Shellharbour & surrounds
Stand-up paddleboarding on Lake Illawarra in Shellharbour
Shellharbour Area
Coming out of its shell
You might not be familiar with this small coastal enclave just south of Wollongong, but Shellharbour is a staple of any South Coast road trip. Stop for the excellent snorkelling and diving in a magical aquatic reserve, and stay for the iconic surf breaks including the famed Mystics, tranquil lake and river where you can test your SUP or kayaking skills, and waterside dining precinct.
Shellharbour highlights
Beaches & water sports
Relax on white sand beaches all along the stunning coastline. Shellharbour is home to one of Australia’s few National Surfing Reserves at Killalea. Catch a wave at two iconic breaks, The Farm at Killalea Beach and Mystics at Minnamurra Beach.
The area is also known for its excellent snorkelling and diving. Visit Bushrangers Bay Aquatic Reserve, where underwater cliffs are teeming with marine life. Shellharbour Scuba Centre runs regular tours. At Bass Point Reserve, divers can explore shipwrecks off the coast, the first dating back to 1879.
Bushrangers Bay Aquatic Reserve, Shellharbour
Enjoy the serenity of Lake Illawarra by learning to stand-up paddleboard with an accredited instructor. For a special SUP experience join a sunrise or night tour. Drop a line in and try your luck at fishing or hire a bike and enjoy the scenic coastal cycleways.
Things to do
Lace up your hiking boots and explore rare littoral rainforests, waterfalls and hidden beaches on the Cascades and Clover Hill trails in the Macquarie Pass National Park. Bass Point Reserve is a place of significant cultural and natural heritage, which you can explore on a self-guided indigenous walk.
The delightful seaside town of Shellharbour Village is perfect for a beach holiday with cafes, restaurants, specialty shops and a splendid golf course, the picturesque The Links Shell Cove. Golfers will also enjoy the nearby Calderwood Valley Golf Course, set on the edge of the beautiful cliffs of the Illawarra Escarpment.
Links Shell Cove Golf Course - Credit: Scott Campbell
A short drive west is Albion Park. Visit the HARS Aviation Museum, where you can sit in the pilot’s seat of an F-111 fighter jet or walk the wing of the record-breaking Qantas 747-400. The town is also home to Airshows Downunder Shellharbour, which showcases aerobatic performers, flyovers, aircraft displays and carnival rides at Shellharbour Airport biennially.
Airshows Downunder Shellharbour - Credit: Mark Jessop
Take a ride in carriages from the golden age of rail travel, hop on a steam or diesel train, and circle the grounds on a miniature train at the Illawarra Light Railway Museum. For an unforgettable experience, try a scenic joy flight with Touchdown Helicopters to get a bird’s eye view of Shellharbour from the sky.
Kids will love zipping around the track in a go-kart or challenging their friends to laser tag at C1 Speed Indoor Karting, before they put on their skates and have fun rolling around the region’s only skating rink at Oak Flats.
Getting there
Just getting to the Shellharbour area from Sydney is exhilarating. Soak in the views during the 120 km/two-hour journey south on the famous Grand Pacific Drive. Take in national parks, wild coastal scenery and the thrilling Sea Cliff Bridge. Having your own vehicle is ideal, as plenty of attractions await en route. You can also catch a train direct from Sydney to Shellharbour Junction Station. It is a scenic trip and takes about two hours. Or you can fly from Brisbane and Melbourne into Shellharbour Airport at Albion Park.
