The Southern Coalfields of NSW are situated south and south-west of Sydney, around Wollongong, on both sides of the Illawarra escarpment. Coal mining began at Mt Keira in 1849. Shipments of iron ore were made possible by the deep-water harbour at Port Kembla. The coal and iron led naturally to steel production, central to the Illawarra economy to this day. More steel coated and welding products are made in the Illawarra than in any other South East Asian country.
| Appin |  |
NRE No 1 (formerly South Bulli) | |
| Berrima | |
NRE No 2 (formerly Avondale & Huntley) | |
| Dendrobium | |
Tahmoor | |
| Delta (formerly Elouera) | |
West Cliff | |
| Metropolitan | |
Further information on the industries of the Illawarra is available from the NSW Department of State and Regional Development.
Illawarra Coal Science Theatre Opening - Monday 28th November 2005
L - R: The Hon. Ian MacDonald, Minister for Natural Resources, Primary Industries and Mineral Resources, Mr Col Bloomfield, Illawarra Coal President and Mr Glen Moore, Science Centre Manager