ADVENTURE ATTRACTIONS LAKE ILLAWARRA

Visit or stay at Nan Tien Temple, the largest Buddhist Temple in the Southern Hemisphere. Nan Tien is very different from most tourist attractions because there is so much to offer: the visual delights of grandeur architecture, art and culture including unique exhibitions and festivals, Buddhist festivals, vegetarian culinary delights, educational and healthy lifestyle classes and retreats, accommodation, top class conference and auditorium facilities. There is also the spiritual and religious experience that is unforgettable and even life changing for some. Pilgrim Lodge, Wollongong's most unique accommodation setting is a 100 room facility, which is open all year round and located in the grounds of the Temple. The Lodge overlooks the lotus pond, the peaceful Temple, splendid gardens, the beautiful rolling hills and famous escarpment of the Illawarra. Situated in Berkeley, which is only 10 minutes south of Wollongong City and famous beaches. Come and be inspired.

NSW Air provides Scenic Joy Flights from Albion Park Regional airport. The Bridge to Beach flight flies north to the Seacliff Bridge taking in the beautiful coastal views and northern beaches before returning south via Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama and back to the airport. Flights can also be extended to fly north and over Sydney Harbour, taking in views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House, or south down to the Shoalhaven via the coast and on to Jervis Bay. NSW Air fly seven days and can accommodate flights one to nine people at a time. They offer Trial Instructional Flights where the more adventurous can take the controls and fly. For more information please contact the operator or visit the website.

The Tongarra Bicentennial Museum was opened in 1988. The Museum collection includes artefacts significant to the history of Shellharbour, and those that tell stories about the people and places of past and present. It features pioneering and historical exhibits such as the Victorian Automatic Sock Knitting Machine and Handmade Patchwork Quilt; a large collection of early maps and panoramic photographs of the Shellharbour Local Government Area and a bronze bust of Caroline Chisholm, who is known as 'The Immigrants' Friend', who helped to settle families in Shellharbour in the 1840s.

JPD Surf - Stand Up Paddle Boarding brings physical and mental wellbeing by getting outdoors in the fresh air, having fun, spending time with friends and family, and being active. They want to get as many people as possible out there discovering and enjoying both the sport and the beautiful coastline and waterways. JPD Surf is a fully accredited ASI Stand Up Paddle School, providing lessons and board hire. Lessons are by appointment only with the weather favouring morning sessions at Boat Harbour, Shellharbour Village; Little Lake, Elliot Park or Headland Parade at Barrack Point; Sailing Club, Deakin Reserve or The Boulevarde at Oak Flats. They are open seven days a week by appointment. Contact them to make a booking!

“The Links Shell Cove is a unique and picturesque golf course located in the Illawarra region on the South Coast of NSW. Once referred to as the “Beast of the East” due to its challenging nature, The Links has transformed itself into a golf course known for its friendly, inviting atmosphere and is an enjoyable experience for golfers of all skill levels.

With four tee options choose from, the friendly golf operations staff will help you choose your own adventure to ensure you really do, “Love the Experience”.

The Links is unique in that it is not your usual 'Golf Club' - the golf course is in fact attached to a licensed hotel. The Links Hotel is a family friendly, modern and stylish establishment with sweeping views over the golf course. Golfers will also love the fully stocked golf shop with their friendly, professional staff.

New South Wales Tourism - The whole family will love cheering and waving from the steam or diesel train as it travels past the station and navigates its way through the quiet bushland setting in Albion Park. The museum has three rides to choose from being the main line, bay road or miniature rides that let the children experience a piece of Australia’s narrow gauge industrial railway history restored and in service, and also there is The Ken McCarthy Museum Building museum building to look at and the historic Yallah Station and the Former Otford Signal Box, these historical artefacts had been enjoyed at by their parents and grandparents alike. Food & Souvenirs are available in the tramway dining car, the grounds of the museum are a great place to escape to that trip back in time; the kids can play in the playground while the adults relax in the barbecue area. Train operating days when the Museum is in full operation including demonstrations are from 10am to 4pm are held on the second Sunday of each month, Sundays of Public Holiday weekends and the fourth Sunday of January. Donations are most welcome. Tickets for train rides can be purchased from the main platform station and donations are welcome, The Museum is on FaceBook and twitter and more information can be found at our web site www.ilrms.com.au or email us info@ilrms.com.au 

Macquarie Pass National Park is part of the Illawarra escarpment south of Sydney and provides some magnificent scenery and displays untouched rainforest, covering 1,064 hectares. Visitors can view nature at its best, beautiful satin bowerbirds and lyre birds as well as swamp wallabies and wombats. It contains a diverse range of habitats and wildlife including several rare and threatened plant and animal species. The steep sandstone ridges and gullies are topped by cliffs, and the park supports heathland, woodland, tall open forest and significant rainforest areas. It is an excellent bushwalking and picnicking area, with spectacular scenery and waterfalls. Starting at the base of Macquarie Pass at the picnic area, you can walk to the Cascades Waterfall (two kilometres return).

Southern Biplane Adventures is an exciting organisation that gives you the opportunity to create your ultimate aviation adventure. Based at Illawarra regional airport, Southern Biplane Adventures offers the premier biplane experience in the greater Sydney region. If you're after a scenic flight over Sydney's pristine south coast or have a desire for an adrenaline rushed aerobatic stunt flight, Southern Biplane Adventures is the right place to land!

Bushrangers Bay is an aquatic reserve located at the eastern end of Bass Point Reserve. The bay is well known as a top diving and snorkelling location due to its sheltered position. The bay is three hectares in size extending from the mean high water mark to the seabed on the outer boundary. As this is an aquatic reserve for plant and animal species, divers are requested to take care when touching soft corals as they break off easily. Within the reserve you cannot fish or destroy marine life. You are not permitted to collect dead or alive marine organisms, this includes empty shells. One of the most striking features within the reserve is a cliff shaped like an amphitheatre in 10 metres of water, the cliffs are six metres high with hundreds of small cavities which are home to sea urchins and tropical fish.

Kiama Art Gallery specialises in modern European and Australian art, and is open by appointment only. The Gallery collection has a range of beautiful original works and prints, lithographs, etchings, pochoirs and reproductions (both framed and unframed) by well known international, national and local artists, as well as ceramic and glass giftware. Kiama Art Gallery is a relaxed gallery, which presents art works from the early 20th century through to more contemporary styles. Visit their website for more information on their warm and welcoming gallery in Kiama, or contact Andrea Hope to make an appointment to view the works in her home based gallery. Andrea can also give advice and assistance on what's happening in the local art scene.

Flip Out Trampoline Arena is Australia's first and largest trampoline playground for all ages, young and old. Flip Out Trampoline Arena is a new fun and exciting childhood fantasy come to life. Indoor entertainment parks of wall to wall trampolines. No more mums and dads sitting on the side line, its time to get up and play. Flip Out Trampoline Arenas aim to give you healthy and awesome fun through their massive trampolines, ball games, foam pits, skate ramps, Parkour, events, and more surprises to everyone's enjoyment. A few minutes of jumping on the trampoline is better than a one kilometre dash, just more enjoyable! Flip Out Trampoline Arena is the ideal healthy entertainment for the whole family, promoting family bonding and wellbeing with complete enjoyment satisfaction. They guarantee ultimate fun.

*** The Museum is temporarily closed until October 2013 due to internal hangar works. *** Step back in time and immerse yourself in the life of Australia's aviation history and view some of the most amazing historic aircraft. The HARS staff are always keen to share their passion for historical aircraft and are on hand to answer any questions. They are sure to provide you with an insight into the glory days when these aircraft ruled the skies. On display at the hangar is the world famous "Connie" Lockhead Super Constellation, the airliner of the 1950s that conquered the world. Get close up and personal with two Neptune Bombers. Have your photo taken with "Felix" who proudly represents the Black Cat Catalina Squadron of the RAAF. Venture aboard the flying troops carriers of World War II, the C47 Dakota.

Illawarra Golf Complex has a 30 bay golf driving range, five undercover, and an 18 hole outdoor putt putt with water features and obstacles. The fully stocked Pro Shop stocks all major brands including Ping, Callaway, Titleist, Taylormade, Srixon, Cleveland, Adidas and Footjoy. Two golf professionals are available for lessons and fully catered children's birthday parties and adult corporate days. Owned and operated by PGA Golf Professional, John Hufton.

The world famous Dapto Dogs provides a family friendly event every Thursday night. Come and watch up close greyhound racing at its best. Club features include, dining and canteen facilities, a modern bar and tote area, on course bookmakers and TAB facilities and a covered grandstand. For a family friendly night out, head on down to Dapto Dogs.

Blackbutt Forest is a 250 hectare reserve and is the last remaining viable remnant of coastal plain forest in the Illawarra region. There are extensive picnic tables and electric barbecue facilities located at strategic points throughout the reserve; amenity blocks and fully equipped children's play ground. Blackbutt has wonderful walking tracks for all ages and a cross country course great for running and cycling. There is a fitness circuit which includes climbing frames, chin-up bars and sit-up benches. An outdoor amphitheatre is located within the reserve with seating for up to 400 people which makes it great for weddings, entertainment and events. While dominated by the tall Blackbutt trees, many other varieties of trees abound including red gum, stringy bark, grey box, coast white box. The trails offer panoramic views of Lake Illawarra, Macquarie Pass, Illawarra Escarpment and Saddleback Mountain.

Futureworld is a unique eco-technology exhibition centre. Discover exciting greenhouse friendly 'world firsts', for example: the Greenhouse Gasometer Bike, Solar Sailor, Wave Power to Energy, the Mini Eco-House and more! Explore solar and wind energy, rainwater harvesting, green building and transport. The centre holds inspiring and interactive displays that showcase solutions to environmental challenges. Everyone with a curious mind is welcome. Their vision is to be the national leader in demonstrating Environmentally Appropriate Technologies that stimulate, promote and enhance Ecologically Sustainable Development. They aim to bring about environmental change through inspiring people to make sustainable living choices.

Minnamurra Beach also referred to as 'Mystics' is a favourite with the locals. Mystics Beach stretches from the rocky headland towards the volcanic outcrop known as Stack Island (aka Rangoon Island). This stretch of beach forms a sand spit, behind which is the estuary of Minnamurra River. The natural setting features small areas of vegetation with a view out to stunning Stack island. Day visits are popular with people coming for the scenery, surfing, BBQ and picnics. Mystics Beach forms part of the National Surfing Reserve at Killalea State Park and is a popular well known location for surfing. The swell from the south make good left breaking off the point over shallow sand a rock bottom, holding plenty of swell.

Bass Point Reserve is a 72 hectares coastal jewel, located just south of Shellharbour Village and contains one of the few littoral rainforest areas in the Illawarra. The reserve is listed on the register of the Australian Heritage Commission and is recognised as one of the most important archaeological sites on the NSW coast. 17,000 years before the Egyptians built the pyramids the Aboriginal people were using Bass Point as a regular campsite. A self guided indigenous walk is on site with plaques highlighting detailed information. Bass Point in May 1943 - the American merchant ship 'Cities Services Boston' sank off Bass Point and although no sailors' lives were lost, four Australian soldiers who went to the aid of the ship's crew were drowned. An annual service is held. Bass Point has great fishing and is a well known diving location. A boat ramp and public amenities are also available.