Whether you are planning a weekend escape or your next holiday, Wollongong is the ideal destination. With a great mix of metropolitan style and seaside living, you will find something fun to do. Located only 1.5 hours south of Sydney, it's an easy drive, with stunning lookouts along the way.
View from Bald Hill
Wollongong has 17 beaches, the most popular being North Wollongong Beach (also known as North Beach) and South Wollongong Beach (also referred to South Beach or City Beach).
North Beach has a number of rock pools, is patrolled by lifeguards and very accessible with car parks and bike paths. You will find great picnic facilities and wading swimming pools, which are ideal for small children, shops, cafes, amenities and children's playground
South Beach backs onto an extensive reserve, which includes a restaurant, football field and golf course. Flagstaff Point located near the beach has parking, grassy areas and picnic facilities.
Other beaches in the area include:
Stanwell Park Beach
Coalcliff Beach
Coledale Beach
Austinmer Beach
Thirroul Beach
Bulli beach
Woonona Beach
Corrimal Beach
Toradgi Beach
Austinmer Beach
Coalcliff Beach
Address: Grand Pacific Drive, Stanwell Park
Stanwell Park is one of Australia's most photographed beaches as The Lawrence Hargraves Lookout on the northern end provides an incredible view of the beach and the coast. Stanwell Park has a lovely picnic area, which backs onto the beach, excellent amenities, a great café/kiosk and playground. The area offers plenty of green areas for ball games and you can watch hang gliders circle above and then land on the beach. Stanwell Park is a top BBQ spot and ideal for family outings. Find out more about
Stanwell Park
Stanwell Park Beach Reserve
Address: Murphys Avenue, Keiraville
Wollongong Botanic Gardens feature a large variety of flowering plants from around the world including a Rose Garden, Azalea Bank, Rainforest, Herb Garden to name just a few. Entry to the gardens is free and during school holidays they run special programs for children. Opening hours are 7am to 5pm weekdays and 10am to 5pm on the weekends. There are no cafes, so best bring your food and drinks, although there is a mobile café which has a small selection of snacks, ice creams and coffees. For kids, the Gardens offer a great enclosed and covered playground.
Wollongong Botanic Gardens
Address: Bald Hill Headland Reserve, Otford Road, Stanwell Park
If you are a bit of a daredevil, then you will want to try tandem hang gliding with Hangglide Oz. Take off from Bald Hill and land at Stanwell Park Beach. Before you take off, the instructor will provide a briefing and a harness check. Then take a few steps and you are off flying, with one of the most experienced tandem instructors. Find out more about
tandem hang gliding.
Tandem Hang Gliding
Address: Northfields Avenue, Wollongong
The Science Centre is located at the Innovation Campus of University of Wollongong and offers over 100 hands on exhibits relating to various themes such as energy & motion, dinosaurs & fossils and nanotechnology. If you are interested in astronomy, the Bluescope Steel Planetarium is for you. The planetarium features re-creations of the night sky from around the world and also several laser shows. Daily opening hours are 10am to 4pm.
Jamberoo Action Park
Jamberoo Road, Jamberoo
Located 20 minutes south of Wollongong, Jamberoo is NSW's best water park. It is suitable for kids of all ages and offers great thrill rides & slides for adults as well. Some of the popular rides include The Taipan, the Outback Bay Wave Pool, Surf Hill, Rapid River and the Rock.
Entry fee includes all rides and there is a BBQ and picnic area, where you can prepare your own lunch. Alternatively, choose one of several cafes / kiosks which offer a variety of food options. Jamberoo Action Park is open from September to April. Find out more about
Jamberoo Action Park.
Jamberoo Action Park
Whether you are looking for a family getaway or a romantic break, you will find something exciting to do in Wollongong. Visit lasminute.com.au or wotif.com and get a great deal on accommodation in this lovely part of the world.
