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Illawarra District New South Wales

Illawarra District

The Illawarra District has a huge amount to offer visitors from amazing beaches to car and aircraft museums. The district also has Chinese temples, lighthouses and the fantastic Sea Cliff Bridge to experience.

Wollongong

The Australian Motorlife Museum

The Australian Motorlife Museum is in Kembla Grange near Wollongong. It is a member based organisation, dedicated to the preservation of motoring history in all forms. It is sponsored by the NRMA.

To read the full story of our visit there, follow the link.

Austin Light Six 1928 car Australian Motorlife Museum www.destinationsjourney,com
Austin Light Six 1928

Sea Cliff Bridge

The Sea Cliff Bridge north of Wollongong was built to replace the old road that was damaged by storms and erosion. It connects the towns of Clifton and Coalcliff. This magnificent piece of civil engineering design has now become a tourist attraction because of its beauty and unique design. The views from on and around the bridge are fantastic!

To read the full story of our visit there, follow the link.

Looking South Along the Sea Cliff Bridge Sea Cliff Bridge www.destinationsjourney.com
Looking South Along the Sea Cliff Bridge

Fo Guang Shan Nan Tien Temple

The Fo Guang Shan Nan Tien temple in Wollongong is  a major centre for Buddhist learning in Australia. The temple is open to the public and provides an excellent insight into its workings. Remember to act respectfully at all times and remove  shoes when requested (for most temples).

To read the full story of our visit there, follow the link.

Pagoda Temple Fo Guang Shan Nan Tien Temple www.destinationsjourney.com
Pagoda Temple

Wollongong Head Lighthouse

A little different from some other lighthouses on the coast, this one is surrounded by cannons. They were originally deployed here as a defence for the local port, but now are a reminder of the past and look great set out on the grass before the lighthouse.

The lighthouse is adjacent to Wollongong Main Beach, with its long sweeping stretch of sand and rolling waves.

Wollongong Head Lighthouse
Wollongong Head Lighthouse
City Beach Wollongong Illawarra
City Beach Wollongong

Churches

We saw these two churches from our hotel window. Beautiful Greek and Macedonian Orthodox churches, almost next to each other made an interesting sight.

Greek Orthodox Church Wollongong Illawarra
Greek Orthodox Church Wollongong
Macedonian Orthodox Church Wollongong Illawarra
Macedonian Orthodox Church Wollongong

Sculptures

Located on the forecourt of the Illawarra stadium is a life-size bronze statue commemorating 100 years of Rugby League in the Illawarra District. Worth a quick look and a photo if you are interested in sporting history.

100 Years of Rugby in the Illawarra
100 Years of Rugby in the Illawarra

Comradeship Sculpture is a sculpture by a local artist commemorating friends who built a boat similar to the one in the sculpture and the death of one of them from cancer. A beautiful setting for the sculpture, over-looking the ocean not far from Sea Cliff Bridge.

Comradeship Sculpture Coledale Wollongong Illawarra
Comradeship Sculpture

Historical Aircraft Restoration Society

Illawarra Regional Airport at Albion Park Rail houses the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS)..

Fokker FVIIB Southern Cross Replica Historical Aircraft Restoration Society www.destinationsjourney.com
Fokker FVIIB Southern Cross Replica

Wings over Illawarra

This amazing Airshow was held at the Illawarra Regional Airport at Albion Park Rail. Located just south of Wollongong in  Shellharbour the setting was beautiful with the amazing Illawarra Escarpment providing a great backdrop to the show. Wings Over Illawarra 2018 had an excellent combination of warbirds, aerobatics and modern RAAF aircraft

To read the full story of our visit there, follow the link.

McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet  Wings Over Illawarra 2018 www.destinationsjourney.com
McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet  16

Nowra

Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm Museum

The museum has an almost complete collection of the aircraft operated by the RAN.  This ranges from the early 1950s when HMAS Sydney and Melbourne were acquired to a recently retired Seahawk helicopter.  A purpose-built air-conditioned building houses all the displays. Inside a raised mezzanine floor provides an excellent overhead perspective of the displays.  This is something that many aviation museums are lacking.  There is also plenty of space between each display so that they can be seen easily without the crowding that some museums use.

To read the full story of our visit there, follow the link.

RAN Fairey Firefly AS.5 Fleet Air Arm Museum Nowra HMAS Albatross www.destinationsjourney.com
RAN Fairey Firefly AS.5

Street Art

Walking through the central shopping district of Nowra, you will come across many pieces of excellent street are decorating buildings. Mostly located around the art gallery, others can be found in side streets, which makes them fun to track down while exploring.

Aboriginal Child - Street Art Nowra
Aboriginal Child – Street Art Nowra

Nowra’s Buildings

Ben’s Walk

Soldiers’ Monument

Kiama

Kiama Blow Hole

A major draw card to the Illawarra District and best visited at high tide, the Kiama blow hole puts on a magnificent display with each incoming wave. Viewing platforms give visitors a safe vantage point, so that taking photos is fun and not dangerous. Remember to stay behind the barriers!

The blow hole is next to the Kiama Lighthouse, which is also a great sight and worth seeing.

Kiama Blow Hole a Major Attraction in the Illawarra District
Kiama Blow Hole a Major Attraction in the Illawarra District

Kiama Lighthouse

Located near the Kiama Blow Hole, this lighthouse is a typical example found around Australia, but is unique with its 100 Years of ANZAC memorial painted on its side. Parking in this area is easy because of the large car park and easy access from the main road.

Kaima Lighthouse Wollongong Illawarra
Kiama Lighthouse

Historical Kiama Buildings

Manning and Terralong Streets have some beautiful old buildings, which add great character to the town. Wandering around these streets was fun and after admiring the architecture we had a snack at one of the many cafes in the area.

Kiama Memorials

Sitting outside the Council Chambers is a memorial to Captain C. M. Stevenson, a veteran of the Boer War. On the opposite side of the Council Chambers is a memorial to Joseph Weston, founder of the local newspaper and a major contributor to the early years of Kiama. These two memorials are in contrast with one made of stone and the other a modern stell design.

Berry

Roadside Art

Driving from Kiama towards Nowra, we were surprised to see some great roadside art. The first was a double silhouette of Alexander and Edward Berry, famous merchants who helped establish the Shoalhaven area. This was follows by a nicely painted bus shelter on the side of the main highway.

Alexander Berry and Edward Berry Silhouette Shoalhaven
Alexander Berry and Edward Berry Silhouette
Bus Stop Art Nowra
Bus Stop Art

Historical Buildings in Berry

Apex Park Berry

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

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