“Allowrie”. Ever heard that word? It’s what the Aboriginal Tharawal people called this pleasant place near the sea. We now know it as the Illawarra. The word Illawarra itself comes from that ancient language. “Illa” means white clay. “Warra” signifies mountain. So, Illawarra could mean “white clay mountain”.
Back in 1796, explorers George Bass and Matthew Flinders sailed through. Flinders noted the natives called it Allowrie. For a short time around 1806, folks called this area Five Islands. They were referring to the small islands off Red Point. But Governor Macquarie preferred the native name. In 1817, he wrote about the coast known as Five Islands, but called Illawarra by the natives.
People lived here long before any Europeans arrived. Archaeological digs show Aboriginal people called the Illawarra home for at least 20,000 years. The Tharawal and Wadi Wadi tribes were the land’s first custodians around Lake Illawarra. They are the original inhabitants of Illawarra.
In 1815, a drought in Sydney pushed settlers south. Some of the Tharawal people guided them down the escarpment. The Illawarra opened up for grazing.
Look around you. The Illawarra stretches along the coast. It runs from the Royal National Park’s southern hills to the Shoalhaven River in the south. To the east is the Tasman Sea. To the west looms the Illawarra escarpment. This natural wall separates us from the Southern Highlands plateau.
Notice how the plain narrows as you head north from Wollongong. Small valleys appear at Coalcliff and Stanwell Park. They allowed for more settlements. To the south, the plain widens. It becomes hillier toward Stockyard Mountain. Beyond that lies the Jamberoo Valley, stretching to Kiama.
The Illawarra region is divided into three parts. The north-central district is a continuous urban area around Lake Illawarra. The western district is marked by the Illawarra escarpment. It leads to Greater Metropolitan Sydney. The southwestern area used to be mostly rural. But it’s becoming more urban.
The Illawarra has always been a place of industry. Farming, coal mining, and steelmaking defined this region for years. BlueScope, Australia’s largest steelworks, still operates at Port Kembla. The Illawarra was once known for industrial jobs. Commerce has taken over in many areas since the 1990s.
The Illawarra isn’t just a place. It’s also a breed of cattle. Illawarra cattle originated here. These red cows produce rich milk. They are well-suited to the Australian climate.
Even transport plays a vital role here. Several passes, a freeway, and a train line connect the Illawarra to Sydney. The Illawarra Highway and Princes Highway link us to the west and south.
The Illawarra has a deep history, rich culture, and stunning geography. From its Aboriginal roots to its industrial boom, it’s a region of constant change. As you explore, remember the stories etched into this land. Remember the word Allowrie. Let’s appreciate the Illawarra’s past.