Illawarra is a region in the Australian state of
New South Wales. It is a coastal region situated
immediately south of Sydney and north of the
Shoalhaven or South Coast region. It
encompasses the cities of Wollongong,
Shellharbour, the town of Kiama and the shire
of Wingecarribee.

The Illawarra region is characterised by three
distinct districts: the north-central district, which
is a contiguous urban sprawl centred on Lake
Illawarra; the western district defined by the
Illawarra escarpment, which leads up to the
south-west fringe of Greater Metropolitan
Sydney including the Macarthur and Southern
Highlands regions; and the southern district,
which is historically semi-rural, now defined by
increasing urbanisation.
The main industries in the area have
traditionally been farming, coal mining and
steel making. Australia's largest steel-works,
BlueScope Steel, operates at Port Kembla. The
area, especially around Port Kembla and
Wollongong, was once known for its mainly
industrial jobs, but since the 1990s commerce
has played an increasing role in the city,
overtaking industry in many areas.

The Illawarra region is linked to Sydney by
several passes and a motorway (Southern
Freeway) and electric railway (see Illawarra
railway line); to the west by the Illawarra
Highway and Picton Road; and to the south by
the Princes Highway. At Albion Park Rail the
Illawarra Regional Airport serves the region.