Wollongong

Wollongong NSW 2500 (Pop 229 000)
Pic: Matt Malone

Wollongong is Australia’s 8^th largest city located just 80km south of Sydney. Located in the stunning Illawarra region, it boasts many beautiful beaches, a stunning escarpment and scenic coastal bushland.  Original inhabitants were the Dharwal Aborigines with white settlement beginning in early 1800s with cedar cutters and then graziers. From a history of farming, coal mining and steel making, have emerged new industries – manufacturing, tourism, IT and education.  Markets held in Harbour St each Thurs & Sat. Viva la Gong, a celebration of the city (Mar) and Harbourfest (Nov).

Tourist Attractions & Info: 
Illawarra Historical Society Museum, Market St. Open (12-3pm) Thurs/weekends. Wollongong City Gallery, cnr Burelli & Kembla Sts has a fine collection of historic and contemporary Aboriginal and European artworks. Wollongong Botanic Gardens, Northfields Ave. Keiraville includes 27 ha of beautiful gardens, amongst them a woodland garden and sunken rose garden. The 1930s Brae Glennifer Manor House sits adjacent and is now home to the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music. Wollongong Harbour is home to the city’s large fishing fleet and Breakwater Lighthouse.

Nearby:
Royal NP (35 km north) This magnificent 15 000 ha park is the country’s oldest and the world’s second oldest (after Yellowstone in the US). It offers over 100 km of walking tracks and spectacular coastal views with a huge habitat diversity. Lake Illawarra (5 km south) stretches from the Pacific Ocean to the Illawarra Range foothills and offers great fishing, prawning and sailing.  Nan Tien Temple (5 km sw). The translation of the name is ‘Southern Paradise’ and this is the largest Buddhist temple in the southern hemisphere. This ‘orthodox’ temple holds regular weekend retreats and various festivals throughout the year. Port Kembla (10 km south) major iron and steel works. Lawrence Hargrave Memorial & Lookout (36 km north) site of the early aviator’s first flight attempt and now popular for hang-gliding. Garawarra State Conservation Area (38 km n) a 900 ha park of rainforest pockets, heathlands, echidnas and lyrebirds. Good bushwalking. Heathcote NP (40 km north) a truly scenic 2 250 ha park of rocky bushland, hidden pools and diverse habitats.

Visitor Information Centre: 93 Crown St. Tel 4227 5545 or 1800 240 737.

Airport:
Illawarra Regional Airport - Wollongong Airport (WOL) intersection of Princes & Illawarra Hwys, Albion Park Rail. Tel: (02) 4221 6343. (22 km south of CBD).

Hospitals:

Wollongong Hospital, Loftus St. Tel (02) 4222 5000) and Illawarra Regional Hospital - Port Kembla Campus, Cowper St, Warrawong. Tel (02) 4223 8000.