Diving & Travel Guide to New South Wales – Illawarra
Regional Overview
The Illawarra region on the New South Wales south coast, centered on the city of Wollongong and extending south to Jervis Bay, is one of Australia's most underrated diving destinations, offering an extraordinary combination of grey nurse shark diving, dramatic headland sites, and the world-class marine environments of Jervis Bay Marine Park. Bass Point, near Shellharbour, is the region's premier dive site and one of NSW's most reliable grey nurse shark encounter locations, with the sharks gathering in the underwater arch and gutter systems during winter months alongside large schools of pelagic fish. The site also features The Arch, a spectacular underwater swim-through that adds to its appeal. Jervis Bay, one of Australia's most beautiful natural bays with famously white sand beaches, offers a remarkable collection of dive sites including Point Perpendicular with its dramatic cliff-side diving, Hyams Beach, Bowen Island with its seal colony, Hole in the Wall, and numerous other sites within the protected marine park. Shellharbour provides accessible headland diving at The Shallows and Bushrangers Bay, while Kiama's Blowhole and Storm Bay offer dramatic coastal scenery above and below the water. The Five Islands Nature Reserve, offshore from Wollongong, provides excellent diving with abundant marine life and the possibility of encountering Australian fur seals. Bellambi and the surrounding reef systems add further variety to a region that combines outstanding diving with the dramatic scenery of the Illawarra escarpment, vibrant coastal communities, and one of Australia's most beautiful natural bays.
Getting There
The Illawarra region is accessed from Wollongong, approximately 80 minutes south of Sydney via the Grand Pacific Drive (a scenic coastal route) or the M1 Motorway (60 minutes). Wollongong does not have a commercial airport, so most visitors arrive by car or train from Sydney via the South Coast Line. Jervis Bay, at the southern end of the region, is approximately 2.5 hours south of Sydney or 45 minutes from Wollongong. The main dive departure points are Shellharbour (for Bass Point), Kiama, Wollongong (for Five Islands), and Huskisson and Jervis Bay (for the marine park sites). Several dive operators run boat trips from these departure points, and many sites including Bass Point, Shellharbour, and Jervis Bay locations are accessible from shore. The region's compact coastline means that all dive sites are within easy driving distance of the main accommodation centers.
Food & Drink
The Illawarra region has developed a thriving food culture that reflects its diverse landscape, from the cosmopolitan city of Wollongong to the charming coastal villages and the pristine environments of Jervis Bay. Wollongong offers excellent dining with a diverse range of restaurants, cafes, and bars concentrated in the CBD and along the waterfront, with fresh seafood from local waters featuring prominently. The coastal villages of Kiama and Shellharbour provide charming cafe culture and seafood restaurants with ocean views, while the Jervis Bay area is known for its artisan producers, boutique wineries, and the excellent restaurants of Huskisson. The Illawarra escarpment hinterland offers farm-gate experiences, organic farms, and artisan food producers including cheese makers and chocolatiers. The region also has a growing craft beer scene with several local breweries. Jervis Bay's crystal-clear waters produce excellent oysters and seafood, and the relaxed coastal lifestyle ensures that dining is always a pleasure rather than a rush.
Diving Stats
Where to Base
Topside Adventures
Walk the spectacular Kiama Coast Walk from Bombo to Kiama
Visit the Kiama Blowhole, one of Australia's most famous natural attractions
Hike in the Budderoo National Park rainforest and Minnamurra Falls
Kayak in the pristine waters of Jervis Bay
Visit the Wollongong Science Centre and Planetarium
Cycle the Wollongong to Thirroul coastal bike path