A mere 80 kilometres south of Sydney, Wollongong has enough infrastructure and population to be deemed a city, however, it has somehow managed to maintain its beachside town feel.
This beautiful coastal city of NSW has a bounty of attractions and activities to keep you and the family busy for a few days or more. It’s a great weekend destination with so many things to do in Wollongong with kids, and has a number of accommodation options to boot.
And of course, with our list, you’ll soon discover exactly what to do in Wollongong to suit your family.
We’ve pulled together twenty of the best things in Wollongong for you to explore.
The Best Things to do in Wollongong
Table of Contents
Kiama Blowhole
Kiama can be translated to ‘where the sea makes a noise’ and it is certainly what you will hear when you venture out to the Kiama Blowhole or its smaller cousin, the Little Blowhole! Both need to be included in your things to see in Wollongong list.
Kiama Blowhole is located at Blowhole Point and is right next to the lighthouse. The spray of the ocean can reach up to 30 metres through the blowhole, shooting through its 2.5 metre wide opening.
Little Blowhole, located on Tingira Crescent, is equally stunning to observe, although smaller, and is much more consistent.
- Address: Blowhole Point (Kiama Blowhole) | Tingira Crescent (Little Blowhole)
- Hours: Accessible 24/7 both blowholes rely on wind direction and swell in the ocean
- Cost: NIL
Bald Hill Lookout
The Bald Hill Lookout is considered to be one of Australia’s most spectacular lookouts and is certainly one of the top things to do in Wollongong. It is here that back in 1894, Lawrence Hargrave, an Australian pioneer of flight, made one of the first successful flights. You can also spot the iconic Sea Cliff Bridge from this location.
- Address: Lawrence Hargrave Drive Otford NSW 2508
- Hours: 24/7
- Cost: NIL
Sri Venkateswara Temple
Sri Venkateswara Temple is one of the famous Hindu temples in the southern hemisphere. Construction began in 1978 and officially opened in 1985.
The temple has four ‘Praharam’ (encircling corridors), and was Australia’s first Hindu Temple built in the traditional style of Hindu Temple architecture.
Whilst it is a Hindu place of worship, visitors are welcome.
- Address: 1 Temple Road, Helensburgh
- Hours: Open from 8.00 AM to 7.00pm most days. Closed between 12.00pm and 4.00pm Monday to Friday.
- Cost: NIL
Kelly’s Falls
Whilst it is only a 15-minute walk down to the falls it is extremely steep and requires some climbing. You will need some level of fitness to achieve the climb, but the opportunity for a swim below the spectacular Kelly’s Falls make it worth it.
Access to Kelly’s Falls is opposite the Sri Venkateswara Temple.
- Address: Helensburgh
- Hours: The park is open from 7am to 8.30pm daily.
- Cost: NIL
Symbio Wildlife Park
Our kids love heading to Symbio Wildlife Park, particularly in the warmer months when they can take advantage of the splash park and adventure playground.
Open 7 days a week, except Christmas Day, Symbio Wildlife Park spans 16 acres and whilst originally a small wildlife park when established back in 1975, now also houses a large range of exotic animals including red pandas, ring-tailed lemurs, meerkats, monkeys, and cheetahs.
- Address: 7-11 Lawrence Hargrave Dr, Helensburgh NSW 2508
- Hours: 9.30am to 5.00pm daily
- Cost: from $35.00
See Glowworms at Helensburgh Tunnel
The Helensburgh Glowworm Tunnel was originally a rail tunnel in Helensburgh which is now home to a population of arachnocampa richardsae, or Australian glowworms (the larvae of the fungus gnat). Found only in Australia and New Zealand and producing the most incredible bioluminescence, these are a sight to see!
The best time to see the glow worms is during the warmer, wetter months of the year. The tunnel can be very wet (wear gumboots) and even flooded, so choose your time to visit carefully.
Head to Helensburgh Landcare to check that the tunnel is open and for tips on how to see the glowworms without hurting them.
- Address: 2 Vera St, Helensburgh
- Hours: 24/7
- Cost: NIL
Sea Cliff Bridge
Running 665 metre long, the Sea Cliff Bridge is one of the most stunning sections of the Grand Pacific Drive taking vehicles along the rockface on the Illawarra escarpment. It has appeared in numerous commercials and even Guy Sebastian’s Choir music clip.
- Address: Lawrence Hargrave Dr, Clifton NSW 2515
- Hours: 24/7
- Cost: NIL
Nan Tien Temple
Nan Tien Temple is said to be the largest Buddhist Temple in the Southern Hemisphere and is a fascinating place to visit. The temple is open every day except Monday from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. It is free to visit.
- Address: 180 Berkeley Rd, Berkeley NSW 2506
- Hours: 9.00am – 5.00pm Tuesday – Sunday
- Cost: NIL
Wollongong Botanic Gardens
Established in 1964, the Wollongong Botanic Gardens spans 30-hectares and features a rose garden, herb garden, woodland garden, azalea bank, succulent plants and several rainforest areas divided into Illawarra rainforest, subtropical rainforest, dry rainforest and exotic rainforest.
Within the gardens, you can also explore Gleniffer Brae, a heritage-listed Tudor Manor-style house that was built back in 1938 via one of the regular Step Back in Time Tours.
- Address: 61 Northfields Avenue, Keiraville
- Hours: open daily (except Christmas Day and Good Friday) 7.00am to 5.00pm daily (6.00pm during daylight savings)
- Cost: NIL
Jamberoo Water Park
Operating between September and April each year, Jamberoo Water Park is NSW’s largest family owned and operated water theme park.
- Address: 1215 Jamberoo Rd, Jamberoo NSW 2533
- Hours: Opens on 24th September for the 2022/23 season
- Cost: from $59.00
Illawarra Fly Tree Walk
Illawarra Fly Tree Walk will take you into the canopy of the beautiful warm temperate rainforest via a 1.5 km trek. Climb the Knights Tower where you will move to 45 metres above the forest floor where there are spectacular views or enjoy the highest zipline in Australia.
- Address: 182 Knights Hill Rd, Knights Hill NSW 2577
- Hours: Open Thursday to Monday (closed Tuesday & Wednesday ) | During NSW School Holidays Illawarra Fly is open every day | Closed Christmas Day.
- Cost: from $23.40
Science Space
Science Space is the only dedicated immersive science experience in NSW and boasts over 100 interactive exhibits & a planetarium show, plus a gift shop & cafe.
- Address: Innovation Campus, 60 Squires Way, North Wollongong NSW 2500
- Hours: Monday to Friday 10.00am – 4.00pm | Closed Wednesdays during term time
- Cost: from $12.00
HARS Aviation Museum
The HARS Aviation Museum is operated by an all-volunteer group of Aviation Professionals and Enthusiasts who have premises at Shellharbour Regional Airport. The museum is home to a range of both flying and static aircraft and a bounty of displays showcasing aviation history in Australia.
- Address: 54 Airport Rd, Albion Park Rail NSW 2527
- Hours: Open 7 days (except Christmas Day) between 9.30am to 3.30pm
- Cost: from $60.00 per family
Australian Motorlife Museum
The Australian Motorlife Museum is the brainchild of a group of veteran and Vintage motoring enthusiasts who went about developing the Illawarra Motor Museum with the sole purpose of showcasing the Veteran and Vintage cars to all Australian and international visitors. It has grown from these humble beginnings to incorporate more exhibits that have expanded what is now showcased.
Today the Australian Motorlife Museum houses the Paul Butler Collection, the Wayne Gardner Collection of trophies and motorcycles, The NRMA Heritage display and further examples of Australian motoring heritage.
- Address: Integral Energy Recreation Park, 94 Darkes Rd, Kembla Grange NSW 2526
- Hours: 9.30 – 4.30 Wednesday to Sunday | Closed on public holidays
- Cost: Adults $20.00 | Children $5.00
Minnamurra Rainforest Centre
You’ll find the Minnamurra Rainforest Centre in the Budderoo National Park where visitors can walk the network of elevated walkways through the rare remnant rainforest and listen to the birds, feel the spray of the waterfalls and spot rainforest residents such as the superb lyrebird, eastern water dragon or swamp wallaby.
- Address: 345 Minnamurra Falls Rd, Jamberoo NSW 2533
- Hours: 9am to 4pm daily. Closed Christmas Day.
- Cost: 9am to 4pm daily. Closed Christmas Day.
Illawarra Light Railway Museum
Featuring a 2-foot narrow gauge light railway, a miniature 71⁄4 in gauge railway, and a museum, the Illawarra Light Railway Museum exhibits light railway locomotives and rolling stock, along with other related items of historical interest. Head along for a ride on one of the diesel locomotives!
- Address: 48A Tongarra Rd, Albion Park Rail NSW 2527
- Hours: Opened to the public for Steam Train Rides on the second Sunday of each month and on the fourth Saturday of each month for diesel rides,
- Cost: Family Ticket (Unlimited Rides on all rides). Max of five wrist bands – $55.00
Early Start Discovery Space
The Early Start Discovery Space is one of Australia’s only dedicated hands-on children’s museums and a space where children are encouraged to touch everything.
- Address: Early Start Discovery Space (Building 21 University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong
- Hours: 9.00am to 3.30pm 7 days per week
- Cost: $15.00 general admission |
Port Kembla Steelworks Tour
Established in 1928, the Port Kembla Steelworks spans 1878 acres and it an incredible place to explore via one of the regular Steelworks tours. Watch steel being manufactured.
- Address: Inside Industry Visitor Centre | BlueScope Northgate Entrance, Springhill Rd, Coniston NSW 2500
- Hours: public tours every Friday & Saturday | Twilight tours run once a month on Thursday evenings.
- Cost: $130 for a family of 4 | Minimum age 10 years.
Wollongong Beaches
Wollongong is famed for its beautiful beaches that include ocean pools, surf breaks, foreshore picnic spots and dog-friendly stretches of sand,
Wollongong City Beach
You will find Wollongong City Beach just south of Wollongong’s iconic lighthouses at Flagstaff Hill. The beach is partrolled between 9.00 am to 5.00 pm daily.
North Wollongong Beach
Patrolled all year round, North Wollongong Beach is the city’s busiest beach and features the historic North Beach Bathers Pavilion.
Belmore Basin
Belmore Basin is a great spot to head to with younger children. It features tables and picnic facilities, restaurants, cafes and a playground.
Windang Beach
Situated at the entrance to Lake Illawarra, Windang Beach is a great spot for fishing and features barbecues, sheltered picnic areas, a playground, and a shared cycle path. It also It offers spectacular views of the famous Five Islands off the Wollongong coastline.
Bulli Rock Pools
The Bulli Rock Pools features both a pool and toddlers’ pool and is regularly cleaned.
Austinmer Beach
Austinmer Beach is one of the most popular in Wollongong and features two rock pools at the southern end of the beach and a beach pavilion.
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