I feel like I am living the dream. I am sitting in a tavern looking out over a marina with boats bobbing safe and sound in their berths. As I enjoy lunch and sip on a cocktail, I picture myself living here, with my boat in the marina, enjoying the village atmosphere. I am at The Waterfront, Shell Cove, a wonderful secret spot in Shellharbour, NSW.

From here, I can hike along coastal tracks, bike, whale watch, snorkel, wander through a tangle of rainforest, marvel at waterfalls, or surf. If I could surf, that is. The scenery is stunning, from rolling green hills to rainforests; from beaches to lakes. It is glorious. As for activities, the sky is the limit, with something for everyone. Shellharbour is a trending destination because of its location – 90 minutes south of Sydney, 25 minutes south of Wollongong and a couple of hours from Canberra. You can drive there, catch the train, or even sail. And when you arrive, the world is your oyster, with myriad natural attractions, waterfront dining, fun events and cultural connections.

On the water

Whether on or in the water, Shellharbour has you covered. Go snorkelling in Bushrangers Bay Aquatic Reserve, a protected bay with pretty undersea cliffs, reefs, beds of seagrass and kelp providing a home for a plethora of fish and sea critters. The bay sits at the eastern end of Bass Point Reserve, which has 72 hectares of coast, significant Indigenous history and shipwrecks, perfect for scuba diving.

A wonderful way to combine activity, learning and culture is with a Stand Up Paddle Boarding Shellharbour ‘Cultural Connections to Waterway’ Tour, in collaboration with Gumaraa Aboriginal Experience. This tour is a cultural storytelling connection to country on Lake Illawarra. Gumaraa offer a number of other tours in the region, including a canoeing tour on the Minnamurra River, bush tucker, storytelling, spear making, painting and weaving.

Whales are back off our coastline, and a wonderful way to witness their beauty is on a 90-minute whale watching cruise with Shellharbour Wild, which operates out of Shellharbour Marina. Strap on your leg rope for a surf at the famous Shallows or The Farm, go scuba diving or freediving, or explore by personal watercraft with Illawarra Jet Ski Tours. Lake Illawarra is a perfect spot for stand-up paddleboarding, and if you like deep sea fishing, head out with Shell Cove Offshore Adventures. South Coast Safaris conduct half-day kayaking adventures on Lake Illawarra.

Plane attractions

One of the major attractions of the Shellharbour region is the HARS Aviation Museum, which has a collection of 50 aircraft and other aviation memorabilia. One of the most popular exhibits can’t be missed – literally – it is a Qantas 747-400 and John Travolta’s 707 will join it later in the year.

There are several tours you can do, from a general 90-minute museum tour to a Wing Walk on the 747, a cockpit tour or a premium tour. While in the airport, you might want to sign up for a skydive with Bigwave Skydive, a helicopter joy flight or a flying lesson.

Active adventures for land lovers

For a leisurely stroll or a strenuous hike, Shellharbour has a huge amount of places to get out and about on two legs. In Macquarie Pass National Park, the two km Cascades Rainforest Walk is an easy walk while the Clover Hill trail is around six km return and is for experienced walkers only. There are waterfalls, rainforest, and plenty of wildlife to spot. The Cascades Walk is also where the magic happens from mid-November to early December. It is the breeding season for fireflies and when night falls; the fireflies light up near the waterfall and along the creek. It is absolutely beautiful to see – your children will think they are in a fairytale.

Killalea Regional Park is a local gem, where you can stroll the walking tracks, camp out, and learn about the local Dharawal culture. Join Gumaraa Aboriginal Experience on a guided Aboriginal bush tucker and medicine walk at Killalea, learning about native plants, traditional uses and connection to Country through on-Country knowledge.

If you prefer two wheels to two legs, Shellharbour has an impressive range of shared-use paths and cycleways, perfect for recreational and commuting cycling, connecting beaches, parks, and nearby towns. If you don’t want to bring your bike, you can hire a bike or an e-bike at several different places.

Golfers are also looked after with the 18-hole The Links Shell Cove, a beautiful scenic course. Swimmers will want to don the goggles and go for a swim in the newly accessible Beverly Whitfield Ocean Pool – a beautiful 50m saltwater pool with an access ramp.

Marina Magic

The outstanding Shellharbour Marina is part of The Waterfront, Shell Cove, and is a gamechanger for fishermen, yachties, blue water cruisers and whale watching tours. The marina has 270 berths for vessels ranging from 12 to 42m, offering permanent and casual berthing, with a reduced rate for stays of three months or more.

Head out on a fishing charter from here with Shell Cove Offshore Adventures, or Fishing with a Local, get steamy in the new floating sauna, or berth your yacht or cruiser for a well-deserved stop on a coastal cruise or a weekend sail down from Sydney.

The Waterfront has a lot of options when it comes to dining, with Georgia Rose – a café by day and bar by night, Donut Jam with its donuts and great coffee, Waterview Japanese Restaurant, Blue Fin & Marina a go-to for excellent fish and chips, plus there is the Naturally Tasty café, and Bliss Ice Cream & Gelato.

The Waterfront Tavern is a firm favourite, a brilliant place to have lunch with marina views, a catch up with friends and a sunset drink with some live music adding to the vibe. Sitting by the window with a cocktail, it is a stunning view over the marina. One that I will never tire of.

Where to Stay

Crowne Plaza Shell Cove Marina

The region’s first five-star hotel is opening soon. Guests can soak in spectacular coastal views from the Level 4 infinity pool deck and bar, or enjoy al fresco dining on the restaurant’s lower deck.

NRMA Shellharbour Beachside Holiday Park

Located by the water in Shellharbour offering cabins and villas, campsites, caravan sites and even pet-friendly sites. There is an onsite pizza oven to make your family’s favourite pizza. It even has a boat ramp.

Holiday Homes

If you want your own space, Accommodation Shellharbour has many excellent choices, from Nautilus View to Marinafront Retreat. Both are luxury three-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments at the marina.

Getting to Shellharbour

Shellharbour is a 90-minute drive from Sydney down the M1 or take one of the most scenic drives in Australia down the Grand Pacific Drive. It’s around a 2.5 hour drive from Canberra, 25 minutes from Wollongong. You can catch the train to Shellharbour from Sydney Central Station or from Sydney Airport. If you are sailing, Shellharbour Marina is around 50 nautical miles from Sydney Harbour, 122nm from Batemans Bay, or 110nm from Newcastle.

More info: visitshellharbour.com.au

By Helen Hayes.