Project Overview

Shellharbour City Council is reviewing tourism in our region as part of the development of the new Destination Management Plan (DMP).

We want to understand how people see Shellharbour, what makes us stand out and what we can deliver as a destination.

Shellharbour offers a world-class marina, pristine beaches, lakeside relaxation, national parks, aviation adventures, art, culture, history, as well as sporting and community events.

We’d love to hear from you, whether you’ve been here before or are planning a visit; about your experiences, why you travel, and your future plans.

Shellharbour’s Destination Management Plan

A Destination Management Plan (DMP) is our tourism roadmap for the next five years. It’s about planning for growth in a way that celebrates what makes Shellharbour special, while also protecting our lifestyle and ensuring tourism benefits both our community and our visitors.

Over the next five years, the plan will:

• Grow tourism in a way that is good for our economy, community and environment.

• Raise awareness of Shellharbour and what we have to offer.

• Support new and improved attractions, experiences and activities for locals and visitors.

• Take advantage of new opportunities to make Shellharbour an even stronger destination.

Shellharbour is a vibrant coastal city, perfectly positioned between the Illawarra Escarpment and the Tasman Sea on the NSW South Coast. Its diverse landscapes include rainforest and national parks, Lake Illawarra and its foreshore, sandy beaches, aquatic reserves and mangrove edged rivulets, creating a natural playground for visitors and locals alike.

The city is home to the world-class Shellharbour Marina, 30% larger than Sydney’s Darling Harbour and just 50 nautical miles south of the Sydney. Travellers can also fly direct from Brisbane and Melbourne via the fully accessible Shellharbour Airport or arrive by road down the scenic, coastal Grand Pacific Drive from Sydney.

Covering 147 square kilometers, Shellharbour has more than 81,500 residents and a diverse economy led by health care, with tourism playing an important role. With a sub-tropical coastal climate, rich in natural attractions and central location, Shellharbour is the vibrant heart of the Illawarra.

Go in the draw to WIN a $200 Links Shell Cove Gift Card

Ensure you have read the terms and conditions.

• This competition is run by Destination Shellharbour of Shellharbour City Council.
• To be eligible to enter you must fill in the survey in full all the way to the end including your contact details.
• The entry is open to all persons over the age of 18 who have completed the Shellharbour Destination Management Survey. Employees of Shellharbour City Council and their immediate family are ineligible to enter.
• The competition opens on Wednesday 10 September and closes on Sunday 30 November 2025 at midnight.
• The winner will be chosen by the promoted after the competition closes and contacted by the promoter to advise them if they are a winner.
• The winner is chosen at random selection out of the eligible entries received. The promoter’s decision is final.
• The winner will receive a $200 gift voucher for The Links Shell Cove.
• The prize is not redeemable for cash.
• The prize must be redeemed at The Links Shell Cove, 1 Golf Drive, Shell Cove NSW 2529
• Prize must be redeemed by 31 December 2026.
• All eligible entries need to have visited Shellharbour LGA at least once.
• Only 1 entry per person.