Explore Australia

Wollongong Botanic Garden The magnificent gardens encompass 27 ha of undulating land and feature a sunken rose garden, a woodland garden, rainforests, and flora representing a range of plant communities. Guided walks and bus tours are available. Various workshops including crafts and gardening throughout the year; Murphys Ave, Keiraville; (02) 4225 2636; call for opening hours. The adjacent Gleniffer Brae Manor House is a Gothic-style 1930s house now home to the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music and used for music recitals. Northfields Ave, Keiraville. Flagstaff Point: 180 degree views of the ocean and historic light lighthouse (1872); Endeavour Dr. Illawarra Historical Society Museum: highlights include handicraft room and Victorian parlour; open weekends and 12–3pm Thurs; Market St; (02) 4283 2854. Wollongong City Gallery: collection of 19th- and 20th-century art including Aboriginal art; cnr Burelli and Kembla sts; Tue–Fri 10am–5pm, Sat–Sun 12–4pm; (02) 4228 7500. Mall: soaring steel arches and water displays; Crown St. Five Islands Brewing Company: locally brewed beers; Crown St; (02) 4220 2854. Wollongong Harbour: home to a huge fishing fleet and Breakwater Lighthouse. Surfing beaches and rockpools: to the north and south, with excellent surfing and swimming conditions. Foreshore parks: several with superb coastal views and picnic facilities.

Royal National Park Established in 1879, this is the second-oldest national park in the world after Yellowstone in the USA. There is much natural diversity packed into a compact parkland. Highlights include walking and cycling along Lady Carrington Drive through rich forest, swimming at the beach or in the lagoon at Wattamolla, enjoying the Victorian-park atmosphere at Audley (with causeway, picnic lawns and rowboats) and walking the magnificent 26 km Coast Track; (02) 9542 0648; 35 km N. Grand Pacific Drive, a new tourist route along the coast, links Royal National Park with Wollongong. The 70 km drive takes in spectacular scenery and the Sea Cliff Bridge. Illawarra Escarpment: forms the western backdrop to the city and has spectacular lookouts at Stanwell Tops, Sublime Point, Mt Keira and Mt Kembla. Wollongong Science Centre and Planetarium: hands-on displays and activities for all ages; Squires Way, Fairy Meadow; (02) 4286 5000; open 10am–4pm every day; 2 km N. Nan Tien Temple: largest Buddhist temple in the Southern Hemisphere with a range of programs available; closed Mon; Berkeley Rd, Berkeley; (02) 4272 0600; 5 km SW. Lake Illawarra: stretching from the South Pacific Ocean to the foothills of the Illawarra Range, the lake offers good prawning, fishing and sailing. Boat hire is available; 5 km S. Port Kembla: up-close view of local industry and the steel works at Australia's Industry World with tours; bookings (02) 4275 7023. Mount Kembla: site of horrific 1902 mining disaster. Also here are several historic buildings and a historical museum featuring a pioneer kitchen, a blacksmith's shop and a reconstruction of the Mount Kembla disaster. The Mount Kembla Mining Heritage Festival is held each winter in memory of those lost; 10 km W. Bulli Pass Scenic Reserve: steep scenic drive with stunning coastal views. Bulli Lookout at the top of the escarpment has great views and a walking path leads to Sublime Pt Lookout, which enjoys stunning views over Wollongong and has a restaurant; 16 km N. Symbio Wildlife Park: koalas, eagles, wombats and reptiles, as well as Sumatran tigers; Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Helensburgh; (02) 4294 1244; 32 km N. Just Cruisin Motorcycle Tours: Cruise Grand Pacific Dr and the spectacular South Coast on a chauffeured Harley Davidson; (02) 4294 2598. Lawrence Hargrave Memorial and Lookout: on Bald Hill, this was the site of aviator Hargrave's first attempt at flight in the early 1900s. Now popular for hang-gliding; 36 km N. Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk: the Treetop Walk offers inspiring views; 182 Knights Hill Road, Knights Hill; (02) 4885 1010. Heathcote National Park: excellent for bushwalks through rugged bushland, past hidden pools and gorges; (02) 9542 0648; 40 km N. Dolphin Watch Cruises: see dolphins and whales at Jervis Bay; 50 Owen Street, Huskisson; (02) 4441 6311 or 1800 246 010 .

Port Hacking 43 km

In my youth, bream was a species anglers sought to put food on the table. It was a ‘kill it and fillet’ favourite. Both yellowfin and black bream fought well, but the sedentary nature of bait fishing –... Find out more

---

Botany Bay 55 km

Recently I fished a hot-water outlet alongside the Kurnell refinery pier in Botany Bay, a few hundred metres from a monument dedicated to Captain James Cook’s landing in Australia in April 1770. A year before,... Find out more

---

Hawkesbury-Nepean River 99 km

The Hawkesbury River is regarded as one of the most consistent waters for big mulloway, or jewfish as they are called. It was with mulloway in mind that I went to the river to fish with Colin Tannahill. The river flows... Find out more

---

Lithgow to Mudgee 134 km

Early settlers following in the footsteps of Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson took three weeks of hard trudging to cross the majestic Blue Mountains. These days the drive from the Penrith plains in western Sydney takes... Find out more

---

Narooma Offshore 208 km

Narooma is one of those pleasant destinations that offers piscatorial delights most of the year, ranging from gamefishing offshore to rock, beach and estuary. Situated on Wagonga Inlet, the port is best known for its... Find out more

---

Port Stephens 221 km

 Port Stephens is about 220 km north of Sydney and offers a mixed bag of quality species. In the estuaries, bream, flathead, mulloway and whiting dominate the catch while beach anglers do well on tailor, whiting and... Find out more

---

Bermagui 238 km

Bermagui is small fishing port but a world-famous gamefishing destination. It owes its fame to an American western writer, Zane Grey, who went there in 1936. Little has changed since then. ‘Bermi’, as most... Find out more

---

Yaouk Valley 246 km

It was late autumn 1997 when I  arrived in Canberra to fish with  the late Chris Hole, fly-fisherman,  author and painter. Chris offered  to take me to some of his favourite trout streams that snake... Find out more

---

Whale- and dolphin-watching around Huskisson 72 km

Many seaside towns on the South Coast have rightfully decided to champion the passing parade of marine mammals. From May to November there are more two-to-three-hour, whale- and dolphin-watching cruises than you can wave... Find out more

---

Taronga Zoo 72 km

One of the world’s best zoos, Taronga is involved in a wide variety of threatened species recovery operations, wildlife rehabilitation and animal research work. As well as having a great day by Sydney Harbour,... Find out more

---

Kayaking in Sydney 74 km

Surprisingly, this activity has only taken off in Sydney in the past few years. With a city centred on such great waterways, there is plenty to explore, whether just for an hour or two, or a whole week. Sydney Harbour... Find out more

---

Sailing around Jervis Bay 80 km

Imagine. No engines. Just the flapping of a sail and the splash of the waves. The South Coast’s tranquil lakes and inlets are ideal for sailing. Jervis Bay Sailing Charters is one of several operators who will take... Find out more

---

Bushwalking in and around Sydney 90 km

Surprisingly, Sydney does offer some superb bushwalking through secluded bushland. Aboriginal engraving and art sites are quite common, and many are not publicised, simply leaving you to discover them, appreciate them,... Find out more

---

The Great North Walk 94 km

Although it links two of Australia’s most populated cities, Sydney and Newcastle, and passes through some beautiful bushland, the Great North Walk does not get the foot traffic you might expect. A 250-kilometre,... Find out more

---

Ice-climbing 95 km

In winter, the frozen cliffs around Blue Lake provide one of the only places in Australia to learn and perfect the art of ice-climbing. Multi-day courses involve a hike in with heavy packs, and camping out in the... Find out more

---

Picnicking in the Blue Mountains 107 km

Take a picnic up to the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden in Mount Tomah at any time of year and you will not be disappointed. At 1000 metres above sea level, it is usually cool in summer, brimming with flowers in spring,... Find out more

---

Bushwalking on the South Coast, NSW 120 km

From meanders along isolated beaches and around heath-covered headlands, to long hikes up rugged mountains in Budawang, Morton or Deua national parks, the South Coast provides limitless possibilities for great... Find out more

---

Sailing - Batemans Bay 157 km

Batemans Bay Sailing Charters is eco-certified and offers sailing trips out of Batemans Bay on a 12.5-metre catamaran, from a three-hour cruise around the bay to overnight excursions.... Find out more

---

Macquarie Links International Golf Club 49 km

Shanghai, Guam, Bali, Sabah, Bangkok, Singapore, Alaska, Hawaii; American course designer Robin Nelson has spent much of the past 30 years travelling from one exotic destination to another, putting his next project in... Find out more

---

New South Wales Golf Club 58 km

Few courses anywhere can rival New South Wales for its array of fascinating and spectacularly natural seaside holes. Laid out across sometimes dramatic, undulating topography on the La Perouse peninsula – with... Find out more

---

St Michael’s Golf Club 59 km

St Michael’s has for a long time been one of Sydney’s most underrated courses. Perhaps sharing a boundary with the world-famous New South Wales Golf Club hasn’t helped. Yet St Michael’s covers... Find out more

---

The Coast Golf Club 59 km

The Coast certainly has the right address to be considered a golfing gem. Its closest neighbours on this stunning stretch of Sydney coastline are St Michael’s Golf Club to the south and, beyond that, the... Find out more

---

The Lakes Golf Club 62 km

The Lakes is one of Sydney’s iconic golf courses, a regular venue for big championships – including the Australian Open – during its 82-year history. Yet since the late 1960s, when the course was... Find out more

---

The Australian Golf Club 63 km

With a rich history dating back to the first days of organised golf in Australia, The Australian is the country’s oldest formal golf club. It was established in 1882 but didn’t find a permanent home at... Find out more

---

Concord Golf Club 66 km

From the very first days that golf was played in New South Wales, the name Concord has been part of the landscape. Established in 1899, golf began on the current site – on a layout designed by Dan Soutar, who... Find out more

---

Twin Creeks Golf & Country Club 66 km

As a globetrotting professional golfer of the 1970s and ’80s, Graham Marsh won more than 60 titles across five continents. The key to his success was his approach to the game. Every shot was thoughtfully... Find out more

---

Royal Sydney Golf Club 70 km

It’s interesting to sift through the historical records of the Royal Sydney Golf Club; only then do you realise that no single course designer can lay claim to creating it. The course, a smooth seven-iron hit... Find out more

---

Castle Hill Country Club 78 km

Back in 1821, Irishman George Acres received a land grant and is understood to have planted Australia’s first citrus trees. He planted them on the land where the fairways of Castle Hill Country Club now weave... Find out more

---

Diggies Cafe

beachside cafe.  ... Find out more

---

Lagoon Seafood Restaurant

On the north Wollongong foreshore, nestled against Stuart Park, this seafood restaurant is blessed with incredible views of the lagoon, as the name suggests. Clearly a local favourite, the focus at this friendly place is... Find out more

---

Lorenzo’s Diner

Lorenzo’s Diner has been evolving under different names for some time, shining brighter with each incarnation. Recently awarded ‘Best Italian Restaurant in NSW’ by the Restaurant and Catering... Find out more

---

Green Gourmet 65 km

These totally vegan restaurants have fascinating dishes including mock fish, made from taro, mushroom steaks and desserts such as green tea moon cake.... Find out more

---

Billy Kwong 67 km

This up-market restaurant in Surry Hills claims to have been the first restaurant in New South Wales that chose to become carbon neutral. Owned and run by passionate advocate of sustainability and ethical eating Kylie... Find out more

---

Five Islands Brewing Company 2 km

Started by local Illawarra rugby league legend Michael Bolt in 2001, the Five Islands Brewing Company has travelled a markedly different course to most other craft-beer enterprises. FIBC began life as a beachside bar and... Find out more

---

St Peters Brewery 63 km

Matt Donelan is someone who marches to a different drum from most other craftbrewers. He doesn’t have a website or own a mobile phone and doesn’t believe in cardboard packaging. He matches his keg prices... Find out more

---

Paddy's Brewery 65 km

There may be more unlikely venues for a craft brewery but, offhand, I can’t think of one. The Markets Hotel is a 24-hour pub opposite Sydney’s Flemington fresh produce market, where you’re more likely... Find out more

---

Malt Shovel Brewery 65 km

US-born Dr Charles ‘Chuck’ Hahn has enjoyed two separate craft-beer careers over two decades, operating out of the same Camperdown brewery. In the late ’80s he opened it as the independent Hahn Brewery,... Find out more

---

Tooheys Brewery 65 km

Tooheys remains the last of Sydney’s long-running mainstream breweries still currently operating. Founders James and John Toohey were cattle farmers before they entered the beer game, buying the Darling Brewery (it... Find out more

---

Schwartz Brewery 67 km

Tucked away in the basement of the heritage-listed Macquarie Hotel in Surry Hills, this 8-hectolitre microbrewery is the hub of a burgeoning craft-beer empire run by owner Dr Jerry Schwartz. Apart from supplying the pub,... Find out more

---

Redoak Brewery 68 km

Redoak burst onto the craft-beer scene by winning a swag of medals at the 2004 Australian International Beer Awards before they had sold even a single drop. And they have continued to collect an impressive array of... Find out more

---

Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel 69 km

Sydney’s longest-running brew-pub is many things rolled into one fine watering hole – an institution for ale lovers, a tourist magnet and a haven for homesick Poms. The historic sandstone pub is as comfy as a... Find out more

---

Corrimal Beach Tourist Park 5 km

Located on gorgeous Corrimal Beach, 5 km north of Wollongong, Corrimal Beach Tourist Park offers everything from tent sites through to standard, beachside and mountain view spa cabins. Facilities include laundry, camp... Find out more

---

Killalea camping area 21 km

This is a well-equipped camping ground in prime position behind Mystics Beach. There are walking tracks, fishing spots and a golf course nearby; alternative accommodation is available in the form of a bunkhouse with 40... Find out more

---

Carrington Falls camping area 31 km

This small camping area can get crowded in peak periods, so think twice if you’ve got a campervan or trailer. You’ll find it on Carrington Falls access road, off Jamberoo Mountain Rd, 8 km east of Robertson.... Find out more

---

North Era camping ground (bush camping) 31 km

On the stunning 26 km Coast Track (2 days, medium difficulty), this is a walk-in bush-camping ground with 12 sites. You’ll need to be self-sufficient; bring food and drinking water with you. Wood fires are not... Find out more

---

Kingfisher Pool camping ground (walk-in camping) 34 km

On the Bullawaring Track in the middle of the park, it’s a fair walk into this campsite. It’s only for self-sufficient campers carrying decent maps. Note: fires prohibited; gas/fuel stove only.... Find out more

---

Lake Eckersley camping ground (walk-in camping) 37 km

There are 2 camping sites here, near Lake Eckersley in the middle of the park, with enough room for up to 6 campers. You’ll need to be self-sufficient in food and drinking water. Take a good map with you. Note:... Find out more

---

Mirang Pool camping ground (walk-in camping) 37 km

This is slightly larger than the other camping grounds in the park, with 6 campsites accommodating up to 18 people in total. Make sure you’re self-sufficient in food and water, with a good map. Note: fires... Find out more

---

Uloola Falls camping ground (walk-in camping) 37 km

The medium difficulty Uloola Falls Walking Track (11 km, 3 hrs) is the only way in to this camping ground. The track can be accessed from Heathcote, Engadine or Waterfall, all of which are reachable by train. Make sure... Find out more

---

Bonnie Vale camping ground 44 km

There are 40 unpowered sites here with wood-fired barbecues (gas/fuel stoves preferred), and it’s the only designated camping ground that’s accessible by vehicle. To get here, take the Bundeena Rd from... Find out more

---

Starlights Trail camping area (bush camping) 46 km

This is essentially a bush-camping site by the Nattai River, reached via the 12 km return Starlights Trail, which begins and ends in the carpark at the end of Wattle Ridge Rd. It’s a strenuous walk for experienced,... Find out more

---

Corrimal Beach Tourist Park 5 km

A council-owned beachside park on the north side of Wollongong, this place has good amenities and is a popular holiday destination. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more

---

Bulli Beach Tourist Park 10 km

This popular, council-owned holiday park adjoins a patrolled beach with beach pools. In a quiet area, this place will appeal to families or those just spending a few peaceful days out of the holiday season.... Find out more

---

Windang Beach Tourist Park 13 km

This is a council-owned, popular beachside holiday park located on the south side of Wollongong, next to Lake Illawarra. Bookings are required in peak periods and a minimum-length stay applies at these times.... Find out more

---

Shellharbour Beachside Tourist Park 17 km

This caravan park is in a quiet location on the beachfront, adjoining the beachside baths. The shops, including some eateries, are just a short stroll away. While pets are allowed, only small dogs are permitted. This is... Find out more

---

Easts Beach Holiday Park 30 km

This is a fabulous, large and well laid out beachfront park with very good amenities and facilities, including TV cables to all ensuite sites. The East family is a prominent owner of several New South Wales caravan parks... Find out more

---

Seven Mile Beach Holiday Park 39 km

Swim at the beach or sit back, relax and watch TV at this large, fabulous beachside park. It has great facilities, including ensuite sites with full Austar TV hook-up. It also has excellent amenities and is in a... Find out more

---

Mittagong Caravan Park 40 km

The caravan park is 1 km north of the town centre. There is a well-stocked shop and easy access to the Hume Freeway. This is one of only two parks in this area of the central highlands. The park can get very busy, so... Find out more

---

Mountain View Caravan and Mobile Home Village 49 km

This is a large, quality park with great amenities and very good facilities, including tennis courts, minigolf course and a very popular 500-metre walking track with eight gym stations. Ask about the courtesy bus that... Find out more

---

Shoalhaven Heads Tourist Park 49 km

Holiday Haven caravan parks are great establishments, owned and operated by the Shoalhaven Heads Council. This large, award-winning riverfront park has very good facilities. It is just a short walk through to the beach... Find out more

---

Moss Vale Village Caravan Park 51 km

The park, 2 km south of Moss Vale, is one of two in this part of the central highlands. It is ideal for a night or two if you are planning to explore the area. Bookings are recommended all year round, and there is a... Find out more

---

Above Wollongong at 
Pleasant Heights B&B

Above Wollongong at Pleasant Heights, this luxurious boutique B&B has stunning ocean and lush escarpment views. The three individually themed self-contained spa suites all have private entrances, marble floors and... Find out more

---

Bunjaree Cottages, Wentworth Falls 91 km

Great for families, Bunjaree Cottages have been designed to make a small environmental footprint, with full solar power and earth-brick insulation. One is built with recycled car tyres and mud, providing even better... Find out more

---

Old Leura Dairy 95 km

This creative collection of six buildings, which can sleep up to 30 people in various combinations, has been renovated and fitted out with all manner of recycled bits and bobs. There are old oven doors, rusted corrugated... Find out more

---

Jemby-Rinjah Eco Lodge, Blackheath 101 km

One of the first working examples of large-scale sustainable tourism to exist in Australia, Jemby-Rinjah has advanced eco-accreditation, and one of the most extensive systems of composting toilets in the country. Ten... Find out more

---

Kanimbla View, Blackheath 104 km

Solar-powered, the two- and three-bedroom cottages here are surprisingly large inside. They are partially constructed from recycled and salvaged timbers, have composting toilets and a great view of the Kanimbla Valley... Find out more

---

Woolshed Cabins, near Blackheath 105 km

Eleven kilometres from Blackheath and surrounded by a glorious natural amphitheatre of towering sandstone walls, the Woolshed Cabins sit on 100 hectares of cleared farmland (a working cattle farm) in the Kanimbla Valley,... Find out more

---

Jenolan Cabins 106 km

These basic but cosy self-contained cabins, 6 kilometres up the steep hill past Jenolan Caves, are earth-sheltered for climate control and have composting toilets and rainwater. There are great views over the mountains,... Find out more

---

Wollemi Wilderness Retreat, Bilpin 109 km

These unusual self-contained cabins of various sizes feature passive solar design and are mainly constructed from recycled and salvaged materials. Although not high-class, they all have a spa and are in isolated bush... Find out more

---

Australia Walkabout Park, Calga 115 km

You can camp out with the 180 species of wild animal in this 32-hectare feral-proofed wildlife park that has a solid history of conservation and caring for injured and orphaned wildlife. The overnight camping experience... Find out more

---

Dargan Springs Mountain Lodge, Clarence 120 km

At the soft end of ecotourism, this pleasant lodge and wellness retreat has advanced eco-certification. It is surrounded by a mountain ash forest dotted with waratahs, the habitat of wombats and wallabies. With a maximum... Find out more

---

Clonturkle Sanctuary 145 km

Join the experiment in sustainable living and tourism at Clonturkle Earth Hamlet and Forest Sanctuary. Located at Yetholme, there are four cabins set on 240 hectares of mostly eucalypt forest, with 15 kilometres of... Find out more

---

Gordon VC Rest Area 58 km

21 km SW of Mittagong (R) or 64 km NE of Goulburn (L) Small area just off the highway. Good facilities. GPS: S34 32.086 E150 16.885  ... Find out more

---

Mackey VC Rest Area 61 km

28 km SW of Mittagong (L) or 57 km NE of Goulburn (R) Small area just off the highway. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S34 34.763 E150 15.192  ... Find out more

---

Kingsbury VC Rest Area 66 km

27 km SW of Mittagong (L) or 58 km NE of Goulburn (R) Large area just off the highway among some large pine trees. Good shade. GPS: S34 37.166 E150 12.832 ... Find out more

---

Bewang Park Area 80 km

38 km N of Ulladulla (L) or 30 km S of Nowra (R) Small area adjacent to the highway, opposite the roadhouse. GPS: S35 05.123 E150 31.993 ... Find out more

---

Chowne VC Rest Area 99 km

17 km NE of Goulburn (L) eastbound only Large area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S34 44.621 E149 53.244  ... Find out more

---

Hawkesbury River Rest Area 103 km

49 km N of Sydney (L) northbound only Large area just off the highway on the banks of the river. GPS: S33 32.029 E151 11.845... Find out more

---

Derrick VC Rest Area 104 km

73 km SW of Mittagong (L) westbound only Large area just off the highway. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S34 44.149 E149 49.805 ... Find out more

---

Burrill Lake Park Area 115 km

South side of town Large town park in a pleasant lakeside setting just off the highway. Good facilities. GPS: S35 23.391 E150 26.652    ... Find out more

---

French VC Rest Area 122 km

9 km W of Goulburn (R) or 78 km E of Yass (L) Large area just off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S34 47.207 E149 38.416... Find out more

---

Ourimbah Exit Rest Area 128 km

82 km N of Sydney (L) or 85 km S of Raymond Terrace (R) Large area just off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S33 20.594 E151 22.046  ... Find out more

---

Lake Wallace Park Area 135 km

T/O 51 km E of Bathurst (L) or 11 km W of Lithgow (R) Large area 2 kilometres north of the highway on the shores of the lake. Good facilities but only limited shade. GPS: S33 24.849 E150 04.255 ... Find out more

---

Service Centre 138 km

93 km N of Sydney (L) or 74 km S of Raymond Terrace (R) Highway Service Centre just off the highway. GPS: S33 15.322 E151 24.172... Find out more

---

Sunny Corner Camp Area 148 km

T/O 34 km E of Bathurst (L) or 28 km W of Lithgow (R) Secluded campground located 7 kilometres north of the highway. GPS: S33 23.267 E149 53.542  ... Find out more

---