Wollongong To Thirroul Bike Track
Wollongong To Thirroul Bike Track
Wollongong To Thirroul Bike Track
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caito44
7 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
This is nice if you want a very relaxed cycle or walk. Unfortunately a lot of pedestrians don't have any respect for the fact that it is a shared cycle way . walking and taking up the whole path deliberately not moving to let bikes through even when I rang my bell. I did not do this is an aggressive way and I simply got ignored. Some people also let their kids run all over the track.
Written October 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shep333
Wollongong, Australia29 contributions
Oct 2018 • Couples
Locals and out of town visitors will really enjoy cycling or walking the Thirroul to Wollongong cycle way. Starting from Thirroul Beach, which is only a 5 minute ride or 15 minute walk from the railway station, you can enjoy a swim at the pool or beach, or take some refreshment at one of the many cafes near the beach.
Head south along the beachside streets to the start of the cycle way at the end of Hamilton road, cycling through coastal woodland behind Macauley’s Beach to Bulli Point.
Then follow the beachside streets to Bulli Beach, taking a food and drink break at either the Bulli Beach Cafe beside the surf club, or at Ruby’s Cafe, 500m south at the camping reserve and right on the cycle way.
Note the plaque beside the cycleway detailing Captain Cook’s first attempt in 1770 at landing on the East Coast at Bulli, which was aborted due to the heavy surf. He sailed up the coast to land at Botany Bay and the rest is history.
The cycle way continues south between the camping reserve and the beach, then through an extensive reserve before arriving at Woonona Beach. North Break Cafe, a great lunch stop, is just 50m west of the cycleway on the south side of the park opposite the surf club.
Continue south along the Beach Drive, before traversing the reserve through to Bellambi Beach, crossing and then following the small creek to Bellambi ocean pool, a great spot for a swim, and well protected from southerly breezes.
Continue south diverging from the beach, and follow the cycle way around the Bellambi Lagoon wetlands to where the lagoon joins the sea, then follow the cycle way around the Corrimal campground to arrive back at Corrimal Beach. Grab a snack, coffee or cool drink at the Ebb and Tide Cafe near the beach car park.
The cycle way continues past the Corrimal surf club, past Towradgi Ocean Pool to Towradgi Surf Club, which has a small cafe.
Another plaque beside the cycleway provides details of the shipwreck of the Queen of Nations off Towradgi Point.
Follow the cycleway south to Fairy Meadow Beach, where you can choose to head west and follow the paved cycleway around the back of the Puckeys Nature Reserve, or my recommendation is to continue on through the reserve, following the well marked track from the car park. The track is wide, hard and easily cycled, winding through the shaded woodland between the beach and Fairy Creek lagoon, before crossing the lagoon on the bridge, and rejoining the main cycleway. Follow the cycleway around or through Stuart Park, with a drink or meal stop on the verandah of the Lagoon Restaurant.
The cycleway then traverses its most spectacular section, following the route of the old coal mining railway line along the beachside, now extensively redeveloped as the Blue Mile.
Cafes and kiosks line the cycleway past North Wollongong Beach, before the cycleway traverses the rocky section above the high water mark to the Continental Ocean Pool complex. It continues on past Brighton Beach, Wollongong Harbour and the lighthouses.
Great views of the 5 islands off the coast and the south to Port Kembla can be seen from the reserve around the new lighthouse.
The last section of the cycleway continues south past Wollongong City Surf Club, to the Entertainment Centre at the eastern end of the City.
Wollongong Railway Station is about 9 city blocks due west, a short cycle, or if you are walking, take the 5 minute ride on the free Gong Shuttle Bus from nearby Corrimal Street to the Gladstone Avenue stop near the railway station.
In summary, the route is virtually flat the whole way, with a few small grades along the way and around the lighthouse. t
Take your water bottle which you can refill at any of the bubblers and taps along the cycleway. All the beaches and parks have great places for picnics, with a few having barbecues.
Which way would I cycle the route?
There is generally a fresh ocean breeze along the cycleway, so cycle north to south if there is a northeast breeze, with the wind behind you. Do the reverse if there is a southerly breeze blowing.
A great day out for all.
Head south along the beachside streets to the start of the cycle way at the end of Hamilton road, cycling through coastal woodland behind Macauley’s Beach to Bulli Point.
Then follow the beachside streets to Bulli Beach, taking a food and drink break at either the Bulli Beach Cafe beside the surf club, or at Ruby’s Cafe, 500m south at the camping reserve and right on the cycle way.
Note the plaque beside the cycleway detailing Captain Cook’s first attempt in 1770 at landing on the East Coast at Bulli, which was aborted due to the heavy surf. He sailed up the coast to land at Botany Bay and the rest is history.
The cycle way continues south between the camping reserve and the beach, then through an extensive reserve before arriving at Woonona Beach. North Break Cafe, a great lunch stop, is just 50m west of the cycleway on the south side of the park opposite the surf club.
Continue south along the Beach Drive, before traversing the reserve through to Bellambi Beach, crossing and then following the small creek to Bellambi ocean pool, a great spot for a swim, and well protected from southerly breezes.
Continue south diverging from the beach, and follow the cycle way around the Bellambi Lagoon wetlands to where the lagoon joins the sea, then follow the cycle way around the Corrimal campground to arrive back at Corrimal Beach. Grab a snack, coffee or cool drink at the Ebb and Tide Cafe near the beach car park.
The cycle way continues past the Corrimal surf club, past Towradgi Ocean Pool to Towradgi Surf Club, which has a small cafe.
Another plaque beside the cycleway provides details of the shipwreck of the Queen of Nations off Towradgi Point.
Follow the cycleway south to Fairy Meadow Beach, where you can choose to head west and follow the paved cycleway around the back of the Puckeys Nature Reserve, or my recommendation is to continue on through the reserve, following the well marked track from the car park. The track is wide, hard and easily cycled, winding through the shaded woodland between the beach and Fairy Creek lagoon, before crossing the lagoon on the bridge, and rejoining the main cycleway. Follow the cycleway around or through Stuart Park, with a drink or meal stop on the verandah of the Lagoon Restaurant.
The cycleway then traverses its most spectacular section, following the route of the old coal mining railway line along the beachside, now extensively redeveloped as the Blue Mile.
Cafes and kiosks line the cycleway past North Wollongong Beach, before the cycleway traverses the rocky section above the high water mark to the Continental Ocean Pool complex. It continues on past Brighton Beach, Wollongong Harbour and the lighthouses.
Great views of the 5 islands off the coast and the south to Port Kembla can be seen from the reserve around the new lighthouse.
The last section of the cycleway continues south past Wollongong City Surf Club, to the Entertainment Centre at the eastern end of the City.
Wollongong Railway Station is about 9 city blocks due west, a short cycle, or if you are walking, take the 5 minute ride on the free Gong Shuttle Bus from nearby Corrimal Street to the Gladstone Avenue stop near the railway station.
In summary, the route is virtually flat the whole way, with a few small grades along the way and around the lighthouse. t
Take your water bottle which you can refill at any of the bubblers and taps along the cycleway. All the beaches and parks have great places for picnics, with a few having barbecues.
Which way would I cycle the route?
There is generally a fresh ocean breeze along the cycleway, so cycle north to south if there is a northeast breeze, with the wind behind you. Do the reverse if there is a southerly breeze blowing.
A great day out for all.
Written November 6, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kylie F
1 contribution
Apr 2016 • Family
This path is a SHARED path for everybody to use SAFELY. Bike riders need to slow down or get on the road. Have been here for a week in school holidays and cannot believe the speed the bike riders are doing on this path alongside toddlers, kids, the elderly, people in wheelchairs, etc. COUNCIL really need to do something about the arrogance they have created amongst these bike riders before someone gets seriously hurt. How should a bike rider be allowed to do 40km/hr on this path?
Written April 14, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dianna C
Melbourne, Australia1,191 contributions
Mar 2014 • Couples
This coast walk is true to label passing at least 5 beaches from the eastern end of Wollongong to Thirroul Beach. You rarely walk on the street and get some great coastal views. The track is fully surfaced and good in all weather. Take the detour via Puckeys Reserve if you are walking. You can catch a train to Wollongong, walk to the coast at the bottom of Crown Street and then head north. To get home get back on the train at Thirroul. If you catch the train it's about 18km walking between the stations. All flat and easy terrain. Plenty of kiosks along the way for refreshments and lots of public toilets too.
Written March 2, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Q3819BKchris
Wollongong, Australia54 contributions
Feb 2019 • Friends
Have done this track hundreds of times & it never fails to be amazing. Easy ride with maybe 3 gentle sloping hills that anyone & everyone can ride along & enjoy the views
Written July 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Makayla and Lac... H
Wollongong, Australia168 contributions
Mar 2018 • Family
We did this on the weekend with the kids aged 10 and 6. We went as far as Woonona so around a 20 klm return trip. Stopping at all the playground along the way for a rest and a play. The scenery is beautiful and the track is great as well.
Written March 4, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jimjimb0
Wollongong, Australia13 contributions
Apr 2016 • Couples
Great little beachside ride! You an start anywhere from Five Islands Rd South of Wollongong to Fairy Meadow or East Corrimal beach but Stewart Park North Wollongong is probably the favourite starting point. Ride the bike track through parklands and along beachfronts all very flat to Bulli Headland cafe and stop for a coffee. If you are up to it you can keep going all the way to Austinmer for a meal at the Austi cafe or Shells diner but you had better be prepared to climb a couple of steep hills. Back to North 'Gong for afternoon tea at Diggies on the beach. Wonderful views of mountains and beaches up close and healthy.
Written April 25, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hammbrook
New Jersey564 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
From Wollongong (the Novotel hotel) to Thirroul is about 8.5 miles. Very pleasant. Flat. A great way to see the area. There and back has only about 500 feet total elevation rise. Two small cafés along the way (Olive’s, Ruby’s) make for a nice stop for a snack or drink. Just outside of Wollongong there is a nice nature preserve with about a 1.5km gravel path. There are several parks, playgrounds and bathing areas along the way so parts of the path can get congested with kids. This is not a path that lends itself to a fast ride.
Written December 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WhyDontWe
Singapore, Singapore153 contributions
Dec 2019
Followed some useful reviews and started my ride at Stuart Park just beside North Wollongong beach and embarked on the coastal adventure!
Great ride on mostly dedicated shared bike/pedestrian path though sometimes not enough signs when the track separated due to roads or bends. Luckily I had my bike gps with me so I followed the narrow path indicator displayed on the bike gps. The hardest part was towards the end when you are reaching Thirroul it just ends abruptly. Like are you supposed to connect to the beach or the train station or what?
Pro tip, bring your own bottle filled with water. Yes the track is short enough and yes there were only 1-2 water fountains along the ride. You could dismount and walk slightly into the beaches to look for water. Any bike can ride this mostly smooth terrain.
If you like this, check out North Sydney’s bike track from Dee Why to Narrabeen (it might go on further, I haven’t gone beyond Manly to Narrabeen), it’s a great ride too.
Great ride on mostly dedicated shared bike/pedestrian path though sometimes not enough signs when the track separated due to roads or bends. Luckily I had my bike gps with me so I followed the narrow path indicator displayed on the bike gps. The hardest part was towards the end when you are reaching Thirroul it just ends abruptly. Like are you supposed to connect to the beach or the train station or what?
Pro tip, bring your own bottle filled with water. Yes the track is short enough and yes there were only 1-2 water fountains along the ride. You could dismount and walk slightly into the beaches to look for water. Any bike can ride this mostly smooth terrain.
If you like this, check out North Sydney’s bike track from Dee Why to Narrabeen (it might go on further, I haven’t gone beyond Manly to Narrabeen), it’s a great ride too.
Written December 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Domenico V
Sydney, Australia37 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
If you have someone who is unsure or not overly confident about bike riding, this is a great route to take them on. Flat and relatively car free. We rode it on a nice day. It is an easy ride with plenty of opportunity to stop for a drink and relax.
Written February 14, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Where do you start this ride from? where is best to park car?
Written September 26, 2018
if you want guaranteed parking I would go to bellambi
Written October 7, 2018
are there any maps of the the bike path ?
thanks !
Written September 24, 2018
sorry Jean been away but if you visit the wollongong city council website they do have maps of all the local bike tracks
Written October 7, 2018
Ella M
Shellharbour, Australia
Hi Guys!!!!
Is there anywhere in thirroul to rent a bike form, ride to wollongong and give the bike back to them in wollongong????
Written May 7, 2015
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