Coalcliff

Coalcliff is a suburb of northern Wollongong at the base of the Illawarra escarpment, founded in 1797 when survivors of a wreck set out to find Sydney and found coal here, which they used to make a fire for warmth. Explorer George Bass was then sent by Governor Hunter to investigate, and found several seams that extended for some distance. Coalcliff has a patrolled beach, train station and the still active Illawarra Coke Company. It is where Sea Cliff Bridge begins. Parking and restrooms are available off Lawrence Hargraves Drive.