Weekend Getaways from Wollongong: Southern Highlands, South Coast and the Royal National Park

Wollongong's position on the NSW Illawarra coast between the Escarpment and the Pacific gives it exceptional access to diverse regional landscapes, from the cool highlands of the Southern Tablelands to the pristine beaches of the south coast and the dramatic coastal wilderness of Royal National Park. The Southern Highlands, 1 hour inland via the Hume Highway or the Macquarie Pass scenic route, has the heritage village of Berrima (classified by the National Trust as the best preserved early colonial town in Australia), Bowral's garden culture and the Tulip Time festival in spring, and Kangaroo Valley with its pastoral landscape and the heritage Hampden Bridge. Royal National Park, 20-30 minutes north of Wollongong along the coast, is the world's second-oldest national park and has the spectacular Royal Coast Track from Bundeena to Otford, a 26 km coastal walk through heath and clifftop terrain. Jervis Bay, 2 hours south via the Princes Highway, offers the most pristine beaches in NSW including Hyams Beach and the Booderee National Park snorkelling. Berry and Shoalhaven, 90 minutes south, have a celebrated food and wine scene with the Berry bakeries and the Milton-Ulladulla coastal arts community beyond. The escarpment drives via Macquarie Pass and Jamberoo Mountain Road provide spectacular scenery from Wollongong into the highlands.