Wollongong is Australia’s tenth largest city, only 1.5 hours from Sydney. This charming seaside town has a fascinating mix of cultural and natural attractions, as well as delightful cafes, restaurants, bars, and pubs. Here are some of the amazing things to do in Wollongong.
1. Location of Wollongong city
Wollongong is a city in New South Wales, Australia, in the Illawarra region. Wollongong is located 85 kilometers (53 miles) south of central Sydney on the narrow coastal strip between the Illawarra Escarpment and the Pacific Ocean.
Unforgettable Things To Do In Wollongong For The Best Trip in 2023
1. Explore Bald Hill Lookout at Stanwell Tops
Stanwell Tops is located just past the Royal National Park on the Great Pacific Drive and should be your first stop when visiting this city. It’s a fantastic picnic spot with stunning views of the Sea Cliff Bridge and Stanwell Park beach. You’ll be snapping photos for the perfect shot!
If you stop at The Royal National Park along the way, you must see the Figure 8 Pools! This is one of Australia’s most unique pools!
Address: Bald Hill, Stanwell Tops New South Wales 2508, Australia
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2. Symbio Wildlife Park
Symbio Wildlife Park is great for getting up close and personal with kangaroos and other Australian wildlife. You can cuddle a koala, feed kangaroos, and take a selfie with some of the area’s wildlife. Just look at David Beckham’s selfies from his recent visit.
Address: 7-11 Lawrence Hargrave Dr, Helensburgh NSW 2508, Australia
3. Best things to do in Wollongong: Visit the stunning Sri Venkateswara Temple.
The Sri Venkateswara Temple in Helensburgh is an excellent Wollongong find. You can taste incredible authentic South Indian food here! The temple itself is breathtaking and well worth a visit.
Address: 1 Temple Rd, Helensburgh NSW, Australia
4. Kelly’s Falls Hike in Sydney
If you enjoy hiking, the Kelly’s Falls trail is direct across from the Sri Venkateswara Temple. This unknown hike is beautiful and has great picnic areas, but bring your swimmers and hiking boots. Don’t bring children because there is some difficult rock climbing along the way to the bottom.
Address: Helensburgh New South Wales
5. Hike to the Lookout on the Sea Cliff Bridge.
The Sea Cliff Bridge is New South Wales’ second most photographed bridge. Although it is possible to walk or drive across it on Grand Pacific Drive, there is also a secret lookout point that provides a different perspective.
I would not take children on the trail, and hiking boots rather than thongs are recommended.
Address: Clifton NSW 2515, Australia
6. Parallel paragliding if you are brave
If you are adventurous then you can try paragliding Hangglide Oz, which will take you right to Stanwell Tops for an unforgettable experience. The views of the Royal National Park and the coastal city of Wollongong are impressive.
7. Glow worms can be found in the Helensburgh Tunnel.
Another interesting thing to see in Helensburgh is the old Helensburgh tunnel and railway tracks. It’s famous for its haunted history and glows worms; you have to walk quite a distance in low lighting to see the magical glow worms.
Address: 2 Vera St, Helensburgh NSW 2508, Australia
8. Best things to do in Wollongong: View the lighthouse
Wollongong Harbour’s heritage-listed lighthouses include the Wollongong Breakwater Lighthouse and the Wollongong Head Lighthouse on Flagstaff Hill. The Wollongong Head lighthouse is still used today, guiding ships into Port Kembla Beach. Wollongong Harbour is the only place in Australia’s east with two lighthouses. There are numerous large grassy areas and picnic areas to relax and enjoy.
Address: Wollongong NSW 2500, Australia
9. Views from Sublime Point
The Sublime Point walking track is one of Wollongong’s most famous walks. The steep 45-minute climb to the top provides the most rewarding views of Wollongong harbour and the ocean.
If hiking isn’t your thing, you can drive up to Sublime Point Lookout, located just off the Princes Highway. If you’re walking, there’s a cafe at the top where you can get some refreshments.
Address: 661 Princes Hwy, Maddens Plains NSW
10. Visit the Southern Hemisphere’s largest Buddhist temple.
Did you know Wollongong is home to the Southern Hemisphere’s largest Buddhist temple? Nan Tien Temple is a stunning temple to walk around, and it also has a stunning cafe serving the best tea and Asian food.
Please be respectful when visiting Nan Tien Temple by covering your shoulders, arms, and above knees. If you’re looking for cheap day trips from Sydney, Nan Tien Temple is a great free thing to do in Wollongong.
Address: 180 Berkeley Rd, Berkeley NSW 2506, Australia
11. Take a stroll through the Wollongong Botanic Gardens.
The Wollongong Botanic Garden is a beautifully landscaped garden where you can spend hours. Unsurprisingly, it’s consistently ranked as one of the best things to do in Wollongong. It not only has numerous paths for exploring native and exotic plants and lush vegetation, but it also has a fantastic playground for the kids to enjoy, complete with a climbing net and a maze.
Address: 40 Murphys Ave, Keiraville NSW 2500, Australia
12. Visit the NSW Rail Museum and ride a heritage steam train.
Just 45 minutes inland, you’ll find the NSW Rail Museum, which houses an extensive collection of heritage trains that used to travel throughout NSW. Every weekend, you can ride their heritage steam train and experience what it was like back then. They also have a full calendar of events, including Thomas the Tank Engine exhibitions!
Address: 10 Barbour Rd, Thirlmere NSW 2572, Australia
13. Things to do in Wollongong: Check out the world’s largest blow hole.
The Kiama blowhole in New South Wales is a popular tourist attraction, attracting nearly 1 million visitors yearly. A thirty-minute drive down the road will take you to the world’s largest blowhole.
Kiama has two blowholes, the larger one near the Wollongong Head lighthouse and the smaller one 2 kilometers south along the coastal walk. Get splashed by the blowhole at the right time and then relax on beautiful beaches like Wollongong City Beach or North Beach.
Address: Kiama New South Wales 2533, Australia
14. Fly Tree Walk in Illawarra
The award-winning Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures is only a 35-minute drive from Kiama. It is also one of the Illawarra region’s premier Treetop Walk and Zipline Experiences.
Ziplining is fantastic for thrill seekers, but if the stomach-dropping sensation isn’t for you, there’s a treetop walk to enjoy the scenery.
Address: 182 Knights Hill Rd, Knights Hill NSW 2577, Australia
15. Jump Rock Waterfall on Macquarie Pass
A beautiful 30-minute hike over to Jump Rock in Macquarie Pass is only a 25-minute drive from Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures.
When you arrive at Jump Rock, you’ll find the most beautiful swimming area, with jumping platforms. It’s fun for kids and adults alike, but be cautious and read our guide to the Best Swimming Holes and Waterfalls in Sydney, which includes directions.
The drive back over the Macquarie Pass to Wollongong is so beautiful that you’ll be hanging out the window and taking as many photos as you can.
16. Having a good time at Jamberoo Water Park
Jamberoo Action Park is a fantastic day trip from Sydney during the summer for everyone and consistently ranks among the best things to do in Wollongong.
Jamberoo Action Park, located in the country on the outskirts of the Southern Highlands, is a great day trip for the whole family and is only a 30-minute drive from Wollongong. Bring your swimmers and get ready to have a good time on the water slides!
Address: 1215 Jamberoo Rd, Jamberoo NSW 2533, Australia
17. Science Space will take your breath away.
Science Space, with its massive planetarium, interactive exhibits, and exciting calendar of new events and shows, is a must-see when looking for things to do in Wollongong! To immerse you in the story of the Universe, the planetarium has a 4k laser system and a sci-fi cinema. Science Space is a fantastic day out for both adults and children.
Address: Innovation Campus, 60 Squires Way, North Wollongong NSW 2500, Australia
18. Enjoy a day at the beach.
You could spend a few days visiting every beach and swimming hole along the coast from The Royal National Park to Wollongong and be a pleased person.
19. Things to do in Wollongong: Enjoy delectable food markets.
Eat Street markets are held every Thursday at Forage Markets in Wollongong, and Forage Fridays are held weekly at Bulli Beach. Support local farmers and vendors while sampling the best street food or stocking up on fresh farm food for the week. Their Sunday forage markets in Bulli (a 10-minute drive away) also feature the best vintage and handmade craft stalls, allowing you to support local artists and sellers.
20. SUP Boarding will put your balance to the test.
If you’ve never tried SUP boarding before, the calm waters of Lake Illawarra are the ideal place to practice before returning to Sydney to show off your new skills to your friends. Hire a board from SUP Shellharbour and work on your core strength, or float and sunbathe; there are no rules here.
21. Continue Your Journey
This city is an excellent starting point for a fantastic road trip along the South Coast. If rolling hills and heritage towns are more your style, head inland and use our guide to the vast but stunning Southern Highlands to plan your road trip.
22. The Scarborough Hotel is a great place to end the day.
The Scarborough Hotel quickly has Sydney’s best beer garden, so it’s no surprise that it’s on the list of best things to do in Wollongong. It appears unassuming, but once inside, you’ll notice a large garden out the back that sits on top of the cliffs. People sit on the grass while their children play, and it’s the kind of pub where you could spend all day relaxing in the sun.
23. Investigate the Minnamurra rainforest.
Minnamurra rainforest in Budderoo National Park, for cascading waterfalls and breathtaking views. It is the ideal location for getting away from the city and going bushwalking or bird watching.
24. Pay a visit to the Trainworks Museum.
Trainworks is the best railway museum in Australia. The Thirlmere train museum houses an important rail heritage collection. It houses over 100 historical items related to the history of railways in New South Wales.
The Thirlmere Railway Museum is the best place to visit in Wollongong for railway enthusiasts.
25. Take a Helicopter Flight
A scenic flight over the Jamberoo Valley will take you to the spectacular Carrington and Gerringong Falls. The stunning cliff faces and gorges of NSW’s Great Dividing Range are revealed in this bird’s-eye view of mountains, ocean, and rainforests.
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