Skip to Content

Fun things to do in Shellharbour NSW

Just south of Sydney, the Shellharbour region is the perfect pit stop on your Sth Coast road trip. Here’s how to spend your time with the kids.

0-4 year olds

The Harbour is the beating heart of the region. Bobbing boats, grassy knolls and a fabulous children’s park make it an awesome place to wander around with young kids. 

Lake Illawarra wharf at sunset, Shellharbour.
Lake Illawarra wharf at sunset, Shellharbour.. Photo: Tourism Shellharbour

Collect shells at Shellharbour beach and picnic under the towering Norfolk Pines. 

Fans of Thomas the Tank Engine will love visiting the Illawarra Light Railway Museum at Albion Park. The second Sunday of each month, the museum opens up train rides to the public  on it’s historic steam locomotives and miniature trains.

Things to do in shellharbour
Take a ride on the miniature trains. Photo: Illawarra Light Railway Museum Society

5-8 year olds

Little Park is a fantastic parks for kids, designed by kids. The tree fort, rock climbing wall, rope bridge, flying fox and in-ground trampoline will keep young ones entertained for hours. The beachside park also accessible play equipment, grassy picnic spots and an ocean pool just steps away. 

At Playmaze in Albion Park, kids can jump, climb, crawl, slide and bounce till their heart’s content. The multi-level maze, climbing caves, games room and jumping castle will fill in a few hours while parents relax at the cafe. Kids over 5 years old can also play a game of laser tag.

things to do in shellharbour
Perfect for a rainy day. Photo: Playmaze Albion Park

9-12 year olds

Bushrangers Bay is a great place to spend an afternoon in the sun. The inner bay is protected from the swell and is a fabulous place to have a snorkel. The rock pools are home to hundreds of sea urchins, tropical fish and corals.

Kids with energy to burn will enjoy exploring Bass Point Reserve. Discover waterfalls and wildlife along the network of trails. The area has immense Indigenous significance as archaeological evidence reveals Bass Point was an indigenous campsite 20,000 years before Europeans colonised Australia. 

things to do in shellharbour
Sunrise at Bass Point Reserve. Photo: Shutterstock

On a rainy day, Shellharbour Tenpin Bowl offers guaranteed fun for families. Score a few strikes and grab some lunch at the cafe or go along for Night Bowling on Friday and Saturdays.

Teens

Known by the locals as ‘The Farm’, Killalea Beach and Minnamuura Beach have the best surfs breaks along the coast. The surrounding area is an awesome place for teens to surf, swim, fish and bush walk. 

Older kids can test their balance on a stand up paddle board at Illawarra Lake. SUP Shellharbour offers Learn-to-SUP packages for individuals and groups, and SUPSURF tours for confident paddlers ready to take on the waves. 

South Coast water activities
The gorgeous Shellharbour beaches are great for SUP. Picture: Destination NSW

Kids with a need for speed can do a few laps at C1 Speed Indoor Go Karting in Albion Park. The 400 metre track is the first electric indoor karting track in Australia and welcomes rev heads over 10 years old.

READ MORE

What we love about Shellharbour

How to plan an epic Shellharbour holiday

Best hiking trails on the South Coast

* Affiliate Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you make a purchase through the links provided, at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting the work we put into FamilyTravel.com.au!