Within easy reach from Sydney heading south, is a delightful alternative route to Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama. This is definitely the scenic route and at times the sights are spectacular with plenty of spots to stop and take in the local attractions.
A perfect weekend getaway and a very pretty drive!
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Now, for those of you who want to make the most of this scenic drive over a long weekend, I recommend you leave early Saturday morning so you don’t miss the Royal National Park and the Sea Cliff Bridge. Its the best part… If you want to leave the city on Friday night after work, do yourself a favor and take this route on the way home instead.
Royal National Park
From Sydney head south onto the Princess Highway and follow the signs into the Royal National Park onto Farnell Avenue. You’re barely out of the city (only 30kms) and you can feel yourself unwinding already. This National Park is the second oldest in the world and is situated on over 15,000 hectares of woodland and rainforest. There are roads to the coast that give access to Wattamolla and Garie Beach where you will find a kiosk and basic facilities along with pristine surf beaches, some great walks and spectacular views. Well worth the detour.
If you are thinking about camping in the Royal National Park, contact National Parks NSW for permits. For maps and more information stop at the visitor information centre. Note: Garie and Wattamolla areas are closed after dark.
Stanwell Park
Exit the southern end of the Royal National Park and your first coastal town is Stanwell Park. Aptly called a blue-water jewel with a backdrop of cliffs and a forefront with a magnificent beach, it is a magic place for a lunch stop and to take in the panoramic views from the Ball Hill Lookout. There are other attractions in this area including a cage free bushland zoo, the Lawrence Hargrave Memorial of Flight and if the weather if right you will discover that the area is a very popular hang gliding jump zone.
Sea Cliff Bridge
A few minutes south of Stanwell Park on Lawrence Hargrave Drive, you will pass through the small community of Coalcliff and onto the extraordinary Sea Cliff Bridge. This bridge one of only seven off-shore parallel to coast bridges in the world and is a major highlight of this scenic drive.
The 665 metre Sea Cliff Bridge was opened in 2005 at a cost of $52 million. It is a popular tourist stop and a great opportunity to stretch your legs and take in some unforgettable views.
Beneath the Sea Cliff Bridge are some excellent fishing locations and there is always plenty of locals on the rocks with fishing roads at the ready. A very tempting reason for anglers to find a place to stay overnight and try for an early morning catch.
Locks of LoveThe walkway along the Sea Cliff Bridge has become a place where people from all over the country and all over the world have taken to leaving memento’s of their important milestones by engraving padlocks and clipping them to the railings. Anniversary’s, births, deaths and declarations of unending love can be found along the length of the bridge.
The trend apparently started by a local couple John and Fay Ireland of Helensburgh after seeing the practice in La Cinque Terre in Italy. Their lock was in celebration of their 40th wedding anniversary.
Austinmer to Wollongong
South of the Sea Cliff Bridge there are a few delightful little townships all of which are great for a lunch stop or a walk on the beach. In particular the beachfront at Austinmer is very picturesque. Austinmer’s main beach is a patrolled surf beach with golden sand, two ocean pools, picnic & BBQ areas and is a popular tourist spot. The main shopping precinct in the area is 2km to the south at Thirroul which is becoming a popular seaside holiday town and where you will find yourself a pub lunch or evening entertainment.
The remaining 13kms to Wollongong passes through Bulli and a number of Wollongong’s northern suburbs. There are some excellent choices for accommodation in Wollongong and after a full day of sightseeing, Wollongong is a good choice for an overnight stop...information from about-australia.com
My favorite place to be is by the bay where the palm trees sway. Flights to Khartoum
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