The Northern Suburbs of the Illawarra – guide for home buyers and visitors
The Northern suburbs are prospering and continuing to grow as the most prestigious suburbs in our Northern beaches area, located on the narrow strip between the ocean and the escarpment. With train stations conveniently located in every suburb, they provide easy access to visitors from Sydney and beyond.
Clifton / Scarborough / Wombarra
The famous Sea Cliff Bridge and the Clifton School of Arts are some of the tourists attractions visited on the daily basis. Award-winning, off-shore Sea Cliff Bridge forms part of the Grand Pacific Drive and is located on scenic Lawrence Hargrave Drive, 60 kms south from Central Sydney (or 23 kms north of Wollongong).
Situated on the cliff at Scarborough, is the Scarborough Hotel. Recently renovated to its original grandeur and charm, the hotel boasts magnificent ocean views which have long been recognized and appreciated by locals and visitors alike.
This casual and comfortable family hotel offers three bars along with TAB and gaming facilities. Relax in an absolute ocean front beer garden while you enjoy a meal from the Seascape Café/Restaurant, now open for Breakfast from 8am and serving ala carte meals for lunch and dinner.
The Scarborough/Wombarra beach is patrolled and family friendly, with The Oval and play park to keep the kids occupied.
The Scarborough/Wombarra Bowling and Recreation Club is located just 4 kms south of the fabulous Sea Cliff Bridge. It provides a relaxed and fun atmosphere for members and guests for any occasion. It offers family entertainment and good food and Black Duck restaurant and bistro. Have fun at the bowlo...
About Coledale
Coledale is a truly unique suburb where you can experience a true community spirit and laid back and easy lifestyle, with all facilities close at hand. There are two beaches, main Coledale beach is patrolled with an active Surf Life Saving Club running a prestigious camp site, where you often find local families camping and enjoying a good time. Why travel long distance, when you can have a cheap family holiday down the road!
The second Sharkey beach is often used by locals to walk their dogs off the leash, surfers, fly fishing enthusiasts, and by kids exploring numerous tidal rock pools. In between the two beaches there is a large rock pool, used by swimmers for most of the year.
Other essential facilities include prestigious primary school located literally on the ocean front, with its own whale watching station, and a pre-school childcare centre near by. Every fourth Sunday of the month the school becomes a host for “Coledale Market”, with brick-a-brac stalls, local produce and food stalls, which is very popular among the locals.
In Coledale village itself you will find the RSL club with excellent selection or meals and beers at very reasonable prices. There is also a newsagency/grocery store, video hire, take away pizza place, hairdresser and antique shop. There are also two cafes, with “Chedo’s” well known for it’s fine cuisine and excellent coffee, conveniently located next door to the “Coledale Fine Wines” bottle shop.
About Austinmer
Two minutes down the road there is beautiful Austinmer with more cafes, including the prestigious “Austi Beach Cafe”, and two beautiful beaches, rock pool and Surf Life Saving Club.
The beautiful Glastonbury Gardens have become a popular venue for hosting outdoor wedding ceremonies, to be followed by the photo shoots at Little Austinmer Beach and the reception at the SLSC or the Austi Beach Café.
To relax you can have your coffee or ice cream at Austi beach Café while you soak up the sun and watch the surf. And you must explore exclusive Moore St, where you find a fabulous eatery at “Fireworks” cafe, as well as gift shops, boutiques, hair and beauty salon and art galleries. The famous Boy Scout group and the local vet are also located there.
Austinmer Public School is located literally across the road from the beach, and offers before and after school care facilities for those parents commuting to Sydney for work.
About Thirroul
Thirroul is a heritage town, well known for its shopping, art galleries, boutiques, eateries and entertainment.
Thirroul has two beautiful surfing beaches, Thirroul Beach and McCauley Beach, as well as Olympic size swimming pool.
Thirroul Bowling Club is popular with locals and offers good food and entertainment. There are two public schools offering after school childcare facilities, Dance & Music Studio, Girl Guides and Boy Scouts community groups.
As a focal point in Thirroul there is proudly presented and beautifully restored “Anita’s Theatre”, providing entertainment for all tastes, from classical music concerts, to cinema shows and ballroom dancing. It is well used by the locals and tourists alike. “The Beaches” hotel offers live band entertainment and live artist painter at an open air beer garden.
The new state of the art library and community centre has recently been opened, providing a focal point for the local community. Thirroul medical practice is conveniently located around the shopping centre.
Every year the town hosts Thirroul Seaside & Arts festival, the family festival of visual and performing arts. It falls on the last weekend before Easter, transforming the streets and parks into an array of colourfull stalls displaying art and goods, as well as live entertainment. Some of the entertainment includes live stage entertainment, quality stalls, art exhibition, On-the Shore sculptures, kid's craft activities, surf events, art experiences for all ages, buskers, rides, animals and fantastic food.
Wiseberry Seacliff proudly sponsors annually “The People Choice” category in support of the local artist community.
Places to eat:
The Beaches Hotel – food, drink and live band entertainment
The Old Siam (Thai cuisine)
Mamma Mia Pizza Restaurant (Italian)
Oscar's Wilde Bookstore & Coffee bar
The Beanstalk Cafe (Australian)
The Tin Shed Café (Australian)
Samuel's Restaurant (Modern Australian)
Little Italy at the Ryan’s Hotel (Italian)
Hideway Trattoria Thirroul (Italian)
Thai Chill Out (Thai)
Mars Chinese Cafe (Chinese)
About Sandon Point
Sandon Point Beach is extremely popular for surfing and many surfing tournaments have been held at this beach. Sandon Point Surf Club is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
This pristine location with a large reserve is ideal for families gathering for picnics and it proves popular with Sydney-siders for day trips.
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