Just south of Shellharbour Village, Bass Point Reserve spans 72 hectares of protected coastline and rare littoral rainforest — one of the last in the Illawarra.
This stunning headland is one of NSW’s most important archaeological sites, listed for both its Aboriginal and European heritage. For over 17,000 years, Aboriginal people used the area as a regular campsite. You can explore this rich cultural history on the self-guided Aboriginal Indigenous Cultural Walk.
Bass Point also holds wartime significance. In May 1943, the American ship Cities Services Boston ran aground here during a storm. Four Australian soldiers died rescuing the crew. A memorial and annual service honor their bravery.
Today, Bass Point is a popular escape for nature lovers, snorkelers, and scuba divers. Bushrangers Bay, a protected Aquatic Reserve, is teeming with marine life. (Note: no fishing allowed.)
Want to explore more? Download the Tread Shellharbour app for tours and local insights.
Important: Bass Point Reserve is closed on total fire ban days for safety.
Facilities
- Carpark
- Picnic Area
- Public Toilet
Times
Check-in: 6:30am
Check-out: 8:00pm
Accessibility
Disabled access available, contact operator for details.
Contact
Location
Bass Point Tourist Road, Shellharbour