StanwellPark
Where the coast road drops off the edge.
- Along the coast
- Northern start
- Train
- Stanwell Park station, ~60 min from Central
- Best for
- Big views, first impressions, people who want to fly
Why visit Stanwell Park?
Your first look at the northern Illawarra comes from Bald Hill, and it is a big one. The escarpment falls away, the beach curves below, and on a good northeasterly the sky fills with hang gliders.
Stanwell Park sits in a green bowl between the Royal National Park and the sea. Lawrence Hargrave flew himself a few metres off this beach under a string of box kites in 1894, and people have been launching off the hill above it ever since.
The village itself is small and leafy, with a creek lagoon at the north end of the beach and a brick railway viaduct curving through the trees behind it. Come down off the hill, park near the reserve, and walk the length of the sand.
Things to do in Stanwell Park
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Bald Hill lookout
Go at sunrise or late afternoon. The Hargrave memorial is up here too.
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Tandem hang glide
Several operators fly tandems off Bald Hill when the wind is right. Book ahead and keep the day flexible.
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Wodi Wodi Track
A loop through rainforest gullies and up onto the escarpment, starting near the station. Allow three hours or so.
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Stanwell Park Beach
Patrolled in season. The creek mouth at the north end is a calmer spot for small kids.
Where to swim in Stanwell Park
Stanwell Park has no ocean pool. Swim at the patrolled beach in season, or let small children paddle in the calmer water where Stanwell Creek meets the sand at the north end. Check the creek after heavy rain.
Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches. Ocean pools close on a roster for cleaning, so check Wollongong City Council before you plan a swim around one.
Where to stay in Stanwell Park
Holiday houses fill the bowl and the slopes above it. There are only a couple of cafés and a kiosk, so book ahead and bring supplies if you are self-catering.
How do you get to Stanwell Park from Sydney?
Trains on the South Coast Line from Sydney's Central station stop at Stanwell Park. The trip takes about 60 minutes, depending on the service. Weekend trains run less often, so check the timetable for your return.
By car, Stanwell Park is about an hour from the Sydney CBD. Take the M1 Princes Motorway, or drive through the Royal National Park and down Lawrence Hargrave Drive for the scenic route, which reaches this end of the coast first.
Stanwell Park at a glance
| Detail | Stanwell Park |
|---|---|
| Distance from Stanwell Park | Start of the stretch |
| Train station | Yes |
| Train from Central | ~60 min |
| Ocean pool | No |
| Surf club | Stanwell Park Surf Life Saving Club |
| Best for | Big views, first impressions, people who want to fly |
| Neighbours | Coalcliff (south) |
Stanwell Park FAQs
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How far is Stanwell Park from Sydney?
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Stanwell Park is about an hour from the Sydney CBD by car and about 60 minutes by train from Central. It is the northernmost village on this stretch of coast.
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Is there an ocean pool at Stanwell Park?
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No. Stanwell Park has no ocean pool. Swim at the patrolled beach in season, or let small children paddle in the calmer water where Stanwell Creek meets the sand at the north end. Check the creek after heavy rain.
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Can you go hang gliding at Stanwell Park?
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Yes. Licensed operators fly tandem hang glides and paraglides from Bald Hill above Stanwell Park when the wind allows. Flights depend on the weather, so book ahead and keep the day flexible.
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Where is Bald Hill lookout?
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Bald Hill lookout is on Lawrence Hargrave Drive at the top of the hill above Stanwell Park, where the road from Otford meets the coast. It has a car park and the Lawrence Hargrave memorial.