Shellharbour
Caravan park
Population 64296
Shellharbour was a thriving port in the 1830s when development could not keep up with demand. The first shops did not appear until the 1850s and the courthouse and gaol were erected in 1877. Prior to this the local constable had to tie felons to a tree. Today the town is an attractive holiday resort close to Lake Illawarra and one of the oldest settlements on the South Coast.
Visitor Information
Lamerton House, Lamerton Cres; (02) 4221 6169
www.tourismshellharbour.com.au
Nearby national parks
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Budderoo National Park
Small but spectacular, Budderoo National Park in the Southern Highlands is notable for its outstanding Minnamurra Rainforest and centre, its...more -
Morton National Park
Morton National Park is a world of dense bush, an expanse of spectacular sandstone country on the eastern escarpment of the Southern...more -
Royal National Park
Royal National Park, Australia’s oldest national park, has a rich cultural heritage, both European and Indigenous. It combines magnifi...more
Nearby towns
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Kiama NSW
This popular holiday town, hosting one million visitors each year, is best known as the home of the Kiama Blowhole. The rocky coastline,...more -
Jamberoo
One of the most picturesque areas of the New South Wales coast, Jamberoo was once tropical forest. The town is surrounded by nature...more -
Wollongong
As a major iron and steel producer, Wollongong has an undeserved reputation for being an unattractive industrial city. In fact, Wollongong...more
In Town
Illawarra Light Railway Museum The museum offers tram rides, displays of steam trains and vintage carriages and a miniature railway. The ticket office and kiosk are in an original 1890s rail terminus and the volunteer staff are knowledgeable. Open Tues, Thurs and Sat. Steam-train rides 2nd Sun each month and Sun during public holiday weekends. Russell St.
Historical walk: take in the historical buildings of the town, beginning at the Steampacket Inn, parts of which date back to 1856. Contact visitor centre for more information. Snorkelling and scuba diving: at Bushranger's Bay; details from visitor centre or Shellharbour Scuba Centre; (02) 4296 4266.
Nearby
Lake Illawarra This large tidal estuary was once a valuable source of food for the Wadi Wadi people. It is home to waterbirds such as black swans, pelicans and royal spoonbills, and has picnic and barbecue areas. The lake is excellent for boating, swimming, waterskiing, windsurfing, fishing and prawning. 7 km N.Blackbutt Forest Reserve: remnant of coastal plain forest in urban area. Walking trails offer views of Lake Illawarra and Illawarra Escarpment; 2 km W. Killalea Recreation Park: foreshore picnic area with an ideal beach for surfing, diving, snorkelling and fishing; 3 km S. Bass Point Aquatic and Marine Reserve: top spot for scuba diving, snorkelling, fishing and surfing, with a nice picnic area on the shore; 5 km SE. Tongarra Museum: shows area's history through photographs, maps and sketches; 11 km W. Crooked River Wines: specialty is Chardonnay White Port, with gorgeous restaurant also on-site; 20 km S. See also Southern Highlands, p. 24
Fishing spots near town
Port Hacking 60 km
In my youth, bream was a species anglers sought to put food on the table. It was a ‘kill it and fillet’ favourite. Both yellowfin and black bream fought well, but the sedentary nature of bait fishing –... Find out moreBotany Bay 72 km
Recently I fished a hot-water outlet alongside the Kurnell refinery pier in Botany Bay, a few hundred metres from a monument dedicated to Captain James Cook’s landing in Australia in April 1770. A year before,... Find out moreHawkesbury-Nepean River 116 km
The Hawkesbury River is regarded as one of the most consistent waters for big mulloway, or jewfish as they are called. It was with mulloway in mind that I went to the river to fish with Colin Tannahill. The river flows... Find out moreLithgow to Mudgee 148 km
Early settlers following in the footsteps of Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson took three weeks of hard trudging to cross the majestic Blue Mountains. These days the drive from the Penrith plains in western Sydney takes... Find out moreNarooma Offshore 191 km
Narooma is one of those pleasant destinations that offers piscatorial delights most of the year, ranging from gamefishing offshore to rock, beach and estuary. Situated on Wagonga Inlet, the port is best known for its... Find out moreBermagui 220 km
Bermagui is small fishing port but a world-famous gamefishing destination. It owes its fame to an American western writer, Zane Grey, who went there in 1936. Little has changed since then. ‘Bermi’, as most... Find out moreYaouk Valley 234 km
It was late autumn 1997 when I arrived in Canberra to fish with the late Chris Hole, fly-fisherman, author and painter. Chris offered to take me to some of his favourite trout streams that snake... Find out morePort Stephens 237 km
Port Stephens is about 220 km north of Sydney and offers a mixed bag of quality species. In the estuaries, bream, flathead, mulloway and whiting dominate the catch while beach anglers do well on tailor, whiting and... Find out moreEco-friendly activities around town
Futureworld Eco-Technology Centre 17 km
This smallish museum in Miller Street is definitely worth a look for those interested in the future of sustainable transport, power, water use and other conundrums of modern living. There are hands-on displays.... Find out moreCycling in Jervis Bay 55 km
For a pleasant family cycle with young children, hop on the safe and gentle cycling path that winds around Jervis Bay at Huskisson and Vincentia, beside beautiful coastline and some fun playgrounds. A longer bike path... Find out moreSailing around Jervis Bay 63 km
Imagine. No engines. Just the flapping of a sail and the splash of the waves. The South Coast’s tranquil lakes and inlets are ideal for sailing. Jervis Bay Sailing Charters is one of several operators who will take... Find out moreTaronga Zoo 89 km
One of the world’s best zoos, Taronga is involved in a wide variety of threatened species recovery operations, wildlife rehabilitation and animal research work. As well as having a great day by Sydney Harbour,... Find out moreKayaking in Sydney 90 km
Surprisingly, this activity has only taken off in Sydney in the past few years. With a city centred on such great waterways, there is plenty to explore, whether just for an hour or two, or a whole week. Sydney Harbour... Find out moreBushwalking on the South Coast, NSW 104 km
From meanders along isolated beaches and around heath-covered headlands, to long hikes up rugged mountains in Budawang, Morton or Deua national parks, the South Coast provides limitless possibilities for great... Find out moreBushwalking in and around Sydney 107 km
Surprisingly, Sydney does offer some superb bushwalking through secluded bushland. Aboriginal engraving and art sites are quite common, and many are not publicised, simply leaving you to discover them, appreciate them,... Find out moreIce-climbing 109 km
In winter, the frozen cliffs around Blue Lake provide one of the only places in Australia to learn and perfect the art of ice-climbing. Multi-day courses involve a hike in with heavy packs, and camping out in the... Find out moreThe Great North Walk 111 km
Although it links two of Australia’s most populated cities, Sydney and Newcastle, and passes through some beautiful bushland, the Great North Walk does not get the foot traffic you might expect. A 250-kilometre,... Find out morePicnicking in the Blue Mountains 123 km
Take a picnic up to the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden in Mount Tomah at any time of year and you will not be disappointed. At 1000 metres above sea level, it is usually cool in summer, brimming with flowers in spring,... Find out moreGolf courses around town
Macquarie Links International Golf Club 66 km
Shanghai, Guam, Bali, Sabah, Bangkok, Singapore, Alaska, Hawaii; American course designer Robin Nelson has spent much of the past 30 years travelling from one exotic destination to another, putting his next project in... Find out moreNew South Wales Golf Club 74 km
Few courses anywhere can rival New South Wales for its array of fascinating and spectacularly natural seaside holes. Laid out across sometimes dramatic, undulating topography on the La Perouse peninsula – with... Find out moreSt Michael’s Golf Club 74 km
St Michael’s has for a long time been one of Sydney’s most underrated courses. Perhaps sharing a boundary with the world-famous New South Wales Golf Club hasn’t helped. Yet St Michael’s covers... Find out moreThe Coast Golf Club 75 km
The Coast certainly has the right address to be considered a golfing gem. Its closest neighbours on this stunning stretch of Sydney coastline are St Michael’s Golf Club to the south and, beyond that, the... Find out moreThe Lakes Golf Club 78 km
The Lakes is one of Sydney’s iconic golf courses, a regular venue for big championships – including the Australian Open – during its 82-year history. Yet since the late 1960s, when the course was... Find out moreThe Australian Golf Club 80 km
With a rich history dating back to the first days of organised golf in Australia, The Australian is the country’s oldest formal golf club. It was established in 1882 but didn’t find a permanent home at... Find out moreTwin Creeks Golf & Country Club 83 km
As a globetrotting professional golfer of the 1970s and ’80s, Graham Marsh won more than 60 titles across five continents. The key to his success was his approach to the game. Every shot was thoughtfully... Find out moreConcord Golf Club 83 km
From the very first days that golf was played in New South Wales, the name Concord has been part of the landscape. Established in 1899, golf began on the current site – on a layout designed by Dan Soutar, who... Find out moreRoyal Sydney Golf Club 86 km
It’s interesting to sift through the historical records of the Royal Sydney Golf Club; only then do you realise that no single course designer can lay claim to creating it. The course, a smooth seven-iron hit... Find out moreCastle Hill Country Club 95 km
Back in 1821, Irishman George Acres received a land grant and is understood to have planted Australia’s first citrus trees. He planted them on the land where the fairways of Castle Hill Country Club now weave... Find out moreCafes & restaurants around town
Nearby eco-friendly places to eat
Green Gourmet 81 km
These totally vegan restaurants have fascinating dishes including mock fish, made from taro, mushroom steaks and desserts such as green tea moon cake.... Find out moreBilly Kwong 83 km
This up-market restaurant in Surry Hills claims to have been the first restaurant in New South Wales that chose to become carbon neutral. Owned and run by passionate advocate of sustainability and ethical eating Kylie... Find out moreNearby breweries
Five Islands Brewing Company 19 km
Started by local Illawarra rugby league legend Michael Bolt in 2001, the Five Islands Brewing Company has travelled a markedly different course to most other craft-beer enterprises. FIBC began life as a beachside bar and... Find out moreSt Peters Brewery 80 km
Matt Donelan is someone who marches to a different drum from most other craftbrewers. He doesn’t have a website or own a mobile phone and doesn’t believe in cardboard packaging. He matches his keg prices... Find out moreMalt Shovel Brewery 82 km
US-born Dr Charles ‘Chuck’ Hahn has enjoyed two separate craft-beer careers over two decades, operating out of the same Camperdown brewery. In the late ’80s he opened it as the independent Hahn Brewery,... Find out morePaddy's Brewery 82 km
There may be more unlikely venues for a craft brewery but, offhand, I can’t think of one. The Markets Hotel is a 24-hour pub opposite Sydney’s Flemington fresh produce market, where you’re more likely... Find out moreTooheys Brewery 83 km
Tooheys remains the last of Sydney’s long-running mainstream breweries still currently operating. Founders James and John Toohey were cattle farmers before they entered the beer game, buying the Darling Brewery (it... Find out moreSchwartz Brewery 84 km
Tucked away in the basement of the heritage-listed Macquarie Hotel in Surry Hills, this 8-hectolitre microbrewery is the hub of a burgeoning craft-beer empire run by owner Dr Jerry Schwartz. Apart from supplying the pub,... Find out moreRedoak Brewery 85 km
Redoak burst onto the craft-beer scene by winning a swag of medals at the 2004 Australian International Beer Awards before they had sold even a single drop. And they have continued to collect an impressive array of... Find out moreLord Nelson Brewery Hotel 86 km
Sydney’s longest-running brew-pub is many things rolled into one fine watering hole – an institution for ale lovers, a tourist magnet and a haven for homesick Poms. The historic sandstone pub is as comfy as a... Find out moreCampsites around town
Carrington Falls camping area 20 km
This small camping area can get crowded in peak periods, so think twice if you’ve got a campervan or trailer. You’ll find it on Carrington Falls access road, off Jamberoo Mountain Rd, 8 km east of Robertson.... Find out moreCorrimal Beach Tourist Park 22 km
Located on gorgeous Corrimal Beach, 5 km north of Wollongong, Corrimal Beach Tourist Park offers everything from tent sites through to standard, beachside and mountain view spa cabins. Facilities include laundry, camp... Find out moreBendeela camping area 39 km
In picturesque Kangaroo Valley, 20 km north of Nowra and 8 km west of Kangaroo Valley village, Bendeela is a hidden gem in a treasure chest of natural beauty. Camp in a secluded, shady grove next to the Kangaroo River,... Find out moreNorth Era camping ground (bush camping) 48 km
On the stunning 26 km Coast Track (2 days, medium difficulty), this is a walk-in bush-camping ground with 12 sites. You’ll need to be self-sufficient; bring food and drinking water with you. Wood fires are not... Find out moreStarlights Trail camping area (bush camping) 50 km
This is essentially a bush-camping site by the Nattai River, reached via the 12 km return Starlights Trail, which begins and ends in the carpark at the end of Wattle Ridge Rd. It’s a strenuous walk for experienced,... Find out moreKingfisher Pool camping ground (walk-in camping) 51 km
On the Bullawaring Track in the middle of the park, it’s a fair walk into this campsite. It’s only for self-sufficient campers carrying decent maps. Note: fires prohibited; gas/fuel stove only.... Find out moreGrassy Gully camping area (bush camping) 52 km
You can reach this campsite via Grassy Gully Rd, which turns off Burrier Rd. It’s basic bush-camping here – bring your own everything, including water and a portable toilet. There are no wood barbecues, so... Find out moreGambells Rest camping area 53 km
This is the only designated camping ground in the north of the park, and it’s a good springboard for half a dozen walking tracks. It’s less than 2 km south of Bundanoon via Gullies Rd. No fires are allowed,... Find out moreLake Eckersley camping ground (walk-in camping) 54 km
There are 2 camping sites here, near Lake Eckersley in the middle of the park, with enough room for up to 6 campers. You’ll need to be self-sufficient in food and drinking water. Take a good map with you. Note:... Find out moreCaravan parks around town
Windang Beach Tourist Park 5 km
This is a council-owned, popular beachside holiday park located on the south side of Wollongong, next to Lake Illawarra. Bookings are required in peak periods and a minimum-length stay applies at these times.... Find out moreEasts Beach Holiday Park 12 km
This is a fabulous, large and well laid out beachfront park with very good amenities and facilities, including TV cables to all ensuite sites. The East family is a prominent owner of several New South Wales caravan parks... Find out moreSeven Mile Beach Holiday Park 22 km
Swim at the beach or sit back, relax and watch TV at this large, fabulous beachside park. It has great facilities, including ensuite sites with full Austar TV hook-up. It also has excellent amenities and is in a... Find out moreCorrimal Beach Tourist Park 22 km
A council-owned beachside park on the north side of Wollongong, this place has good amenities and is a popular holiday destination. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out moreBulli Beach Tourist Park 27 km
This popular, council-owned holiday park adjoins a patrolled beach with beach pools. In a quiet area, this place will appeal to families or those just spending a few peaceful days out of the holiday season.... Find out moreShoalhaven Heads Tourist Park 32 km
Holiday Haven caravan parks are great establishments, owned and operated by the Shoalhaven Heads Council. This large, award-winning riverfront park has very good facilities. It is just a short walk through to the beach... Find out moreMountain View Caravan and Mobile Home Village 32 km
This is a large, quality park with great amenities and very good facilities, including tennis courts, minigolf course and a very popular 500-metre walking track with eight gym stations. Ask about the courtesy bus that... Find out moreCrookhaven Heads Tourist Park 38 km
This is a large council holiday park located on the southern headland of the Crookhaven River, north of Culburra. It has ocean views, good facilities and is close to both deepwater and estuarine fishing spots. Bookings... Find out moreShoalhaven Caravan Village 40 km
This is a large, owner-operated riverfront park just 1 km east of Nowra and easily reached from the Princes Highway. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out moreMittagong Caravan Park 41 km
The caravan park is 1 km north of the town centre. There is a well-stocked shop and easy access to the Hume Freeway. This is one of only two parks in this area of the central highlands. The park can get very busy, so... Find out moreHotels, motels & B&Bs around town
Located in a lovingly restored 100-year-old house, Seascape Beach House is an ideal venue for a group holiday, whether it is a family gathering or a group of friends. There are four spacious bedrooms and separate lounge,... Find out more
Eco-friendly places to stay around town
Bunjaree Cottages, Wentworth Falls 105 km
Great for families, Bunjaree Cottages have been designed to make a small environmental footprint, with full solar power and earth-brick insulation. One is built with recycled car tyres and mud, providing even better... Find out moreOld Leura Dairy 109 km
This creative collection of six buildings, which can sleep up to 30 people in various combinations, has been renovated and fitted out with all manner of recycled bits and bobs. There are old oven doors, rusted corrugated... Find out moreJemby-Rinjah Eco Lodge, Blackheath 115 km
One of the first working examples of large-scale sustainable tourism to exist in Australia, Jemby-Rinjah has advanced eco-accreditation, and one of the most extensive systems of composting toilets in the country. Ten... Find out moreJenolan Cabins 116 km
These basic but cosy self-contained cabins, 6 kilometres up the steep hill past Jenolan Caves, are earth-sheltered for climate control and have composting toilets and rainwater. There are great views over the mountains,... Find out moreKanimbla View, Blackheath 117 km
Solar-powered, the two- and three-bedroom cottages here are surprisingly large inside. They are partially constructed from recycled and salvaged timbers, have composting toilets and a great view of the Kanimbla Valley... Find out moreWoolshed Cabins, near Blackheath 118 km
Eleven kilometres from Blackheath and surrounded by a glorious natural amphitheatre of towering sandstone walls, the Woolshed Cabins sit on 100 hectares of cleared farmland (a working cattle farm) in the Kanimbla Valley,... Find out moreWollemi Wilderness Retreat, Bilpin 124 km
These unusual self-contained cabins of various sizes feature passive solar design and are mainly constructed from recycled and salvaged materials. Although not high-class, they all have a spa and are in isolated bush... Find out moreAustralia Walkabout Park, Calga 132 km
You can camp out with the 180 species of wild animal in this 32-hectare feral-proofed wildlife park that has a solid history of conservation and caring for injured and orphaned wildlife. The overnight camping experience... Find out moreDargan Springs Mountain Lodge, Clarence 134 km
At the soft end of ecotourism, this pleasant lodge and wellness retreat has advanced eco-certification. It is surrounded by a mountain ash forest dotted with waratahs, the habitat of wombats and wallabies. With a maximum... Find out moreClonturkle Sanctuary 157 km
Join the experiment in sustainable living and tourism at Clonturkle Earth Hamlet and Forest Sanctuary. Located at Yetholme, there are four cabins set on 240 hectares of mostly eucalypt forest, with 15 kilometres of... Find out moreRest areas around town
Gordon VC Rest Area 54 km
21 km SW of Mittagong (R) or 64 km NE of Goulburn (L) Small area just off the highway. Good facilities. GPS: S34 32.086 E150 16.885 ... Find out moreMackey VC Rest Area 57 km
28 km SW of Mittagong (L) or 57 km NE of Goulburn (R) Small area just off the highway. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S34 34.763 E150 15.192 ... Find out moreKingsbury VC Rest Area 60 km
27 km SW of Mittagong (L) or 58 km NE of Goulburn (R) Large area just off the highway among some large pine trees. Good shade. GPS: S34 37.166 E150 12.832 ... Find out moreBewang Park Area 64 km
38 km N of Ulladulla (L) or 30 km S of Nowra (R) Small area adjacent to the highway, opposite the roadhouse. GPS: S35 05.123 E150 31.993 ... Find out moreChowne VC Rest Area 92 km
17 km NE of Goulburn (L) eastbound only Large area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S34 44.621 E149 53.244 ... Find out moreDerrick VC Rest Area 97 km
73 km SW of Mittagong (L) westbound only Large area just off the highway. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S34 44.149 E149 49.805 ... Find out moreBurrill Lake Park Area 98 km
South side of town Large town park in a pleasant lakeside setting just off the highway. Good facilities. GPS: S35 23.391 E150 26.652 ... Find out moreFrench VC Rest Area 115 km
9 km W of Goulburn (R) or 78 km E of Yass (L) Large area just off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S34 47.207 E149 38.416... Find out moreHawkesbury River Rest Area 120 km
49 km N of Sydney (L) northbound only Large area just off the highway on the banks of the river. GPS: S33 32.029 E151 11.845... Find out moreOurimbah Exit Rest Area 145 km
82 km N of Sydney (L) or 85 km S of Raymond Terrace (R) Large area just off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S33 20.594 E151 22.046 ... Find out moreLake Wallace Park Area 149 km
T/O 51 km E of Bathurst (L) or 11 km W of Lithgow (R) Large area 2 kilometres north of the highway on the shores of the lake. Good facilities but only limited shade. GPS: S33 24.849 E150 04.255 ... Find out moreWhat's on around town
Craft market: Shellharbour Public School, Mary St; 2nd Sun each month.
Gamefishing Tournament: Feb.
City Festival: 3-day local sports extravaganza; Mar.
Festival in the Forest: Sept.
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