So you’re in Wollongong and want to know what to do? You’ve come to the right place! In this blog post, we’ll share with you our favourite things to do.

We cover anything from eating and drinking, exploring outdoors, or just chilling out on a beach. Whether you’re here for a few days or weeks, there’s plenty of things for everyone in this guide!

Wollongong is located 1 hour’s drive south of Sydney and it’s the third largest city in New South Wales, Australia.

The Wollongong Lighthouse is a great place to visit and features coastal walks which will take you up close with nature!

One of our favourite things to do when we’re here in Wollongong is enjoying an ice cream at our local – Gelato Eis Prestige (ice-cream).

If it’s not too hot out then don’t forget your swimmers so you can go for a swim at one of the many beautiful beaches nearby.

One such beach that has gained its popularity over recent times is Shelley Beach, only 30 minutes away from town centre. Families love this popular spot because there are plenty of shallow waters where kids can play safely all day long whilst

Wollongong is the perfect destination for a short break. It has so many things to see and do, whether you want to explore outdoors or just relax on its beautiful beaches.

The city’s most famous attractions are the Illawarra Flyer and Figtree Art Gallery.

The Illawarra Flyer is a scenic railway that can be boarded at Wollongong Station in North Wollongong, which takes you up to Thirroul for an amazing view of the area.

You might also want to visit Figtree Art Gallery if you’re into art! Ask any local or someone who works there what they recommend – it’ll help give you some ideas before your trip!

To help you decide if this city deserves a place in your itinerary, we’ll share with you our favourite places!

Things to do in Wollongong

Eat and Drink

Scarborough Hotel

A must-visit is the Scarborough Hotel. It has a lovely balcony with views over Wollongong, and their delicious menu covers everything from light salads to hearty steaks.

Harbourfront Restaurant

If you’re looking for a great seafood option, the Harbourfront Restaurant is perfect. Located on a pontoon in Wollongong harbour, it’s always bustling for dinner service and has some of the freshest fish around!

Rookie Eatery

Located in the backstreets of Wollongong, Rookie Eatery is a small and charming dining option. They have an eclectic menu that covers everything from salads to their signature fried chicken burger!

Their fries are also worth a try, they’re crispy like chips but with the fluffy potato centres!

Debutant

Looking for something hearty? The Debutant is your place to go. They offer breakfast, lunch and dinner all day – perfect for when you’re craving something at any time of the day!

Their menu covers everything from salads to hearty bowls of pasta dishes.

They also have a great range of desserts if you’re looking for some sweet indulgence after your meal!

Steamers Bar and Grill

If you’re after something from the grill then Steamers Bar and Grill is the perfect place for you. Their menu covers everything from chicken breast to pork ribs, with a range of sauces and sides available too!

Their grilled meats are cooked perfectly on their charcoal grill, while they also offer some tasty bar snacks if you need a little something before your main course!

Bombara Seafood

If seafood is more your thing then you’ll love Bombara Seafood. The restaurant offers a range of fresh seafood dishes, with an extensive menu that’s sure to have something for everyone!

Their signature dish is their calypso fish curry – it’s spicy and flavoursome, perfect if you want to spice up your meal!

They also offer some tasty side dishes such as curried potatoes or fried plantain bananas on the menu too.

Kneading Ruby

Something a bit different? Kneading Ruby is the perfect place for those who are looking for something a little more unique.

The restaurant serves up doughnuts, but not your average ones! In fact they use ingredients such as waffle cones and natural syrups to create their delicious flavours of desserts. If you’re in Wollongong then this should be on your list of places to visit!

Northbeach Pavillion Cafe, Restaurant and Bar

Located at North Wollongong Beach, this is one of the best places to grab a drink, feast on some delicious food and enjoy the views.

The Northbeach Pavillion Cafe, Restaurant and Bar offer a wide range of dishes including breakfast/brunch options such as eggs benedict or avocado toast served all day! This can be enjoyed in their cafe area with ocean view seats – perfect for when you’re looking to take your time over brunch without having to worry about rushing back home afterwards.

They also have an outdoor bar so if you find yourself there during happy hour it’s worth checking out what they’ve got going on!

Two Smoking Barrels

This is my favourite BBQ joint in Wollongong! If you love American BBQ then you can’t miss Two Smoking Barrels. The restaurant has a large variety of different smoked meats, and the best part is that they also serve up some tasty sides too.

The menu features items such as pulled pork, brisket, chicken breast with bourbon bbq sauce and more! It’s a place to visit if you’re looking for something hearty and filling.

See and Do

Sea Cliff Bridge

Sea Cliff Bridge is a popular tourist attraction in Wollongong. It’s a great place to go on your first day if you’re looking for some photo opportunities as well as scenic views of the coast line, even better at night when all lit up!

The bridge is open to pedestrians and cyclists alike so make sure not to miss out on this must see piece of history.

Kelly’s Falls

Located in Helensburgh just off Laurence Drive, Kelly’s Falls is a great place to spend your day exploring. It has many different lookout points and trails that will take you through the thick forest leading up to the falls themselves.

There are also plenty of picnic spots if you’re looking for somewhere scenic to sit with friends or family while enjoying lunch in nature!

Sublime Point

Popular for its breaktaking views of the coastline, Sublime Point is a must-see attraction in Wollongong. Spot dolphins swimming off the coast or take some time to explore this beautiful coastal reserve with its long stretch of beach and large sand dunes perfect for climbing up before taking in the view from atop them!

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service also provide guided tours that will take you through all sorts of different habitats including heathland, rainforest, littoral scrub as well as beaches – so you’ll be sure to see something new every time!

Wollongong Botanic Gardens

One of the best things to do in Wollongong is the Wollongong Botanic Gardens. It’s the perfect way to spend a few hours relaxing and enjoying some greenery with your family – plus, there are plenty of things for children to do!

The gardens cover more than four hectares of beautifully landscaped garden beds filled with flowers, ponds and fountains in addition to an extensive palm grove. There is also a mini-golf course if you need something competitive or even just want to enjoy being outside on a hot day!

Learn to Surf at Coledale Beach

If you’ve always wanted to learn to surf, Coledale Beach is the ideal place to start.

On Saturdays and Sundays from October through December and in January, you can take a one-day lesson with an instructor that will have you standing up on your own board within five hours! You’ll be able to continue practicing at Coledale until March (weather permitting).

## Go Scuba Diving Near Wollongong – Port Kembla Jetty

There are plenty of places around Wollongong where you can go scuba diving for first time near shore. One such site is the Port Kembla Jetty which has been used as a fishing jetty since 1909 but now it’s home to more than 30 species of fish

Jamberoo Action Park Day Trip

Just a quick day trip down the Princes Highway will get you to Jamberoo Action Park. You’ll find a good selection of amusement rides, live animal shows and an outdoor barbecue area. Jamberoo is a popular destination for family holiday trips and school excursions.

## Mt Keira Summit Walk: For those looking to take on more challenging hikes near Wollongong, Mt Keira offers some great views from its summit walk. As well as spectacular vistas you can also find out about Mt Keira’s geology by taking part in guided walks led by local experts who

Wollongong Science Centre

Looking for things to do in Wollongong with the kids? Then check out the Wollongong Science Centre. You’ll find a range of interactive displays and exhibitions on offer. The centre also has an observatory, planetarium and Astrolabe Theatre for some special shows.

Illawarra Museum and Marketplace

If history is more your thing, then the Illawarra Museum is the place to head. The robust museum houses a host of exhibitions and collections related to Wollongong’s rich past, including an impressive Aboriginal collection with more than 500 items on display.

Illawarra Light Railway Museum

The Illawarra Light Railway Museum is a great place for families with children, as it has plenty of interactive exhibits to keep them entertained and learning all day long. This means that adults will get some time out while the kids are busy – perfect! It’s also located in an old steam engine shed which makes it feel really authentic too.

Historic Aircraft and Restoration Society Museum

HARS aviation museum is one of the jewels in the crown for the Illawarra. Located at Wollongong Airport, the Historic Aircraft and Resotration Society Museum is home to a wonderful collection of aircraft from the Second World War, as well as other historic planes.

The museum also features a Qantas 747 that you can step inside, as well as a real cockpit and flight deck. It’s worth noting that the aircraft are displayed in chronological order which means visitors can get an accurate history of aviation from their time period.

Museums should be seen by everyone at some point in their lifetime – even if it isn’t your thing! The Historic Aircraft Restoration Society Museum is not to be missed for anyone with an interest in planes or World War II memorabilia.

Stroll Around Wollongong Harbour

If you’re just looking for somewhere to take a relaxing walk, then you might enjoy a stroll around Wollongong Harbour.

The harbour offers stunning views of the Illawarra Escarpment and is a popular spot for tourists to visit.

On your way around, you’ll also find several cafes and restaurants which offer great food as well as magnificent views. You can’t go past sitting down at one of these places with a coffee in hand!

Hike the Wodi Wodi Track

If you’re looking for more strenuous things to do in Wollongong, then consider a hike along the Wodi Wodi Track. The trail stretches from Stanwell Tops in the north to Scarborough in the south. Along the trail you’ll see plenty of wildlife and enjoy magnificent views along the Illawarra escarpment.

Australian Motorlife Museum

An interesting museum about Australian motor life is just what Wollongong needs, so we’re glad there’s one here at this little gem called The Motorlife Museum! Located on Keira Street in North Wollongong, you can find vintage cars from every decade since 1900 including Ford Galaxies from 1948-53, Holden Station Wagons

Kiama Blow Hole Day Trip

Just a quick drive down the coast, you can find the Kiama Blow Hole. It’s a natural wonder that is best seen at high tide when waves are crashing into it and water spews up from underneath to create an intimidating display.

Illawarra Fly Tree Walk

This is one of the most popular things to do in Wollongong, and it’s easy to see why. You get the chance to explore a beautiful rainforest canopy on this guided walk up high into the air where you can view native Australian flora like brush turkeys and kookaburras

## Royal National Park Day Trip

If you want some time out of the city but still close by then head down south for an amazing day trip through one of Australia’s most famous national parks. Home to over 1400 plant species including frangipani trees that bloom year-round, there are plenty of photo opportunities at every turn! Plus if your timing is right (usually November) koalas might be wandering around too!

Symbio Wildlife Park

Located in Helensburgh, in the northern suburbs of Wollongong, Symbio Wildlife Park has a range of native animals, from kangaroos and wombats to koalas. A walk through the park is an opportunity for visitors to learn about Australian wildlife in a safe environment.

They recently installed a water park which is great for the hot summer months.

Grand Pacific Drive

The Grand Pacific Drive provides some of the most spectacular views along the Illawarra coastline. It stretches from the Royal National Park in Sydney’s south, all the way up to Stanwell Tops.

Travelers can stop off at a number of scenic lookout points along the way for sweeping views out over crashing waves and cliff-top vistas. The most famous is called Scarborough Beach Lookout which offers stunning sunset views from across the bay.

Gliding at Bald Hill

Looking for adventurous things to do in Wollongong? Then why not try gliding from the top of Bald Hill to the bottom? This is a great activity for all ages and abilities, with no previous experience necessary.

It’s also perfect if you’re looking for things to do in Wollongong on a budget – after your flight back down, it’ll only cost around $20!

Beaches

North Wollongong Beach is an iconic stretch of sand, with a surf club and park for families to enjoy. If you’re looking for something more secluded, try Woonona Beach – it’s one of the closest beaches to Sydney and also features excellent swimming conditions. Further north along the coast is Stanwell Park beach. It’s a great place to visit for families and there’s plenty of places to get something to eat or drink.

Shopping

If you’re looking for somewhere to shop in Wollongong city then you needn’t head any further than Crown Street Mall. This centre is home to over 100 stores, cafés and eateries.