Two hours south of Sydney, inland from Kiama and Gerroa, the Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures sits high on Knights Hill at 710 metres above sea level. This elevated position gives visitors sweeping views across the Illawarra escarpment, rainforest canopy, and out to the Pacific Ocean. It is one of Australia’s leading treetop experiences, combining a steel walkway, zipline tours, and interpretive trails in a single destination.
The Treetop Walk
The Treetop Walk is the signature attraction. It is a 1.5-kilometre return track, with 500 metres of elevated steel walkway suspended 20–30 metres above the forest floor. The walkway is designed to be accessible to families, older adults, and those using strollers or wheelchairs. Along the route, two cantilevered arms extend outward, offering unobstructed views across valleys and ridgelines. The walk culminates at Knights Tower, a spiral steel tower rising 45 metres above the forest floor. From its top, visitors can see Illawarra Lake, coastal towns, and the Pacific Ocean.
The Zipline Tour
Illawarra Fly is also home to Australia’s highest zipline tour. This eco-wilderness adventure involves flying on a series of elevated cable spans and navigating suspension bridges between tree platforms, known as “cloud stations.” Participants are continuously attached to a steel safety cable, gliding up to 35 metres above the forest floor. The tour is designed for beginners and families, with children as young as four able to participate. Guides provide commentary on the rainforest ecosystem, geology, and wildlife during the experience.
Wildlife and Ecology
The rainforest surrounding Illawarra Fly is part of the Illawarra escarpment, a region known for its biodiversity. Visitors often spot native bird species, including tawny frogmouths. Two resident individuals, nicknamed “Harry and Meghan,” are a favourite among staff and guests. Interpretive signage along the walkway explains the geology of Knights Hill, the history of the escarpment, and the ecological significance of the area.
Special Experiences
Illawarra Fly offers themed experiences beyond the standard walk and zipline:
- Sunrise Tour: Visitors join guides on the treetop walk before dawn, watching city lights fade and the sun rise over Illawarra Lake and the coast. The tour concludes with coffee and breakfast at the on-site café.
- Enchanted Forest: A family-oriented trail featuring whimsical installations such as fairy doors and themed decorations, designed to engage children and encourage imaginative play.
- All-weather access: The steel walkway remains open year-round. Light rain often enhances the rainforest atmosphere, sharpening colours and scents.
Accessibility and Facilities
The treetop walk is designed with accessibility in mind. The trail leading to the elevated walkway is wide and smooth, suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. Facilities include an on-site café, car park, coach parking, picnic areas, public toilets, lockers, and a gift shop. The site is family-friendly and welcomes visitors with access needs.
Visitor Information
- Location: 182 Knights Hill Road, Knights Hill, NSW 2577
- Distance from Sydney: Approximately 2 hours by car
- Distance from Kiama/Gerroa: Approximately 40 minutes inland
- Elevation: 710 metres above sea level
- Treetop Walk length: 1.5 km return, including 500 metres of elevated walkway
- Height above forest floor: 20–30 metres (walkway), 45 metres (Knights Tower)
- Zipline height: Up to 35 metres above the forest floor
- Opening hours: Daily, with seasonal variations
- Ticket prices: Treetop Walk from $26.50–$28.50; Zipline Tour from $100
Accommodation and Surroundings
Nearby towns such as Robertson and Jamberoo provide accommodation options ranging from farm cottages to boutique inns. These towns are within easy driving distance, making it convenient for visitors to extend their stay and explore the broader South Coast region.
Illawarra Fly is not just a walkway in the trees — it is a carefully engineered experience that blends accessibility, education, and adventure. The steel pathways rise into the canopy, cantilevered arms stretch toward the horizon, and Knights Tower lifts visitors 45 metres above the forest floor. The zipline tour adds movement to the stillness, gliding between platforms while guides share stories of the escarpment.
Wildlife is part of the encounter: tawny frogmouths perched in branches, native plants lining the trail, interpretive signs explaining geology and ecology. The Sunrise Tour frames the forest in gold, while the Enchanted Forest trail invites children to discover hidden details. Rain only sharpens the colours, making the forest feel more alive.
Facilities ensure comfort — picnic areas, toilets, and accessible paths — while nearby towns offer places to stay. Every detail is factual, measured, and designed to make the rainforest canopy accessible to all.
Illawarra Fly is, in essence, a factual invitation: a 1.5-kilometre walk, a 45-metre tower, a 35-metre zipline, 710 metres above sea level. It is a place where engineering meets ecology, where visitors of all ages can step into the canopy and see the Illawarra from above.