Sydney to Wollongong road trip guide: Stops, distance & drive time
Sydney to Wollongong road trip: Illawarra coastal drive
The scenic route from Helensburgh diverts down Lawrence Hargrave Drive towards Stanwell Park Beach. On the way you can top at Symbio Wildlife Park, the Sri Venkateswara Temple, Kelly’s Falls and hang-gliding hotspot Bald Hill.
Then, after Coalcliff Beach, you’ll drive along the spectacular, winding Sea Cliff Bridge, before entering Wollongong’s northern suburbs. Highlights along the way include the Scarborough Hotel, Wombarra Beach, the Coledale Rock Pool and Austinmer Beach.
At Thirroul, the road diverts inland slightly, heading through Bulli, Woonona and Corrimal before entering central Wollongong.
Going the coastal route from Sydney to Wollongong is more attractive and doesn’t take too much longer. Expect the drive to take one hour and 26 minutes without stops.
Wollongong accommodation possibilities include the apartment-style Adina, the facility-packed Novotel Northbeach and the golf course-based Best Western City Sands.
13 brilliant experiences in Sydney you should book
- (💲Great value 💲) Tick off several bucket list items on a highlights-packed Blue Mountains day tour.
- Get perfect views of the world’s most beautiful city on a Sydney Harbour helicopter tour.
- Save money with a multi-attraction pass.
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Enjoy the romance of a tall ship cruise on Sydney Harbour.
- Eat all you can at the Skyfeast at the top of Sydney Tower.
- See migrating humpbacks – on a whale-watching cruise.
- (Highly recommended ✅) Go behind the scenes of Australia’s most famous building on an Opera House tour.
- Dine as the city lights up on sunset dinner cruise around the harbour.
- Combine beers and stories on a historic pubs tour through the convict-era Rocks district.
- Stand on your board and catch waves during Bondi Beach surfing lessons.
- Go to wombat and kangaroo-spotting hotspots on a Southern Highlands tour.
- Enjoy Sydney’s wild side on a Manly snorkelling & nature walk.
- (🥇Top choice in Sydney) And, best of all, paddle to hidden beaches on a harbour kayaking adventure.
More road trips from Sydney
Sydney to Adelaide | Sydney to Albury | Sydney to Alice Springs | Sydney to Bowral | Sydney to Byron Bay | Sydney to Canberra | Sydney to Coffs Harbour | Sydney to Dubbo | Sydney to Forster | Sydney to Mollymook | Sydney to Newcastle | Sydney to Port Macquarie | Sydney to Ulladulla