Local’s guide: Shellharbour

Injections of young blood and fresh thinking have turned this retirees’ paradise into a family-getaway favourite.

For Sydneysiders wanting a short break at a destination that offers it all, Shellharbour is hard to beat. Fast becoming a favourite holiday haven for visitors from all around, there’s something for everyone to enjoy on the NSW South Coast.

View the Shellharbour map

Where to eat

There’s absolutely no shortage of places to eat in Shellharbour. And you’ll be spoiled for choice wandering around Addison Street, the town’s foodie destination.

Start at Shellharbour Country Kitchen Cafe - a Shellharbour mainstay. It is Shellharbour Village's original coffee shop and the menu tends towards serving breakfast all day. Or try J’s on the Deck, an unmissable stop with its striking black and yellow signage, serving good coffee along with a simple café-style menu.

If your palate tends towards Thai, then Andaman Thai Restaurant could be the go. Delivering a wide variety of Thai cuisine, it's your top choice for when you want to stay in. Among the most popular cafés on the strip is Pacino’s Café. Its large outdoor seating area is matched only by its generous menu size.

Or for a taste of the true local, pop over to The Shellharbour Club (or ‘Shelly’s’ as it’s affectionately known). Shelly’s food offerings are known as The Precinct and here visitors can choose between Chinese street food, American hotdogs and southern fried chicken, plus tricked out soft-serve ice cream for dessert.

All while the Velvet bar serves cocktails, wine, and craft beers.

If you’re dining out with kids, Shelly’s also comes equipped with a huge kid’s play area called The Block house. It houses slides, a blackboard with oversized chalk, and a sort of ‘ball wall’ where kids can throw plastic balls and try to get them in a basketball hoop or make them roll down a Donkey Kong-style chute.

Where to play

Head to the Beverley Whitfield Ocean Pool to get in some laps without the hassle of sand.

Or to really get your feet wet, visit Pines Surfing Academy at The Farm, an iconic surfing spot, where you can learn to ride the waves with world-class instructors.

For some fun away from the beach, grab the family for a friendly comp at Shanx Mini Golf.

Rather than a ‘hit it through the clown’s mouth or under the windmill’ sort of putt-putt golf, it’s closer to the real thing and carved into the side of the hill, with nine holes of undulations, artificial grass and even artificial sand traps.

What to see

Start a stroll around Lake Illawarra at Reddall Reserve, and take in the sculptures that make up the Lake Illawarra Art Trail.

The trail ends near Windang Island, which is accessible at low tide. Just keep an eye on the water or you could be wading (or swimming) back.

Finish your day marvelling at motoring history in the Motorlife Museum in nearby Kembla Grange.

The collection focuses primarily on pre-war vehicles and is also a repository for a great deal of automobilia, such as signs, petrol pumps and NRMA paraphernalia.

It’s long been a popular stopping point for classic car rallies as the staff will organise (by appointment) tea, coffee and scones

Where to stay

Surrounded by incredible natural beauty and an easy stroll from the village, at NRMA Shellharbour Beachside Holiday Park you can choose from a beachside cabin, villa, or caravan site.

This cosy park is also pet friendly and with a playground for the kids, there’s no reason not to take the whole family for a stay.