Things to do in Wollongong
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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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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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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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Old Siam Style
One of the more sleek restaurants on the Keira St strip, this spacious place with all the trimmings serves up exquisite authentic Thai dishes, orchids and all.
reviewed
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Cycle Path
Bringing a bike on the train from Sydney is a great way to get around; a cycle path runs from the city centre north to Bulli and south to Port Kembla.
reviewed
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Sydney Hang Gliding Centre
A bird's eye view of the coastline is perhaps the best. Sydney Hang Gliding Centre has tandem flights from breathtaking Bald Hill at Stanwell Park.
reviewed
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North Wollongong Hotel
This has the biggest beer garden known to man, and the interior is as cool as some of the students who hang out here. It heaves on weekends.
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Nan Tien Buddhist Temple
Along the highway, Nan Tien Buddhist Temple has weekend retreats, vegetarian cooking classes, meditation and t’ai chi.
reviewed
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Five Islands Brewing Company
This slick bar has nine fine draught beers, including a Pig Dog Pilsner, named after the owner (an ex–St George rugby player).
reviewed
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Just Cruisin'
Just Cruisin' has solo and sidecar Harley Tours, a fantastic option if you want to tour the new Grand Pacific Drive.
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Taupu Surf School
Taupu Surf School runs courses at Thirroul and North Wollongong. Further south, Seven Mile Beach has surf camps.
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Illawarra Performing Arts Centre
For a cultural injection here you'll find excellent theatre, dance and music, including topical productions.
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Lake Illawarra
Just south of Wollongong, Lake Illawarra is very popular for water sports including windsurfing.
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Skydive the Beach
You can skydive from 14,000ft and land in the sand with Skydive the Beach.
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