RIVA's first release takes shape beside the Macquarie Rivulet

Calderwood sits between the Illawarra Escarpment and the coast, and has become one of the region's fastest-growing communities. Running alongside part of it is the Macquarie Rivulet, and that stretch of water is what sets RIVA apart from the rest of the suburb.

Developed by Abadeen, RIVA is the only precinct in Calderwood with extensive frontage to the rivulet. The masterplan has been shaped around the waterway rather than simply placed beside it, with landscaped parklands, open space and walking trails threaded through the estate and expansive views back to the escarpment.

"At RIVA Calderwood we've started with the landscape," Abadeen Executive Chairman Justin Brown said. "The Macquarie Rivulet provides the opportunity to create something unique, with parks, walking trails and open spaces carefully integrated into the masterplan."

About RIVA Calderwood

Riva spans 41.7 hectares and will deliver around 230 land lots. Abadeen is delivering the project in partnership with Mitsubishi Estate Asia, a subsidiary of Japanese developer Mitsubishi Estate, building on the pair's earlier collaboration at the Putney Wharf Harbourfront Precinct in Sydney.

Plans for the community include a new district park, children's playgrounds, outdoor fitness facilities and landscaped walking trails. A new bridge across the Macquarie Rivulet will also provide a connection towards Shellharbour's beaches, retail, dining and entertainment precincts.

Closer to home, Calderwood Village Centre is only moments away, with Woolworths and everyday essentials within a few minutes. Shellharbour's beaches are approximately 15 minutes from the estate, and Shellharbour Town Centre and Marina are within easy reach.

Land across RIVA ranges from 300 square metres to more than 2,000 square metres, taking in standard residential lots through to larger lifestyle lots, and much of it is level. Buyers can purchase land only or choose from house and land packages with a selection of builders.

"Whether you're purchasing your first block of land, building your forever family home or looking for a larger lifestyle property, RIVA Calderwood offers genuine choice," Brown said.

Read more: Abadeen and Mitsubishi Estate Asia Partner to Deliver RIVA Calderwood

Builders in the Illawarra region

A number of established NSW builders operate across the South Coast and the wider Sydney region, giving buyers at RIVA a range of design and delivery approaches. That includes designs suited to larger lifestyle lots. Each of the builders below has house and land packages available at RIVA Calderwood.

Rawson Homes

Rawson Homes has been building homes since 1978, with more than 40 years of experience across NSW. Its building areas include Wollongong along with Sydney, Newcastle, the Hunter, the Central Coast and the ACT.

The builder offers two ways to build. Buyers can choose from a selected range of its most popular designs, or work with Rawson on a solution tailored to their specific needs. Rawson is backed by the Daiwa House Group, and its homes come with a lifetime structural guarantee and independent quality checks.

Eden Brae Homes

Eden Brae Homes was founded in 2000 and has more than 25 years of experience building in NSW. It offers new home designs, house and land packages and knockdown rebuilds, with design support through its Studio Eden selections service.

Its range is spread across four design series at different price points. Advantage and Lifestyle cover more accessible builds, Prestige caters to larger homes and EBXpress offers a faster delivery pathway. The builder has been named HIA Professional Major Builder of the Year 18 times.

Wisdom Homes

Wisdom Homes has been building since 1999 and is backed by the Sumitomo Forestry Group. Its structured, end-to-end process guides buyers from design and approvals through to construction and handover, with clear communication at each stage.

The builder’s single and double storey range includes designs suited to acreage lots, which could suit RIVA’s larger lifestyle lots. Buyers can personalise their selections at its Canvas Quarter selections studio, and homes are backed by a 25-year structural guarantee.

Bottom line

Release One is now selling off the plan, offering land lots between 369 and 567 square metres, with prices starting from $525,000. Stages 1A and 1B are under construction, with registration anticipated in the third quarter of 2027.