Lake Illawarra

The vast waters of Lake Illawarra are perfect for your favourite water sports. Learn to stand-up paddleboard on the calm, flat waters, or head out to the ocean for more challenging waves. If boating is your thing, bring your own vessel — there are plenty of boat ramps for easy access — or hire a boat for a fun day of fishing. The lake is teeming with fish, and there are many great spots to drop a line from breakwalls or jetties. You can even clean and barbecue your fresh catch along the foreshore. The lake's foreshore is ideal for a relaxing day outdoors, with picnic shelters, barbecue facilities, and playgrounds for kids. Little ones will love paddling safely in the calm waters at Reddall Reserve. Explore the Lake Illawarra Art Trail, starting at Reddall Reserve, where striking sculptures celebrate the lake, its history, and the local community. While exploring the foreshore, venture out to Windang Island to see the remnants of rails and wheels from an early attempt to build a breakwall. The shared pathways along the foreshore are perfect for walking or cycling, extending west to Oak Flats or east to Shellharbour Village the choice is yours.