22 must-visit markets across Sydney

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Visiting one, or some, of the best Sydney markets is the backbone of any Sydneysider’s weekend calendar.

Whether you’re stocking up on flowers or food, clothing or collectables, or simply craving some cracking community spirit, a vast collection of Sydney markets provides the ultimate remedy. Find your new favourite below.

Northern Beaches | Eastern Suburbs | North Shore | Inner West | North West and Western Suburbs | Inner City

Northern Beaches, Sydney markets

Laid-back and boasting some of the greatest outdoor locations, this northern peninsula of the city is a mostly sleepy stretch of paradise filled with excellent surfing, great coffee and plenty to explore.

1. The Beaches Market @ Palmy

When: The fourth Sunday of the month from 9am to 3pm

Away from the surf, there really is no better way to discover the true community essence of the Northern Beaches than by visiting the Beaches Market . More than 70 local stallholders gather at Governor Phillip Park to sell a variety of jewellery, fashions, arts, and crafts, homewares and books. There’s also local live music to bop along to as your shopping soundtrack, plus a playground for kids to cut loose on.

Address: 6 Beach Road, Palm Beach

2. Mona Vale Markets

When: Every Sunday from 8.30am to 1pm

fresh produce displayed at Mona Vale Markets
Stock up on fresh produce at Mona Vale Markets.

Locals were devastated to learn the ever-popular Frenchs Forest Organic Markets were closing up shop but the good times returned fast with the arrival of the Mona Vale Markets , its reimagining a few kilometres over.

Dishing up the same quality farm produce plus delicious international food, meats, organic goods and deluxe cheeses, this bustling Sydney market provides everything you need for an indulgent Sunday spread and the rest of the week’s groceries.

Address: Pittwater RSL, 82 Mona Vale Road, Mona Vale

3. Berry Reserve Market

When: The third Sunday of each month from 9am to 4pm

This chilled-out al fresco Sydney market made up of cute handiworks, plants, fashion, jewellery and food stalls is a bit of a local’s secret so you can expect to feel like you’re part of the community when wandering these grassy grounds. Surrounded by lush greenery, the Berry Reserve Market  isn’t huge but it’s plenty charming.

Address: Berry Reserve, 1417 Pittwater Road, Narrabeen

Eastern Suburbs, Sydney markets

Home to the city’s most glamorous inhabitants, this glistening corner of the world is filled with world-acclaimed dining, brilliant coastal real estate and a beachside culture that lures the rich and famous.

4. Paddington Markets

When: Every Saturday from 10am to 4pm

the bustling shopping stalls at Paddington Markets beside the Paddington Uniting Church
There are more than 100 stalls lined along the grounds of Paddington Uniting Church. (Image: Destination NSW)

Once the birthplace of iconic Australian clothing label Zimmermann, you’ll find plenty more than fashion at the Paddington Markets located alongside the beautiful suburb’s Uniting Church. There are over 150 unique stalls filled with jewellery, accessories, food, flowers, soaps and much more at this Sydney market. Plus, it’s a beautiful setting that comes alive with the community.

Address: 395 Oxford Street, Paddington.

5. The Finders Keepers

When: Once every season so check the website  for up-to-date scheduling.

Stallholder selling product at Finders Keepers market in Sydney
The Finders Keepers market is held once each season.

What started as a side hustle for two clever Sydney besties has turned into a national travelling treasure more than 15 years after its inception. The Finders Keepers, a seasonal design-focused market showcasing the most creative minds from all over the country, is held four times a year – once every summer, autumn, winter and spring. With a major focus on sustainable living, stalls offer ceramics, art and fashion crafted environmentally consciously, alongside workshops promoting recyclable materials. Where top-notch artistry thrives, hella delicious food and drink follow. Brooklyn Bagels and Stone & Wood brews are just some of the supporting acts at this wonderful Sydney market.

Address: The Hordern Pavilion, 1 Driver Avenue, Moore Park

6. Bondi Markets

When: Every Sunday from 10am to 4pm

The Bondi Markets  aren’t just filled with locals. You’ll find that loyal visitors from all over Sydney (and the world) make the trip to Bondi Beach Primary School on Saturdays and Sundays to soak up the sunny vibes this hot Eastern Suburbs ticket is renowned for. You can find almost anything at this Sydney market, depending on the day you come. Saturday calls for the Farmers Market, compiling fresh produce, food, flowers, smoothies and other edible delights. On Sunday, it becomes the Bondi Markets, mixing permanent stallholders and one-off renters hocking their new and vintage wares.

Address: Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach

7. Blak Markets

When: Up to eight times per year so check the website  for up-to-date scheduling.

shoppers strolling around the stalls at Blak Markets
Browse through an array of stalls at Blak Markets. (Image: Destination NSW)

A Sydney market that works diligently to promote First Nations artists and their work, Blak Markets showcases one of the finest collections of modern Australian art in the country.

You can expect plenty of celebrations including song and dance, plus inspired works spanning skincare, fashion, jewellery, sculpture, painting and more. It’s also extra engaging offering art and cooking workshops, so stay and make the most of a full day when its next calendar date rolls around.

Address: Kamay Botany Bay National Park, Cape Solander Drive, Kurnell

8. Cambridge Markets EQ

When: Every Wednesday and Saturday from 8am to 2pm

People browsing the market at The Cannery
Cambridge Markets EQ in Moore Park offers cruisy vibes. (Image: Jessica Nash Photography)

Whether you’re picking up the week’s full fruit and veg quota on Saturday or dropping in for a mid-week top-up, the Cambridge Markets EQ  in Moore Park offers cruisy vibes, plenty of grass to laze about on and deliciously fresh produce and blooms.

The Sydney market isn’t massive but there are enough stalls in there to provide a variety of gourmet indulgences plus seasonal ingredients you won’t find at Woolies or Coles. Food trucks whipping up delicious hot food make it the perfect breakfast or lunch pit stop, too.

Address: The Entertainment Quarter, 122 Lang Road, Moore Park

North Shore and Lower North Shore, Sydney markets

Spoilt with views to some of Australia’s most glorious sights, this endlessly manicured pocket of the city blends Sydney Harbour vistas with a tight-knit community, tree-lined roads and family-friendly parklands.

9. Kirribilli Markets

When: 1st & 2nd Sun & 4th Sat of the month

Kirribilli Markets, Sydney
Stop in at Sydney’s oldest and most loved market.

First held in January 1976, the Kirribilli Markets  is one of Sydney’s oldest and most beloved institutions. Housed in a location that can only be described as iconic, browse more than 220 stalls under the towering watch of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and waterfront. You’ll find fashion, accessories, homewares, gifts, plants and gourmet food at this Sydney market which is split throughout the month into a General & Fashion Market and an Art, Design & Fashion Market, and all money raised from stallholder fees help fund local programs run by the Kirribilli Centre.

Address: Alfred Street South, Milsons Point (next to the Sydney Harbour Bridge)

10. North Side Produce Market

When: First and third Saturday of each month from 8am to 12pm

Fresh flowers from North Side Produce Market.
Flowers are always a good idea on a Saturday morning.

More than 70 stalls travel from all over NSW to showcase their finest produce twice a month at Ted Mack Civic Park on the North Shore, spanning the Central Tablelands, Orange, Southern Highlands and the outskirts of Sydney.

The result is an outstanding mecca of fresh produce, one-of-a-kind breakfast and lunch options and some mighty delicious craft brews at the North Side Produce Market . And there’s good news for pet parents – dogs on leashes are welcome and are invited to stay hydrated at the market’s Information stall where water bowls are provided.

Address: 200 Miller Street, North Sydney

Inner West, Sydney markets

A melting pot of cultures and influences, Sydney’s Inner West overflows with international cuisine, wildly talented artisans and an offbeat lifestyle you won’t find anywhere else in the country.

11. Glebe Markets

When: Every Saturday from 10 am–4 pm

Glebe markets
Peruse the Glebe Markets. (Image: James Horan/Destination NSW)

You’ll find the city’s cool crowd at Glebe Market s on Saturday mornings. Walls are lined with teenagers and young adults trying to snag a bargain, with the majority of sellers hocking pre-loved gems from a couple of clothes racks and boxes to rummage through.

Address: Glebe Public School, Glebe Point Rd & Derby Pl, Glebe

12. Marrickville Organic Food Markets 

When: Every Sunday from 9am to 3pm

A trip to the always buzzing Marrickville Organic Food Markets  is somewhat of a rite of passage among Sydney’s inner westies. Every Sunday, this well-shaded patch of community space plays host to vintage clothes, books, rugs, healing crystals, acai bowls, artisan breads, freshly plucked fruit and vegetables and pretty much everything in between. Spend your time stickybeaking through things you never knew you needed before grabbing a just-sizzled feed and settling down under a tree for respite from this Sydney market’s relentless crowds.

Marketgoers at Marrickville Organic Food Markets
Marrickville Organic Food Markets is somewhat of a rite of passage among Sydney’s inner westies.

Address: 142 Addison Road, Addison Road Centre, Marrickville

13. Orange Grove Organic Food Markets

When: Every Saturday from 8am to 1pm

a lady wearing a hat at Orange Grove Organic Food Markets
Browse the vintage and handmade apparel at Orange Grove Organic Food Markets.

Just like the Marrickville outpost, the Orange Grove Organic Markets is a one-stop shop attracting droves of locals from the moment its cash machines start cha-ching-ing. Located within Orange Grove Primary School, it’s a magnet for young families who utilise the play equipment as they shovel down bacon and egg rolls (a must-devour, every visit) while keeping eyeballs across the kids. Expect excellent produce from these Sydney markets, plus delicious homemade condiments, crafty homewares, a good assortment of flowers and a scattering of vintage and handmade apparel.

Address: Corner Perry Street and Balmain Road, Leichhardt

14. Flour Mill Markets of Summer Hill

When: Every first and third Sunday from 9am to 1pm

Housed in the hundred-year-old Mungo Scott building – once a functioning flour mill – the Flour Mill Markets of Summer Hill  is a sustainable alternative to your typical community farmers’ markets. Here, emphasis is placed on environmentalism, meaning the market is completely plastic-free. Vendors pivot to provide biodegradable packaging, with incentives for those who bring their own reusable bags and coffee cups. In the Sydney market, you’ll find local favourites like Brickfields Bakery and Moulin Café in Lewisham alongside local vendors selling unique jewellery and homewares.

Address: 18 Flour Mill Way, Summer Hill

15. Sydney Flower Market

When: Monday to Friday from 6am to 11am and Saturday from 5am to 11am

a lady looking at beautiful flowers, Sydney Flower Market
Buy yourself a bouquet at Sydney Flower Market. (Image: Destination NSW)

Before dawn breaks, Sydney’s keenest flora lovers start descending on Australia’s biggest flower market. Spanning more than 5200 square metres (and around 170 stalls), the Sydney Flower Market  is the primary, wholesale market for flower growers, sellers, florists and shop owners.

It’s also open to the public, making it a worthy visual delight for those willing to set their alarm early. If you’re not a retailer, Saturday is the least chaotic time to visit with a lot more space to casually stroll at your leisure. Just be sure to bring cash with you, and a bucket with some water for easy transportation.

Address: 250-318 Parramatta Road, Flemington

16. Carriageworks Farmers Markets

When: Every Saturday from 8am to 1pm

a wide shot of Carriageworks Farmers Markets filled with shoppers
Get to Carriageworks Farmers Markets early to secure your fresh produce. (Image: Destination NSW)

Flaky pies from Broomfields, pudgy lamingtons from Flour & Stone, Middle Eastern dips from Kepos Street Kitchen, the best macadamia-laced honey you’ll ever try from Maya Sunny Honey — the goodies at Carriageworks Famers Markets  are some of the country’s most wanted culinary marvels. Get there early to secure your fresh produce too.

While there are dozens of stalls to browse, the crowds are relentlessly thick every weekend, so the best stuff is often snapped up within the first hour. Regardless of when you arrive, you’ll be spoilt for top-quality choices to help you settle rumbling bellies at this Sydney market.

Address: 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh

17. Sydney Fish Market

When: Daily from 7am to 4pm

people outside Claudio’s Seafoods, Sydney Fish Market
Don’t forget to visit Claudio’s Seafoods while you’re here. (Image: Destination NSW)

Home to a stack of seafood suppliers including the ever-popular Claudio’s Seafoods and tourist magnet Fish Market Café, famed for giant platters of the day’s catches deep fried to perfection, the Sydney Fish Market  is a hectic destination at every hour.

Squeeze through the crowds to find every crustacean, fish or ocean delicacy imaginable, and don’t miss Vic’s Meat Market on the other side of the car park for one of the best wagyu brisket burgers Sydney has to offer, served up on a pillowy soft brioche bun. If your heart’s set on fish and chips, you can go fancy at several upmarket dineries but also grab take away from almost every store in sight.

Address: Corner Pyrmont Bridge Road and Bank Street, Pyrmont

North West and Western Suburbs, Sydney markets

The colourful suburbs of Western Sydney are crammed with a plethora of culinary influences, significant landmarks and fascinating markets selling a little bit of everything.

18. Ryde Wharf Markets

When: The second and fourth Sunday of every month from 9am to 2pm

Situated on the Parramatta River, the Ryde Wharf Markets  provides plenty of crafty creations to explore against a calming backdrop of water views. Twice a month, more than 70 stalls come to life offering a range of hot food, condiments, homewares, fashion, jewellery and more. A lively mecca to devour your morning coffee and pick up your weekend treats.

Address: Anderson Park and Ryde Wharf, corner Belmore Street and Rothsay Avenue, Meadowbank

19. Blacktown Markets

When: Every Sunday from 6.30am to 2pm

an artisan collection display at Blacktown Markets
Shop one-of-a-kind artisan collections at Blacktown Markets.

Firstly, it’s the biggest outdoor market in Sydney. Secondly, it’s found in the city’s only remaining drive-in theatre. Finally, there are food trucks. What’s not to love about the Blacktown Markets ? You’ll count 240 stalls offering a mammoth collection of bric-a-brac and food options, plus everything in between. Think of it like an enormous garage sale where you’ll pick up cheap pre-loved toys, trinkets and a stack of mouth-watering international food you won’t find at any other Sydney markets.

Address: Skyline Drive-In on Cricketers Arms Road, Blacktown

Inner City, Sydney markets

Sydney’s CBD and its surrounds are always on, offering a smorgasbord of entertainment, authentic global cuisine and the city’s most vibrant late-night atmosphere.

20. Chinatown Markets

When: Every Friday from 4pm to 11pm

the entrance of Sydney’s Chinatown Markets
Enter the bustling streets of Sydney’s Chinatown Markets. (Image: Destination NSW)

Every Friday when the sun goes down, the heart of Sydney’s Chinatown transforms into an open-air food frenzied mecca, delivering more than 50 stalls filled with all the flavourful street food, desserts and gifts your heart desires. Transport your taste buds to the depths of Asia’s electric twilight vendors at the Chinatown Markets .

Think har gow and mango pancakes from East Ocean Seafood Restaurant, eggplant dumplings, fluffy roti canai and more. Just make sure you save some stomach space to try something new every visit.

Address: Dixon Street, Haymarket

21. The Rocks Market

When: Every Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 5pm

The Rocks Market is the perfect place to spend your weekend. (Image: Destination NSW)

Come the weekend, The Rocks ’ historical, cobblestone laneways come alive with emerging design talent eager to sell their wares. It’s the perfect place to find innovative fashion, homewares and artworks while getting lost in Sydney’s convict past.

While beautiful on sunny, Sydney days, rain certainly does not spoil the visit as most stalls are undercover. For a genuinely enjoyable lazy day of wandering and eating, these markets set a very high standard.

Address: George Street and Playfair Street, The Rocks

22. Hay St Market

When: Daily from 11am, but exact times vary by traders

Hay St Market at Paddy's
Hay St Market at Paddy’s is Sydney’s newest foodie market.

This slick newcomer in the heart of Sydney’s Chinatown is redefining the modern market experience.

Housed in the heritage-listed former Woolworths building on bustling Hay Street, Hay Street Market is a sensory playground that brings together curated Asian eats, boutique retail, and contemporary design under one very photogenic roof. This is the kind of place where you come for one thing and leave with armfuls of delicious surprises.

Address: 9/13 Hay St, Haymarket

Follow up your Sydney market trip with one or more of Sydney’s best coastal and bush walks.

Kristie Lau-Adams
Kristie Lau-Adams is a Gold Coast-based freelance writer after working as a journalist and editorial director for almost 20 years across Australia's best-known media brands including The Sun-Herald, WHO and Woman's Day. She has spent significant time exploring the world with highlights including trekking Japan’s life-changing Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage and ziplining 140 metres above the vines of Mexico’s Puerto Villarta. She loves exploring her own backyard (quite literally, with her two young children who love bugs), but can also be found stalking remote corners globally for outstanding chilli margaritas and soul-stirring cultural experiences.
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Why winter is the best time to be on the New South Wales coast

NSW’s beach towns take on a new kind of magic when the cooler months hit.

Autumn and winter cast a whole new light on the New South Wales coastline. The sun hangs lower, the shadows stretch longer and the air is crisp and fresh. The frenetic summer crowds are gone, and the rhythm slows to the pace of a leisurely winter bush walk through still, damp quiet. From wineries pouring winter reds to the annual whale migration up the ‘humpback highway’, here’s why winter on the New South Wales coast is better.

Winter on the NSW South Coast

Winter down south means misty dawns, sipping a flat white on the beach. The thrill of a whale spotting from the headlands and evenings spent slowly savouring Shoalhaven’s wines by the fire.

Start in Kiama, where waves crash into the famous Blowholes. This natural spectacle is achieved when underground pressure and swell unite, sending sea spray soaring above the basalt cliffs. This means, due to larger waves, you’re even more likely to see an explosive display in winter.

two people standing in front of kiama blowhole
See Kiama’s blowholes in full force. (Image: Destination NSW)

Inland, the Minnamurra Rainforest Walk in Budderoo National Park is all subtropical forest and trilling lyrebird song. Make sure to walk silently along the elevated boardwalks, past winter-swelled creeks and the tangled roots of fig trees. You might just hear one of the musically talented birds mimicking your footsteps.

Feeling adventurous? Book a session at Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures for a wobbly walk through the canopy on Australia’s highest zipline.

Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures on the new south wales south coast
Walk among the tallest trees. (Image: Destination NSW)

Next, it’s time to take the speed down a notch with a drive over to the historic village of Berry. It’s been a beloved stop for generations of Sydneysiders heading south, as has the obligatory stop at its famous doughnut van for crisped, cinnamon goodness. If you’re ready for something a little more chunky, stroll right past the boutiques (okay, go on, just one quick peek) to Milkwood Bakery . Their flaky pastries and all-day breakfasts are best enjoyed under cream-coloured fringed umbrellas.

Back in Kiama, you’ll also find modern Middle Eastern share plates at Miss Arda , and next-level burgers on The Hungry Monkey ‘s extensive menu: an ode to everything pattie-shaped.

End the day at The Sebel Kiama on the harbour. The apartment-style rooms come with full cooking facilities — a welcome addition for families looking to test out the local produce they picked up along the way. Including, but not limited to, vintages from nearby Crooked River Wines .

The Sebel Kiama exterior
Sleep by the harbour.

Winter on the Mid-North Coast

A trip up north is a gentle one at this time of year. You’ll still feel that sunshine warming your shoulders, but the lower temperatures make space for rainforest walks, vineyard lunches and long coastal hikes. All without that pesky humidity.

First stop? It has to be the town of Port Macquarie. Start by marking out a stretch of the nine-kilometre coastal walk you want to tackle (or do the whole thing), which winds from Town Beach to the lighthouse along rugged headlands and quiet beaches. Hot tip: binoculars. Don’t forget them if you want to partake in some close-up sightings of dolphin pods or whales migrating up the ‘humpback highway’.

Port Macquarie Coastal Walk, winter on the New South Wales coast
Wander the Port Macquarie Coastal Walk. (Image: Destination NSW)

Swap sea for canopy at the Sea Acres Rainforest Boardwalk , one of the last remaining pockets of coastal rainforest in the state. The accessible elevated trail passes under climbing ferns and tangled strangler figs, and is alive with scarlet robins, goannas and diamond pythons – if you’re lucky, you might see one slipping through the leaf litter.

Afterwards, lunch is sorted at Cassegrain Wines , where crisp whites and elegant reds are grown using a blend of French winemaking tradition and Australian innovation. After a tasting, saddle up for a horse ride through the estate.

port macquarie koala hospital
Meet Koala Hospital inhabitants at their temporary home. (Image: Destination NSW)

The beloved Koala Hospital is rebuilding, so meet its furry patients in their temporary bushland abode at Guulabaa – Place of Koala . Here, you can see rehabilitation up close and learn how one of Australia’s most iconic animals is being carefully rewilded and protected.

Back in town, Whalebone Wharf  serves up fine dining with serious views to go with your oysters. Prefer something breezier? Bills Fishhouse + Bar does everything from blue swimmer crab toast to zucchini noodles drizzled in basil and wattleseed pesto. Down by the waterfront, Little Shack slings ceviche, mushroom burgers and fish tacos with casual aplomb.

At the end of it all, check in to Mercure Centro Port Macquarie , right in the heart of town. From here, everything’s walkable. Just park the car, pop your keys in your pocket, and stroll down to the beach.

bed at Mercure Centro Port Macquarie
Check in to Mercure Centro Port Macquarie.

Winter on the Central Coast

On the Central Coast, expect to explore oyster farms that sit on estuaries, beaches that stretch empty for miles, and the kind of surprise sightings of whale sprays that can stop a hiker in their tracks.

The best way to settle into this slower rhythm is with the Bouddi Coastal Walk , an 8.5km trail that dips through rainforest and eroding cliffs. It’s made for unhurried walkers and long-lens photographers.

Up the coast in Terrigal, it’s prime time to spot humpbacks on the move. Join a cruise or find your own perch — Crackneck Lookout and Norah Head Lighthouse are both local favourites.

a humpback whale breaching on the central coast
Spot migrating humpback whales. (Image: Destination NSW)

Travelling with kids? It would be sacrilege not to visit the Australian Reptile Park . Here, Elvis the saltwater crocodile reigns supreme, and the venomous snake talk somehow manages to be simultaneously terrifying and fascinating.

If that isn’t enough to wear them out, zip and climb your way through Treetops Adventure Central Coast , a ropes course in the canopy of Ourimbah State Forest. Afterwards, steady your nerves with a garden tasting at Firescreek Botanical Winery , where fruit- and flower-infused wines are served under the trees.

Switch earth for sea and hop on a boat tour with Broken Bay Pearl Farm . Once you’re out on the water, you’ll learn how pearls are cultivated and have a hands-on lesson in grading and shucking.

woman holding a pearl at Broken Bay Pearl Farm
Get a hands-on pearl lesson. (Image: Destination NSW)

As the day winds down, grab a seat at Yellowtail in Terrigal , which takes seasonal native produce and presents it with Asian flair. Prefer something simple? Award-winning Mount White restaurant Saddles is a quintessential Australian dining destination. Find an impressive breakfast and lunch menu, dedicated to country-style cooking and seasonal produce.

Stay the night at Pullman Magenta Shores , between the ocean and the lake. There are plenty of ways to relax, with a massage at the day spa, a poolside beanbag and a round or two at the golf course.

restaurant at Pullman Magenta Shores central coast
Eat well at Pullman Magenta Shores’ restaurant. (Image: Destination NSW)

Winter in Wollongong

Wollongong does contrast pretty well. One moment you’re walking beneath an enormous Buddha, the next you’re ordering soju a few blocks from the surf. It’s a town where skydivers land on beaches, trails lead to paddocks and winter days stretch long and clear beneath the Illawarra cliffs.

If you’re coming from the north, start by crossing over the Sea Cliff Bridge. Curving dramatically out like a jutting ‘C’ out above the water means you won’t be able to resist pulling over (safely, in designated lookouts) to gaze down at the waves crashing on the cliffs below.

Just inland is the serenity of the Nan Tien Temple , the largest Buddhist temple in the Southern Hemisphere. You can trace the prayer path, explore the temple gardens and sip delectable Kam Quat Tea in the quiet light at the Dew Drop Inn Tea House.

monk teaching tai chi at Nan Tien Temple
Learn about Buddhist practices. (Image: Destination NSW)

Next, dust off that cowboy hat. It’s time for the Darkes Forest Riding Ranch . Take a guided canter via trail rides among peppermint gums and paddocks. If you’re happier to look at animals than ride them, Symbio Wildlife Park has red pandas dozing in trees, kangaroos that hop up to you and lessons on conservation.

The brave among you shouldn’t miss Skydive Australia – Wollongong . A free fall over the coast via tandem jumps before tumbling down to the sand is a breath-stopping thrill. Prefer to keep your feet on the ground? Check out the program at Wollongong Art Gallery , which delivers contemporary and Aboriginal exhibitions in the centre of town.

monkey at Symbio Wildlife Park
Hang out with the locals at Symbio Wildlife Park.(Image: Destination NSW)

As evening settles in, nab a table at Baby Face Kitchen . It has an ever-changing set menu, with dishes like hand-picked mud crab with white asparagus and salty brown butter, to sheep’s milk and honey ice cream. For something more casual, Dagwood Bar + Kitchen brings the fun with Korean fried chicken, sake cocktails and weekly all-you-can-eat bao buns.

Check in to Novotel Wollongong Northbeach , right by the sand. With a beachfront pool and ocean views, it’s an ideal base for whatever pace you choose.

Novotel Wollongong Northbeach
Fall asleep listening to the waves.

Winter on the New South Wales coast starts with a cosy place to stay. Start planning your adventure at all.com.