Helensburgh (New South Wales)
Helensburgh is a far northern suburb of Wollongong around 45 kilometres south of the Sydney CBD.
Understand
Halfway between Sydney and Wollongong, at the southern end of the Royal National Park, and surrounded by bushland. It has a population of just over 5,000 residents. Helensburgh is colloquially known among the locals as "The Burgh" (pronounced "berg").
Get in
By car
From Sydney
Main Route - Take the Princes highway, or Heathcote Road if you are coming from the West/Menai follow the road until you reach the Motorway stay on the Motorway until you reach the Helensburgh Stanwell Park turnoff (First One).
Scenic Route - Take Farnell Avenue from Loftus or McKell Avenue from Waterfall. Turn right off McKell Avenue and follow Lady Wakehurst Drive (if you are coming from Waterfall) until you reach the seaside (You cannot miss it) then turn right onto Domville Road (Blind Corner) near the Pie Shop follow it down (Steep Descent) to Otford Road then turn right (Narrow Bridge one way traffic only) then down across the causeway and up the hill (Steep Road) till you reach Walker Street turn right and you will reach the main shopping center.
Alternative Route - Take the Princes highway, or Heathcote Road if you are coming from the West/Menai follow the road until you reach Waterfall (Be in the right hand lane) and follow arrows to the right pass the Illawarra sign to Old Princes Highway. You will pass Garrawarra Hospital. Follow that until you reach Parkes Street (Roundabout) Turn left follow Parkes Street to main shopping center.
From Wollongong
Main Route - Take Mt Ousley Road (Princes Motorway) or Bulli Pass (Northern Suburbs) follow it for awhile until you reach Bulli tops. Keep left to stay on Motorway. Stay on Motorway until you see the sign Helensburgh/Stanwell Park first turnoff once on Motorway. Turn right after exiting motorway and stay on Old Princes Highway. You will see a roundabout after the underpass. Take the 2nd exit to stay on Old Princes Highway. When you reach the next Roundabout take the 2nd Exit onto Parkes Street. Follow Parkes Street to main shopping center
Scenic Route - Take Memorial Drive north towards Bulli where you will merge onto Princes Highway. Stay in the left lane pass Bulli. Your exit will be the left lane over the bridge into Thirroul. Follow Lawrence Hargrave Drive all the way through to Stanwell Park. The road at this point will start climbing up to Bald Hill (Steep). Turn Left or Turn Right for Bald Hill Lookout. There are 2 ways from here. If you turned right at the top to see Bald Hill Lookout. Upon leaving Bald Hill turn right follow road to the fork. Keep left and follow Otford Road to the township (Narrow Road). If you turned left keep following Lawrence Hargrave Drive till you see Walker Street on the right down the hill. Turn Right (Indicate Early) follow Walker Street to Shops.
By train
Catch the 4 or 8 Car SCO service which depart hourly during weekends and off peak. (Peak times vary) You can catch this train from Bondi Junction P1/2, Edgecliff P1, Kings Cross P1 or Town Hall P4 in peak hours only and on the weekends. Normal services stop at Central (Platform 25 or 4 to 14). Redfern (Platform 12 or 2). Wolli Creek P4, Hurstville, Sutherland. Some Services stop all stations to Waterfall during peak periods. (Waterfall is Weekends only). Then alight at Helensburgh (Rear 6 Cars Only). The main township is about 30 Minutes walk if you are a fast walker 1 hour for slow walkers (Majority Steep Hills)Train Timetable
There is a local bus Route 15 available to transfer you to the Main CBD of Helensburgh. This trip takes around 15 minutes or so. Keep in mind not all trains are serviced however the majority are Bus Timetable
By bicycle
There is a cycle lane running alongside the Southern Freeway, if you don't mind cycling alongside the 110km/h traffic with a rumble strip to protect you.
The Royal National Park route towards Stanwell Park and Helensburgh is a popular recreational cycle with the lycra-clad, especially on weekend mornings. People choose this route for the challenging hills rather than a utilitarian method of access, and the roads have narrow shoulders and cars and motorbikes taking on the hills and curves as well.
By Taxi
Taxi's run from Sutherland to Helensburgh however it can be very expensive
There is also an Uber running from Helensburgh
Get around
See
- Old Helensburgh station (Glow Worm Tunnel), 2 Vera St (Short Walk from Helensburgh Station (Less than 5 Minutes)). Old Helensburgh Station which has been closed since 30th May 1915 Has been a popular spot for Tourists in the area as well as local residents. Unfortunately this has resulted in the tunnels been fenced off due to damage caused by vandals. As the glow worm populace is suffering due to peoples use of light sticks etc. https://www.helensburgh.com.au/announcements/glow-worm-tunnels-fenced-off/ There maybe controlled access to the site. However this is not yet confirmed
- 🌍
Woronora Dam (From Sydney - Exit at Waterfall to the right and then head South on the Old Princes Highway following the signs to Woronora Dam which will be on the right From Wollongong - Exit at Helensburgh and follow Old Princes Highway continue straight pass the 2 Roundabouts until you see signs for Woronora Dam just Pass Garrawarra Hospital then Turn Left). 10am to 5pm daily. Extended hours, 10am to 7pm, on weekends and public holidays during daylight saving time. Don't miss the spectacular spillway cutting when you visit Woronora Dam. Catch a glimpse of the past while enjoying a picnic in picturesque surroundings. The grounds are unusual in retaining workers' cottages and old platforms, plant and machinery used in the dam's construction in the 1930s. Woronora Dam supplies water to the Sutherland Shire in Sydney's south, and to the northern suburbs of Wollongong. Free.
- Kelly's Falls, ☎ +61 2 9542 0648. Garawarra is open sunrise to sunset but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.. Water cascades over the rocks and drops into a pool, providing a relaxing soundtrack to your lunch at Kellys Falls picnic area, a beautiful spot to get back to nature. From this picnic area, you can walk up to one of four scenic lookouts to take in the views of waterfalls and the rainforest-lined gullies below. With satin bowerbirds, honeyeaters and wattle birds attracted by the flowering banksia, hakea, grevillea and towering Gymea lilies, it’s a great place for birdwatching. From here, you can take a walk along one of the adjoining walking tracks; there are bushwalking links to Stanwell Tops and Illawarra Escarpment that take you to the northern suburbs of Wollongong. Free.
- 🌍 Symbio Wildlife Park (Symbio Zoo), 7-11 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, ☎ +61 2 4294 1244, e-mail: info@symbiozoo.com.au. 9.30AM To 5.00PM Daily. Symbio Wildlife Park is a family owned and operated zoo which is located on the Southern outskirts of Sydney in the suburb of Helensburgh. Conveniently positioned on the top of the Illawarra escarpment, we are just minutes away from Stanwell Park Beach, the world renowned Royal National Park, Sea Cliff Bridge and also Bald Hill Lookout where you can take in majestic 180 degree views of the Pacific Ocean. Adult-$34, Children-$19.
- 🌍 Hindu Temple (Sri Venkateswara Temple), Temple Road (Helensburgh is about 40 km south of Sydney Central (CBD) on the way to Wollongong. It is a pleasant hour's drive from most parts of Sydney. Plenty of free car parking is available at the temple. By Train: Take the train from Central Station to Wollongong and get off at Helensburgh Railway Station. From there its about a few km to the temple. Buses leave from Helensburgh Railway Station every hour from 9.00 am till 4.00 pm.), toll-free: 1300 626 663, e-mail: enquiry@svtsydney.org. Mon to Fri : 08.00 AM to 12.00 PM & 04.00 PM to 07.00 PM. (Note: closed between 12.00 PM & 04.00 PM) . Sat / Sun & Public Holidays: 08.00 AM to 07.00 PM. Canteen opening timings: Fridays: Limited operations 10.00 AM to 04.00 PM. Sat / Sun & Pubic Holidays: 10.00 AM to 04.00 PM.. The Construction of Sri Venkateswara Temple started in 1978 when a small group of people had a vision to build a Hindu temple according to Vedic principles (Agama Sastras). They selected this divine site in Helensburgh because "it is said the gods always play where groves are, near rivers, mountains and springs and in towns with pleasure -gardens " -Brihatsamhita. Free.
- 🌍
Bald Hill Lookout, toll-free: 1800 240 737. 24 Hours. Bald Hill is one of Illawarra's most well known and most popular lookouts situated a top the hill of that name. Not only are the views excellent, the area is also internationally known as a major hang gliding point. Free.
Do
- 🌍 Helensburgh Golf Driving Range, Corner Old Princess Highway & Lawrence Hargrave Drive, ☎ +61 2 42943456, e-mail: info@helensburghgolf.com.au. 8am to 7:30pm. Helensburgh driving range is owned and operated by a member of the Helensburgh community (operating since 2000), and offers a full range of facilities including driving range, putt putt, party rooms and golf tuition. 100 Balls - $14.00, 50 Balls - $9.50.
Buy
- Coles, Walker St & Short St, ☎ +61 2 4294 9567. 7am - 10pm. Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Ltd, trading as Coles, is an Australian supermarket, retail and consumer services chain, headquartered in Melbourne owned by parent company Wesfarmers. &.
- Reject Shop, 45/47 Walker St, ☎ +61 2 4294 1255. 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM. Find great bargains at your Helensburgh store. The Reject Shop has a great range of products for your everyday needs, ranging from toiletries, cosmetics, homewares, personal care products, hardware, basic furniture, household cleaning products, kitchenware, confectionery and snack food. We also have lifestyle and seasonal merchandise - including seasonal gifts, cards and wrap, toys, leisure items and home decorations. &.
Eat
- Charcoal Chickens, 2/125 Parkes St, ☎ +61 2 4294 1923. All Week 8:30am–7pm. Great chicken and chips in Helensburgh. Recently, portion for price has gone down, meaning that $5 may have once got you 100 chips but now it gets you 80. Staff are always friendly. $$.
- Gallardo's Pizzeria, 11 Walker St, ☎ +61 2 4294 8889. 5PM to 9PM. Gallardo's Pizzeria is a family owned, managed and operated conveyor and wood fired Italian Pizza Restaurant. $$.
- Red Nectar, Level One, 21 Parkes Street, ☎ +61 2 4294 9361, e-mail: info@rednectarhelensburgh.com.au. Dinner from 6pm Tuesday to Sunday. Red Nectar offers delicious, decadent modern cuisine in a unique setting with award winning chef, Daniel Fountain. The cuisine at Red Nectar is inspired by the natural surrounds with native ingredients featuring on the menu. At Red Nectar we take pride in using fresh Australian grown produce and aim to introduce new and seasonal taste combinations for our guests to enjoy. There is a selection of local Australian wines, that have been hand picked to complement the menu enhancing your dining experience. $$$.
Drink
- Helensburgh Hotel (Helensburgh Centennial), 112 Parkes St, ☎ +61 2 4294 1005. Sun - Wed - 10:00 am - 8:00 pm Thu - Sat - 10:00 am - 1:00 am. Renovated beer garden, offering both indoor and outdoor dining areas. $.
- Tradies - Helensburgh, 30 Boomerang Street, ☎ +61 2 4294 1122. In a lovely position overlooking the sporting fields, the club offers relaxing friendly service, quality family dining and calming ambience. With the club being the hub of the local community, there are plenty of activities for everyone to enjoy such as pool tables, Bingo, Keno, horse racing and sports better, cable television channels, big screens and a regular raffle.
Sleep
- Helensburgh Hotel, 112 Parkes St, ☎ +61 2 4294 1005, e-mail: info@helensburghhotel.com.au. Located in the heart of Helensburgh, the Helensburgh Hotel has recently undergone renovations to cater for all. Renovated beer garden, offering both indoor and outdoor dining areas. Cater to families,with a large children’s play area.