Illawarra places to visit - "Between the Mountains and the Sea"

 The Illawarra is a one hour drive south of Sydney N.S.W Australia, and is one of the most beautiful stretches of coast anywhere in the world. "There is so much to see and do in this region you won’t have a minute to waste". The area comprises of pristine beaches, a 120 km long escarpment wall that at its peak is a sheer 800 metres above sea level. The escarpment is home to rainforests, waterfalls, lookouts and adventure to name a just a few and the region is also home to many great shopping towns and lots of great people so come and find out for yourself what is between the mountains and the sea, you won’t be disappointed. We have compiled a detailed list below highlighting the best attractions this region has to offer, and we highly recommend a visit to all of them. The list has over 60 destinations named, however when you get here you will realise the list could be much longer. If you would like to see more you can refer back to our Illawarra photography section as we have photographed many attractions across the region. We have lived in the Gong our whole lives and have experienced it first hand, we live and breathe the Gong and have been to every destination on our list and of course more.  To see more beautiful scenes of the Illawarra please visit my Illawarra Landscape Photography gallery here.

Wollongong 

Mt Keira Lookout– Mt Keira lookout is 464m above sea level, it comprises of amazing views of Wollongong and the northern suburbs. Just metres away is the Mt Keira Mountain Top restaurant, offering top quality food and breathtaking views. A short walk south east and you will find another lookout offering views of the Port Kembla steel works, Lake Illawarra and the Southern Suburbs.

Wollongong Harbour – Wollongong harbour is one of the major tourist areas of the Illawarra, it is a pretty harbour offering beautiful scenery including coastal and escarpment views. The harbour is the only point on the N.S.W coast that has two lighthouses. The old Wollongong lighthouse built in 1871 is situated on the breakwater and the new lighthouse built in 1936 situated atop of Flagstaff Hill, the area is also the site of historic forts and canons. The harbour consists of a fleet of fishing and recreational vessels which adds to the harbours character. Brighton beach is located within the harbour and is popular for swimming as it is within the breakwater. Nearby are lots of parkland, cafés, restaurants and picnic areas as well as the popular bike track. Enjoy a swim in one of the areas many ocean baths or the Continental Pool located just a short walk down the bike track.

Wollongong Botanical Gardens – Nestled at the base of Mt Keira is the Wollongong Botanical Gardens which is a place of tranquil beauty and is host to an impressive array of plants from Australia and around the world. These gardens have an excellent network of access paths to enjoy the park. However there is also much to see off the track. The gardens are a peaceful place where you can relax and enjoy the surrounds. The Botanical Gardens also holds a number of events and activities throughout the year.

The Wollongong to Thirroul bike track – The Wollongong to Thirroul bike track hugs the coastline from Wollongong in the south to Thirroul in the north; it offers an easy to use bike track and stunning views up and down the coast. Stop off and enjoy some of the regions favourite beaches and lookouts. This track is popular with bike riders, joggers and walkers alike, you will find local takeaway stores every few kilometers. It is quite an easy and pleasant ride

The Blue Mile – The Blue Mile walk along the foreshore between City Beach at Wollongong and Stuart Park at North Wollongong, offers spectacular views along the entire stretch of coast and has a series of advantage point lookouts along the way and is a great snap shot of what the region has to offer. some of the amazing views this region has to offer. The new lookout at Flagstaff Hill offers views of City Beach and Port Kembla and lookouts along Cliff Road offer views of the harbour and northwards up the coast. The Blue Mile takes you on a fantastic walk that includes, Wollongong City Beach, The lighthouse and cannons at Flagstaff Hill, the harbour foreshore, and a walk up the trendy Cliff Road where you will find former military bunkers and cannons. I've just mentioned a few of the attractions along the blue mile, but come down to for yourself and check it out, you won't be disappointed.

North Wollongong Beach – North Wollongong Beach or otherwise known as North Gong is the regions main beach, it has great surf and is a family friendly environment. It offers scenic views of the escarpment and cliff road and is home to the historic bather’s pavilion. The area has a number of oceans baths if you prefer to stay out of the surf. Nearby is the popular North Beach kiosk and Stuart Park across the road, which offers lots of facilities for picnics, bbq’s and sporting activities.

City Beach Wollongong (South Beach) – City Beach or previously known as South Beach is another of the regions iconic beaches, it offers great views of Flagstaff Hill to the north and the steel works to the south. Close by is some of the regions famous ocean baths where you can enjoy a swim out of the surf and just behind the beach is Lang Park where you can enjoy a picnic.

Crown Street Mall – Crown Street Mall is a mix of retailers from international brands to the individual and unique brands. It is located in the heart of the city centre on the regions main street. It is the largest shopping destination in the Illawarra with stores including David Jones, Myer, JB Hi Fi, Rebel Sport, Best and Less and a Greater Union Cinema. There are heaps of food outlets which offer a vast array of take away and restaurants. The Mall is home to a total of 350 businesses which include over 75 fashion stores and 30 fashion accessories stores. Crown Street Mall is the regions premier shopping destination and is recognised as the fashion capital of the Illawarra. The mall is just a short stroll to the harbour, and the cities major sporting, arts and entertainment facilities.

Illawarra Historical Society Museum - Take a step back in time and relish the Illawarra's past at the Illawarra Historical Society Museum located at 11 Market Street Wollongong. The museum has a large collection of historical artifacts and information from the Illawarra region and it also boosts an air raid shelter, stockman's hut and a historic class room. This museum is defiantly worth a visit whether you are a tourist or a local. For more information you can Visit: www.illawarramuseum.com

North Wollongong

Bald Hill at Stanwell Tops - Bald Hill at Stanwell Tops is a must see attraction with breathtaking views of the Illawarra coast and the Sea Cliff bridge, it is one of the best scenic views you’ll ever see and is a stop off and one of the major attractions on the Grand Pacific Drive. This area has attractions everywhere you look and is very highly recommended.

Stanwell Park Beach – For pristine waters and an amazing scenic back drop, consisting of Bald Hill and the escarpment this beach is a great little spot, it also comprises of Stanwell Park creek and a beautiful park with people friendly native wildlife. The Stanwell Park beach kiosk is just metres away from the park where you can grab a table and enjoy the surrounds with a wide variety of food on offer, including wattle seed ice cream

Sea Cliff Bridge – The Sea Cliff Bridge is one of the major icons of the Illawarra region, it is a stunning off shore parallel Coast Bridge with spectacular views of the coast line and the Pacific Ocean. It is 665m long and at its highest point is 41m high. It is an amazing drive, walk or bike ride with a pedestrian pathway. If you’re visiting the region don’t miss the coast road and the Sea Cliff Bridge, the northern suburbs have a lot to other, great views, pleasant sea side communities and some great shopping towns.

Sublime Point Lookout, Bulli Tops – Another great mountain top lookout, with views north to Bundeena and south to Kiama, it really is a special place, it has an excellent picnic area and a beautiful park located around the lookout platform, as well as access to the Austinmer ladder and the sublime point restaurant just meters away. Bulli Mountain top lookout – Here you will find more amazing views of the Illawarra, with close access to the cliff hanger café which sits on the edge of the escarpment 1000 feet above sea level and the Panorama House restaurant just a few hundred meters north.

Maddens Falls, Darkes Forest – This water fall is truly magnificent and after heavy rain is quite spectacular. On the way to the falls you will encounter a pleasant walk through native scrub and swampy wetlands, an absolutely beautiful area.

Austinmer Ladder – Take a stroll through the lush forests of the Illawarra escarpment to meet a series of steep ladders climbing the sandstone rock face. The ladder leads to Sublime Point at Bulli Tops. Sublime Point offers spectacular views of the northern and the southern suburbs of the Illawarra. In the North you can see as far as bundeena and Sydney and in the south you can see Kiama and Saddleback Mountain.

Austinmer Beach – One of the Illawarra’s most iconic beaches offers beautiful scenery, a lovely park and spectacular views as well as ocean baths. Austinmer beach has a small number shops and food outlets just across the road.

Thirroul Beach – Another iconic beach, Thirroul has a nice big park, with beautiful clean water and views of Sandon Point at Bulli and the Illawarra escarpment. It also has a swimming pool. Thirroul is just a few minutes drive from the Thirroul Main street on Lawrance Hargrave Drive

Northern Suburbs Beaches – Wollongong’s Northern Suburbs are home to many amazing beaches, too many to name but some of the most notable are Coalcliff that is isolated and spectacular, it has an ocean bath and is just minutes away from the stunning Sea Cliff Bridge. Wombarra Beach is also very beautiful with a nice little picnic area and ocean bath. Just south of Wombarra is another beautiful beach setting at Coledale, This beach has a camping and picnic ground just metres from the shore and my favourite is Little Austinmer beach.

Sandon Point – Sandon Point is the point between Macauley’s beach and Sandon Point beach at Bulli, the headland offers amazing views up and down the coast with a pleasant park area and surf club. Just below the headland is the historic boat sheds which is a beautiful spot that is very popular with locals. The point is  also very popular with surfers who frequent here all year round, and is home to regular surfing competitions. Sandon Point beach just south of the headland is also beautiful, here you can  park along the beach front and watch the waves crashing, listen to the roar of the ocean and enjoy some local takeaway food.d.

Grand Pacific Drive – The Grand Pacific Drive is one of the most spectacular drives in the country, it starts on the southern fringe of Metropolitan Sydney at The Royal National Park and takes you on an unbelievable journey through the Illawarra and beyond. It is well designed to take advantage of all the attractions the region has to offer. The Grand Pacific Drive doesn’t stop in the Illawarra it continues onto the Shoalhaven, Southern Highlands and Canberra.

The Royal National Park – The Royal National Park extends from North Wollongong in the south to Sydney’s Sutherland Shire in the North and is recognised as being the second oldest National Park in world. It is on the Australian National Heritage list and has many great scenic bush walks, bike trails, beaches and camp sites within its 15 080 hectares. The National Park is home to a variety of different habitats, including heath, rainforests, open woodlands and estuarine systems. The Sydney side of the Royal National Park has a number of small towns which include Audley, Bundeena and Maianbar. On the banks of the hacking river at Audley, you will find the Audley Boat Shed which was established in 1893. Here you can hire kayaks, canoes, boats, bikes and aqua bikes. The National Park also offers Ranger guided discovery tours. For more information on the parks attractions, activities and tours you can visit the visitor centre on Farnell Avenue, Audley Heights. The visitor Information centre also has information on the attractions of the Illawarra. The Royal National Park has a $11.00 fee if you wish to park your vehicle. For more information you can visit: www.environment.nsw.gov.au/NationalParks/parkHome.aspx?id=N0030

Bellambi Point – Bellambi Point has a break water, Jetty and boat ramp with lots of parking available, this area offers great views up the coast of the northern suburbs and the escarpment. This area also has a beautiful beach, ocean pool and the Bellambi Lagoon nearby. The Wollongong to Thirroul bike track hugs the coast through Bellambi and is a great ride.

Maccauleys beach, Sandon Point beach, Bulli beach and Woonona beach - Looking for more great beaches, well take your pick. Any of these beaches offer a great refreshing swim, amazing views and you won't need to battle the crowds either. Bulli and Woonona both have a really nice ocean pool and Sandon Point and Bulli beach you will find two cafe's where you can sit back and enjoy the views whilst enjoying our stunning coast at the same time.

East Corrimal, Corrimal, Towradgi and Fairy Meadow Beaches - Just a bit further north and you will find another 4 amazing beaches, great surf, great scenery and a nice ocean pool at Towradgi Point.

Mount Pleasant, Rhododendron Park – Tucked up high in Mt Pleasant, under the north eastern summit of Mount Keira is the Illawarra Rhododendron Park. These gardens contain thousands of Azaleas and hundreds of Rhododendrons and Camellias. This area also contains lushes green parkland, barbeque and picnic facilities and a rainforest walk, The park in total is 13 hectares. It is a beautiful area to relax and take in the scenery. The Rhododendron Park is run by volunteers and to assist them a $2.00 entry fee applies. The Park is open on weekends and public holidays between 10.00am and 4.00pm.

Kelly’s Falls, Stanwell Tops – Kelly’s Falls is an amazing place just a few minutes drive from Helensburg. Their is two large waterfalls and a series of smaller waterfalls set amongst lush vegetation. Their is seating and viewing platforms that offer some great scenery and amazing views.

Broker’s Nose – I spent many hours growing up climbing Brokers Nose and exploring the natural beauty this area has to offer. The area is home to unique rainforests, giant fig trees, waterfalls, streams and caves. The view from the top is simply breathtaking; you can see for miles whichever way you look. To the North you have a stunning view of the escarpment, the northern suburbs, Bald Hill and The Royal National Park to as far as Sydney. To the east is a view of more of Wollongong’s northern suburbs, great beaches and the Pacific Ocean. To the South you can see Mt Keira, Mt Kembla, Wollongong City and the southern area of the Illawarra including Lake Illawarra, Nan Tien Temple and Saddleback Mountain at Kiama. Finally look west and you can see native bush for as far as the eye can see. All in all Broker’s Nose is a special part of the Illawarra.

Otford Lookout  and Harry’s Lookout Otford – Just across the road from the popular Otford Pie Shop is two amazing lookouts, that offer sweeping views of the pacific ocean in typical Illawarra style. This area also has many natural attractions including the beautiful Otford Beach below and the Otford to Bundeena coast walk which is a 2 day hike along the ruggered coastline of the Royal National Park. The track has endless attractions including the figure eight pool which is a 3 hour walk from Otford. You will also find some amazing beaches which include burning Palms, Garie, Era and Wattamolla. The track is well signed and campsites are present

Wodi Wodi track, Stanwell Park – The Wodi Wodi Track extends in an arc between stanwell park railway station and Lawrence Hargrave drive 700 metres north of Coal Cliff station. It has been used for centuries by Aboriginal people and evidence is still present today with tree carvings and a carving of a whale on Mt Mitchell. The track is winding and steep and takes you on a journey through lush forest. You will enjoy the fresh water stream at Stanwell Park creek and a nearby waterfall. Also not far from the track is the Stanwell Park viaduct which is quite an architectural masterpiece. This walk is recommended for fit and experienced bush walkers.

Symbio Wildlife Park, Helensburg – Symbio Wildlife Park is Wollongong’s own family operated, award winning zoo set in 16 acres of native bush and parkland, which borders the royal national park and is only 4km from Bald Hill at Stanwell Tops. Symbio has over 1000 animals including native, farmyard and exotic and it allows for a very close encounter and hands on experience with its wildlife. You can feed the kangaroos or cuddle a koala and enjoy many of the live shows and keeper talks the zoo puts on. It is an enjoyable and educational experience that is well worth a visit.

Otford Farm, Horse Riding – Otford farm is set on 300 acres of land with an amazing bush setting where you can enjoy   the scenery, watch the horses grazing in the paddock and have a picnic by the river. Here you can take a ride on a variety of different trails, which include a 1 hour rainforest ride, a 2 hour ride to Kelly’s Falls and a 3 hour ride to Bald Hill at Stanwell Tops. Otford Farm caters for all levels of experience and a great experience.

South Wollongong

Lake Illawarra – Lake Illawarra is the second largest salt lake in N.S.W, it has 35 kilometres of shoreline and many facilities on offer right around. All around the lake you will find jetties and reserves every few kilometers, and Berkeley’s Wollamai and Tuggerah bay jetties are a nice stop off, both with views of Gooseberry and Hooka Island, the Primbee Jetty is also very popular as it stretches out far into the lake. The bird life on the lake is amazing, thousands of birds flock here and is quite a unique site. A scenic bike track makes its way around the lake from Berkeley to Windang and is a very relaxing ride. On the south side of the lake are the Windang bridge and the lakes sea entrance. Here you can go for a walk on the Windang island at the mouth of the lake whilst taking in the views of local beaches and the lakes smaller island near the bridge. Lake Illawarra is a popular fishing spot and a regular site at Windang is the hundreds of people fishing off the bridge and the local surrounds. The lake is in top condition and well worth a trip for a nice relaxing day by the water.

Robertson's Knoll Lookout - This is one of my favourite lookouts in the Illawarra with expansive views of Wollongong to Kiama. To the left is a great view of Mount Keira and Wollongong City and to the right is a nice view of Mount Kembla and Lake Illawarra. The bonus is that it has access and is  a short 180 metre walk from the car park.

Mt Kembla lookout – The 534 metre high summit of the iconic Mt Kembla has a lookout attached offering stunning views of Wollongong and the southern suburbs of the Illawarra. It is just a short drive from the beautiful Mt Kembla Village atop of the mountain.

Mt Kembla Village – For a peaceful little town with plenty of character and history, then head up to the mountain top village of Mt Kembla, and experience the old mining cottages, the old Mt Kembla hotel which was built in 1887 and some of the town's old buildings. Mt Kembla has a lookout some 534 metres above sea level offering stunning views of the Illawarra aswell as many bushwalking tracks. You can drive along the top of the mountain via Harry Graham Drive to Mt Keira lookout just a few kilometers away. Mt Kembla mine opened here in 1883 and in 1902 the mine exploded killing 96 men and boys. This disaster is Australia’s worst non natural, non nautical disaster and remembered here in the Mt Kembla village with the mining

Nan Tien Temple, Berkeley – The Nan Tien Temple at Berkeley is the largest temple in the southern hemisphere and is known as “Southern Paradise” It gives a unique insight and a cultural bridge between eastern and western cultures. Enjoy the architecture and gardens while you over look the mountains of the Illawarra escarpment. Enjoy a wide variety of exotic teas, coffees as well as an a la carte lunch menu and Sample traditional oriental cuisine and other Australian café style meals at the Dew Drop Inn Tea House located within the temple. Here you can also purchase oriental tea, chopsticks and home decorator items.  The Nan Tien Temple runs tours, activities and accommodation is available here.

Hill 60 - Hill 60 at Port Kembla has strong ties with the Illawarra's aboriginal people, and was the site of a former aboriginal settlement. Hill 60 virtually rises straight from the coastline and is the highest point in Port Kembla. It offers views of the five islands, Red Point and the Port Kembla steel works. It is a short drive to the summit where you will find plenty of parking. Underneath Hill 60 is Illowra battery which is a series of World War II tunnels and bunkers. It once had a tram line that was used to transport ammunition and weapons.

Australia’s Industy World, Port Kembla – Take a drive through Australia’s Industy world at Port Kembla to see for yourself how our big industry works. Watch the massive cargo ships come into Port Kembla Harbour or watch the night lights of the steel works light up like a big city. To take a closer look, Australia’s Industry World Runs tours through the steel works and you can make a booking by Visiting: www.aiw.org.au

Port Kembla and Windang Beaches - Despite Port Kembla beaches proximity to the Port Kembla Steel Works it is remarkably clean and beautiful. In fact in 2010 in won an award for being Australia's cleanest beach. The beach has great south facing coastal views and is one of the most popular beaches in the Illawarra. Just a bit further south is Windang beach and this is another very beautiful beach with great scenic views.

MM Beach - This beach is one of my personal favourites located in the Southern part of Wollongong. The remains of an old Mount Kembla mine jetty still stand and for me being a photographer it offers a great point of interest. You can see Big Island, Pig Island and toothbrush island off shore and Hill 60 to the south.

Shellharbour

Killalea Beach (The Farm) – Killalea Beach is known locally as The Farm and is within the Killalea State Park. The Farm is very popular with locals and surfers alike and in 2009 was recognised as a national surfing reserve, along with neighboring Mystics Beach also located within the Killalea State Park, Killalea Beach is one of only seven national surfing reserves across Australia. This area is not only recognised for its surfing but also for the natural beauty of the area. No matter which way you look you see stunning views of the ocean, coastal headlands, escarpment, lagoons and volcanic rock formations. It feels like you are miles from any town; however suburbia is creeping up on this once isolated location. Just up from the beach is a large park area with BBQ facilities and more stunning views.

Shellharbour Harbour - Shellharbour harbour is a pictures' setting located just a just a few metres from Shellharbour village and the popular Addison Street, which is home to many cafe's and boutique stores. The Ocean Beach hotel is situated just a stones throw from the harbour where you can enjoy the views while you dine at the hotels restaurant. The harbour is surrounded by park land and has BBQ facilities and an ocean pool. It is a great friendly environment and well worth a visit on any trip to the Illawarra.

Windang and surrounds - The town of Windang is located on the shores of Lake Illawarra's sea entrance. The lakes entrance is well designed to take advantage of the natural environment with plenty of park land offering great facilities and plenty of parking. It is a short stroll from Warilla beach and the beautiful Windang Island which you can walk onto. The area is popular for picnics, swimming and fishing. A common sight in the area is the hundreds of people fishing from the shores, breakwater and the Windang bridge. The town itself is located on the northern side of the lake and is home to the Windang Pub, cafe's and takeaway stores. Windang Beach is just a few hundred metres away. Windang is a great place to spend the day with plenty to do and see.

Warilla Beach - Warilla beach is located just a short walk from Lake Illawarra's sea entrance at Windang, It is a clean and popular beach for swimming, surfing and fishing. A major feature of the beach is the nearby Windang Island which provides a scenic view for beach goers. It is also a short distance from Warilla's town centre located at George St, which is home to an array of cafe's, takeaway and retail stores.

Shellharbour Beach - Another of the regions beautiful beaches, this clean and sandy beach is one of Shellharbour Cities most popular and has been previously recognised as the cleanest in the Illawarra via the clean beach challenge. The beach has picnic shelters, public amenities and parking available.

Shellharbour South Beach - Enjoy the white sands of Shellharbour's South Beach, it has a walk along the foreshore and is a great beach for swimming and only a short distance from Shellharbour village.

Maquarie Pass National Park – This area is simply divine, the drive from Albion Park offers lush green farms, and valleys along Tongarra Road with plenty of cattle on show. Once you reach Macquarie Pass you enter a dark and thick rainforest canopy as the road winds and makes its way up the steep escarpment towards Robertson. On North side of Macquarie Pass you will find a picnic ground and the beautiful cascade falls. After following the fresh water creek up stream along a track through the rainforest you will find a series of quite stunning and tranquil waterfalls that make there way down the escarpment. On the South side is Macquarie Rivulet, which is a truly magnificent part of the region. A track through the rainforest vegetation makes its way up stream where you can enjoy the scenery and power of the rivulet as the water cascades down the mountain. Further up you will find jump rock waterfall and many large sandstone rock formations. After heavy rain the sound of the Rivulet is deafening and sounds like a jumbo jet. All in all this area is great for exploring and enjoying nature at its absolute best.

Historical Aircraft Restoration Society, Illawarra Airport Museum, Albion Park – This museum is a not for profit organisation operated by a group of aviation enthusiasts, interested in the preservation of Australian aviation history. Here you will find many aircraft and aviation artifacts as well as exhibitions and a merchandise store. Step back in time and immerse yourself in the life of Australia’s aviation history.  You will have the opportunity to view some of the most amazing historic aircraft and hear the incredible stories of their restoration. You many wish to take a guided tour and experience the nostalgia and romance of commercial air travel to the ruggedness and power of Australia’s WWII fighter aircraft.  The Australian Historic Flying Museum is a unique living, flying retrospective of Australia’s important aviation heritage.

The Illawarra light railway society, Albion Park Rail – This museum has collected quite a large array of narrow gauge locomotives and rolling stock along with other related items from the local area as well as from other places in Australia. The museum runs rides on a miniature railway as well as larger Locomotive rides through the museums picnic area and bush land surrounds. It's a great and inexpensive way to spend the day with your friends and family. To view fares and opening times you can visit there website at: www.ilrms.com.au

Tongarra Bicentennial Museum - The Tongarra Museum was established in 1988 and displays historical exhibits and aboriginal cultural displays of the Shellharbour region. The museum endeavors to record the settlement of the Shellharbour region, its people, their way of life, and the development and progress of the natural, historical, cultural and social environments of the area. The museum staff and volunteers also provide information for local people researching their family history.

Blackbutt Forest - A popular spot in the Shellharbour region is Blackbutt Forest. This forest is 250 ha and one of the largest natural bushland reserves in the Illawarra. It is significant in that it is the last remaining viable remnant of coastal plain forest between Clifton and Berry and is quite unique as it is located at the centre of an urban area. This forest contains a diversity of vegetation and wildlife and is well equipped with picnic and bbq facilities, a cycle track and many walking trails. It is one of Shellharbour's most popular family gathering areas.

Kiama

Kiama Blowhole – If you’re in the Illawarra you must visit the Kiama blowhole. If its high tide or the aftermarth of a storm you’re in for a treat, the blowhole blows water some 25 metres into the air with a massive thud. Many visitors regularly gather here and cheer on the show. Over looking the blow hole at Blow Hole Point is the Kiama lighthouse and just a few hundred metres down the road is the beautiful Kiama Harbour offering peaceful scenery and some great take away stores.

Little Blowhole Kiama – A few kilometers south of the Kiama blow hole is the little blow hole. This blow hole also puts on a show and can sometimes out do its bigger brother. The thud here is tremendous, and can give you quite a fright. It is defiantly worth a visit and is something I would defiantly have on my shortlist.

Cathedral Rocks Kiama - At the southern end of Jones Beach is Cathedral Rocks, a unique rock formation that looks quite mysterious and has attracted sight seers since the 1800's. It is a short drive from the township of Kiama and the headlands offer amazing views of the coastline.

Saddleback Mountain – Saddleback Mountain is a short drive from the Kiama Township, a country road through rolling green valleys takes you some 600m above sea level. A top you will find two lookouts the first providing views looking north from Kiama to Stanwell tops, and on a clear day you can see as far as Sydney. The view comprises of beautiful green rolling hills directly below, Lake Illawarra, the Pacific Ocean and the grand Illawarra escarpment. The other lookout provides great views of Pigeon House Mountain and the shoal haven. Along with Bald Hill, Saddleback Mountain offers some of the best views in the state.

MinnamurraRainforest – If you’re in the Illawarra region, well the Minnamurra rainforest is a must see attraction. It is a short 15 minute drive from Kiama, and just a 5 minute drive from the nearby Jamberoo Village. It offers boarded rainforest walks through one the Illawarra’s ancient rainforests, A remnant of the Illawarra’s extensive rainforests that covered much of the region. Here you can see giant fig trees, fresh water streams and native wildlife all under a thick rainforest canopy. It’s a leisurely walk with well organised facilities, a tourist shop, information desk and café.  But if you choose to take a hike further up the mountain a paved track will take you to the Minnamurra Waterfall, which is a marvelous sight and a highly recommended trek. The rainforest is run by the national parks and wildlife service and an $11.00 parking fee applies.

Jamberoo Valley - Jamberoo valley is like a slice out of the English countryside with rolling green hills and stone fences separating farmland, beautiful Autumn colours line the streets in the Autumn time, it has all the makings of a great day trip. The main street is a quaint little village set against a mountain backdrop with a popular pub, some lovely little bakeries and a beautiful park. On the top of the mountain is a lookout offering stunning views from the mountains to the sea looking back over the town, the amazing valley of green hills and rainforest vegetation beneath.

Minnamurra and Stack Island - Minnamurra can only be described an absolutely beautiful part of the world and is a great place to stop off and admire the scenery. The most notable feature here is Stack Island which is located a few hundred metres off shore; the island is very pictures as is the areas coastline which consists mainly of steep coastal cliffs and volcanic rock formations. Minnamurra is also where the mouth of the Minnamurra River meets the sea after its long journey down the rugged escarpment and to the north is the stunning Mystics Beach and the Killalea State Park. The area is fantastic for picnics as you can sit up on the headland and admire the 360 degrees views.

Gerringong - The seaside township of Gerringong is located just a 10 minute drive south of Kiama. This pictures little town offers many great cafes', restaurants and take away stores. The town is just a short walk or drive from the popular Werri Beach which is pristine with amazing views. If you're heading to Gerringong from Kiama you will find Mt Pleasant Lookout located on the left hand side of the Kiama Bends, the lookout provides stunning views of Gerringong, Werri Beach and the South Coast and it is defiantly worth a stop off.

Seven Mile Beach, Gerroa - Gerroa is the Illawarra's southern most town and it is located at the start of Seven Mile Beach and the Seven Mile Beach National Park, which is a truly amazing natural environment with pristine coastline and stunning scenery all round. The National Park is home to extensive dune systems and has an abundance of wildlife.

Bombo Quarry - Enjoy this dramatic and unusual seascape as the waves crash against the remaining pylons which are the remains of a beautiful rugged coastline carved out by man mining for basalt. Take a walk to the northern side of the pylons to find lava streams from a long extinct volcano, set in rock and seemingly frozen in time. All this is just a short walk from the stunning Bombo beach and headland.

Berry - The rural township of Berry is located just a short drive from Kiama and is set amongst rolling green hills and the back drop of Cambewarra Mountain. This beautiful little township is famous for its cafes', antique stores and boutique shopping. One of the big draw cards for this town is the Berry Markets which is held on the first Sunday of every month. These markets are held on the local show ground and offer a vast array of home made crafts, arts, clothing, produce, plants and food. It is a great and enjoyable experience.

Kiama Township and Kiama Harbour - The Kiama Township is located just a few hundred metres from the ocean and nearby is the Kiama Blowhole and the beautiful Kiama Harbour which is home to some great take away shops and surrounded by green park land. Just around the corner you will find a beautiful clean ocean pool as seen in the photo to the right. The main town offers an excellent shopping experience with lots of boutique, tourist, craft and clothing stores. The town is also served by many great restaurants, cafe's and take away stores. Kiama is just a short drive from a vast array of tourist attractions.

 Jamberoo Action Park – New South Wales largest theme park is located on Jamberoo Mountain at Jamberoo, a short drive from Kiama, it has much to offer with many rides and activities including a 600m go-kart track which is one of the parks favourite activities, two high speed bob sled tracks that make there way down Jamberoo mountain with stunning views from the chair lift on the way up. Water slides, wave pools, rapids, a man made beach and the famous Rock which is a 5 metre jump into the pool below. This park is well organised with great facility including picnic areas, eatery’s and tourist and information outlets. The action park is opened between the 4th of September and the 25th of April and is closed during the cooler months.

Whale Watching - Right up and down the coast of the Illawarra and Shoalhaven you will see migrating whales, they often come reasonably close to the shore and provide viewers with a magnificent sight, one of the highlights is to see the whales breaching. They head north in June in and the first week of July and between September and November they will be heading south. Jervis bay on the south coast is a particular good spot to view the whales in the pristine waters.

All photographs displayed on this page were taken by Brad Chilby and are copyright of www.chilbyphotography.com.au

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