Local Attractions

As well as being the home to one of the best airshows in the country, the Illawarra is full of great activities and attractions to suit any and all lifestyles and interests. Why not stay a while and take advantage of these great attractions. Beautiful beaches, parks and gardens, adventure, history, art and culture or shopping and markets, the Illawarra has it all.

For more details about all the attractions here in the Illawarra, visit the following tourism web sites:

• Destination Wollongong
• Tourism Shellharbour
• Tourism Kiama
• Shoalhaven Tourism

The following are just a sample of some of our great attractions:

ILLAWARRA FLY TREETOP WALK

The award winning Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk is one of Australia’s premier treetop walk experiences. One of only a handful of elevated steel treetop walks in the world, the ‘Fly’ is an immersive nature experience. The steel walkway features two gently swaying cantilevered arms and a central tower. Positioned 710 metres above sea level, the gentle 1.5km return walk takes in native rainforest with stunning views taking in everything from the rainforest floor into the canopy and out to the Pacific Ocean.

SKYDIVE AUSTRALIA

Skydive directly over the beach in Wollongong from up to 14,000ft and experience the widest blue yonder you will ever know. Securely attached to your experienced tandem instructor, you will be guided through your entire skydive. After you experience free-fall reaching speeds of up to 220km/h for up to 60 seconds, your instructor will pull the chute and you will soar serenely like a bird for over five minutes taking in the breathtaking views.

MINNAMURRA RAINFOREST CENTRE

Experience the spender and beauty of this rare remnant of subtropical and warm temperate rainforests which is representative of the once extensive rainforests of the Illawarra region. See first hand the fauna of the area such as the normally allusive Lyrebird, the Eastern Water Dragons, Swamp Wallabies and a host of bird species which make Minnamurra their home. Visitors commence their rainforest experience along a network of elevated walkways and paved tracks. Meandering through the rainforest is the Loop Walk, a 1.6km walk which is linked by suspension bridges across the Minnamurra Rivulet.

NAN TIEN TEMPLE

Nan Tien is Chinese for ‘Southern Paradise’ and this Temple is the largest Buddhist Temple in the Southern Hemisphere. Since the opening of the temple in October 1995, it has become a new venue for local and international tourists and also acts as an important cultural centre bridging different cultures. Located in a quiet, peaceful environment overlooking Mount Keira and Mount Kembla, Nan Tien Temple is recognised as a wonderful place to visit.

ADVENTURE PLUS PARAGLIDING

Adventure Plus Paragliding has a pure passion for flying and would like to share this opportunity with you to experience the thrill and excitement of flying paragliders. They have many years flight experience allowing them to fly tandem and teach students to the highest standards in Australia. Soar with ease and comfort underneath your tandem paraglider, fly over the sea cliffs, forests and along the beautiful South Coast beaches.

HANGGLIDEOZ

HangglideOZ offers the thrill of tandem hang gliding from world-famous Bald Hill in Stanwell Park and Hill 60 in Wollongong. On the hill your instructor will assist you through paperwork, a briefing and a harness check. Take off is a few easy steps then enjoy the exhilaration of soaring with a magnificent birds-eye view of Grand Pacific Drive. See how easy it is to fly!

GRAND PACIFIC DRIVE

Grand Pacific Drive encompasses 140km of some of NSW’s most spectacular scenery and coastline. From the Royal National Park to Wollongong and beyond, the route takes you through coastal rainforests, spectacular driving scenery, coastal villages, the bustling coastal city of Wollongong and  the beautiful coastal towns of Shellharbour and Kiama. The drive ends in the spectacular Shoalhaven and from here you can experience the `beyond’ to the Southern Highlands, greater South Coast and Canberra!

NSW AIR

NSW Air provides Scenic Joy Flights fromIllawarra Regional airport. The Bridge to Beach flight flies north to the Seacliff Bridge taking in the beautiful coastal views and northern beaches before returning south via Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama and back to the airport. Flights can also be extended to fly north and over Sydney harbour, taking in views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House, or south down to the Shoalhaven via the coast and on to Jervis Bay.

SOUTHERN BIPLANE ADVENTURES

Prepare yourself for one of Sydney’s most unique experiences! Southern Biplane Adventures joy flights are all about taking you for the ride of a lifetime and exceeding your expectations. A day out with them will entail nostalgic scenic flights and adrenaline pumping aerobatic flights over the beautiful Illawarra beaches! Bigger, faster and more robust than a Tiger Moth, jump into our immaculately rebuilt 1943 Boeing Stearman.

STOCKLAND SHELLHARBOUR SHOPPING CENTRE

The Illawarra’s premier shopping destination with Myer, Target, Kmart, Coles, Woolworths, JB Hi-Fi, Best and Less and over 230 specialty stores. Along with an extensive range of services, Stockland Shellharbour really has the variety to meet your everyday shopping needs.

TOUCHDOWN HELICOPTERS

The Illawarra South Coast and Southern Highlands hide a treasure trove of unique rugged natural beauty and colour waiting to be discovered. Take to the air and see for yourself why we think it’s Australia’s best kept secret. From spectacular hidden valleys and breath taking waterfalls, to arguably the most pristine coastline you will ever see (the whitest beaches in the world according to the Guinness Book of Records), we invite you on board for the experience of a lifetime.

COOLANGATTA ESTATE

Coolangatta Estate (est. 1822) is the site of the first European settlement on the South Coast of NSW. Alive with history, the original convict-built village is now surrounded by sprawling vineyards and landscaped grounds. 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