Clifton, New South Wales

Clifton
View of Clifton from the Lawrence Hargrave Drive c. 2018
Clifton
Coordinates: 34°15′34″S 150°58′09″E / 34.25944°S 150.96917°E / -34.25944; 150.96917
CountryAustralia
StateNew South Wales
CityWollongong
LGA
Location
Government
 • State electorate
 • Federal division
Elevation
80 m (260 ft)
Population
 • Total35 (2021 census)
Postcode
2515
Suburbs around Clifton
Coalcliff
Clifton
Scarborough

Clifton is a village on the coast of New South Wales, Australia, between Sydney and Wollongong. Along with nearby Coalcliff, the village began life as a coal-mining centre. It is situated on a narrow area between the sea and the Illawarra escarpment. The electrified South Coast railway line passes through, but the station at Clifton was closed in 1915. It reopened on 4 July 1934 and closed for the last time on 27 November 1983, at the time of double tracking and electrification.

The Sea Cliff Bridge, opened in 2005, restored the connection between Clifton and Coalcliff, broken by frequent rock falls onto this section of the Lawrence Hargrave Drive. The bridge lies parallel to the former "coal cliffs" and offers scenic views of the cliffs, the sea, and surrounding coastline.