Illawarra Walking Tour
Where cliffs, rainforest, and ocean come together.
Discover the Soul of the South Coast — I offer private walking tours that take you from the Illawarra Escarpment down to the edge of the Pacific Ocean. I’ll guide you along coastal roads with views of the cliffs and the Sea Cliff Bridge, then lead you on peaceful rainforest walks where you can experience the landscape up close.
The tour includes guided hikes of up to 5 kilometres, with uneven terrain and moderate elevation changes, making it best suited to confident and active walkers. I tailor each private tour to your pace and interests, while sharing local knowledge and insight along the way.
We’ll also visit Symbio Wildlife Park, where you can hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies in walk-through enclosures and enjoy an up-close wildlife experience.
If you’re looking for a private, active walking tour with local guidance and meaningful time in nature, this experience offers a rewarding way to explore the Illawarra and South Coast.
The South Coast–Illawarra is easy to reach by train, just over an hour from Sydney. The train ride provides a stunning scenic experience along what’s known as the Sea Cliff Coast. For timetable information, please click here. Tours depart from any train station between Thirroul and Wollongong.
Illawarra Walking Tour – Your Day of Coastal Views, Scenic Walks & Wildlife
Your adventure begins between 8:30 and 9:00am with pick-up from your accommodation, or a local train station, anywhere between Thirroul and Wollongong.
We start by winding along Lawrence Hargrave Drive, hugging the Illawarra Escarpment on the way to the Sea Cliff Bridge — still one of my favourite drives, no matter how many times I’ve done it.
From there, we walk up to Mount Mitchell, through open eucalyptus forest to a lookout over Stanwell Beach and the coast beyond. It’s a proper climb — about 130 metres in the first kilometre — so this one’s for active walkers who don’t mind a bit of a workout, up to 5km all up.
By then you’ll have earned a break, so we stop at Stanwell Park Beach or Symbio Wildlife Park — your choice of a bite by the beach, or hand-feeding kangaroos and wallabies.
Then it’s on to Bald Hill Lookout — if you’ve ever seen photos of paragliders soaring above the Sea Cliff Bridge, this is where they take off from. The view alone is worth the stop.
We finish gently, with an easy 1.2km walk to Madden Falls tucked away in the rainforest, before one last stop at the Southern Gateway Centre for a proper 180-degree ocean view to end the day.
Includes:
Private tour, max 5 people
Pick-up and drop-off, Thirroul to Wollongong
6+ hour duration
Your own guide and clean vehicle
Your choice of lunch at Stanwell Park, or Symbio Wildlife Park entry
Timeline
Pick Up
Sea Cliff Bridge
Mt Mitchell - Forest Walk
Bald Hill Lookout
Symbio Wildlife Park
Madden Falls
Southern Gateway Centre
Drop Off
Book Illawarra Walking Tour:
Pricing
1 – 2 people $500 AUD per Private Tour
3 people $600 AUD per Private Tour
4 people $700 AUD per Private Tour
5 people $800 AUD per Private Tour
What’s included: Private Guide, Vehicle, All Park Entries
What to bring: Sunscreen, Hat, Water, Snacks, Comfortable Shoes
Our tours offer an immersive experience exploring the stunning South Coast and Southern Highlands of New South Wales. Our itineraries serve as a guide and can be tailored to accommodate your specific interests and preferences.
Meeting Time and Location
We meet between 8:30 and 9:00 am at your preferred location — hotel, motel, or train station between Thirroul and Wollongong. Both the meeting time and location can be adjusted to suit your specific needs and preferences.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations must be submitted no later than 48 hours before the scheduled service or event. (A transaction fee of AUD $5 will be deducted from the refunded amount to cover processing costs.)