Adventure in Wollongong

Home to a spectacular coastline, rainforest escarpment and dramatic cliff tops that drop right into the sea, the Wollongong and Illawarra region, just south of Sydney, is made for adventure. Thrill seekers will love hang gliding and skydiving over the NSW South Coast, cycling or hiking through untouched forest, motorbiking across seaside bridges, or embarking on water adventures such as surfing, diving, sailing and waterskiing.

In the air

Try hang gliding and paragliding at Stanwell Tops in Stanwell Park, where Australian aeronautical pioneer Lawrence Hargrave first flew in his box kite in 1894. HangglideOz, SkySurf and Adventure Plus Paragliding all offer tandem flights over the twinkling blue Pacific Ocean.

With Skydive Sydney – Wollongong you can jump from 15,000 feet, the highest altitude skydive you can do in Australia, soar over the coastline and land right next to the beach. Or see the whole region from above on a scenic helicopter flight with Touchdown Helicopters.

On the water

Pristine beaches are sprinkled along the coastline, from Stanwell Park Beach in the north to Windang Beach in the south. You can learn to surf in this beautiful part of the world with Pines Surfing Academy, Illawarra Surf Academy and Australian Surf Tours. For diving, join Windang Dive and Spearfishing on a tour through the area’s crystal-clear waters. You can also join a fishing charter.

Just south of Wollongong is Lake Illawarra, which is popular for sailing, waterskiing, kayaking, fishing and stand-up paddleboarding. Take a kitesurfing lesson and learn to zip across the top of the water on a board propelled by a huge kite.

On the land

With amazing views and untouched forest, the Illawarra Escarpment is perfect for bushwalking. Sublime Point walking track, just north of Thirroul, climbs to a lookout over Bulli and the coastline. Just west of Wollongong are the Mount Keira and Mount Kembla ring tracks. Horse riding is another great way to explore the area, with Otford Farm and Darkes Forest Riding Ranch offering trail rides.

The Illawarra is the perfect place to explore on a bike, with an expansive network of shared scenic pathways and plenty of bike hire options. For motor enthusiasts, explore the region on the back of a Harley Davidson with Just Cruisin’ Motorcycle Tours and drive over the Sea Cliff Bridge.