Negotiating Sydney: Sydney Airport south to Wollongong

Negotiating Sydney:
Sydney Airport south to Wollongong

Google map for Sydney to Wollongong (Routes 18 to 20)

If heading from Sydney to Wollongong, the basic idea is to take the City to Cronulla Cycle Route (Route 18) which largely follows the shoreline of Botany Bay. From Cronulla, catch the hourly ferry service (during daylight hours) across Port Hacking to Bundeena. From Bundeena, cycle south (Route 19) through Royal National Park, then along Lawrence Hargrave Drive and the Wollongong coastal cycleway to Wollongong.

Cronulla and Bundeena, though very different from each other, are attractive places. For tourist information of the area, visit here. Royal National Park is the world's second oldest national park and offers a 26km coastal walk that can be completed in a (long) day if you want a break from cycling. (The Otford end of the walk may be connected with the Bundeena end by catching a train to Sutherland, train to Cronulla and ferry to Bundeena). Unfortunately there are no viable camping options for cyclists in the park. However, there is a YHA hostel located in the park at Garie Beach. Further accommodation is available along the Illawarra Coast from Stanwell Park to Wollongong.

Cycling between Sydney Airport and Cronulla along the Botany Bay foreshore.

Route 18: International Airport to Cronulla Ferry Terminal. Approximately 24km
This route follows the popular Cronulla cycling route used by recreational cyclists. It is mostly off-road and intuitive to cycle. Most of the route on my Google map follows the route shown on the Sydney and Sutherland RTA bicycle maps. However, there are a couple of 'snags.'

On Marsh street, Cronulla-bound cyclists should cross the Cooks River on the south side of the bridge. On the other hand, cyclists approaching the airport will need to take the underpass to the north side of Marsh Street and then cycle along the foot path on the north side of Marsh Street to get over the bridge. (Cycling along the footpath is legal here.)
Around Bestic Street, (loosely) hug the inlet and you will not loose the cycleway.
The route on my Google map makes use of a cycle path (between Bay St in Taren Point and the Shark Park football stadium) that is not shown on the current Sutherland RTA bicycle map. Moreover, the last time I cycled the route in 2008, there were no signs directing cyclists onto this route. This alternative route follows the edge of the Botany Bay mangroves and, in my view, is superior to cycling through the suburbs. When heading to Cronulla, turn left into Atkinson Rd from the Bay St roundabout and then right into Mangrove Lane. The start of the cycle path is then clear. When heading toward Sydney Airport, cross Captain Cook Drive at the pedestrian traffic lights just after you pass the football stadium. Then cycle along the path that runs perpendicular to Captain Cook Drive. This flows into the cycle way.
I like to cycle along the promenade that follows the beach and rock pools north of Cronulla and have shown this route on my Google map. However, this walkway is often crowded with pedestrians and prams. Be prepared to cycle slowly and occasionally dismount.

Cycling between Bundeena and Wollongong

The suggested route is Route 19. Cyclists who have more time may like to cycle Route 20 as well (which effectively adds another 10km to the trip). Other options are also discussed below.

Route 19: Bundeena to Wollongong. Approximately 64km
This route can be broken into three stages.

Stage 1: Bundeena to Otford through the Royal National Park (33km). This section passes through coastal heaths and a short section of coastal rainforest. There are distant views of Sydney whilst cycling along Bundeena Drive. Two side trips are worth considering, especially if you are inclined for a swim. The trip to Wattamolla involves a gentle downhill run to picnic area which features a lagoon, waterfall, kiosk (open some weekends) and beach. The side trip to Garie Beach is shorter but much steeper, with great surf as the reward.

Stage 2: Otford to Thirroul along Lawrence Hargrave Drive (13km). The northern section begins at Bald Hill, which is popular for hand-gliders. Lawrence Hargrave Drive winds its way between the coast and the northern Illawarra escarpment. This once treacherous road has recently been upgraded and includes a balanced cantilever bridge, known as the Sea Cliff Bridge, complete with a cycleway. If heading south, turn left into the Esplanade at Thirroul to access the coastal cycleway (stage 3).

Stage 3: Thirroul to Wollongong along coastal cycleway (18km). This is a pleasant car-free cycle along flat paths. The route is shown on my Google map, the Wollongong RTA bicycle map and the Wollongong City Council cycle ways brochure. Several caravan parks back onto the cycleway and there are plenty of beaches to enjoy.

Route 20: Alternate route through Royal National Park along Lady Carrington Drive. Taking this route makes the entire trip through the national park about 10km longer. It passes through Audley (picnic area, kiosk open on some weekends) and follows the Hacking River for about 10km. The section along the river (Lady Carrington Drive) is unsealed but suitable for hybrids and relatively flat. It is closed to motorised vehicles.

Other variations between Bundeena and Wollongong. While Lawrence Hargrave Drive goes beneath the Illawarra Escarpment, two roads traverse the tablelands above the escarpment.

The Princes Highway takes very little traffic between Helensburgh and Bulli Pass. There are good views of Wollongong and the Illawarra Region from Sublime Lookout, which lies off the highway. I have cycled this route several times (see, for example, the short description in my Bondi to Kosciuszko cycle tour. Note that there is a very steep section (known as the Bulli Pass) between Sublime Lookout and Bulli, where the highway loses 300 vertical metres as it descends to the coast. Cycling down the Bulli Pass is fun, but coming up is very hard work. Bulli lies on the Wollongong coastal cycleway.
The Southern Freeway is a very busy road, being the main thoroughfare between Sydney and Wollongong. It has a good shoulder most of the way, except for the section close to Wollongong known as the Mt Ousley Road. From personal experience I make the following recommendation: Do not under any circumstances cycle along the Mount Ousley Road. With no shoulder, a deep gutter blasted into the embankment and three lanes of traffic, consisting invariably of a car overtaking a semi-trailer which is in turn overtaking another semi-trailer, there is simply no room for bicycles on this road. If you would like to use the Southern Freeway, then use it anywhere north of the Appin Road exit.

Cycling Southern Illawarra

The Wollongong and Lake Illawarra RTA bicycle maps suggest many possibilities for cycling south of Wollongong. I have not fully explored these possibilities, but having cycled along the Princes Highway, the Southern Freeway and the string of major roads that run closer to the coast (Springhill Rd, Five Islands Rd, King St, Windang Rd, Shellharbour Rd), I would recommend taking these latter roads. On a weekend, the route along Springhill Rd, Five Islands Rd, King St, Windang Road and Shellharbour Rd was relatively quiet (though it may not be so on working days due to heavy industrial traffic). Cycle lane and off-road cycle path alternatives are also in greater abundance in this area. Unfortunately, sections of the Princes Highway south of Shellharbour are practically unavoidable if you want to tour the South Coast of New South Wales.