You can celebrate and explore unique parts of the area history through the Australian Heritage Festival until May 31.

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It is the nation's largest community-driven event which highlights the natural, historic and Indigenous heritage sites across the country through different activities.

It is put on by the National Trust and celebrates the hard work of community groups who are passionate about maintaining heritage sites on a local level.

"Our theme is 'curiosity', and I'd encourage everyone to be inquisitive about heritage, and to actively discover our diverse and vibrant past," said National Trust NSW CEO Debbie Mills.

Each year the festival features a program of FREE and ticketed events and activities that operate right across New South Wales, as well as online offerings. For the full program CLICK HERE.

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BLUE MILE HISTORY WALKING TOUR

A 2.5 - 3 hour walking tour of the Blue Mile, beginning at Flagstaff Hill (Endeavour Drive in Wollongong) and ending at the Old Courthouse - with a 30-minute refreshment break.

The tour takes in some of the many historical sites along the Blue Mile including Wollongong Harbour, the Forts (Flagstaff Hill and Smiths Hill), the Old Courthouse, the tramway, the pools and Northbeach.

Along the way experienced guides relay the stories of the foreshore - including its Indigenous history, sea bathing, coal, salt making, trading, the start of industry in Wollongong and how we defended ourselves.

May 21, 9.30am. Book tickets: insideindustry.org.au

PORT KEMBLA HISTORY

This tour offers an opportunity to travel back in time and discover the history, heritage, and cultures of a true coastal treasure - Port Kembla.

Hear stories of our First Peoples - the traditional owners of the land, Captain Cook, Bass and Flinders, industrial change, wartime defences and cultural diversity, as we explore sites rich in local indigenous, wartime and industrial history.

The tour is predominantly a bus tour beginning at the BlueScope Visitor Centre (Springhill Road in Coniston) with stops at Port Kembla Heritage Park, Hill 60 and Port Kembla Township .

May 28, 10.30am. Book tickets: insideindustry.org.au

THE WORKING PORT

Begin at the BlueScope Visitor Centre on Springhill Road in Coniston, before boarding a tour bus.

The tour then heads to the Inner Harbour to look at key infrastructure like the Coal Terminal (the second largest coal terminal in NSW), the Grain Terminals, the state's largest motor vehicle import hub and cruise ship berth - a key gateway supporting New South Wales' motor vehicle, mining, agricultural, manufacturing and construction industries.

The tour then travels along the outskirts of the Port Kembla Steelworks before a short stop at Christy Drive (offering us spectacular views of the Inner Harbour berths), then swinging by Hill 60 and back to the visitor centre.

May 14, 10.30am. Book tickets: insideindustry.org.au

ILLAWARRA'S EARLY PIONEERS & WWI

Hear interesting stories of early pioneering families who came to the Illawarra in the early 1800's - Robert Jenkins and the Berkeley Estate; Benjamin Rixon and his daughter Julia Anne (who married Robert James); and the Rixon family descendents who fought in World War 1.

May 15, 1pm. Investigator Drive, Unanderra. Prebooking required: 02 4271 1996.

DRIVING THE PAST INTO YOUR FUTURE

The Australian Motorlife Museum at Kembla Grange showcases the change in motorvehicle technology with a 3000 sq. m of display area, it's one of the largest motoring museum and related technology, and motoring reference library, in Australia.

On May 15 they will welcome motoring enthusiasts and classic cars from all over the state, have discounted entry and a BBQ for Motoring Heritage Day.

The museum's library holds books and magazine collections so rare and fragile it can only be viewed by prior arrangement, which is welcomed. The museum collection includes; motor vehicles and bikes, petrol pumps, bicycles, gramophones, radios, sewing machines, lawn mowers, scales, badges, irons, tools, signs of every description, typewriters, telephones, NRMA historic display, and more

May 15, 9.30am to 4.30pm. Visit: australianmotorlifemuseum.com

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