Wollongong is a coastal city in New South Wales, Australia. It is located 82 kilometers to the South of Sydney. Wollongong is widely famous for Artworks and throughout centuries, many artists have been there to find inspiration for their creation. Besides, Wollongong attracts visitor by the beautiful long beaches, lovely parks and gardens and famous festivals. To some extent, it is difficult to decide which place to visit because all of them are beautiful and attractive. So now I’ll recommend you 10 top tourist attractions in Wollongong.
1. Wollongong Conservatorium of Music
Wollongong Conservatorium of Music is a symbol of artworks of Wollongong. It is located in one of the most fascinating site, Glenifer Brae Manor House, which was built in 1930s with gothic style. This house brings the inspirations to many musicians, it is home of many beautiful songs throughout centuries.
At the Conservatorium, many outdoor performances are held in the colorful flower garden. The performances attract a great number of audiences because of not only beautiful music but also wonderful landmark. Wollongong Conservatorium of Music also works as a multifunctional center. You will surely have good experience there.
2. Illawarra Museum
The Illawara Museum is located on the City Centre Heritage Trail self-guided tour. It was built in 1882. The Illawarra Historical Society has worked hard to collect local artifacts since its formation in 1944. The Museum has been opened since 1966 and offered three exhibits containing the Historic Classroom, Stockman’s Hut and Air Raid Shelter.
Illawarra Museum assembles the most Australia excellent works of Art & Music. This Center is always on tight performance schedule with all genres such as: opera, dramatic, comedy, concert, ballet… so the tourists and natives can enjoy good music all year round.
3. Killalea State Park
Are you a nature lover? Would you like to release your emotions and fall into the natural life? Killalea State Park will be a good spot for you. It is 265 hectares of immaculate coastal with some of the best beaches on the New South Wales. Killalea is popular for camping, water sports and adventure with coastlines, rainforests and extensive wetlands. When you come here, you have many choices to make your trip remembered such as walking through seaside rainforests enjoying the green life, swimming, boating or surfing in the beautiful sea or having a camping day on the grass field. Swimming and surfing are provided at the Farm and Mystics. For offshore fishing, boat from Minnamurra to Shellharbour.
4. Rhododendron Garden
The Garden is located on SE 28 Avenue, North of Woodstock, between Eastmoreland Golf Course and Reed College and it cover an area of 13 hectares. Rhododendron Garden is an amazing place for plant lovers with thousands of alazeas and rhododendrons. It also contains many rare companion plants which have all ben donated by volunteers and individuals. Those plants provide a wonderful display of color all year round, giving visitors the chance to see many plants they have never seen before in the Pacific Northwest.
5. Coolangatta Estate
Coolangatta Estate is an area situated on the foothills of Mt. Coolangatta, South Coast of New South Wales. When you come here, you will find the peaceful countryside with friendly natives. They will invite you to taste their self-grown wines, stay in their cottages, play golf and have a walk through their historic grounds. You should also enjoy fresh food in their restaurant. The atmosphere there makes you feel like home.
6. Illawara Fly Treetop Adventures
This place is located in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales. It is the highest suspension cable tour in Australia allowing visitors to fly on a series of cable spans and chain bridge 35 meters above the forest and 710 meters above the sea level. They have guides control all departures and arrivals whilst so visitors can have an insight into the forest’s history with views of everything from the forest floor. This tour is suitable for the people who love adrenaline sports and adventures. Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures is one of Australia’s premier treetop walk experiences.
7. Shellharbour Scuba Center
Shellharbour Scuba Center is situated at the south of Wollongong, near the Killalea State Park. There are many genres of sea creatures in the pure water so this center provides scuba diving and snorkeling needs. It will be very exciting experience for the tourists when dive deep into the sea, see varieties of sea creatures and the colorful life in the sea.
This center is open from 9am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday morning and afternoon for diving and scooter diving.
8. Pd Art Gallery and Roy
This is a jewellery store located on Coalcliff famous for handworks made by Pauline Denney and jewellery designed by Roy Wilson with great skill and passion. They can remake old jewellery or supply all metals silver, gold and all stones with the quality and your budget in mind. Pd Art Gallery and Roy will be surely place for all of us to enjoy when come to Wollongong.
9. Wollongong Botanic Garden
Wollongong Botanic Garden is a place of nature beauty where people come to relax and escape the noisy life of the city. There are excellent network of paths to explore and hidden treasure to discover. In additions to the gardens, they also host an All Abilities Playground including climbing, viewing platform, slippery dip, swings…suitable for children. It is suitable for families or groups to come here and have outdoor activities such as camping, playing treasure hunting game, learning about plants…
10. Viva La Gong Festival
This is a annual festival of Wollongong to celebrate and introduce local Artworks and Culture. The local people also perform traditional music in new and creative ways. They have single performances, beautiful street dancing, local fair… so this festival attracts many visitors who want to learn about local culture.