Food & Travel

Enjoy a Shellharbour staycation

Shellharbour local Lesley Roulston shares her guide to discovering the best places to eat, shop and play

by Lesley Roulston

Published January 03, 2026

Enjoy a Shellharbour staycation — Photo: BIGWAVE Skydive

A summer staycation is the perfect chance to kick back and discover the treasures on your doorstep.

Start by exploring your home patch through tourist eyes. Shellharbour has a lot to offer that in the rush of everyday life we don’t get the chance to appreciate. January with its 'chillax' vibe is calling for you to slip on your comfy shoes, sunscreen and a hat, and start discovering our local holiday hotspots.

A relaxed day in Shellharbour Village and Shell Cove Marina

Morning: A pre-breakfast dip at the iconic Beverley Whitfield ocean baths in Shellharbour Village will refresh and revitalise. This coastal landmark has recently been upgraded to improve safety and usability. Afterwards, head up the hill for a delicious breakfast and coffee with an ocean view at Darley Street Local or pop around the corner to the main street where you will find any number of welcoming cafes such as RawR Coffee Roasters and Eatery, Lou’s Place on the corner, De Village Café and Bayside Pantry.

Mid Morning: Set a relaxed pace and view artworks by local talent at The Imaginarium. The Shellharbour City Arts Society holds exhibitions and workshops here – see the society’s website for details. Afterwards there’s a few boutiques to browse such as Harbour Rose, Sway and Shique Floral Design.

Lunch: If shopping and art appreciation have prompted hunger pangs, there’s plenty of seafood and other fresh, seasonal delights on offer – The Ocean Beach Hotel is right on the harbourfront, Pacino's Cafe has a relaxed outdoor vibe and Badu Eatery and Bar or J’s on the Deck are always popular with locals.

Seafood lunch at Pacino's. At right: Find coastal style at local boutique Sway

Afternoon: If you haven’t popped home for an afternoon siesta, a walk is always lovely along the harbour and around the village. Enjoy the signs along Addison Street pointing out local history and further along in Towns Street there’s a quaint white church – St Paul’s Anglican – that has been in the village since 1886.

Alternatively, head over to Shell Cove (you can walk from the village) to the Shell Cove Marina where you can walk along the boardwalk, enjoy an ice-cream at Bliss Ice Cream and Gelato or indulge in a fancy doughnut at Donutjam.

Dinner: Georgia Rose at the Marina is renowned for its classy cocktails while The Waterfront Tavern set right on the water offers modern cuisine fresh from the farm and the ocean. Relish on Addison in Shellharbour Village boasts a modern menu and a beautiful verandah overlooking the harbour and village where you can sit, enjoying a cocktail and a spot of people watching.

Shellharbour Mayor Chris Homer at Beverley Whitfield Ocean Pool. Photo: Shellharbour City Council. At right: Take a treetop walk. Photo: The Illawarra Fly

If it’s time for an adventure…

BIGWAVE Skydive: The adrenaline rush doesn’t get much bigger than jumping out of a plane. Enjoy a beach skydive from up to 15000 ft!

Helicopter Flights: If breathtaking views are your thing but jumping out of a plane is not, take off with Touchdown Helicopters at Shellharbour Airport.

Ziplining: Not for the faint of heart but if you are game The Illawarra Fly boasts the highest zipline in Australia. The treetop walk is also a beautiful rainforest experience.

Bushwalking: Spectacular waterfalls, rainforest walks and picnic spots are a hop skip and a jump away at Macquarie Pass at the edge of the Shellharbour boundary (try the Cascades Walk or Clover Hill Trail).

Golf: Technically not an adventure sport, but a good walk (you can try hitting some balls into little holes to spice it up) at either of Shellharbour’s two golf courses: The Links Shell Cove and Calderwood Valley Golf Course.

GoKart Racing: C1 Speed offers fun for the whole family with indoor go-kart racing and laser tag, and now there’s even a SmashLAB Rage Room for those who need to blow off some steam.

HARS Aviation Museum: A must-do for every local and tourist! This incredible site, run by the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society, is open daily with a wealth of amazing displays, tours and the famous B747 Wing Walk.