and Escape Rooms (19-min drive) – Check out the Breakout Bar & Escape Rooms, a completely unique adventure! Experience state of the art escape rooms, belt out a song in our private karaoke rooms, and relax with a drink in our cocktail lounge – home of the enigmatic Professor B. breakoutbar.com.au
Holey Moley (17-min drive) – Enjoy a fun night of indoor putt putt and arcade games. holeymoley.com.au
Hangdog Climbing Gym (12-min drive) – Indoor rock climbing. hangdog.com.au
Event Cinemas Shellharbour (19-min drive) – Our personal favourite cinema. eventcinemas.com.au
Hoyts Cinema Warrawong (10-min drive) – Closest cinema. hoyts.com.au
Wollongong Mall (17-min drive) – Largest shopping centre in Wollongong. wollongongcentral.com.au
Warrawong Plaza (10-min drive) – Closest shopping centre. warrawongplaza.com.au
Stockland Shellharbour (19-min drive) – Largest shopping centre in Shellharbour. stockland.com.au
Beaches
All the beaches in the Illawarra are incredible. If swimming at the beach please swim between the flags – check wollongong.nsw.gov.au/places/beaches-and-pools/beaches for patrolled beach details.
Best beaches to enjoy from your car (car parks facing the waves) are Port Kembla beach, up on the hill next to the Life Saving Club, and the car park on the south side of the lighthouse at Flagstaff Hill in Wollongong, overlooking South Beach (or City Beach as Google Maps calls it).
Places To Swim
Port Kembla Pool (12-min drive) – A favourite of locals, this sea-water pool has an eight-lane 50m pool, a toddlers’ pool, and a beach-style entry ideal for those who just want to dip their feet in. Free entry. Click for more information.
Berkeley Pool (2-min drive) – Local chlorine council pool. Free entry. Click for more information.
Unanderra Pool (Western Suburbs) (8-min drive) – Local chlorine council pool. Free entry. Click for more information.
Port Kembla Beach (12-min drive) – Port Kembla beach is a popular location south of Wollongong. It’s next to an Olympic-sized saltwater swimming pool. Click here for details about when the beach is patrolled.
North Beach (20-min drive) – North Beach is Wollongong’s busiest beach and is patrolled all year round. It is a short distance from Wollongong Harbour, and is surrounded by cafes, restaurants, and the historic North Beach Bathers Pavilion. Click here for details about when the beach is patrolled.
Continental Pools (20-min drive) – Set on the iconic Blue Mile between Wollongong Harbour and North Beach, this popular swimming spot has a 50m and 45m ocean pool, as well as a toddlers’ pool. Free entry. Click for more information.
