Where:

Stanwell Park

New South Wales, Australia

Last Visited:

regular trips 1998-2004, Rob and Clare

What:

Stanwell Park is a sleepy town on the NSW south coast, between Sydney and Wollongong, and between thr Royal National Park and the sea.

Highlights:

• Bald Hill: The views along the coast from Bald Hill are sensational. On a clear day you can see all the way to Wollongong. It is also a historic spot, as from here a famous Australian pioneer in flight, Lawrence Hargreave, performed his experiments with box kites.
• Hang Gliding: From bald hill several hang gliding businesses operate. This is one of the best places in the world for hang gliding. You can ring ahead and book a tandem flight.You leave from the hil and land on the beach.
• Beach: There is a very nice beach for a swim, surf and sunbathe.
• Bushwalking: The surrounding bush land and hills are ideal for bush walking. You can climb Mt. Mitchell behind the town along the Wodi Wodi track, which starts behind the railway station.
• Articles Art Gallery: quality artwork from the region are on show.

Eating, Drinking, and Sleeping:

• The kiosk at the park by the beach does great hot chips and meals. There are a few other cafes to eat at around town, or supplies can be bought from the general store.
• There is no pub.
• There are a couple of nice B&B places in town.

Other things you should know about:

• The road south from Stanwell park has recently been redeveloped making it a spectacular drive south from town along the coast. It is also nice to walk along the road where it is perched above the ocean.
• Lawrence Hargreave was on the old Australian $100 dollar bill.
• To get there, it is an easy 1 hr country link train from Sydney, or turn off the southern freeway at Helensburgh.

More information:

• see photos of around Stanwell Park
• nearby town of Helensburgh, Austinmer

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