Hiking and Walking Near Wollongong: Escarpment Tracks and Coastal Trails

Wollongong's geography — squeezed between the Illawarra Escarpment and the Pacific Ocean — creates some of New South Wales's most dramatic day-hike scenery within easy reach of the city. The Grand Pacific Drive coastal cliff walk between Stanwell Park and Clifton, on the clifftop above the sea, is one of the iconic short walks of NSW, with the Sea Cliff Bridge below and waves crashing at the base of the escarpment. The Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area has several ascent tracks including the Sublime Point trail from near Bulli Pass. The Mount Keira Summit Walk through rainforest to the 465-metre summit is a favourite for locals. The Sea Cliff Bridge Walk at Lawrence Hargrave Drive in Clifton has a dedicated pedestrian lane on the bridge with extraordinary ocean views. Dharawal National Park south of Wollongong has bush walking tracks through sandstone country. The Royal National Park's Coastal Walk can be accessed from Otford at the northern edge of the Illawarra by a shuttle or train service.