Sydney may have some famous landmarks and museums, but Wollongong simply DGAF—doesn’t give a flip(per).
In "The Gong", 85 km south of Sydney, towering Bald Hill is your Opera House, the many national parks are your art museums and Sea Cliff Bridge is the only famous overpass you need to know about. It’s time to take a Wollongong holiday and see what you’ve been missing.
Wollongong holidays are an action lover’s playground, with easy access to everything from surfing to mountain biking to hang gliding. Those that want to take to the air should head to Bald Hill, a reserve in the northern part of town and a literal hill that’s a world-renowned home base for hang gliding and paragliding. If you’d rather get wet, find your perfect wave or water sport at Scarborough Beach on the north shore. And to keep your feet planted on terra firma (or at least your mountain bike wheels), go for a hike or ride in Blue Mountains National Park or cruise over the iconic Sea Cliff Bridge. When you’ve fulfilled your “go big or go home” adventures, you don’t actually have to go home quite yet. Use one of lastminute.com.au’s Wollongong car hire deals to motor down Grand Pacific Drive and feel the breeze in your hair.
If zipping through town snapping up deals left and right is more your idea of an adventure (or if you just need a break from hanging 10), a holiday in Wollongong has plenty of options. Use those gams to walk a few blocks west from City Beach to the open-air, pedestrian-only Crown Street Mall, where you’ll find everything from beach and surf brands to locally made jewellery and art. Need to bring something home for the friends and fam? Skip the postcards and coasters and head for the wine! New South Wales is a top producer and has a huge variety. Everyone loves a souvenir you can drink.
Dining in Wollongong was made for the just-off-the-beach crowd, so no need to change out of those thongs and boardies. Whether you want Italian, Thai or a good old-fashioned country steakhouse, you’ll find it along Grand Pacific Drive. The farm-to-fork craze has taken over here as well, so keep an eye out for fresh, seasonal ingredients like kangaroo with artichokes, free-range pork belly and zucchini flower salad. Pair it with a local chardonnay, shiraz or pint of sweet stout beer for lip-smackin’ goodness.
Ready to get down in the Gong? If you’re into party vibes, pop that collar and head to Crown Street Mall for lounges and nightclubs serving up A+ beats and cocktails. For a breezier evening, check out North Wollongong holiday packages and chillax in the waterfront bars, or get cultured at the city’s many theatres and comedy clubs along the north coast.
Step 1: Check out lastminute.com.au’s awesome Wollongong holiday deals and save cash by booking your airfares and accommodation together. Step 2: Start thinking about how to spend that left-over dough! With so much to see and do, we’re sure you’ll find a way.
Reviewed on 12 Mar. 2024
Reviewed on 11 Jan. 2024
Reviewed on 20 Mar. 2024
Why not spend a care-free afternoon at Wollongong City Beach during your travels in Wollongong? Make some time to visit the monuments while you're in the area.
Explore the waterfront in Wollongong with a trip to Wollongong Harbor. Visit the shops and top-notch restaurants in this family-friendly area.
Learn about the local history of Wollongong when you spend time at Nan Tien Temple. Wander the area's beautiful beaches or simply enjoy one of its top-notch restaurants.
^Savings based on all package bookings made with Flight + Hotel on lastminute.com.au from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019, as compared to the price of the same components booked separately. Savings will vary based on origin/destination, length of trip, stay dates and selected travel supplier(s). Savings not available on all packages.