- Matt
- October 27, 2026
Plenty of Sydney families are swapping the city for the Illawarra: more space, the beach close by, and Sydney still within reach for work. If you are weighing up Wollongong, Shellharbour or Kiama, this guide compares the three, shows what a move from Sydney costs with our published rates, and gives you a simple plan for moving day.
Wollongong, Shellharbour or Kiama at a glance
| Wollongong | Shellharbour | Kiama | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distance from the Sydney CBD | About 85 km | About 100 km | About 120 km |
| Drive without heavy traffic | About 1 hour 15 minutes | About 1 hour 30 minutes | About 1 hour 45 minutes |
| Train to Sydney | South Coast Line from Wollongong and the northern suburbs | South Coast Line from Shellharbour Junction, Oak Flats and Albion Park | South Coast Line from Kiama and Minnamurra |
| Feel | A coastal city with beaches, the university and the escarpment behind | Family suburbs, new estates and the Shell Cove marina | A seaside town with green hills and a village pace |
| Good fit for | Commuters, families and students | Families after a newer home | Downsizers and lifestyle movers |
Living in Wollongong
Wollongong is the Illawarra’s city: a walkable centre, patrolled beaches, the University of Wollongong and Wollongong Hospital, with the escarpment and Mount Keira rising behind it. The northern suburbs are popular with Sydney commuters because they are the closest to Sydney and sit on the train line: Helensburgh, Thirroul, Austinmer and Bulli. Closer to the city centre, Figtree, Corrimal and North Wollongong put shops, schools and the beach a short drive away.
Read more in our Wollongong suburb guide, or see our removalists Wollongong page.
Living in Shellharbour
About 20 minutes south of Wollongong, Shellharbour sits between Lake Illawarra and the coast. Shell Cove has the marina and waterfront, while the new estates at Calderwood and around Albion Park offer newer family homes. Oak Flats, Warilla and Flinders are settled suburbs close to the beach, the lake and the train. The regional airport is at Albion Park Rail.
Moving into a brand-new home? Builders often hand over the keys close to moving day, so keep your date flexible and tell us if the street or driveway is still being finished. Read our Shellharbour moving guide and see our Shellharbour removalists page.
Living in Kiama
Kiama is a seaside town known for its blowhole, rock pools and rolling green hills, with a slower, village pace. Kiama Downs and Minnamurra are to the north, Jamberoo sits in the valley and Gerringong is to the south. Kiama has its own train station with services to Sydney, though it is the longest commute of the three.
Many Kiama homes are on hills or have steep driveways, so tell us about the access when you book and we will send the right truck. See our Kiama removalists cost guide.
What a move from Sydney costs
Moves between Sydney and Wollongong are charged at our standard hourly rates plus 1.5 hours travel time, Monday to Friday:
| Truck | Crew | Suits | Rate (Mon to Fri) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.5 tonne | 2 movers | Studios and 1 to 2 bedroom homes | $171 per hour + GST |
| 8 tonne | 3 movers | 3 bedroom apartments | $228 per hour + GST ($188 + $40 extra hand) |
| 14 tonne | 3 movers | Houses with 3 or more bedrooms | $239 per hour + GST ($199 + $40 extra hand) |
As a guide, this is what common homes cost to move from Sydney to Wollongong. Each range runs from lightly to heavily furnished and includes the 1.5 hours travel time:
| Home | Truck and crew | Ballpark (Mon to Fri) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio apartment | 4.5 tonne, 2 movers | $650 to $900 + GST |
| 1 bedroom apartment | 4.5 tonne, 2 movers | $750 to $1,000 + GST |
| 2 bedroom apartment | 4.5 tonne, 2 movers | $950 to $1,350 + GST |
| 2 bedroom house | 4.5 tonne, 2 movers | $1,000 to $1,450 + GST |
| 3 bedroom apartment | 8 tonne, 3 movers | $1,450 to $2,050 + GST |
| 3 bedroom house | 14 tonne, 3 movers | $1,700 to $2,450 + GST |
| 4 bedroom house | 14 tonne, 3 movers | $2,000 to $2,900 + GST |
These are ballparks, not quotes. Your price depends on how much you have, stairs and lifts, and parking at both homes. Moves to Shellharbour and Kiama are quoted with the extra travel time for your route, and weekend moves are quoted for your date. See our Sydney to Wollongong removalists page and our prices, or get a quote.
Planning your move from Sydney
Three to four weeks before
- Book your removalist early, especially for the end of the month, school holidays and Saturdays.
- If your settlement dates do not line up, ask about removals and storage.
- Declutter: everything you sell or give away is time you do not pay for on moving day.
Two weeks before
- If either home is an apartment, book the lift and loading dock at both buildings.
- Check where a truck can park in your Sydney street. Some streets and buildings need a permit or a booked loading zone.
- Collect boxes, or book our packing and unpacking service.
The week before
- Pack and label every box with its room in the new home.
- Work through our change of address checklist.
- Arrange electricity, gas and internet at the new home.
Moving day
- Start early to stay ahead of the traffic on the M1 Princes Motorway.
- Keep valuables, documents, medicines and phone chargers with you, not on the truck.
- Walk through every room, cupboard and the garage before the truck leaves.
Settling on the same day you move? Our settlement day moving guide explains how to time it.
Settling in after the move
- Look up your bin collection days with your new council: Wollongong City Council, Shellharbour City Council or Kiama Municipal Council.
- Update the address on your driver licence and car registration with Service NSW.
- Get out and explore: the Grand Pacific Drive and Sea Cliff Bridge in the north, Lake Illawarra in Shellharbour and the Kiama Coast Walk in the south.
Moving with 777 World Removals
We are a family-run removalist based in Wollongong, moving homes since 2014 with our own trucks and trained crews, and we are rated 4.8 on Google. We move homes from every Sydney suburb to Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and the rest of the Illawarra, and back again. See our Shellharbour removalists and Kiama removalists pages, or get a quote in about a minute.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to move from Sydney to Wollongong?
Moves between Sydney and Wollongong are charged at our hourly rates plus 1.5 hours travel time: $171 per hour + GST with a 4.5 tonne truck and 2 movers, or $228 to $239 per hour + GST with an 8 or 14 tonne truck and 3 movers, Monday to Friday. As a ballpark, a 2 bedroom apartment is about $950 to $1,350 + GST and a 3 bedroom house about $1,700 to $2,450 + GST. Your quote confirms the exact price.
How far is Wollongong from Sydney?
About 85 km, or roughly 1 hour 15 minutes by car from the Sydney CBD without heavy traffic. Shellharbour is about 20 minutes further south and Kiama about 35 to 40 minutes further.
Can you live in the Illawarra and work in Sydney?
Yes, many people do. The South Coast train line runs from Kiama, Shellharbour Junction and Wollongong to Sydney, and the northern suburbs such as Helensburgh, Thirroul and Austinmer have the shortest trip.
Do you move homes from Sydney to Shellharbour and Kiama?
Yes. We move homes from every Sydney suburb to Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and the rest of the Illawarra on our own trucks. Your quote includes the travel time for your route.
Which is quieter: Wollongong, Shellharbour or Kiama?
Kiama has the quietest, village feel. Shellharbour is mostly family suburbs around the lake and the coast. Wollongong is the busiest, with the city centre, the university and the hospital.
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