Located where Lake Illawarra meets the Pacific Ocean, Lake Illawarra is a small suburb of Shellharbour on the New South Wales coast. Its namesake lake is a popular setting for recreational fishing and water sports, as well as providing habitat for a rich birdlife that includes black swans, cormorants and pelicans.
Things to do in Lake Illawarra
Spend a day relaxing on the sands of Warilla Beach, which stretches from the mouth of the Illawarra River to the small estuary of Elliot Lake. In addition to swimming and surfing in the offshore breaks, you can cycle the beach’s two-kilometre-long stretch along the waterfront trail. Lifesavers patrol the beach during the warmer months, while endangered little terns use its dunes as a nesting site.
Launch a boat from one of the ramps that dot the shores of Lake Illawarra or hire a standup paddleboard to cruise the waters. In addition to luring flathead and bream, anglers can also catch big whiting and the occasional blue swimmer crab. If you’re travelling with kids, they’ll love the newly-built ninja children’s playground in Reddall Reserve on the foreshore of Lake Illawarra.
Want to stretch your legs? Head to the Killalea Reserve, a magnificent tract of coastal terrain that’s ideal for bushwalking. In 2009, it was designated as a National Surfing Reserve and encompasses two popular local surf spots, “The Farm” and Minnamurra Beach. Experienced surfers can take on the consistent point breaks while beginners can learn the ropes during a lesson with the local surf school.
Getting around Lake Illawarra
Lake Illawarra is a 20-minute drive from Wollongong and 15 minutes from Shellharbour Airport, which has regular flights to Melbourne and Brisbane. Buses are the main means of getting around the region, although the suburb of Lake Illawarra is compact enough to explore on foot.