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    15 Fantastic Family Adventures in the Illawarra and South Coast

    15 Fantastic Family Adventures in the Illawarra and South Coast

    We are darn lucky to call the Illawarra home! With the beach on one side, escarpment (and its lookouts, bushwalks, flora and fauna) on the other and a plethora of great places to explore, kids in the Illawarra have the kind of childhood that’s not always possible in the big city.

    Here are 15 of our favourite adventures and outings that remind us why it’s a fantastic place to bring up our kids.

    Want to know best family friendly beaches for Summer finally arrives back in Wollongong? Click here to find the best Illawarra and South Coast beaches and pools for little ones….

    Main article featured photo c/o Holiday Haven

    Wollongong Botanic Garden

    Wollongong Botanic Garden is a wonderful local destination that offers something for visitors of all ages — explore beautiful garden collections, relax in picnic areas, and enjoy the All-Abilities Playground. Kids will love the swings, sandpit, slippery dip, climbing net, viewing platform, and maze designed for ages 2 to 12. Don’t miss the duck feeding area, a favourite family pastime!

    With winding paths and hidden treasures around every corner, it’s easy to get lost in the fun (so keep an eye on the little explorers!). Plus, there are plenty of activities including school holiday programs, garden workshops, theatrical tours, and even outdoor cinema during summer.

    Need a break? Grab coffee and tasty snacks at the Garden Grounds Café, open daily from 9am to 2pm near the main entrance. Picnic spots and BBQs make it the perfect family day out!

    Treetops Adventure Nowra

    If you’ve not taken the family to Treetops Adventure Nowra – you are missing out on such a brilliant experience…

    Sessions run for 2.5 hours (including gearing up), where participants will choose to navigate their way through the treetops! Start with something closer to the ground or go higher and test your nerves straight away for an adrenaline kick. Designed for all ages from 3 years old and up, (Kids Club sessions are for 8 years +), the challenging courses will give something for the whole family can enjoy!

    We will get you ready for your adventure by fitting you into the safety equipment and taking you through our training course.

    Treetops Adventure Nowra uses a self-locking system that ensures participants are always attached to the safety line. After this you’ll be ready to take off and up into the trees and along the cliff edge!

    Why not make a day out of it? Treetops Adventure Nowra is located inside the Shoalhaven Zoo so you can be a monkey while checking out the monkeys! A discount on zoo tickets are available to Treetops Adventure customers. Learn more here now.

    Holiday Haven – 12 stunning South Coast, family-friendly holiday locations + All-Year Round Discounts on now!

    Looking for your next unforgettable family getaway? With 12 stunning locations across the Shoalhaven and South Coast, Holiday Haven Parks offer something for everyone — whether you prefer beachfront, lakefront, or riverfront stays.

    Choose from clean, modern holiday cabins or powered and unpowered caravan and camping sites, perfect for weekend escapes, road trip stops, or extended holidays. From rainforests to wildlife encounters and water adventures, there’s a park for every kind of traveller. Plus, kids under 5 stay free, and many parks feature water parks, jumping pillows, dog-friendly options, mini golf, swimming pools, and even school holiday activities!

    Don’t forget that Holiday Haven Parks also have a number of dog & pet-friendly cabins and sites – perfect for when families want to bring their furry companions along for the ride!

    North Nowra Tavern

    For lunch, pop into the newly-renovated North Nowra Tavern (pictured below) – kids Eat FREE on Mondays during dinner service — the perfect way to kick off your week! While you enjoy your meal, the little ones can explore our brand-new kids play area, packed with fun features like soft play equipment, slides, and a safe, secure space designed just for them. It’s a hit with kids and a stress-free win for parents! Be sure to check our menu for all the tasty details.

    Illawarra Light Railway Museum

    The Illawarra Light Railway Museum in Albion Park is a fantastic family day out, especially for kids who are fascinated by trains. Visitors can hop aboard restored steam and miniature trains, explore historic locomotives, trams, and carriages, and learn about the rich history of rail transport in the Illawarra region.

    The rides are fun, interactive, and offer a close-up look at vintage rail vehicles in action. With a café on-site and BBQ picnic areas available, it’s easy to turn your visit into a relaxed, full-day adventure. The museum is also wheelchair accessible, with some train rides accommodating mobility needs. Steam train rides run on the second Sunday of each month, and diesel rides operate on the fourth Saturday, from 10am to 2pm. Book online and get ready for a nostalgic, family-friendly experience that’s sure to delight all ages.

    HARS Aviation Museum

    Do you and your children love planes? Gets up close and personal with some at this fantastic Aviation Museum at Albion Park. A guide will walk you through operational hangars, and take you up close to historic planes. Explore some of the planes and learn about how they work. HARS Aviation Museum is a must for any plane enthusiast, young or old!

    Sea Cliff Bridge & Grand Pacific Drive

    Photo c/o Chilby Photography

    If you have a car (and kids that don’t get car sick on winding roads!), this is a great choice! One of best known Illawarra & Wollongong tourist attractions, but locals love it too…Read our comprehensive Sea Cliff Bridge Guide here.

    Wollongong Harbour & Surrounds

    Wollongong harbour is a pretty unique place. Where else does a marina butt up against the beach but in the Gong? While the harbour itself is super pretty and the small beach is shallow, protected and is great for toddlers.

    Make a proper day of it by kicking off your adventures at the uber kid-happy playground, Stuart Park, with its flying foxes, slides, full sized bike track and picnic spaces. Pack your bikes/scooters or go on foot and follow the path from Stuart Park past the lagoon and around to the beach.

    Grab a coffee or a bite to eat from Diggies North Beach (great kids menu) and either enjoy the sand and surf or keep following the cycle path around to the rock pools or the saltwater 50m continental baths, there is a toddler pool with shade plus disabled access and a ramp. Go for a quick dip then continue on to Belmore Basin with its safe and kid friendly harbour protected sandy beach, playground and lighthouse.

    Playgrounds & Parks

    Boongaree Rotary Nature Play Park, Berry

    Wollongong & the Illawarra-Shoalhaven has AMAZING parks, all free and wonderful for kids to burn off energy and play. Read our guide to best local parks and playgrounds here.

    Family-friendly adventures in Minnamurra

    Photo c/o Mark Fitz Photography

    Plenty of people know about the Minnamurra Rainforest Centre (and its definitely one of our faves), but not as many have visited the Minnamurra river. This Instagram worthy spot is an absolute paradise for families who love the water.

    The fresh water estuary is the perfect spot for paddle boarding, swimming, fishing and just lazing around, while a short walk over the sand dunes brings you out at the salt water Mystics Beach, part of the Killalea State Park National Surfing Reserve.

    There’s plenty of space for a picnic, public toilets on-site and even a small playground behind the water. At low tide you can even wade across and set up camp on the sandbank, in the middle of the river. Find more deets and click here

    10 Family Friendly Cycle Rides in the Illawarra

    The Wollongong and Illawarra region is full of fun and scenic family-friendly bike rides for all ages and abilities. Our Illawarra kid-friendly bikes paths below include paved, shared and mountain bike trails. So, put air in those tyres, pop on your helmet, grab the kids and fam and hit the road. Fresh air, endorphins and exercise are also free with our guide to 10 best bike rides in Wollongong! Discover them all and get planning here.

    Lake Illawarra

    The gorgeous Lake Illawarra sometimes seems like a bit of a hidden gem. Loved by locals, the 33 square kilometre lake is home to plenty of great spots for fishing, swimming, paddle boarding, boating and generally frolicking in the mostly shallow stunning aquamarine water.

    Reddall Reserve on the foreshore is a great spot for a bike ride and picnic, thanks to its playground, bathrooms and kiosk, while Windang Beach is ideal for paddling, swimming or a BBQ. The Kanahooka playground is also worth a visit, especially for littlies. This is about a 20 minute drive from Reddall Reserve around Lake Illawarra (good for if your little ones need a nap in the car from all that activity!).

    Also – don’t forget to check out the family-friendly Lake Illawarra Hotel (pictured below) – explore their brand-new Kids Playground – plus Kids Eat Free Thursdays – a perfect excuse to treat the whole family!

    Best Bush Walks for Families

    Photo – Maddens Falls, Darkes Forrest

    Being in the bush can be very therapeutic. Why not explore some of these local spots? Please encourage your children to stop and look around them. Pack a scavenger hunt for different leaves or creatures. Take a camera and get them to look for things that interest them and capture their attention. Point out the light in the trees or how the water rushes over the rocks in a rock pool. Please encourage your children to pay attention to their surroundings. They might find an echidna or notice a kookaburra in a tree. Doing this connects them to nature and refreshes their energy. Below are a few my children and I frequent to inspire you.

    Cascade Falls This gorgeous walk is at the bottom of Macquarie Pass. If you’re quiet, you might see an echidna. There are shallow rock pools to play in along the way. A short 2-km walk though steep in places. It is easy for children ages four and over to explore, with a beautiful waterfall at the end. There’s also plenty of space for a picnic before or after the walk.

    Kelly Falls walk and picnic area. This beautiful walk is right near the Helensburgh turn-off along the Princes Highway. Bring hats, sunscreen, drinking water, and clothes that can get wet or dirty. This walk is steep in places but a delight to do.

    For more inspiration for bush walks in the Illawarra see the links below or read our 18 of the best, family-friendly bushwalks in the Illawarra here

    Best Beaches & Rockpools for Families

    Find a beach and explore the rock pools. Paddle your toes in the waves or build a sandcastle. Most beaches have a full-sized pool for doing laps, swimming, or playing in. They are not patrolled, though, so you must always watch your children. With so many beaches to explore, you could visit a new one every day. Check tide levels, and you could explore the same one at different times for a new experience.

    Make it a healing experience: Take your shoes off, feel the sand on your feet and hands, and touch the water. Look at the crab holes in the sand, watch for dolphins or whales, and look at the ships. Find a jetty where boats come in and look for stingrays or pelicans. Get there for sunrise, watch in wonder the colours in the clouds and sky, and feel the sun’s warmth on your skin. Be present and mindful, slow down and allow your nervous system to reset. Many beaches even let you bring your fur baby.

    Finally, make the most of family life in our stunning Illawarra – Subscribe to the ultimate guide to family living weekly email by Parents Guide. Say NO to bored kids and get inspired! Click and sign up for our Parents Newsletter here. Get all the local inspo!

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