Illawarra Fly Tree Top Walk - Illawarra’s bird’s-eye view

By Darren Stones

“Go to the edge!” It’s a promotional slogan that promises, and importantly delivers. The touristy Illawarra Fly Tree Top Walk is one of four steel tree top walks in the world – all of which are in Australia. The others are in the Otway Ranges VIC, Tahune State Forest TAS, and the Walpole-Nornalup National Park WA.

Knights Tower

Amongst the trees of the Illawarra Escarpment, the view over the fertile hinterland and curving coastline is stunning. The refreshing vista inspires freedom – just like a bird. With two cantilevers hanging above the trees, visitors experience exhilaration or nervousness. The narrow spiral staircase to the top of Knights Tower reaches the highest point of the Illawarra Fly, and at 45 metres up, one can feel the breeze and witness the panoramic view. See the glistening waters of Lake Illawarra, look towards Port Kembla, and gaze at delightful Shellharbour.

Tower 9 is the base for a cantilever that is suspended 26 metres up. The views of steep rocky slopes, forested areas, and the golden sandy coastline are spectacular. The gentle motion of the cantilever either excites or frights, but for most it’s the former. Kids, and kids at heart, can be seen with a smile as they experience the moderate swaying.

Tower 9 cantilever. Go to the edge!

Signs advise visitors to refrain from running on the see-through walkways, however during my visit the excitement inevitably bubbled over amongst the younger brigade. The walkways are no place to go rummaging through the loose change pocket either. If you pull out coins here, you’ll risk losing them to forest floor.

Elevated walkway through the tree tops

The eco-friendly visitor centre consists a café`, retail outlet selling quality souvenirs, visitor information, and toilets. Light meals are available, with the café` providing prompt service and comfortable modern facilities. A large outdoor paved dining area gives visitors opportunity to breathe in the fresh forest air whilst sipping on a latte` or enjoying a Devonshire tea.

Upon leaving the visitor centre, meander along the track through the forest and enjoy designated points of interest. Take a peek at Wombat Junction and check to see if the local resident is in the burrow. A little further along the track is The Black Stump. The cause of the stump being black is due to it being struck by a bolt of lightning many years ago, apparently.

Visitors walking along a section of steel walkway 40m long between Towers 8 and 9

With the 500 metre long structure supported by 10 towers, there’s minimal impact on the surrounding environment which consists warm temperate rainforest and tree ferns with decorative fronds. Also, keep the peepers wide open for bird species including: Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Crimson Rosella, Laughing Kookaburra, Powerful Owl and Eastern Whipbird.

A view along the section of steel walkway to Tower 9. The tower is supported by cables which are anchored on the forest floor

Of course there’s always one show-off who will do something out of the box. During my visit, I witnessed a middle-aged man climb onto the railing at the end of the Tower 9 cantilever. Onlookers gasped in amazement, and his wife and children were not impressed.

Supported by two cables, the cantilever is suspended above the tree tops and provides visitors with a bird’s-eye view towards the coast

The tree top walk took six months to construct, and was completed in February 2008. A team of six assembled and erected the structure on site, and each span between the ten support towers is 40 metres long.

A shuttle bus – which looks like an elongated golf cart – is available for those requiring assistance. But, if you’re fit as a fiddle and desire a ride, just holler and state your case. Sure saves walking up the gently sloping hill.

Further information:

Allow 45-60 minutes for the walk, and most importantly, take your camera. Sunny days are best for viewing and photography. Open 9am-5pm daily, the Illawarra Fly is at 182 Knights Hill Road, Knights Hill NSW (25 minutes from Kiama via Jamberoo and the Jamberoo Mountain Road). A family-friendly attraction. Adult: $22.00, Child: $9.50 (6 – 16 years), Family: $55.00 (2 Adults + 2 Children), Seniors: $20.00. www.illawarrafly.com

© Darren Stones 2009
All Rights Reserved

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australia, darren stones, dgstones, illawarra, illawarra fly, knights hill, new south wales, nsw, photography, travel and writing