Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area

The Illawarra escarpment, also known as the Illawarra Range, is a chain of cliffs and plateaus in New South Wales, Australia.

Stretching from Stanwell Park in the north to Kiama and the Shoalhaven River in the south, it encloses the Illawarra area. The highest point is Bells Hill, reaching 803 meters on the range's plateau. The range comprises peaks ranging from 300 to 768 meters at Mount Murray southwest of Dapto.

The Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area is home to some of Australia's oldest landscapes, dating back to 225 and 280 million years. Shaped by erosion, these landscapes are visible in the form of sandstone cliffs, ledges, and boulders. The escarpment played a vital role in the timber and coal industries, with many towns established for logging purposes.

The conservation area is rich in native flora and fauna, including rare and exotic plant life such as the Illawarra flame tree and the red cedar tree. It also supports diverse animal populations, including wallabies, possums, frogs, goannas, brush turkeys, flying foxes, snakes, bowerbirds, glossy black cockatoos, and other parrots. The region acts as a haven for species affected by environmental disturbances, with over 12 threatened animal species found here.

Geologically, the Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area extends south from the Royal National Park to Maddens Plains and Kangaroo Valley. It ranges in height from approximately 300 meters to 534 meters at Mount Kembla. The region is mostly composed of hard sandstone, with outcrops like Mount Keira and Mount Kembla