Tour de Illawarra | ||
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A Guide to Cycling in the IllawarraAn overview of more than 20 rides in the local area. |
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Individual Ride Brochures | ||
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More detailed information is provided below, about each of the rides in the Guide to Cycling in the Illawarra, including starting points, ride directions and information, and maps. |
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The rides documented below provide details for travel in one direction, but most are suitable for return rides, with cafés and toilets available along the route or at the turn-around point. Many rides commence at, pass by, or end near a railway station. Clicking or tapping on the route name or brochure icon next the the ride description provides a printable triple-fold paper version of the route directions. The documents are in Google Docs format, and are formatted for viewing on your phone if you have the Google Docs app installed. The GPX links to the right of the Grade information provide the option to download the route to your chosen portable device. |
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Please read the Guide to Cycling in the Illawarra (above) to |
See also: Kiama Rides – Visitor Cycling Guide >>>
Please note that documentation of the rides below is a work in progress. The linked rides below are gradually being expanded as the ride information becomes available and is written up by Werner and Co. Check back regularly for additional new ride brochures.
If using a phone, the guides below are best viewed using the Google Docs app.
Illawarra Combo Tours | |||||
Illawarra – Grand Coastal Tour | |||||
Ride C1 | Thirroul to Kiama | ||||
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This is a combo ride, made up of a collection of the four rides documented below. The brochures will guide you from Thirroul in the north to Kiama in the south. The ride starts and finishes near train stations. The ride can be easily completed in a single day, or combined with overnight accommodation for a grand weekend sightseeing tour. Download or view each of the ride guides below for a more detailed navigation guide for each section of the ride. GPX maps are also linked below for loading on GPS devices. |
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Stage 1 – Thirroul to Wollongong | ||||
From Thirroul station, pedal east towards Thirroul beach, through a few residential streets, before joining the coastal shared path all the way to Wollongong. (Alternatively commence the ride at Thirroul Beach Reserve.) There are plenty of beach cafes along the way! |
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17 km | Easy | GPX | |||
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Stage 2 – Wollongong to Windang (via Port Kembla) |
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A ride of contrasts – take in some of the Illawarra’s gritty industrial landscape along with the spectacular backdrop of world-class golden beaches. Keep an eye out for the local football teams training at WIN Stadium or take a dip in the classic Port Kembla pool. |
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23 km | Easy | GPX | |||
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Stage 3 – Windang to Dunmore | ||||
An enjoyable coastal ride on shared paths with some gentle hills and a downhill run on Dunmore Road to the old Dunmore Station rail crossing. On the way, take a break at the world-renowned Shell Cove Marina (cafes and toilets) and maybe add a side trip out to the Killalea Surfing Reserve. |
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12 kms | Moderate | GPX | |||
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Stage 4 – Dunmore to Kiama | ||||
An enjoyable coastal ride on shared paths and quiet residential streets with some gentle hills. Don’t miss the spectacular views from Minnamurra Headland. Cafes and toilets at Shell Cove, Kiama and the Blowhole. Finish the ride at the famous Kiama Blowhole. Pedal back into town to Kiama Railway Station, to travel north to Wollongong, Thirroul and Sydney, or south to Gerringong, Berry and Bomaderry. (Trains every hour) |
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15 km | Moderate | GPX | |||
Individual Ride Guides | |||||
Gerringong / Kiama / Jamberoo / Windang | |||||
Ride K1 | Kiama Scenic Tour | ||||
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This ride explores the scenic highlights of the Kiama coastline. The shared paths along the Kiama Harbour foreshore are suitable for families. As Kiama is hilly some hill climbing over headlands cannot be avoided but the effort is rewarded with some of the best coastal views in the Illawarra. | ||||
10 kms | Moderate | GPX | |||
Ride K2 | Windang to Dunmore | ||||
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An enjoyable coastal ride on shared paths with some gentle hills and light traffic on Dunmore Road. Take a break at Shell Cove Marina, and a side trip out to the Killalea Surfing Reserve. | ||||
12 kms | Moderate | GPX | |||
Ride K3 | Dunmore to Kiama | ||||
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An enjoyable coastal ride on shared paths and residential streets with some gentle hills. Don’t miss the spectacular ocean and river views (and maybe spot some migrating whales) from Minnamurra Headland. | ||||
15 km | Moderate | GPX | |||
Ride K4 | Kiama to Dunmore / Windang | ||||
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Some short hills, residential streets, beach and escarpment views. Take side trips to Shell Cove Marina and Killalea Surfing Reserve. Keep an eye out for migrating whales from the Minnamurra Headland. |
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25 km | Moderate | GPX | |||
Ride K5 | Killalea & Bass Pt Mountain Bike Rides (A, B, C) | ||||
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Short scenic rides with wonderful beach and ocean views at Killalea. | ||||
Ride A – 9 km | Moderate | GPX | |||
Ride B – 14 km | Moderate | GPX | |||
Ride C – 5 km | Moderate | GPX | |||
Ride K6 | Minnamurra to Jamberoo and Minnamurra Rainforest | ||||
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A scenic ride through rolling hills, farmland and rainforest. | ||||
20 km | Moderate | GPX | |||
Ride K7 | Bombo to Primbee | ||||
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An enjoyable coastal ride on shared paths and residential streets. | ||||
45 km | Moderate | GPX | |||
Ride K8 | Kiama, Jamberoo, Shellharbour – On the road | ||||
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Shellharbour to Bombo, Kiama, Jamberoo, Albion Park, Oak Flats and back to Shellharbour. | ||||
45 km | Hard | GPX | |||
Ride K9 | Kiama to Oak Flats – On the highway | ||||
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Kiama to Oak Flats, using the Bicycle Lanes on the F6 Freeway. | ||||
20 km | Moderate | ||||
Ride K10 | Gerroa to Shoalhaven Heads – Mountain Bike Trail | ||||
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An enjoyable ride through the Seven Mile Beach National Park, and along Seven Mile Beach | ||||
20 km | Moderate | GPX | |||
Ride K11 | Gerringong to Berry Loops |
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Head off down the highway, and explore some country roads | ||||
Three rides, up to 70 km | Moderate | GPX | |||
Dunmore / Windang / Shellharbour / Dapto | |||||
Ride SR1 | Blackbutt Reserve Circuit | ||||
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Involves some steep hills in the first two kilometres and follows the shared path in a loop from Blackbutt Reserve. | ||||
20 km | Moderate | ||||
Ride SR2 | Around the Lake – Mostly shared path | ||||
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Around Lake Illawarra using shared paths and back streets. | ||||
43 km | Moderate | GPX | |||
Ride SR3 | Around the Lake – On the road | ||||
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This one is for the cyclist who prefers riding on roads. | ||||
40+ km | Hard | ||||
Ride SR4 | Albion Pk Station – Marshall Mt – Huntley | ||||
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A scenic ride through the Illawarra Hinterland | ||||
45 km | Moderate | GPX | |||
Ride SR5 | Albion Park Jamberoo Loop | ||||
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Albion Park to Jamberoo, Dunmore via Swamp Road, Shellharbour, Oak Flats and back to Albion Park. | ||||
35 km | Hard | ||||
Ride SR6 | Shellharbour City Circuit | ||||
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Suitable for most riders – a mixture of shared paths and on-roads riding. | ||||
28 km | Moderate | ||||
Ride SR7 | North Macquarie Loop | ||||
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A ride through rolling hills between the lake and escarpment. | ||||
33 km | Moderate | ||||
Port Kembla / Wollongong / Thirroul | |||||
Ride W1 | Thirroul to Wollongong | ||||
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Enjoy a scenic ride along the northern Illawarra coast. | ||||
17 km | Easy | GPX | |||
Ride W2 | Wollongong to Windang via Port Kembla | ||||
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An easy scenic ride mostly on shared paths and back streets following the coast and through the BlueScope Steel industrial area. | ||||
23 km | Easy | GPX | |||
Ride W3 | Commuting around University of Wollongong | ||||
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Commuting to the University from the north and south. | ||||
Various | |||||
Ride W4 | Mt Keira Mt Kembla Loop | ||||
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A good workout after a night out on the town! | ||||
24 km | Extreme | GPX | |||
Ride W5 | Mt Kembla Mine Memorial Trail | ||||
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The ride follows the remains of the original 1882 railway between Mount Kembla Mine on American Creek to Red Point, Five Islands (now part of Port Kembla outer harbour). | ||||
35 km | Moderate | GPX | |||
Ride W6 | Thirroul to Stanwell Park / Bald Hill | ||||
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Thirroul to Stanwell Park for Coffee after crossing the Sea Cliff Bridge and up Bald Hill for the views. | ||||
15 km | Hard | GPX | |||
Ride W7 | Stanwell Park / Bald Hill to Bundeena & Cronulla | ||||
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This ride follows the coast north from Stanwell Park to Bundeena and involves several long steep hills on narrow roads. | ||||
32 km | Hard | GPX | |||
Southern Highlands | |||||
Ride SH1 | Robertson – Belmore Falls – Fitzroy Falls Loop | ||||
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Scenic tour visiting waterfalls in the Illawarra hinterland | ||||
42 km | Moderate MTB | GPX | |||
Ride SH2 | Robo-Kangaloon-Tourist Rd Loop | ||||
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Scenic ride in the Illawarra hinterland. Two options – 40 km and 25 km. All on road with hills and traffic. | ||||
40 / 25 km | Moderate | GPX | |||
Ride SH3 | Burrawang – Fitzroy Falls Loop | ||||
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Scenic ride in the Illawarra hinterland. All on road with hills and traffic. | ||||
30 km | Hard | ||||
Shoalhaven Area | |||||
Ride SN1 | Huskisson – Vincentia or Tomerong Loop | ||||
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Ride A – Pedal the leisurely Huskisson – Vincentia beachside cycle path before lunch at Husky Pub! (15 km return) Ride B – Explore the shores of Jervis Bay and St Georges Basin via the Ride A shard path, then head west from Vincentia to St George’s Basin and Tomerong. Mix of On-Road and Shared Paths. (40 km loop). |
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Ride A – 15 km | Easy | ||||
Ride B – 40 km | Moderate | ||||
Other Information | ||
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NSW Cycleway Finder |
Cycling Signs |