Page 21 - Bike City Visitors Guide

City Beach (patrolled between the Cruise along the iconic and pay homage to pedal power. From
September and April school ridiculously photogenic 665-metre hosting the UCI Road World
holidays) are a short stroll to the Sea Cliff Bridge. For a slower pace, Championships to enjoying the
north and south respectively – as the shared walking path offers 42km of shared pathways from
are the Continental Pools and magnificent views over the South Sandon Point to Lake Illawarra, you
rock pools. Pacific Ocean and maybe even a can fully appreciate the beautiful
migrating whale or two between beaches, streetscapes and
The Royal National Park May and November. mountain views. Try out our
The world’s second-oldest national Grand Pacific Drive forms a spine signature climb up Mt Keira to
park is perched right on our through the region, taking in Mount Kembla which will test your
northern doorstep. The Royal Wollongong’s northern beaches endurance.
National Park features a multitude and cafes, through to the harbour
of landscapes from open grassland and Lake Illawarra, before rolling Mountain Bike Parks
to dramatic cliffs and secluded south to Kiama’s famous blowhole, Cringila Hills Community Park is
beaches that are a treasure trove for signature surf spots and even a Wollongong’s newest bike park, 10
nature lovers. cheeky winery or two. minutes south of the CBD, boasting
Bald Hill Lookout Wollongong Harbour & 11km of beginner and intermediate
trails. A pump track and skills track
With commanding views of the Lighthouses have been added, so you can hone
dramatic coastline, Bald Hill is one Wollongong Harbour’s Breakwater
of Australia’s most well-known lighthouse has been inactive since your skills at the precinct, which
includes an interactive playground.
lookouts. It’s also internationally 1974. It stands 12 metres high and To the north, Helensburgh Off Road
recognised as a major hang- has a tapered round wrought iron
gliding point. It was on the beach tower with a lantern. The Flagstaff Cycle Club is maintained by the
below Bald Hill that Lawrence Hill lighthouse is active, and community, offering a bike park,
surrounded by several informal trails.
Hargrave, an Australian inventor Wollongong is the only point on the Ready to press PLAY on a
and pioneer of flight, made a eastern coast of Australia which has
successful flight in 1894. two lighthouses. Wollongong adventure that suits
you? We’re positively bursting with
Self-Drive/Sea Cliff Bridge Cycling itineraries – choose the one that
Coming from Sydney, Bald Hill sets It’s all about two wheels in speaks to you…come on down and
you up for the super scenic Grand Wollongong. As the only UCI Bike visit Wollongong.
Pacific Drive. City in the southern hemisphere, we See visitwollongong.com.au.

A peaceful Belmore Basin at sunset. Photo: Kramer Photography

ILLAWARRA MERCURY VISITOR GUIDE 21