Stockland Shellharbour
A major indoor and outdoor shopping centre serving Shellharbour and the wider Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Stockland Shellharbour is a regional shopping centre in Shellharbour City Centre in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia. The complex originated as Shellharbour Square, which opened in November 1982 on land formerly used for public housing. Its original offer combined department-store and supermarket anchors with a large collection of specialty retailers, including Kmart, Coles New World, Franklins, Best & Less and W. Waters and Son hardware. The opening centre contained approximately 28,222 square metres of retail space and provided about 2,000 car spaces. The centre changed ownership during the late 1980s when GIO Insurance acquired Shellharbour Square for $63 million in November 1988. A major redevelopment began in April 1997 and was completed in 1998. The $45 million project expanded retail floor area to approximately 39,760 square metres and added Target, a larger Franklins Big Fresh supermarket, a fresh-food market, a 300-seat food court and roughly 40 additional specialty stores. During the following decade the tenant mix continued to change: Franklins was replaced by Bi-Lo in 2002, while the former W. Waters and Son hardware tenancy was taken over by Allens Stores and later by Harris Scarfe. Stockland acquired the centre in June 2003 and renamed it Stockland Shellharbour. The acquisition placed the property within Stockland's Australian retail property portfolio and began the centre's association with one of Australia's major diversified property groups. The most significant physical transformation in its history followed in the 2010s. Stockland commenced construction in December 2010 on a redevelopment reported at a cost of $330 million. The project involved partial demolition, a substantial expansion, relocation of major retailers and the creation of new public-facing spaces. Its first stage opened on 10 July 2012 with relocated Kmart and Coles stores and 43 specialty retailers. Harris Scarfe temporarily closed in February 2013 to facilitate the redevelopment works. The renewed centre reached its major opening phase in May 2013. A two-level Myer department store opened on 11 May, while the broader grand opening took place on 18 May. The expansion introduced a city square, the alfresco dining precinct known as The Avenue, an expanded fresh-food market, a new plaza entrance, child-play areas, a community stage and a multi-function space intended for community and recreational use. New or relocated retailers included Myer, Harris Scarfe, Woolworths, JB Hi-Fi, Coles and Kmart, taking the centre's retail offer to approximately 220 stores at that point. The centre continues to combine shopping, dining, entertainment and community functions. Its major retailers include Myer, Harris Scarfe, Kmart, Target, Coles, Woolworths, Cotton On, JB Hi-Fi and Timezone. Timezone opened a venue on level one on 6 May 2021, adding arcade entertainment, virtual-reality attractions and Spin Zone bumper cars. The centre has approximately 81,880 square metres of floor space and multi-level parking for 3,607 vehicles. It is connected by bus services to surrounding communities including Barrack Point, Oak Flats, Unanderra and Wollongong. Oak Flats railway station on the South Coast line is the nearest rail connection, located roughly a 34-minute walk or four-minute drive away. In 2025, adjacent Shellharbour Civic Plaza underwent improvement works including a new customer lift, paving repairs, beautification and awning upgrades.
History
Stockland Shellharbour began as Shellharbour Square, a shopping centre opened in November 1982 in Shellharbour City Centre. The original development was created by Girvan Corporation Ltd on former public housing land. Its initial tenant mix included Kmart, Coles New World, Franklins, Best & Less, W. Waters and Son hardware and 96 specialty stores. The centre provided about 28,222 square metres of retail space and approximately 2,000 car spaces. Shellharbour Square was offered for sale in September 1988 and acquired by GIO Insurance on 11 November for $63 million. A substantial redevelopment commenced in April 1997 and was completed in 1998. The $45 million project increased retail floor area to approximately 39,760 square metres. It added a Target discount department store, a larger Franklins Big Fresh supermarket, a fresh-food market, a 300-seat food court and around 40 specialty stores. Tenant changes continued in the early 2000s. Franklins closed in 2002 and its space was taken by Bi-Lo. The W. Waters and Son hardware store also closed that year and was replaced by Allens Stores. Allens Stores was acquired by Harris Scarfe in 2004, and the tenancy adopted the Harris Scarfe name in 2008. Stockland acquired the centre in June 2003 and renamed it Stockland Shellharbour. The centre subsequently became part of Stockland's retail property portfolio. In December 2010, Stockland began a reported $330 million redevelopment involving expansion, partial demolition and the relocation of major stores. Harris Scarfe closed on 9 February 2013 to make way for the works. The first stage opened on 10 July 2012, featuring relocated Kmart and Coles stores together with 43 specialty stores. The redeveloped centre's principal opening period occurred in May 2013. A two-level Myer opened on 11 May, followed by the centre's grand opening on 18 May. The project added a city square, The Avenue alfresco dining precinct, a new plaza entrance on the south-western side, an expanded fresh-food market, child-play areas, a community stage and a multi-function space for passive recreation and smaller community activities. The completed scheme accommodated about 220 stores and included new or relocated tenants such as Myer, Harris Scarfe, Woolworths, JB Hi-Fi, Coles and Kmart. In the 2020s, the centre broadened its leisure offer. Timezone opened on 6 May 2021 with arcade games, virtual reality and Spin Zone bumper cars. Stockland Shellharbour currently has approximately 81,880 square metres of floor space and 3,607 parking spaces. Bus services connect it with Barrack Point, Oak Flats, Unanderra, Wollongong and nearby areas. Oak Flats station on the South Coast railway line is the nearest rail station. Improvement works at the neighbouring Shellharbour Civic Plaza began in February 2025 and included a new customer lift, paving repairs, beautification and awning works.
- 2025
Civic Plaza improvements
[1]Upgrade works began at the adjacent Shellharbour Civic Plaza, including access, paving and amenity improvements.
- 2021
Timezone launches
[1]The entertainment operator opened a level-one venue with arcade, virtual-reality and bumper-car attractions.
- 2013
Redeveloped centre opens
[1]Myer opened on 11 May and the expanded centre held its grand opening on 18 May.
- 2012
Redevelopment first stage opens
[1]Relocated Kmart and Coles stores and 43 specialty stores opened on 10 July.
- 2010
Major redevelopment starts
[1]Stockland commenced construction on the centre's largest redevelopment, reported at $330 million.
- 2003
Stockland takes ownership
[1]Stockland acquired the property and adopted the Stockland Shellharbour name.
- 1998
First major expansion completed
[1]The centre gained additional retail space, a fresh-food market, food court and new anchor and specialty retailers.
- 1997
Redevelopment begins
[1]Work began on a $45 million redevelopment that was completed the following year.
- 1988
GIO Insurance acquisition
[1]GIO Insurance acquired Shellharbour Square for a reported $63 million.
- 1982
Shellharbour Square opens
[1]The original shopping centre opened in November with major supermarkets, a department store and 96 specialty stores.
Products and positioning
A large regional shopping and lifestyle destination combining major department stores, supermarkets, specialty retail, dining, entertainment and community-oriented public spaces for Shellharbour and the broader Illawarra catchment.
Department stores · 2013
Major department stores
The centre's department-store offer includes Myer, a two-level department store opened as part of the 2013 redevelopment, together with discount department retail through Kmart and Target. These stores provide apparel, homewares, beauty, general merchandise and seasonal products.
Grocery retail · 2013
Supermarkets and fresh food
Coles and Woolworths anchor the grocery offer, supported by a fresh-food market and prepared-food operators. Coles was relocated during the major redevelopment, while the expanded fresh-food market became part of the centre's 2013 dining and convenience proposition.
Fashion and specialty stores · 1982
Fashion and specialty retail
The centre contains a broad specialty-retail mix serving everyday regional shopping needs, including fashion, apparel, footwear, beauty, health, services and general merchandise. Named fashion and lifestyle tenants have included Harris Scarfe and Cotton On.
Electronics and leisure · 2021
Consumer electronics and entertainment
JB Hi-Fi provides consumer-electronics and entertainment retail. Timezone adds an experiential leisure offer with arcade games, virtual reality and Spin Zone bumper cars, operating from a level-one venue opened in 2021.
Dining · 2013
The Avenue dining precinct
The Avenue is an alfresco dining precinct introduced through the 2013 redevelopment. It forms part of the centre's city-square concept and complements the internal food court and fresh-food market with outdoor-oriented dining and gathering space.
Brand decisions
2021
Timezone entertainment venue launchProduct launchBackground
The centre sought to strengthen its entertainment and family-leisure offer alongside retail and dining.
Action taken
Timezone opened a level-one venue with Spin Zone bumper cars, virtual reality and arcade games.
Aftermath
The venue added an experiential entertainment component to the centre's tenant mix.
2010
Comprehensive Stockland Shellharbour redevelopmentStrategyBackground
Stockland planned a substantial expansion and modernization of the centre after acquiring it in 2003.
Action taken
Construction began on an expansion and partial demolition program, including relocated anchor stores, a city square, alfresco dining, a new entrance, play areas and community facilities.
Aftermath
The first stage opened in 2012 and the expanded centre held its main opening phase in May 2013, with about 220 stores.
Redevelopment cost. $330 million (2010-2013)
1997
Redevelopment of Shellharbour SquareStrategyBackground
The original centre required a larger and more varied retail offer to serve the growing regional catchment.
Action taken
A reported $45 million redevelopment expanded the retail area and added Target, a larger supermarket format, a fresh-food market, a food court and additional specialty stores.
Aftermath
The project was completed in 1998 and increased the centre's retail floor area to approximately 39,760 square metres.
Redevelopment cost. $45 million (1997-1998)
Recent events
- 2025
Shellharbour Civic Plaza upgrade works begin[1]
Other
Works beside the centre began in February and included a customer lift, paving repairs, general beautification and awning improvements, with completion reported in June.
- 2021
Timezone opens at Stockland Shellharbour[1]
Product launch
Timezone opened on level one on 6 May, offering arcade games, virtual reality attractions and Spin Zone bumper cars.
- 2013
Expanded Stockland Shellharbour reaches grand opening[1]
Product launch · Other
The redeveloped centre's major opening phase in May introduced Myer, The Avenue dining precinct, an expanded fresh-food market, a city square and additional community facilities.
- 2012
First stage of redevelopment opens[1]
Product launch · Other
The first stage opened on 10 July with relocated Kmart and Coles stores and 43 specialty retailers.
- 2010
Stockland begins major Shellharbour redevelopment[1]
Other
Construction began on a reported $330 million expansion and partial redevelopment involving new public spaces, relocated anchor stores and a larger retail footprint.
- 2003
Stockland acquires and renames Shellharbour Square[1]
M&A · Leadership change
Stockland acquired Shellharbour Square in June and changed its name to Stockland Shellharbour.
- 1998
Shellharbour Square redevelopment expands retail offer[1]
Other
A $45 million redevelopment increased the centre's retail area and added Target, an enlarged supermarket, a fresh-food market, a food court and additional specialty stores.
- 1988
GIO Insurance acquires Shellharbour Square[1]
M&A
GIO Insurance acquired Shellharbour Square in November for a reported $63 million.
- 1982
Shellharbour Square opens with major retailers and specialty stores[1]
Other
The shopping centre opened in November under the Shellharbour Square name, with Kmart, Coles New World, Franklins, Best & Less, W. Waters and Son and 96 specialty stores.
Sources2 sources
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