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Category: Illawarra

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Wings Over Illawarra 2021 Air Show

Paul Bennett in his Wolf Pitts

Wings Over Illawarra 2021

Delayed since 2020 due to Covid, Wings Over Illawarra was able to get into the air on the weekend of 27/28 November 2021. Held at Shellharbour Airport, south of Wollongong, the air show was well organised, with plenty of parking and helpful volunteers.

We stayed at a nearby hotel the previous night, because the show was a four-hour drive from home. Our previous visit here in 2018 convinced us that Gold Tickets would be a good idea and we were not disappointed. Not only did they give us great seats and excellent onsite parking, but we got early access to the site. This let us wander around the static displays before the crowds arrived, allowing us to take photos without too many people around.

Weather

Unfortunately, the weather on the day was overcast with showers, but the organizers did a great job getting as many flights happening as possible. Some of the warbirds did not fly, as the risk was too great, but we were able to see them close up because they were parked in front of the Gold Ticket area.

Static Displays

After getting a coffee, we went for a walk through the aircraft on static display. The RAAF had a Lockheed Hercules C-130J on display, which we were able to walk through. The air force also had an F/A-18 Hornet, but it was on the flight line ready for a display.

The Royal Australian Navy and Army contributed helicopters, with the Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk demonstrating its flying abilities later in the day.

HARS (previously Historic Aircraft Restoration Society) is based at the airport and had their collection on display. They have an excellent collection, with the MiG-21 being a new addition since our last visit.

Lockheed C-130J Hercules Wings Over Illawarra 2021
Lockheed C-130J Hercules
Eurocopter MRH-90 Taipan Wings Over Illawarra Air Show 2021
Eurocopter MRH-90 Taipan
De Havilland Canada Caribou Wings Over Illawarra Air Show 2021
De Havilland Canada Caribou
Douglas C-47 Dakota A65-95
Douglas C-47 Dakota A65-95
CAC Sabre A94-901 Wings Over Illawarra Air Show 2021
CAC Sabre A94-901
MiG 21U in Indian Air Force colours Wings Over Illawarra Air Show 2021
MiG 21U in Indian Air Force colours
Dassault Mirage IIIO
Dassault Mirage IIIO

War Birds

The highlight of many air shows are the war birds giving flying demonstrations. The Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk, Lockheed Neptune and CAC Wirraway put on a great display Despite the weather. Unfortunately, the Avenger, Corsair and P-51 didn’t fly on the day, but were still displayed for people to see.

Vought Corsair with folded wings Wings Over Illawarra 2021
Vought Corsair with folded wings
Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk
Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk

Flying Displays

Apart from the war birds, flying displays were put on by the RAAF with their F/A-18, the Navy’s MH-60R Seahawk and the Sky Aces aerobatic team. These were great to see and our seats in the grandstand gave us an excellent view.

Lockheed P-2H Neptune A89-273
Lockheed P-2H Neptune A89-273
F/A-18A Hornet A21-8
F/A-18A Hornet A21-8
Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk
Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk
Paul Bennett in his Wolf Pitts
Paul Bennet in his Wolf Pitts

Vehicle Displays

On the far side of the airfield was a small static display of vintage vehicles and current Australian Army vehicles. This was a fun and interesting area to walk around, as it offered something different to see.

1939 Chevrolet
1939 Chevrolet
Bushmaster
Bushmaster

What Did We Think of Wings Over Illawarra 2021?

We had a great day here watching the flying and walking around the displays, despite the gloomy weather. The following day had much improved weather, so the full flying agenda took place. Displays by HARS and access to their museum was a great part to the show.

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Cathedral Rocks Kiama on the NSW South Coast

Cathedral Rocks

How to Get There

Located three kilometers, north of Kiama, Cathedral Rocks are an unusual volcanic rock formation, famous for their distinctive shape. We viewed them from two locations, up close from Jones Beach and further away from Cliff Drive.

Jones Beach has an excellent car park, with easy beach access, making it an ideal place to start your walk to the rocks. From the car park, walk to the beach and head south (or right as you face the ocean). This will take you to a small rocky headland, where you climb over rocks, until the Cathedral Rocks come into view.

Jones Drive provides a view of the Rocks from the opposite side, which is a great way to take some different photos. Parking is on-street, but there is plenty of room to leave your car. followed by a track down to the shore. We found that at high tide, the view was restricted, because it was not possible to walk out onto the rock platform. However at low tide, the view was great, just be careful of slippery rocks.

Jones Beach

A great place to visit in its own right, Jones Beach is wide and sandy, making a relaxing place to soak up the sun. Cathedral Rocks are to the south on the rocky headland and rock platform. Take footwear, as the rocks are sharp and slippery. We took Crocs, because they can be worn in water and protect feet from sharp rocks.

Jones Beach
Jones Beach

Cathedral Rocks

Standing above and surrounded by water, the rock formations look amazing, providing a great opportunity for photos. The rock platform gives many different vantage points to see the rocks as well as vantage points to see the rest of the coastline.

Cathedral Rocks
Cathedral Rocks

Cathedral Rocks Cave

While walking along the rock platform, keep an eye out for a small cave. You can see the Cathedral Rocks from here, while the cave entrance frames them. This gives another and different view.

Cathedral Rocks
View From the Cave

Cliff Drive

With views from above Cathedral Rocks, as well as a path down to sea level, Cliff Drive offers alternate views to Jones Beach. If you choose to use the path and walk down to the rock platform, low tide is the best time to visit. This will allow you to walk further onto rocks to get a good view.

Cliff Drive Cathedral Rocks
Cliff Drive Cathedral Rocks

What Did We Think?

A great place to visit and enjoy the beach as well as climbing over rocks. Visiting at low tide will give a you a better view.

Our photos are available for purchase on

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

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Crookhaven Heads Shoalhaven New South Wales

Sculptured Indigenous Totem Poles by Jerrinja Artist Noel Wellington

Crookhaven Heads

While travelling to Jervis Bay, we decided to stop at Crookhaven Heads, as it would be a good break and let us see an old lighthouse. A small car park near the Marine Rescue Station is the start of a 5 minute walk to the lighthouse.

Crookhaven Heads Lighthouse

The walk to the headland with the lighthouse passes a rock platform and through some coastal scrub. A short but interesting walk and worth stopping along the way to admire the coastline.

Unfortunately the lighthouse is in disrepair and the target of vandals, making it a disappointing destination. A local heritage group lobbies for its repair, so hopefully they will be successful. The walk to the lighthouse was a good one, with much to see.

Indigenous Totem Poles

Nowra Indigenous artist Noel Wellington carved a series of totems with help from members of the Jerrinja Local Aboriginal Land Council. Carved from blackbutt, woolybutt or ironbark logs the totems are beautiful works of art. They represent the stories, elders and culture of the local Aboriginal people who have long had a strong connection with the sea.

Positioned near the mouth of the Crookhaven River, the totems have views of landscapes sacred to the local Aboriginal people.

After the disappointment of the lighthouse, these totems were a great find and are worth stopping to see.

  • Rock Platform on Walking Track Crookhaven Heads
    Rock Platform on Walking Track
  • Walking Track to Crookhaven Lighthouse
    Walking Track to Crookhaven Lighthouse
  • Crookhaven Lighthouse
    Crookhaven Lighthouse
  • Sculptured Indigenous Totem Poles by Jerrinja Artist Noel Wellington
    Sculptured Indigenous Totem Poles by Jerrinja Artist Noel Wellington

What Did We Think?

Although the lighthouse was not what we expected, the totems made up for it. Hopefully the lighthouse will be restored, but in the meantime, the indigenous totem poles are a great attraction.

Our photos are available for purchase on

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.