The Illawarra EscarpmentNatures Wonderland Of PanoramasThe Illawarra Escarpment and foothills have long raised eyebrows and drawn comments about their beauty. The visual impact brands the memory as with a hot iron. Climbing almost directly out of the Pacific Ocean in the north to an elevation of 350-400meters this mass which is part of the east coast’s Great Dividing Range sits prominently as the main feature of this region and climbs to over 700meters at Knights Hill in the south. The Royal National Park is basically where the escarpment starts in the north and following the vertical cliff tops southward the escarpment moves away from the beachside villages and allows the rolling foothills and valleys to become the feature of the southern end of the Illawarra. The once rural countryside at this end is fast giving way to the ever growing population and the need for increased housing... but it hasn’t disappeared yet.  Illawarra Escarpment Green CorridorThe coastal villages scattered along the shores throughout are the remnants of days past when harvesting Cedar on the escarpment’s slopes was popular for building. With the felling and selling of such timber, passes over the range were soon needed to transport timber to other towns nearby. All along this journey of wonderland there is no shortage of natural wildlife that still habitats here. Sadly some of these ecological communities are now facing endangerment as the boundaries of modern society intrude. However amongst it all there remain some very unique lookouts to take in the scenic panoramas and walking tracks below are two different angles of view left is a photo taken from Yellow Rock in the south  right is a photo taken from sea level at one of the northern beaches Be assured that where ever you travel in this big wide state or country of ours there is little chance of viewing anything quite as awesome in natural beauty. The way the escarpment sits quietly abreast to the azure blue ocean makes it quite unique, where mental imagery sticks for some time. Victoria might come close with the Great Ocean Road and Queensland with a little pocket north of Cairns but New South Wales is identified with the wonder of the Illawarra Escarpment.  Are you interested in Trains? The Illawarra Light Railway Museum Society has all things light rail, from hoppers and flatbed wagons to engines and minature train circuit you can ride on. It's only one and a half hours drive from Sydney and can make for fascinating learning and a real treat for young ones. To find out more about The Illawarra Light Railway Museum Society click this link. The Sydney - Nowra rail line runs adjacent to the foothills of the escarpment making for easy access to the villages north of the lake and the shopping centers west and south of the lake. Lake Illawarra is a popular destination with many flocking to take advantage of the water and cool sea breezes in the summer.
The Escrapment is also gateway to the Southern Highlands, Goulburn and Canberra the Nations Capital. South around Shellharbour and Kiama the impressive escarpment feature change into rolling green hills of the surrounding counrtyside. There is two ways to pass over the escarpment, either by road or by rail, the latter is well worth the effort as the Loco known as the 3801 Limited climbs the Illawarra scenic railway and travels through Robertson on its way to Mossvale on the Southern Highlands This popular train ride is known as the Cockatoo Run Come And Discover The Illawarra Escarpment If you haven’t yet discovered this area, take a drive, a bike ride, a train or whatever and come look for yourself. You’ll discover magnificent sub-tropical rainforest canopies, waterfalls of all description, walking trails, native flora and fauna, great architecture, museums, golf courses, history, theme parks as well as some of New South Wales and Australia’s best panoramas. What are you waiting for? Come and check it out! |