South Coast NSW
About 20 minutes north of Wollongong, wake up to great surf and the occasional company of dolphins and whales at this campground practically on the sand. The site is exposed, but the beach is breathtaking. Plenty of space to play and oft-spotted offshore dolphins are a hit with kids. Two-night minimum stay in January and at weekends.
It's a lot cheaper midweek outside peak season. Laundry amenities ($4) on-site.
14.26 MILES
The 15,091-hectare Royal National Park was established in 1879, making it the oldest national park in the world after Yellowstone in the USA. Stretching…
8.81 MILES
In a region already awash in scenic spots, Wollongong's botanic gardens still delight visitors with their attractive lily ponds, manicured lawns and…
26.42 MILES
At the eastern edge of Budderoo National Park, 15km inland from Kiama via Jamberoo, this is a surprisingly lush subtropical rainforest. A 1.6km loop walk…
Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area
6.62 MILES
Spectacular rainforest hugs the edge of the ever-eroding sandstone cliffs of the Illawarra Escarpment, a 30-million-year-old feature that rises to 534m at…
8.51 MILES
Stretching north from the harbour, North Beach is an excellent all-rounder: shallows for kids to splash in, breaks suitable for various levels and…
Kamay Botany Bay National Park
25.71 MILES
This national park straddles both heads of Botany Bay, 15km south of Sydney Harbour, enclosing 458 hectares of coastal bushland. Visitors come here to…
29.95 MILES
The last major beach before you hit Botany Bay, ‘the Bra’ is Bondi’s match in the waves department, but its suburban location provides immunity from Bondi…
26.88 MILES
Housed inside the old cable station (1882), this museum has numerous relics from French explorer La Pérouse’s many expeditions, an interesting Aboriginal…
5.12 MILES
Eight kilometres north of Wollongong, this fine-sand headland – formerly a tool site and burial ground, with a large shell midden – was legally recognised…
6.17 MILES
Bone-white and richly decorated with sculptures of Hindu deities, Helensburgh's temple is a rewarding detour on the drive between Wollongong and Royal…
6.45 MILES
Friendly kangaroos are the highlight at this private zoo, 34km north of Wollongong. Native animals such as emus, echidnas and koalas (plus imported…
4. Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area
6.62 MILES
Spectacular rainforest hugs the edge of the ever-eroding sandstone cliffs of the Illawarra Escarpment, a 30-million-year-old feature that rises to 534m at…
7.67 MILES
Buoyancy, inertia, the Stroop effect and other scientific laws and phenomena are explained with cranks, bubbling tubes and even a mechanical elephant at…
8.51 MILES
Stretching north from the harbour, North Beach is an excellent all-rounder: shallows for kids to splash in, breaks suitable for various levels and…
8.81 MILES
In a region already awash in scenic spots, Wollongong's botanic gardens still delight visitors with their attractive lily ponds, manicured lawns and…
8.83 MILES
Presently more of a landmark than an attraction, this heritage lighthouse on the harbour was built in 1871 (and switched on the following year). It was…