Nestled on the south side of Sydney is the coastal town of Wollongong. It won’t be wrong at all to refer to this place as a true gem on the coastline of New South Wales. Being such an attractive township, it has some of the most spectacular beaches around, making it a place worth visiting. Being the 10th largest city in Australia, along with the beachfronts, you will find a number of bars and comfy cafes, and multiple festivals take place throughout the year.
Fondly known as ‘the Gong,’ this city has so much to offer its visitors that covering every destination isn’t possible at all. But what is possible is to have a list of the top worthy places and the activities that one can engage in to make the most of their time in this wonderful city. You can witness a number of spectacular arts and iconic attractions that are made by some of the most talented local artists. With it, the possibilities of all sorts of adventurous activities that one can indulge themselves in are also quite high.
Keep reading to learn more about the best time to visit Wollongong, what you should take with you, where to stay, and what to do to make the most of your time there.
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The Best Time To Visit Wollongong
The weather in Wollongong remains fairly pleasant throughout the year, so you can visit at any time. However, late spring and early summer may be the best times to visit because of the nice weather and the views. Late spring and summer in the city (November and December) offer the best in terms of temperature and rainfall and are an ideal time for visiting the beaches and appreciating the surrounding natural beauty. Summer in Wollongong lasts from December to February and is characterised by hot and humid weather.
What to pack
Before deciding what to pack for your trip to Wollongong, you need to take into account the environment of the city and the weather when you are planning your trip. If opting to go in the summertime (December–February), opt for light and breathable clothing like t-shirts, shorts, skirts, and sundresses. Don’t forget to bring a swimmers and beach cover-up if you plan to go to the beach. With it, you can carry a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen to stay safe from the strong sun.
Carrying comfortable walking shoes is also advisable, as it allows the individual to explore the city and its surroundings in a much better way. In the autumn, it could be a mixture of cool and warm days; thus, it’s advised to pack the clothes accordingly to avoid any sort of inconvenience. For winter, it could get a bit chilly at night, so it’s advised to pack some warm clothes that will protect you from the cold. It would include sweaters, jackets, long pants, and other stuff. For spring, again, you need a mixture of clothes. Other than these, you can keep the following stuff with you:
- Water bottle
- Camera
- Toiletries and medications
- Cash for small purchases
Where To Stay In Wollongong
When it comes to accommodations, not everyone has the same preference. While some might prefer staying close to nature, they would prefer staying near the beach, which would also cost them a bit less money. Others might prefer transportation convenience and would go with stay options near the airport only. Thus, at first, one needs to see their preferences, and based on them, one needs to see which locations would be appropriate for them. To make it easy for you to choose a desirable option for yourself, take a look at the following accommodation options:
1. Best Western City Sands
Situated within the Wollongong Golf Club comes a 4-star Wollongong hotel, i.e., Best Western City Sands. The reason why this is the most preferred accommodation option in Wollongong is because of its exceptional location, which makes it just a five-minute drive from the Wollongong CBD. It features a total of 20 contemporary one- and two-bedroom apartments offering all-inclusive views of the ocean and the escarpment. All the rooms consist of facilities such as a spacious living area, a large private balcony, a kitchenette, and broadband Internet access. With it, they also offer suitable areas for arranging seminars, conferences, functions, and other formal gatherings.
Name | Best Western City Sands |
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Address | Corner Of Bank And, Corrimal St, Wollongong NSW 2500, Australia |
Website | bestwestern.com/best-western-city-sands/ |
Direction | maps.app.goo.gl/h66DmPz93B |
Opening Hours | Check-in time: 2:00 pm Check-out time: 10:00 am |
Facilities | Free Wi-Fi | Free parking | Wheelchair Accessible | Beach access | Room service | Bar | Golf course | Child friendly |
2. Downtown Motel
Rooms at the Downtown Motel start at only $88 a night; a total 30 air-conditioned rooms are there for all. This is the motel that is one of the most preferred ones by a number of visitors, as there’s so much to do nearby. Due to its location, it is just a five-minute drive from the beach and the Crown Street Mall. Other nearby attractions include a golf course, the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, an entertainment centre, shops, and popular bars and clubs. Making it convenient enough for everyone to have a great stay, they have the facility of in-room tea, coffee, and a toaster.
Name | Downtown Motel |
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Address | 76 Crown St, Wollongong NSW 2500, Australia |
Website | downtownmotel.com.au/ |
Direction | maps.app.goo.gl/hh3mWDzAjysyZUuL7 |
Opening Hours | Check-in time: 2:00 pm Check-out time: 10:00 am |
Facilities | Free Wi-Fi | Free parking | Beach access | Air-conditioned |
3. Novotel Wollongong
Carrying a rating of 4.5/5 comes the Novotel Wollongong, which is located just the opposite of the surf-patrolled beach. The windows in all the rooms give a complete panorama view to all individuals, allowing them to enjoy the marvellous sea and mountain views. to Due to its excellent location, it offers easy access to many of the best attractions in Wollongong, which consist of the Wollongong City Centre Heritage Trail, Wollongong Botanic Gardens, WIN Stadium, Wollongong City Gallery, the Illawara Brewery, and Nan Tien Temple. To make the most of your time, either go for a surf or a beachfront jog, then take a delicious breakfast while enjoying the astounding views of the ocean.
Name | Novotel Wollongong |
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Address | 2/14 Cliff Rd, North Wollongong NSW 2500, Australia |
Website | accor.com/hotel/1654/index.en.shtml? |
Direction | maps.app.goo.gl/JnXgPJy7ZQR |
Opening Hours | Check-in time: 2:00 pm Check-out time: 11:00 am |
Facilities | Paid Wi-Fi | Paid breakfast | Paid parking | Wheelchair Accessible | Outdoor pool | Laundry service | Beach access | Fitness centre | Golf course | Bar |
4. Sage Hotel Wollongong
For beach lovers, staying at the luxurious 4-star Sage Hotel Wollongong would be an optimal choice, as it’s just 100 metres away from Wollongong Beach. Due to its convenient location, accessing all various boutique cafes, restaurants, and the Crown St. Mall becomes easy. This accommodation is also great for couples, families, and corporates to stay at, with the facility of 24-hour reception, an outdoor heated 19-metre lap pool, and a fitness centre as well. What makes it more special for formal gatherings is their specially built meeting and conference rooms, which total 13 in number. These are perfect for organising meetings and conferences. The nearby attractions include the WIN Entertainment Center, Ted Tobin OAM Observation Deck, Lang Park, and MacCabe Park.
Name | Sage Hotel Wollongong |
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Address | 60/62 Harbour St, Wollongong NSW 2500, Australia |
Website | nexthotels.com/sage/wollongong/ |
Direction | maps.app.goo.gl/D2ympVCn83x |
Opening Hours | Check-in time: 2:00 pm Check-out time: 10:00 am |
Facilities | Free Wi-Fi | Paid breakfast | Parking | Wheelchair Accessible | Pool | Air-conditioned | Laundry service | Pet-friendly | Beach access | Child friendly | Restaurant | Airport shuttle | Fitness centre | Bar | Smoke-free |
5. The Belmore Apartments Hotel
With a total of 34 rooms of various varieties, The Belmore Apartments Hotel. The varieties that they offer consist of studio rooms, one-bedroom apartments, and two-bedroom apartments. Making them more special comes their room service facility, which is provided on a daily basis. All of the rooms are spacious and convenient, which really offers great value for the price paid. The amenities provided at their accommodation make them a perfect option for both long- and short-term accommodation. The nearby places worth visiting include WIN Sports & Entertainment Centre, Palm Tree Up a Pole – Wollongong, Lang Park, and Ted Tobin OAM Observation Deck.
Name | The Belmore Apartments Hotel |
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Address | 39 Smith St, Wollongong NSW 2500, Australia |
Website | www.belmore.net/ |
Direction | maps.app.goo.gl/htUeRTinGhphfoqJA |
Opening Hours | Check-in time: 2:00 pm Check-out time: 10:00 am |
Facilities | Free Wi-Fi | Free parking | Wheelchair Accessible | Air-conditioned | Child friendly | Restaurant |
What To Do In Wollongong
The city of Wollongong is really a gem, as it has an abundance of attractions and adventurous activities to engage in. Ranging from cultural landmarks, admiring the wildlife, having fun at an action park, to simply relaxing at the beach, each activity will surely give you a feeling of amazement. So get ready to embrace the wonders that this astonishing city of ‘Gong’ entails.
1. Enjoy a Food Extravaganza Night at Your Hotel
After reaching your chosen hotel, it is advised to spend the first night getting refreshed and planning what to do in the upcoming days. Either you can go with the food available at your hotel only, or if you are someone who isn’t fond of the hotel food, consider trying out the food available at your nearby restaurants. For sure, it will be the perfect way to begin your trip to Wollongong.
2. Pay A Visit To The Animals At Symbio Wildlife Park
For those looking to spend some quality time with their family on a trip, go visit the Symbio Wildlife Park. Situated north of Wollongong, this park covers an area of 16 acres and offers all of its visitors an exclusive opportunity to get a close-up with a number of animals, consisting of native Australian ones as well as other ones like Meerkats, tigers, red pandas, and tamarin monkeys. The whole of the environment is filled with manicured greenery and gardens. They also offer animal experiences and interactions with animals. With it, a petting zoo with farm animals is also available at their place.
3. Go Hang Gliding With Hangglideoz
Those looking to do something really adventurous can go hang gliding at the Hangglideoz. It is assured to give you an experience of a lifetime. For some of the most amazing views, you can take off from various points, like Bald Hill in Stanwell Park and Hill 60 in Wollongong. All the members at Hangglideoz are fully professional and make up a first-class team. They have been active in the industry since 1987, making them a trustworthy name to count on when looking to learn to fly.
4. Explore Your Spiritual Side At The Fo Guang Shan Nan Tien Temple
Gather your senses for prayers and open your heart at the Fo Guang Shan Nan Tien Temple. It’s a Buddhist temple that is a branch of the Taiwanese Fo Guang Shan Buddhist order, founded in 1967 by Hsing Yun. Under the guidance of their master, Venerable Master Hsing Yun, they preach to all of their devotees to bring happiness, faith, hope, and convenience to others around them. This temple also hosts a number of retreats, classes, and events for everyone to learn more about Buddhism. Those seeking to help out the temple authority in their good cause can do so by giving donations as per their capacity.
5. Have A Fun-Filled Day At Jamberoo Action Park
Located just a half hour from Wollongong, Jamberoo Action Park is a seasonal water theme park that is operational from September to April. Set against the backdrop of the Illawarra escarpment, this action park features fun water slides and rides for the whole family. Being NSW’s largest family-owned and operated water theme park, the rides that they offer are really world-class, making them a worthy consideration for everyone to spend leisure time with. They also have the facility of groups and ticket bundles, which are a great option for a group of 20 or more people. Celebrating your kids’ birthday party or choosing it for a school excursion is also a viable choice.
6. Relax At The Beach
As referred to by the locals, the beaches that Wollongong has are some of the most wonderful beaches in all of New South Wales. What makes these beaches more interesting is the lack of crowds. The top two beaches on the charts are North Beach and Wollongong City Beach, and other magnificent choices include Sandon Point Beach, Bulli Beach, Thirroul Beach, and Stanwell Park Beach. All these beaches have their own specialities and feature a number of adventurous activities that one can engage in.
7. Hike Up To The Sublime Point For Magnificent Views
Sublime Point is a summit on the Illawarra Escarpment west of Austinmer in Wollongong. A steep 45-minute climb leads to Sublime Point, from which you get stunning views of the ocean and the Wollongong harbour. Other possibilities include securing some great birdwatching and scenic views across the Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area. For experienced bushwalkers, it would be a great escape in nature that would give them a view over the whole of the town, admiring the greenery and vibrant colours.
8. Take a Walk in the Wollongong Botanic Centre
Relax your senses with a soothing walk in the Wollongong Botanic Centre. The botanic centre offers neatly landscaped gardens as well as native and exotic plants and shrubbery to explore. This garden is spread over an area of 19 hectares and features a wide collection of plants to explore. They also teach people the importance of conservation and sustainable living as a part of their garden discovery tours that run on a weekly basis. Wheelchair access is also given at their place to help disabled people explore their surroundings in a better way. To keep the kids entertained, the centre features a playground with an entertaining maze and a climbing net.
9. Take A Look At The Wollongong Art Gallery
Wollongong does not disappoint the art connoisseur with its art gallery. The Wollongong Art Gallery is one of the largest regional art museums in Australia and is managed by the Wollongong City Council. At this time, there are a total of around 3,257 works that date back to 1831. The collection consists of art pieces from collections like the Mann-Tatlow Collection of Asian Art, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art, and Contemporary Art. They feature a permanent collection as well as regularly changing exhibitions. Their main aim is to boost the appreciation and understanding of visual arts for the people of Illawarra and the nearby areas.
Summary points
Despite carrying scepticism around its name’s origin, one thing is sure: Wollongong is full of astonishing places and activities to engage in. The real charm of this city lies in its ability to combine convenience with natural beauty and coastal bliss. You can go on admiring the crystal-clear water on the various beaches, go on adventure hikes at various parks and gardens, present your prayers at the temple, or simply explore an art gallery. Irrespective of your companion, all available options are going to give you a once-in-a lifetime experience. So pack your stuff and get going with your trip to Wollongong.
Frequently Asked Questions
In brief, a 4-day trip to Wollongong would be enough, as it will provide you with an opportunity to see what all this amazing city has to offer. This way, you will be able to see all the main highlights that this place entails. The options available really would be numerous, as they offer you opportunities like visiting the famous Wollongong Harbour, relaxing at the beach, strolling in the Wollongong botanic garden, and much more. If you have more days, you will be entitled to dive deep into more of Wollongong’s attractions, like the historic Nan Tien Temple or the coastal villages like Kiama and Thirroul.
Yes, visiting Wollongong is definitely a great choice, as it entails a number of worthy attractions that one can see and experience. Being a coastal city, several options are there. The distinctive environment over there consists of pristine beaches, lush rainforests, amazing museums, some of the most fantastic food, etc. No matter if you’re a solo traveller or visiting this city as a family, one thing is for sure: you are going to get the best experience of your life.
There are a number of reasons why Wollongong is so renowned. Some of the top attractions that this city hosts include a range of stunning beaches, the natural beauty it entails, the University of Wollongong, Nan Tien Temple, etc. In addition to that, it also has a rich history of coal mining and industry, along with being the regional centre for the South Coast fishing industry.
The cost of living in Wollongong is quite reasonable, which means one can focus on other important aspects other than just the finances. On average, the cost of living in a two-bedroom apartment would cost an individual around $600 on a weekly basis, and it would sum up to $2,300. This figure might vary based on the alterations made to the expenses of an individual.
Wollongong is an amazing coastal city situated in the south of Sydney, Australia, that is well-known for the relaxed atmosphere, natural beauty, and stunning beaches it hosts. Many times, it’s referred to as a coastal paradise by its admirers. It really is a nature lover’s escape, as it entails a number of natural wonders that one can visit for leisure. Along with this, this city is also a cultural hub, as it offers a surprising amount of culture, like the Nan Tien Temple, the Wollongong Art Gallery, and the Wollongong Botanic Garden as well.
It’s not easy to find the origin of the word Wollongong, but there are two theories based on it. As per the first theory, the name Wollongong is said to be taken from the Aboriginal word “woolyungah” of the Dharawal language, which stands for five islands. The other theory states that Wollongong might be an onomatopoeic word that stands for “imitating a sound.” This sound might be linked with “Sound of the Sea.”.
The main reason why people choose Wollongong over other cities is the low cost of living that people experience while living there. The overall cost of rent, food, and entertainment in this coastal city is much less than what it is in capital cities like Sydney and Melbourne. This makes it very convenient for students to continue with their studies. Other than that, this place hosts an attractive coastal location along with being a cultural gem.
One can’t strictly define Wollongong as rural or urban, as it’s considered a regional city or sometimes a rural and residential area. This city has a number of industrial, commercial, and port areas that boast a population density and infrastructure typical of urban areas, while the outskirts and surrounding areas carry a more rural character.