Clifton is a rural and residential area mainly along the coast. Clifton is bounded by locality of Coalcliff in the north, Tasman Sea in the east, the locality of Austinmer, the railway line, Wards Creek and Lady Fuller Park in the south and the Illawarra Coast Range in the west. Growth took place in the 1880's, spurred by the establishment of coal mining, with villages established around the coal mines.

Major Features include Moronga Park, Rube Hargrave Park and Clifton School of Arts.