Albion Park
Hiking, Macquarie Pass National Park
Albion Park
Albion Park is more than just a place to refuel during a South Coast road trip. Spend a day walking through rainforests, racing along mountain bike trails and perfecting your golf game. Or get a dose of history by checking out an impressive display of aircraft at an aviation museum and ride a steam train at the light railway museum. Whether your adventures are indoors or outdoors, there are plenty of reasons to linger longer.
Highlights
Flying high
The Historic Aircraft Restoration Society Aviation Museum has an extraordinary collection of military and commercial aircraft. Highlights include the Qantas 747-400 that made history flying non-stop from London to Sydney, a Catalina flying boat and a Lockheed Super Constellation.
At the museum’s Tarmac Days, you can sit in the cockpit of some of the aircraft including the 747, and for an extra price, you can sign up for a wing walk. To see the professionals perform aerobatics attend the biennial Airshows Downunder Shellharbour.
C-47 Dakota at HARS Aviation Museum, Albion Park
As the museum is located right next to Shellharbour Airport, you can easily take to the skies yourself on a scenic flight over the stunning South Coast, or even have a flying lesson. There are several operators, including Touchdown Helicopters, Five Points Aviation and NSW Air Flight Training.
Touchdown Helicopters, Sea Cliff Bridge - Credit: Touchdown Helicopters
Outdoor adventure
Mountain bike riders will be thrilled with Greenvalleys Mountain Bike Park. Nestled in the foothills of Macquarie Pass, it offers options for all skill levels. Cascades Walk is a must when you visit Macquarie Pass National Park. You might be lucky along to spot lyrebirds in the rainforest and platypus in the babbling creek on this 2km return waterfall trail. Hikers will also enjoy the challenging Clover Hill Trail, a 6km return walk on an old logging route to Rainbow Falls past a patchwork of open fields.
Clover Hill Trail, Macquarie Pass National Park
Ride and slide
There is a lot of family fun to be had around Albion Park. It is only 10 minutes away from the giant water slides at Jamberoo Action Park, or enjoy the rush of excitement at Australia’s highest zip-line at Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures. It’s also home to the Illawarra Light Railway Museum, where little kids and big kids alike can experience a slice of history riding on steam, diesel and miniature trains.
Lovers of the little white ball can tackle the 18-hole Calderwood Valley Golf Course. This public course abuts the magnificent Illawarra Escarpment, which towers majestically over the whole region.
Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures, Knights Hill
Where to stay
You’ll find a number of places to stay around Albion Park including motels, cottages and the elegant Ravensthorpe – a grand heritage guesthouse reminiscent of a small French chateau set on three acres of gorgeous heritage gardens.
Ravensthorpe Estate, Albion Park - Credit: Ravensthorpe Estate
Getting there
Albion Park is a two-hour drive from Sydney. You can also catch a direct train from Sydney to the Albion Rail station. The journey takes about 2.5 hours. Flights are available from Brisbane and Melbourne into Shellharbour Airport at Albion Park.
