A Committee For Sydney Report yesterday showed visitors to the state capital found themselves at a loose end after they had climbed the Harbour Bridge and visited the Opera House.

The comments could not have been better timed for four Illawarra and South Coast tourist operators who have just launched a promotional campaign aimed at showing how much there is for tourists to do so close to Sydney.

Dolphin Watch Cruises, Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk, SkyDive the Beach and Jamberoo Action Park have set up a joint initiative at www.southcoastrealadventure.com to offer incentives and target the Sydney tourist market.

Yesterday's report recommended the establishment of a single authority to co-ordinate planning and infrastructure needs in Sydney.

Last week the Shoalhaven became the most successful local government area at the Australian Tourism Awards, an achievement tourism manager Tom Phillips puts down to the co-operation and partnerships between private operators and the council in promoting tourism.

Jamberoo Action Park general manager Dax Eddy said this week's report provided the Illawarra with a great opportunity and South Coast Real Adventures would capitalise on that.

"The mix of attractions in South Coast Real Adventures provides a range of different experiences. People want quality, variety and value," he said.

Illawarra Fly general manager Sean Haylan said operators involved in the South Coast Real Adventures initiative were keen to tell the world about all the new tourism investments within a couple of hours' drive of Sydney.

Hotel Ibis Wollongong's new general manager Klaus Kinateder said when he first discovered the range of attractions on offer he immediately saw Wollongong as the destination and Sydney as the day trip.