Lake Illawarra Size report
Lake Illawarra is a coastal lagoon on the NSW South Coast, about 100 kilometers (62 miles) south of Sydney. It is also the second-largest lagoon in New South Wales. Due to its special location between the Illawarra cliffs and the Pacific Ocean, the water injected into the lake has the characteristics of seawater, making it the most comfortable habitat for much wild fish.
The Lake Illawarra Authority manages the lake environment. It strictly enforces the Lake Illawarra Authority Act 1987 (NSW), which aims to transform Lake Illawarra's degraded waters and foreshore into an attractive recreational and tourist destination.
Due to the ecologically sound natural environment and perfect outdoor facilities, many Australians like to visit here during holidays. You can arrange to rent a boat or book a stand-up paddle board on the lake while you watch the sunrise or walk or cycle along the trails that surround Lake Illawarra for views of the lake and trees.
Size And Description of Lake Illawarra
Lake Illawarra is a coastal lagoon with a narrow entrance to the sea at Windang. It separates Wollongong and Shellharbour on the Illawarra Coast. The lake is fed by both fresh water from the Illawarra Escarpment and saltwater from the tides of the Pacific Ocean. Before 2007, Lake Illawarra was often off-limits to the sea. Lake systems receive significant amounts of nutrients and sediments from watersheds, which remain in lakes. Water levels within the lake also fluctuate widely, affecting local plant species.
Lake Illawarra contains areas of Aboriginal cultural significance from a long history of use of the lake and its surrounds. The lake is one of the most picturesque spots on the coast. 13 boat ramps and pictured scenery surround it, making it a popular recreational location for all water sports, from parks and jetties along the foreshore to water-based activities like boating, fishing, and sailing. Reddall Reserve on the foreshore of Lake Illawarra is a popular spot for picnics with its new Ninja children's playground, picnic shelters, gas barbecues, toilet facilities, and kiosk.
Lake Illawarra Size
The lake is approximately 9.5 kilometers long and 5.5 kilometers wide. Filled with sand eroded by the surrounding watershed, the surface area covers approximately 35.8 square kilometers (13.8 square miles). At an altitude of 0.3 meters (1 feet), the lake is fairly shallow with a maximum depth of 3.7 meters and has a maximum capacity of 74,275 megaliters (2,623.0 x 106 cubic feet). Its catchment area reaches 238 square kilometers (92 square miles).
| Features | Size |
|---|---|
| Max. length | 9.5 km |
| Max. width | 5.5 km |
| Surface elevation | 0.3 m (1 ft) |
| Surface area | 35.8 sq km (13.8 sq mi) |
| Max. depth | 3.7 m |
| Water aolume | 74,275 megaliters (2,623.0 x 106 cubic ft) |
| Catachment area | 238 sqkm (92 sq mi) |
Natural Resources
Lake Illawarra's 3,400 hectares (8,500 acres) provide good prawning grounds. The lake is also home to protected plant communities, such as saltmarsh and swamp oak floodplain forest, which provide food and habitat for local birds and fish, making it a very popular spot for bird lovers.
Lake Illawarra feels somewhat underused as a recreation area, although there are parks, lookouts, and playgrounds all around it. These include the Wollamai Point Park, Hooka Point, and the Purra Bay Playground in the north. The Wilson Memorial Park, Koona Bay Reserve, Central Park, Oak Flats Skiway Park, and Boonerah Point Park are headed towards Shellharbour.
Final Words
What things to do at Lake Illawarra? There is always boating. There are several boat ramps and sailing clubs around the lake. Swimming in Lake Illawarra, NSW, is allowed but not particularly popular. Indeed, Lake Illawarra is generally more popular for boating, fishing, and prawning than it is for swimming. It is mainly because the Illawarra region is blessed with so many top-drawer ocean beaches. Why would you swim in the often murky lake with several great surf beaches?
