The 11 Best Things To Do In Wollongong

Wollongong is at once grand and gritty and we’ve stitched together some of the best things to do on a weekender.

Besides lounging on one of Wollongong’s beautiful northern beaches, which so inspired author D.H. Lawrence, or wallowing in a rock pool, the Greater Wollongong region offers a host of fun and fabulous things to do. Expect the unexpected in the Gong, as it is affectionately known, which has forged a new path for itself. Here are some of the top things to do in Wollongong.

Cycle or drive the iconic Sea Cliff Bridge

The 665-metre long Sea Cliff Bridge is a highlight along the Grand Pacific Drive, which snakes its way from the Royal National Park, just 45 minutes south of Sydney to Loftus and down to Nowra. The serpentine road traces the curves of the coast and has a shared path on the side, which is popular with cyclists. Roll the windows down and let out a few yee-haws along the drive, which is the scenic route to the Gong from Sydney and stretches between the towns of Clifton and Coalcliff.

Drive the most iconic bridge on the South Coast

Friday Forage

The Friday Forage is a weekly artisan food and farmers market that embodies the spirit of creativity that has become synonymous with the Gong. Take a gentle walk through the markets, which brings together local producers all in the one place celebrating the farm-to-plate scene. Rub shoulders with rugged-up farmers and find yourself surrounded by an array of honey, pastries, potatoes, dairy products, and more. Make plans to return to the Bulli Forager’s Market on the second Sunday of the month.

Swim at one of the Gong’s beautiful beaches

Greater Wollongong stretches from Stanwell Park in the north in a continuous sprawl all the way to Shellharbour in the South. The rock pools, ocean baths barnacled onto this stretch of coastline are firm favourites for families and picnickers, as are the stunning beaches. Some of the best places to swim include Thirroul’s free, Olympic-sized ocean pool, where you can churn out a few laps, Wombarra’s hidden baths for a private swim, Austinmer’s sea pools for a dip with a view. Suit up for a surf at Bombo Beach.

Austinmer’s sea pools provide a dip with a view.

Stop for a brew with a view

Stop for a brew with an ocean view at the Scarborough Hotel , which has been perched like an eyrie on a Scarborough cliff edge since it was established in 1886. From the region’s oldest licensed venue to the newest in nearby Austinmer where the Headlands Hotel follows suit with its orientation toward the horizon and providing another top spot to get on the beers. The pubs are emblematic of the position the Greater Gong finds itself in: looking toward the past, with an eye firmly on its future. Cheers.

Sublime Point Walking Track

The next spot on your Illawarra itinerary should be a hike to the top of the escarpment to check out the view of the northern villages and beaches. The steep climb up a series of ladders through emerald rainforest is for experienced walkers only. You can also drive to Sublime Point Lookout where you will be rewarded with magnificent views. Look out for yellow-tailed black cockatoos or giant falcons and kestrels and whales during the migration season. Download the NSW National Parks app before you go.

Browse antiques, art and homewares

Start fossicking for antiques, art and homewares in Thirroul, which is lined with boutiques, galleries and cafes. Try the Egg & Dart for local and international art, or the Wombat in Thirroul for upcycled furniture and oddities. The Shop of Things in Crown St, Wollongong, is also a treasure trove of vintage clothes, random collectables and art. The Wandering Merchants is another atmospheric store that looks like a hispter caravan has pulled into town and exploded its glittering contents.

The Wandering Merchants is a way of life.

Enjoy fish and chips by the sea

Bombora Seafood Restaurant in Wollongong looks out over the bobbing boats, the faraway escarpment and flocks of seagulls pecking away on the shore. It’s the ideal foreground for a family feast of fresh oysters, crumbed calamari, salt ‘n’ pepper squid followed by fish and chips. You can also join the barefoot crowds at Diggies’ North Beach Kiosk for battered barra and chips, one of the best places to eat in the Gong.

Scarborough-Wombarra Bowling Club

The Scarborough-Wombarra Bowling Club is one of a handful of excellent bowlos in the Greater Wollongong area that offers tantalising ocean views that may well distract you from getting your bowl as close as you can to the jack. Give your bowling arm a rest during your game of barefoot bowls by sinking a few schooies and then tucking into the signature ‘bowlo duck’ at the Black Duck Bistro. Reservations are required.

Go hang gliding at Bald Hill Lookout at Stanwell Tops

Bald Hill Lookout is one of the best spots for hang gliding in Australia. Those who are not trained to take a solo running jump off the 300-metre-high cliffs, can harness up with a tandem flight instructor from Hang Glide Oz so they can relax and enjoy the ride. Stanwell Tops is often the first place Sydneysiders stop on their way down south to the Gong as it provides eagle-eyed views over Stanwell Park Beach and onto the Sea Cliff Bridge. Watch your step if you’re snapping a selfie.

Wander the Illawarra Fly Tree Walk

You will hear the wind whisper through the trees and the constant chorus of bird song at the Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk , which travels along to the edge of a bony ridge of the Illawarra Escarpment. There are many points of interest dotted around the park, where you can also take a zipline tour over Fern Gully. Those who aren’t afraid of heights should definitely spiral their way up the 45-metre high Knights Tower Lookout for breath-taking views over the Illawarra.

Tour the galleries, museums and temples

For a change of pace, pull into the slow lane at the Nan Tien Temple , the largest Buddhist temple in the Southern Hemisphere and detour to the Dew Drop Inn Tea House for a rejuvenating pot of lotus tea. You should also add a visit to Wollongong Botanic Garden , Wollongong Art Gallery , and the stunning Illawarra Museum Wollongong , housed in the former Post and Telegraph Office built between 1865 and 1882. And trainspotters and plane spotters can unite at HARS Aviation Museum .

Find more great travel tips and itineraries in our Ultimate guide to Wollongong holidays.

Thredbo in summer is a nature lover’s dream of show-stopping alpine beauty, cool mountain air and magical moonlit adventure.

For many of us, Thredbo calls to mind shimmering slopes and snow-dusted gums, but come summer, this Alpine resort transforms into a playground of an entirely different kind. A cool mountain retreat despite the season, Thredbo summer hikes are astonishingly beautiful, criss-crossing over dramatic peaks, pristine glacial lakes and abundant flora and fauna.

From approachable tracks for novice walkers to more challenging hikes across the Main Range and even journeys under moonlight, Thredbo puts on an unforgettable show of natural splendour all summer. Lace up your walking boots and take the chairlift from Thredbo village to embark on a self-guided exploration or a tour of the Snowy Mountains’ most compelling landscapes.

These eight unforgettable hiking experiences are only available in summer and offer an alpine adventure like you’ve never experienced before.

1. Full Moon Hike to Mt Kosciuszko

There’s something almost mystical about hiking by the light of a full moon. This guided experience begins with a 15-minute chairlift ride, where you’ll admire the Thredbo Valley below, bathed in the fading sun.

Once at the top, you’ll pass rivers, alpine lakes and spot nocturnal wildlife on your way to the Kosciuszko Lookout and Lake Cootapatamba. By the time you reach the summit, sunset is well underway as you watch day give way to night and the alpine landscape magically illuminated by the lunar glow. Enjoy a hot chocolate here before following the path back to Eagles Nest, brightened by the night sky.

This 13-kilometre hike will take place on 3 January, 2 February, and 2 April in 2026.

2. Super Full Moon Hike

Super Full Moon Hike in thredbo — Take in the might of a super full moon.

The only thing that could level up the celestial beauty of a full moon hike would be a super full moon hike . Following the same route, you’ll meet the moon when it is largest and closest to Earth by ascending to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko at an elevation of 2228 metres. From such a height, it almost feels as though you could reach out and touch its glowing surface.

Given the rarity and splendour of the super full moon, limited spots fill up fast for this awe-inspiring hike, so be sure to book the 5 December in advance.

3. Lunar Eclipse Hike

Thredbo Lunar Eclipse Hike — See dazzling celestial displays.

What could be more extraordinary than witnessing a lunar eclipse from Australia’s highest peak? Whether you’re a keen astronomer or simply revel in nature’s beauty, this guided 13-kilometre hike will place you on top of Mount Kosciuszko just as Earth passes between the sun and moon, throwing shade over the lunar surface before transforming it with a deep-red hue.

It’s an epic place to witness one of our galaxy’s most spectacular and rare light shows. Apart from the dazzling celestial display, you’ll also enjoy walking through the moon-bathed landscape, an evening chairlift ride, and a hot chocolate at the summit.

Book now for 3 March.

4. New Moon Hike

New Moon Hike Mt Kosciuszko — Catch the changing skies of a new moon.

A stargazer’s delight, the darkness of a new moon gives the Milky Way full permission to dazzle with its shimmering display. Both astronomers and photographers will relish this opportunity to observe and capture the starry skyscape from the lofty height of Australia’s highest peak, Mount Kosciuszko. Departing Thredbo Village at dusk and leaving its twinkling lights far below, you’ll arrive at the summit in time to see the sun slip away and the stars appear.

Catch this hike during the new moon lunar phase on 20 December, 19 January, 17 February, 19 March or 17 April.

5. Thredbo River Track

Embark on a gentle entry into the Snowy Mountain scenery with an amble along the Thredbo River. This self-guided hike hugs the river and wanders along the valley floor, revealing snow gum forests, swimming holes and little waterfalls that make for revitalising cold plunges in the summer heat.

6. Merritts Nature Track

Merritts Nature Track thredbo summer hikes — Stop at swimming holes along the way.

On warm summer days, venturing into the cooler air of Thredbo’s alpine tracks offers relief from the heat. Particularly if you set course for the four-kilometre Merritts Nature Track , where there are opportunities to take a refreshing dip in swimming holes along the way.

The two-to-three-hour self-guided hike meanders through towering ancient trees (dubbed the ‘Pixie Forest’ by locals), takes in stunning mountain vistas and is soundtracked by the melody of birdsong. Stop for a picnic and discover a hidden natural infinity pool, the location of which is given away by the roar of a cascading waterfall.

7. Mt Kosciuszko Summit Tour

Follow a guide along Mt Kosciuszko's summit. — Follow a guide along Mt Kosciuszko’s summit.

While you can easily steer yourself to Australia’s most iconic peak without a guide, following an expert guide to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko will colour your experience with a deeper knowledge of the landscape and its wild inhabitants. The 13-kilometre return trail puts the alpine scenery on display with 360-degree views from the highest spot in the country.

The walk begins at the top of the Kosciuszko Chairlift and takes around four to six hours to complete, but is gentle enough to be embarked upon by all ages.

8. Snowies Alpine Walk Experience

If you’re looking to truly untether from daily life and embark on a real immersion in Thredbo’s stunning alpine scenery, pack your hiking boots for the newest multi-day walk in the mountains. The Snowies Alpine Walk can be tackled over two or three days and includes nightly accommodation in the iconic Thredbo Alpine Hotel, daily buffet breakfast, packed lunch and dinner vouchers, plus daily transfers to and from trail heads in a brand-new Defender.

The two-day experience covers 24 kilometres, while the three-day experience almost doubles that at 44 kilometres. Along the way, explore barely trod landscapes, vast high-country plains and uplifting mountain horizons.

Discover the full offering of summer hikes in Thredbo at thredbo.com.au.

11 best things to do in Wollongong