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The Coal Villages

A few years ago, Coalcliff was cut off from the southern area of the Northern Illawarra by a road closure.
The Sea Cliff Bridge has been completed for five years and has joined up the Grand Pacific Drive – a major tourist draw – which extends from the Royal National Park in the north to as far as Shoalhaven in the south and beyond.
On the 140km plus drive, you will drive through coastal rainforests, the quaint seaside villages of the Northern Illawarra, through to Wollongong.
Coalcliff was spotted in 1796 by William Clark and others trekking north to Port Jackson from the wrecked ship Sydney Cove. The area got its name when the survivors noticed coal exposed at the cliffs there and made a fire from it, attracting rescuers.
Coalcliff is also a favourite spot for fishermen.
Over the bridge at Scarborough pop into the Scarborough Hotel for lunch or a cool drink (ph 4267 5544) or the Scarborough Wombarra Bowling Club (ph 4267 2139).
You can stay in nearby Wombarra at Barra Beach Holiday Accommodation, a one-bedroom cottage with ensuite and great ocean views (ph 4267 3444). Only minutes from Wombarra rockpool and beach.
Also in Wombarra on Morrison Avenue is the Wombarra Sculpture Garden (ph 4268 2695).Here you can experience art and nature in the one place. It is open the first full weekend (Saturday and Sunday) of the month, otherwise ring to make an appointment.
Coledale is the next village. There’s a beautiful beach and if you are hungry drop into the Coledale RSL (ph 4267 1873) for lunch or dinner (Thursday to Sunday). For breakfast or lunch from Wednesday to Sunday or dinner Wednesday to Saturday try Chedo’s Cafe (ph 4268 3000) across the road.
On the fourth Sunday of every month at the Coledale Public School is the Coledale Market running from 9am to 3pm (ph 0422 781 920).
Here you’ll find pre-loved clothes, books, earrings, paintings, handmade soaps and crockery. Also delicious fresh coffee
and food is available.