This region of rivers, long sandy beaches, large protected estuaries and sandstone headlands features fascinating coastal ecosystems, rainforests and waterfalls.
Common name
Illawarra Socketwood
Scientific name
Daphnandra johnsonii
Status in NSW
Endangered
Commonwealth status
Endangered
Rainforest tree to 20 metres tall. Leaves opposite, coarsely toothed, roughly oval in shape, 6 to 12 cm long, 1.5 to 6 cm wide, with a raised mid-vein on the upper surface. Small, pale greenish white flowers (rarely with a pink margin), borne in a many-flowered panicle from the leaf base.
Mean temperatures are projected to rise by 1.9 ºC by 2070. The increases are occurring across the region with the greatest increase during summer. Larger increases are also being seen along the coast and the west of the region during summer and spring. All models show there are no declines in mean temperatures across the Illawarra.
Air quality data for NSW is displayed using the Air Quality Index (AQI) scale and is updated hourly.
Depot Beach campground in Murramarang National Park is right by the beach and perfect for spotting kangaroos at dusk. Photo: J.Yurasek
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The Mount Kembla Ring track offers significant Aboriginal sites, local heritage and stunning scenic rainforest. Photo: J.Spencer
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Budderoo National Park, on the south coast of NSW, is known for its gorgeous waterfalls and lookouts. Photo: A.Richards
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The Italianate post office building, completed in 1878, was designed by then-colonial architect James Barnet. Photo: T.Boxsell
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The Hill was tunnelled and fitted with guns during World War II to protect Port Kembla. Photo: R.Nicolai
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The Lady Denman is part of a museum in Huskisson, an old boat building area, dedicated to maritime heritage. Photo: T.Boxsell
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