Bowral to Wollongong drive: Hume Highway or Macquarie Pass?

The shortest Bowral to Wollongong drive is not the quickest, but it is prettier than going via Hume Highway and Picton Road. Go via the Macquarie Pass National Park if you want a scenic road trip stop.

The Bowral to Wollongong drive in New South Wales is relatively short, but very scenic. Well, it is if you go the most attractive route.

Bowral to Wollongong drive via Wilton & Cordeaux Dam

The long way is quicker, but substantially more boring. The quick version of the Bowral to Wollongong drive is 75km in distance, but takes around 57 minutes.

5 great Southern Highlands experiences to boost your visit

Personalised private Southern Highlands wine and attractions tours – tailored to your tastes.
Tutored wine-tasting and canapes experience.
Beekeeping experience – learn how honey is made.
Guided wine-tasting at the Mill – with tasting notes procided.
Behind the scenes tour of a sustainable winery in Berrima.

This route goes up the Hume Motorway, then turns off down the Picton Road (or B88) in Wilton. You’ll go past the Cordeaux Dam before joining the Princes Motorway and heading into Wollongong. It’s not a bad drive once you’re off the Hume Motorway, but it’s not the most fun route.

6 fantastic Wollongong experiences to book before you arrive

Tandem hang-gliding flight from Bald Hill – float down towards the beach.
One hour private surf lesson in Woonona – learn the basics, and get standing on your board.
Illawarra Fly ziplining course and treetop walk – test your nerves high up in the canopy.
Tandem skydive with beach landing – feel the rush of freefall.
Explore the city on a scavenger hunt – a fun way to get to know Wollongong better.
Half day deep sea fishing adventure – haul in some big boys.

Bowral to Wollongong via Macquarie Pass

Go along the Tourist Road over the Illawarra Escarpment, and the Bowral to Wollongong distance is just 67km. However, the winding, scenic road is slower, and the journey takes about an hour and two minutes. It’ll take longer if you’re planning to stop along the way. Which, if you’re doing a longer road trip from Canberra to Wollongong, you’ll probably want to do.

The scenic Bowral to Wollongong road trip goes past Wingecarribee Reservoir before joining the Illawarra Highway just short of the Macquarie Pass National Park.

Waterfall views on the Clover Hill Trail in the Macquarie Pass National Park, New South Wales. Photo courtesy of Destination NSW.

This New South Wales national park is on the Illawarra Escarpment. The walking trails within the Macquarie Pass National Park take in rainforest scenery, waterfalls and fabulous views of the escarpment’s impressive sandstone cliffs.

As the Illawarra Highway heads towards the coast, it enters Albion Park. From there, the Bowral to Wollongong drive goes along the Princes Motorway, past Lake Illawarra, towards Wollongong.

Wollongong accommodation options include the spacious Adina, the facility-packed Novotel Northbeach and the golf-focused Best Western City Sands.

Wollongong beaches in the Australian Beaches Guide include Thirroul Beach, Austinmer Beach, Corrimal Beach, Stanwell Park Beach, North Wollongong Beach and Windang Beach.