The post code is 2234, which is also assigned to the contiguous suburbs of Menai, Bangor Barden Ridge and Alfords Point.

Illawong was originally inhabited by the Tharawal and/or Eora tribes who left remnants of their lives in many middens, rock carvings and cave paintings.

In this case, the reserve lies between a system of 2 wetlands, which in combination with the heavily vegetated ridgeland, provide habitat which is particularly suited to the long necked turtle.

Construction of Old Illawarra Road took place between 1843 and 1845 and was inspected by Major Thomas Mitchell, it being one of the last public works completed by convicts.

[4][5][6] During the 1970s the Menai region was suburbanised, and Illawong was chosen to have historic nautical street names.

This area was ravaged in the 1994 Eastern seaboard fires, which also caused destruction in the suburbs of Alfords Point, Bangor, Menai and Como.

[1] Illawong Village shopping centre sits between Fowler Road and Hobart Place.

U-Go Mobility has regular bus services which links Illawong to surrounding centres such as Menai, Sutherland and Bankstown.