Things to do in South Coast
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Mylan
This is a great choice, especially for its excellent Vietnamese seafood.
reviewed
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Lagoon Seafood Restaurant
In a tranquil setting, this is one of four top-quality seafood restaurants in Wollongong. It has delectable dishes worthy of fine dining and it's a stone's throw (with a good arm) from the water.
reviewed
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Beaches
Up the coast, the beach options are varied and less crowded with fun beach breaks for surfing at Coledale and Bulli beaches and reef breaks at Sharkies (also at Coledale) and Headlands.
While Sharkies Beach is something of a misnomer in light of the minimal risk of meeting a finned friend here, surfers have occasionally come face to face with the odd humpback whale surfacing close to shore.
reviewed
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Diggies
With a view to the rolling waves, this is the perfect spot for feasting any time of day. Friday and Saturday evening is tapas time. From 4pm on Sunday arvo during summer, cocktails and tunes are let loose on the deck.
reviewed
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Illawarra Escarpment
Southwest of Wollongong, the Illawarra Escarpment is a state recreation area. There is no vehicle access but the spot is good for bushwalking. The park is a number of separate sections from Bulli Pass to Bong Bong; it isn't very large but the country is spectacular. Contact the Wollongong NPWS office for information on bush camping.
reviewed
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Thai Basil Café
Recommended as one of the highlights of the Asian precinct on Keira St, between Smith and Crown, you'll find it among Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese restaurants jam-packed with curry-lovers and noodle-tragics. This area is definitely the cheapest eats in town. Try the creamy green curry.
reviewed
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Merimbula Marina
The small kiosk here runs five-hour reef cruises (adult/child $100/60), two-hour dolphin cruises ($30/25) and whale-watching cruises (from $40/25) from September to November. There's also boat hire ($35/90 per hour/per day).
reviewed
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Murramarang National Park
Further south of Jervis Bay, beautiful, coastal Murramarang National Park is home to wild kangaroos and lorikeets and the protected Murramarang Aboriginal Area, which contains ancient middens and other Indigenous cultural treasures.
reviewed
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Historic Coolangatta Estate Winery
On the north side of the estuary, just before Shoalhaven Heads, is Historic Coolangatta Estate Winery, a slick winery with a golf course, a good restaurant open for lunch and accommodation (singles/doubles from $110/130) in convict-built buildings.
reviewed
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Cantina Tapas & Wine Bar
[ourpick] Cantina Tapas & Wine Bar This atmospheric little hidey-hole in the centre of town dishes up tasty plates of salt-and-pepper calamari, fried chorizo and lamb souvlaki. Not hungry? The bar has a good vibe also.
reviewed
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Lee & Me
A cafe and art-and- clothing store in a two-storey heritage building. There's nothing quite like dining on a mushroom and goats-cheese omelette on the sunny balcony, then shopping on a full stomach.
reviewed
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The Grand Hotel
Formerly Cooney's, this place is now under new ownership and has a more upmarket vibe than in its last incarnation. It serves great cocktails and hosts regular 'College Nights' (Wednesdays) and 'Retro Nights' (Thursdays).
reviewed
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Bournda National Park
Taking in most of the coast from Merimbula north to Tathra (on beautiful Sapphire Coast Dr), Bournda National Park is a 2378-hectare park with good beaches, freshwater lagoons and several walking trails.
reviewed
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Albion Café
Albion Café is a corner pub conversion complete with floorboards, open fire, excellent coffee and a breakfast menu that includes corn fritters with bacon, poached egg, spinach and spicy tomato chutney.
reviewed
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Belmore Basin
Wollongong's fishing fleet is based at the southern end of the harbour, Belmore Basin. There's a fishing cooperative here (with a fish market and a couple of cafés) and an 1872 lighthouse on the point.
reviewed
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Mimosa Rocks National Park
Running along 20km of beautiful coastline, Mimosa Rocks National Park is 5802 hectares of earthly paradise with dense and varied bush, caves, headlands and beaches with crystal-clear water.
reviewed
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Umbarra Cultural Centre
Visit Umbarra Cultural Centre, run by the Yuin people from the Wallaga Lake Koori community. It is 3km from the highway towards Wallaga Lake, a worthy scenic drive in its own right.
reviewed
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Cupitt’s Winery & Restaurant
For a little piece of Provence, make a pit stop at this glorious spot and enjoy some of the most respected cuisine this side of Sydney and wine tasting in the restored 1851 creamery.
reviewed
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Merimbula Aquarium
At the wharf on the eastern point is this small aquarium. There are good views across the lake from near here and the jetty is a popular fishing spot.
reviewed
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Educated Palate
This culinary kitchen also has a coffee bar out the back with baristas on hand to make lattes par excellence. The bacon-and-egg Turkish bread breakfast is a bargain.
reviewed
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Caveau
Sitting unpretentiously on Keira St, this lauded restaurant washed in a soft amber glow serves gourmet treats such as mushroom ravioli with asparagus and shaved truffle.
reviewed
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Ivory
This glitzy nightclub starts its week as a uni hang-out – with free pizzas after 11pm – and ends it as a party spot with two floors, two atmospheres and a lot of skirt.
reviewed
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Zanzibar Café
Serving up a seafood hot pot for two ($75) filled with king prawns, Eden black mussels and Balmain bugs, this contemporary restaurant is the ideal romantic night out.
reviewed
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North Beach
North Beach has beach breaks suitable for all visitors and is walking distance from the city centre. Look for the Acids Reef break for more of a surfing challenge.
reviewed
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Hotel Illawarra
Best suited to the cocktail-sipping funky set, this complex has the red-hued Amber bar and Cucina Illawarra, which dishes up Mediterranean fare, tapas-style.
reviewed
