Lake Illawarra Travel Guide
Tourist Guide
Visit Lake Illawarra
Popular places to visit
North Wollongong Beach
Enjoy a day of fun with the family at this central beach with a broad sandy strip, rock pools, grassy foreshore areas and plenty of space to relax.
Wollongong City Beach
Immerse yourself in the buzzing atmosphere or find your own secluded patch of sand on this vast beach that stretches for miles along the city’s gorgeous coastline.
Nan Tien Temple
With a name that translates to “Paradise of the South” in Chinese, this Buddhist temple complex is a modern architectural treasure with cultural exhibitions, a lodge and workshops.
Crown Street Mall
Wollongong’s pedestrianized main street is a shopping, dining and entertainment hub where you can join community events and festivities, or shop for a new look.
Wollongong Harbor
Wander to the edge of the scenic breakwater or take in the views of Wollongong’s two lighthouses from a waterfront café at this historic destination.
Sea Cliff Bridge
You can learn about the history of Wollongong with a trip to Sea Cliff Bridge. Wander the area's beautiful beaches or simply enjoy one of its top-notch restaurants.
Activities
Sea Cliff Bridge, Kiama Blowhole, Beaches & Wildlife Small Group
South Coast Private Tour & with pick up & drop off
Our pick of the best Lake Illawarra Hotel Deals
Sunny Shores Retreat –Private Pool & Pet friendly
we absolutely loved our stay here. although the weather was terrible when we stayed so we couldn’t enjoy the pool, we were still well accommodated and didn’t go bored. the place is so well equipped which we were surprised about, you don’t get many places like that. our dogs loved it, there was so ...
Reviewed on 16 Mar 2026
Shellharbour Beach side. PET friendly. Beach, lake. Fish surf swim SUP dive
Lovely and clean Check in process very easyGreat communication
Reviewed on 30 Oct 2025
Sage Hotel Wollongong
Our room was quiet and clean. The breakfast, which was included in our reservation, was quite nice with a full buffet of eggs, sausage, potatoes, pancakes, cereals, fruit, and lots of bread/pastry options. They had happy hour pricing at the bar from 4:30 to 6. Parking in the garage (for fee) was ...
Reviewed on 3 Apr 2026
Novotel Wollongong Northbeach
Lovely view
Reviewed on 2 Apr 2026
Hotel TOTTO Wollongong
Everything was amazing
Reviewed on 19 Mar 2026
Five Islands Hotel
Clean, cheap room and shared bathrooms. But sound insulation was a bit lacking.
Reviewed on 28 Mar 2026
Other neighbourhoods around Lake Illawarra
Warilla
If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Warilla and surrounding area, you can visit Warilla Beach and Stocklands Shellharbour.
Windang
Visitors to Windang enjoy its beaches, and if you want to do some exploring, Perkins Beach is worth a stop.
Shellharbour
Shellharbour is noteworthy for its restaurants, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Shellharbour South Beach and North Beach.
Shell Cove
Travellers like the golf courses in Shell Cove, and Links Shell Cove Golf Course is a top attraction you might want to visit.
Dapto
The coffee shops and lake views are a few reasons travellers visit Dapto. Though there aren't many top sights in the neighbourhood, you can visit Port Kembla Golf Club and Stocklands Shellharbour, a few notable attractions nearby.
Port Kembla
You'll enjoy the beaches and monuments in Port Kembla. You might want to make time for a stop at Wollongong City Beach or Breakwater Battery.
