NSW Top Tourism Town Finalist
Welcome to
Shellharbour
Top Town: population over 5,000 residents
09:00 Fri 28 April - till - 17:00 Fri 12 May.
Members of the public may lodge only one vote for one town in each category. See Terms & Conditions.
Picturesque seaside location and family favourite holiday destination.
Shellharbour is a picturesque seaside location and family favourite holiday destination conveniently located on the South Coast, just over an hour’s easy drive south of Sydney and 2.5 hours from Canberra. Shellharbour is also very well connected for interstate travellers, with direct flights from Melbourne and Brisbane via Link Airways at Shellharbour Airport.
Whether you’re craving adventure, a relaxing seaside escape or a great family holiday, all bases are covered and with so much to see and do, you are going to want to stay a little longer!
Shellharbour is on Dharawal Country, land of the Wodi Wodi people. Learn the stories and experience the culture based on the traditions of the Dharawal and Yuin Nation with a tour or workshop with local company Gumaraa Aboriginal Experiences. Hear the stories of the land from the water with a Stand Up Paddle Boarding Shellharbour’s Indigenous SUP Tour.
Shellharbour is quickly gaining a reputation as the South Coast’s must-visit boating and lifestyle destination, especially with the new jewel in the crown, the Waterfront Shell Cove and Shellharbour Marina. This world class Marina is a game changer offering 270 berths with direct access to the Tasman Sea.
.
Loving Shellharbour?
Vote for this top town in the 2023 Top Tourism Town Awards
The Waterfront Shell Cove offers an array of dining options by the water, a town centre, more than 2.5km of boardwalks and promenades and kids beach on the foreshore. One of the most popular tourist attractions from the Waterfront, is a cruise with Shellharbour Wild. Jump on a boat and head out of the marina on a Whale Watching tour (May-Nov) or an Eco- Cruise (Nov-May).
Shellharbour has that year-round holiday vibe surrounded by pristine beaches, beautiful green countryside and stunning coastline, with high quality shopping, relaxed dining, great sporting facilities and a vast range of activities and events. With regular festivals, events and monthly markets throughout the year – there is always something exciting on offer.
Get back to nature and explore rare littoral rainforests and waterfalls and along the trails of Macquarie Pass National Park. Bass Point is home to an aquatic reserve, Bushrangers Bay which is known for its excellent snorkelling and diving.
Tee off at one of our picturesque golf courses or enjoy some mini golf at “Shanx” Mini Golf located at The Links Shell Cove. Get peddling and hire bikes to enjoy a ride along the water’s edge on the extensive cycle ways in the area.
On the water (and there’s plenty of it) you can learn to surf by taking a lesson with a local surfing school or paddle out at the popular – and local favourite, “The Farm” which is a National Surfing Reserve. Lake Illawarra is a fabulous spot for a family picnic where the children can splash about in the shallow waters edge, walk and discover the Lake Illawarra Art Trail, give stand up paddle boarding a try or maybe or drop a line in.
There’s plenty of adrenaline action for the kids (and big kids) too. From indoor go-karting, laser tag, BMX and Mountain biking, sky diving to roller skating or just kicking back on a ride in one of the trains at the Illawarra Light Railway Museum.
Take to the sky for a scenic helicopter flight or enjoy some aviation history at the HARS Aircraft Museum where you can go on board the “Connie” the Super Constellation, the airline of the 1950’s. You can also take a tour and wing walk on the Qantas Boeing 747-400 or sit in the cockpit of an F-111 bomber jet
Shellharbour is located in close proximity to other major attractions such as The Illawarra Treetop Adventures and Jamberoo Action Park.
Take a wander through gorgeous Shellharbour Village and meander through the specialty shops and boutiques, grab a bite to eat at one of the many cafes or pub overlooking the boat harbour.
Whatever your preference, we have a wide range of accommodation to suit every style and budget from hotel, motel, bed and breakfast to cabins, camping or holiday homes, set in a choice of locations. Stay a night or stay a while…we look forward to welcoming you to beautiful Shellharbour very soon.
.
Four days in Shellharbour
Shellharbour is a recreational paradise with so much to offer, from the ocean to the escarpment. The choices of fun and relaxation are only limited to your imagination and energy levels, regardless of the time of year.
.
Share the love
If you believe this top town deserves a top spot at this year's awards, get your friends and family on the case.
Share this page with your network via the social icons below.