New South Wales location profile
Lake Illawarra NSW 2528
Lake Illawarra is a relaxed, family-friendly suburb on the eastern shore of its namesake lake in the Illawarra region. It offers affordable coastal-lake living with easy access to beaches, foreshore parks, and everyday conveniences.
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Why families consider Lake Illawarra
Mix of established families, retirees and young households drawn to the lakeside lifestyle. Community-oriented, with a coastal feel, fishing and boating culture, and more affordable housing compared to Sydney and inner Wollongong suburbs.
Amenities & services
- Warilla Grove Shopping Centre (Warilla)
- Stockland Shellharbour (Shellharbour City Centre)
- Local shops and cafes along Shellharbour Rd and Reddall Parade
- Shellharbour Hospital (Mount Warrigal)
- Shellharbour Private Hospital (Barrack Heights)
- GP clinics, dental practices and pharmacies in Lake Illawarra/Warilla
- Warilla Library (Warilla)
- Shellharbour City Library (Shellharbour City Centre)
- Oak Flats Library (Oak Flats)
Transport & connectivity
- Nearest train stations: Oak Flats Station; Shellharbour Junction
- Premier Illawarra bus services connecting to Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama
- Major roads: Princes Highway (A1), Princes Motorway (M1), Shellharbour Rd, Windang Rd
Lifestyle & recreation
- Reddall Reserve foreshore playgrounds, BBQ areas and walking/cycle paths
- Lake Illawarra water sports: kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing and boating
- Windang Beach and Warilla Beach for swimming, surfing and beach walks
- Local sports fields and clubs; nearby Warilla Bowls & Recreation Club
- The Shellharbour Club and cinemas at Shellharbour City Centre (nearby)
- Reddall Reserve (Lake Illawarra foreshore)
- Purry Burry Point Reserve
- Lake Illawarra Foreshore/Cycleway
- Windang Foreshore Reserve
- Little Lake/Warilla Beach parklands (nearby)
Education context
Multiple long day care centres and preschools in Lake Illawarra, Warilla and Mount Warrigal; vacancies vary by age group with shorter waitlists outside infant rooms; OSHC available at nearby primary schools.
- University of Wollongong – Main Campus (Keiraville, Wollongong)
- UOW Innovation Campus (North Wollongong)