Nowra to Wollongong road trip: Distance, drive time & stops

Nowra to Wollongong: Coastal route from Kiama

There’s barely any time difference between the coastal route from Kiama to Wollongong and the inland route along the Princes Highway, so hug the coast for more fun.

Several excellent beaches grab the attention. Minnamurra Beach – also known as Mystics – ends in a gorgeous sandy spit at the mouth of the Minnamurra River. Meanwhile, Killalea Beach – aka the Farm – is a National Surfing Reserve.

Further along in Shellharbour, Warilla Beach is the most impressive option. But just before crossing the Windang Bridge over Lake Illawarra, Stand Up Paddle Boarding Shellharbour, offers paddleboarding lessons.

On the other side of the bridge is Windang Beach, the most impressive of Wollongong’s southern beaches. The road trip route then skirts around Port Kembla into the city centre.

Wollongong accommodation choices include the apartment-style Adina, the facility-friendly Novotel Northbeach and the golf course-adjacent Best Western City Sands.

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