Where to Ride

Tour de Illawarra
Guide to rides  
A Guide to Cycling in the Illawarra 

An overview of more than 20 rides in the local area. 

Individual Ride Brochures
Ride Guides

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.

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.

Ride Grade Descriptions >>>

Please read the Guide to Cycling in the Illawarra (above) to 
understand general cycling safety issues and rider responsibility.

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      
Brochures

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.

 
Brochure

  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!

 
    17 km Easy GPX  
       
Brochure

  Stage 2 – Wollongong to Windang (via Port Kembla)
 
 

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.

 
    23 km Easy GPX  
       
Brochure
  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.

 
    12 kms Moderate GPX  
       
Brochure
  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)

 
     15 km  Moderate  GPX  
       
Individual Ride Guides  
     
Gerringong / Kiama / Jamberoo / Windang    
Ride K1   Kiama Scenic Tour  
Brochure 
 
  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  
Brochure   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  
Brochure   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  
Brochure  

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.

 
     25 km  Moderate GPX   
     
Ride K5   Killalea & Bass Pt Mountain Bike Rides (A, B, C)  
Brochure   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  
Brochure   A scenic ride through rolling hills, farmland and rainforest.  
     20 km  Moderate GPX  
     
Ride K7   Bombo to Primbee  
Brochure   An enjoyable coastal ride on shared paths and residential streets.  
     45 km Moderate  GPX  
     
Ride K8   Kiama, Jamberoo, Shellharbour – On the road  
Brochure - coming soon   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  
Brochure - coming soon   Kiama to Oak Flats, using the Bicycle Lanes on the F6 Freeway.  
     20 km Moderate     
     
Ride K10   Gerroa to Shoalhaven Heads – Mountain Bike Trail  
Brochure   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
 
Brochure   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  
Brochure - coming soon   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  
Brochure   Around Lake Illawarra using shared paths and back streets.  
    43 km Moderate GPX  
     
Ride SR3   Around the Lake – On the road  
Brochure - coming soon   This one is for the cyclist who prefers riding on roads.  
    40+ km Hard    
     
Ride SR4   Albion Pk Station – Marshall Mt – Huntley  
Brochure   A scenic ride through the Illawarra Hinterland  
    45 km Moderate GPX  
     
Ride SR5   Albion Park Jamberoo Loop  
Brochure - coming soon   Albion Park to Jamberoo, Dunmore via Swamp Road, Shellharbour, Oak Flats and back to Albion Park.  
    35 km Hard    
     
Ride SR6   Shellharbour City Circuit  
Brochure - coming soon   Suitable for most riders – a mixture of shared paths and on-roads riding.  
    28 km Moderate    
     
Ride SR7   North Macquarie Loop  
Brochure - coming soon   A ride through rolling hills between the lake and escarpment.  
    33 km Moderate    
   
Port Kembla / Wollongong / Thirroul    
Ride W1   Thirroul to Wollongong  
Brochure   Enjoy a scenic ride along the northern Illawarra coast.  
    17 km Easy GPX  
     
Ride W2   Wollongong to Windang via Port Kembla  
Brochure   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  
Brochure - coming soon   Commuting to the University from the north and south.  
      Various    
     
Ride W4   Mt Keira Mt Kembla Loop  
Brochure   A good workout after a night out on the town!  
    24 km Extreme GPX  
     
Ride W5   Mt Kembla Mine Memorial Trail  
Brochure   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  
Brochure   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  
Brochure   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  
Brochure   Scenic tour visiting waterfalls in the Illawarra hinterland  
    42 km Moderate MTB GPX  
     
Ride SH2   Robo-Kangaloon-Tourist Rd Loop  
Brochure   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  
Brochure - coming soon   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  
Brochure - coming soon  

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).

 
    Ride A – 15 km Easy     
    Ride B – 40 km Moderate    
         
Other Information
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