Jump Rock to Sublime Point: 10 of the Illawarra’s best walking trails
The Great Southern Walk is less than two years from completion with the 67km walk to create a spectacular route between Kurnell and Sublime Point. Here are 10 tracks to take on in the meantime.
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The Illawarra is the envy of many towns and cities across Australia when it comes to walking trails, with the region boasting countless tracks offering spectacular views.
A stunning new track is set to be added to the list in 2024 when the 67km Great Southern Walk is anticipated to be completed.
The GSW recently commenced construction and once completed, it will connect Kamay Botany Bay National Park at Kurnell in Sydney through to Sublime Point in the Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area.
The track will connect several existing shorter trails, and trekkers will be able to tackle the multi-day route, which takes in world-class coastal views and places of national heritage significance.
In the meantime, check out 10 of the best walking trails you need to tick off your bucket list.
Brokers Nose Trial
The start of Brokers Nose Trial is situated at the top of Mount Ousley on the southbound side opposite the truck stop.
The relatively easy and flat 4.6km out and back track leads to a lookout offering 180-degree views of the Pacific Ocean, Wollongong and Port Kembla.
Trekkers will be flanked by lush vegetation on the way to and from the lookout, with the canopy of cabbage trees providing plenty of shade.
Burning Palms Beach Loop
The Burning Palms Beach Loop, also known as the Palm Jungle Loop Track, is located in the Royal National Park.
The easy-to-intimidate 8.5km trail, which will be incorporated into the GSW, takes in various landscapes and sceneries.
Such sites include thriving rainforests, incredible cliff tops and beautiful coastal views.
A detour from the track links up with the iconic Figure 8 Pool, but be warned - you don‘t want to get caught there at high tide.
Clover Hill Falls Trail
The Clover Hill Falls Trail is named after the stunning waterfall at its climax. However, trekkers also pass the gorgeous Rainbow Falls and Mulangong Falls along the way.
The out-and-back track is just under 7km long and will take between two and three hours to complete.
The first 3km is relatively easy with a clearly marked out fire trail path, before a steep and muddy climb to the finish.
The track is perched halfway up Macquarie Pass. Be aware there is limited parking so be sure to get there early.
Kiama Coast Walk
The coastline in the Illawarra‘s south is some of the best in Australia, and a great way to take it in is the 20km Kiama Coast Walk.
The entire walk, including paved, grass and beach tracks, takes about six to seven hours to complete, starting at the Minnumurra River and traversing south to Gerringong’s Werri Beach.
The walk is divided into three sections, with the 6km southern third part between Kiama‘s Loves Bay and Werri Beach proving the most popular.
The southern section features a lagoon, ocean pool and a whale-watching platform on one of the headlands.
Macquarie Pass Jump Rock
This beloved 6km return track tucked at the bottom of Macquarie Pass leads people to a stunning and popular swimming hole.
The track can be tricky in parts due to rocky sections and slippery creeks along the way – the difficulty is also increased if there has been recent rain.
The swimming spot featuring cascading waterfalls at the end of the track is an incredibly refreshing reward for trekkers to pitch up for the day.
The watering hole also has several rock platforms to jump from, ranging from three to 10 metres for those keen for a thrill.
Minnamurra Falls Walk
The Minnamurra Falls Walk begins at the Minnamurra Rainforest Centre and is situated in the Budderoo National Park.
The 4.2km long paved, elevated walkway and suspension bridge is reasonably steep in sections, but it brings trekkers face-to-face with some of the most breathtaking flora and fauna Australia has to offer.
Multiple viewing platforms along the track, including at the stunning Minnamurra Falls, offer you a chance to zone out and take in the idyllic surroundings.
Note it costs $12 per vehicle to park at the centre and a further $4.40 and $2.20 per child to access the walk.
Mount Kembla Ring and Summit Track
The Mount Kembla Summit and Ring Track are technically two separate trails in the Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area.
The Ring Track is a relatively easy 5km loop through lush vegetation where if you’re quiet, you might spot a native lyre bird.
The Summit Track is a steep 3.4km ascent to Mount Kembla lookout, which offers exceptional views of Port Kembla and further south into Shellharbour.
Keep your eye out for the signature book at the peak to mark your journey.
Sublime Point Lookout (Bulli Tops)
It may be less than a kilometre, but don’t be fooled, the trek to Sublime Point Lookout is one of the toughest on this list.
There is a brief decline before the track ascends into the escarpment through a series of ladders and rock-hopping.
It takes about 45 minutes to get to the top, but once you’re there you will be greeted by one of the most iconic shots the Illawarra has to offer.
There are also barbecues, picnic shelters and toilets at the top so you don’t have to rush back to the bottom.
Warilla Beach to Shellharbour Ocean Pools
This 10km walking track is the most accessible on this list as it is flat and entirely paved.
Walkers can start at either the Lake Illawarra entrance at Lake Illawarra or Cowries Beach at Shellharbour Village.
The picturesque trail also winds past the well-known Shellharbour North Beach and Warilla Beach, with a pedestrian bridge crossing the channel at Elliott Lake – known by the locals at Little Lake.
Little Lake is an ideal spot to take a break and even hop in for a swim.
Another bonus to this route is you can bring along your furry friends as long as they’re on a leash.
Wodi Wodi Track
The start of Wodi Wodi Track, named after the local Indigenous peoples, is conveniently located at Stanwell Park train station.
The track is about 6.5km and takes almost half a day to complete, with walkers experiencing some of the best forest trails the region has to offer.
The route plunges down into dense rainforest with ancient trees towering overhead.
Some of the points of interest along the way include Stawell Park Lagoon and the 140-year-old Lawrence Hargrave House.
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