Karly’s guidebook. Recommendations and More!
Our Favourite Picnic Spots
Beautiful Gardens with a gorgeous duck pond. Picnic tables available and ideal for a small walk. Open Tuesdays, Saturday and Sunday 10am-5pm.
Its is ran by local volunteers so a parking donation is appreciated.
This is a family favourite picnic location. A beautiful hidden garden, 3 min drive from our home.
Rhododendron Park
46 Parrish AveThis is a family favourite picnic location. A beautiful hidden garden, 3 min drive from our home.
We just love this park! Just a 5 min drive up the highway and this tranquil natural beauty awaits. Myriads of native plants as well as exotic plants from around the world.
Fabulous for a family picnic, walk and there's even a large play park with sand pit for the children.
67 helybéli ajánlásával
Wollongongi Botanikus Kert
40 Murphys AveWe just love this park! Just a 5 min drive up the highway and this tranquil natural beauty awaits. Myriads of native plants as well as exotic plants from around the world.
Fabulous for a family picnic, walk and there's even a large play park with sand pit for the children.
Beaches
Great beach to visit especially if you are have kids. Fish and Chip shop on the way (Fishnets, 114 Pioneer Rd), large park small and bigger kids. beach pools and great beach. Plenty of parking.
46 helybéli ajánlásával
Towradgi Beach Hotel
170 Pioneer RdGreat beach to visit especially if you are have kids. Fish and Chip shop on the way (Fishnets, 114 Pioneer Rd), large park small and bigger kids. beach pools and great beach. Plenty of parking.
This is the closest and most local beach, although you can get to most beaches north and south of Fairy Meadow by either walking or riding your bike along the bike track.
If you have your pooch with you, this is an on leash beach but connects to Puckeys Beach which is an off leash area.
10 helybéli ajánlásával
Fairy Meadow Beach Reserve
Elliotts RoadThis is the closest and most local beach, although you can get to most beaches north and south of Fairy Meadow by either walking or riding your bike along the bike track.
If you have your pooch with you, this is an on leash beach but connects to Puckeys Beach which is an off leash area.
Ideal for families, North Wollongong Beach has rock pools, wading areas and good surf. There is plenty of grass, shade, and picnic booths plus a children's playground is close by in Stuart Park and shops, cafes and amenities are provided, parking is free.
6 helybéli ajánlásával
North Beach
Ideal for families, North Wollongong Beach has rock pools, wading areas and good surf. There is plenty of grass, shade, and picnic booths plus a children's playground is close by in Stuart Park and shops, cafes and amenities are provided, parking is free.
Day Trips
Every so often, nature likes to show off, and Kiama Blowhole is the perfect place to see it.
Kiama's famous Blowhole is the largest in the world, and when the swell is running from the southeast, you're in for a real treat. The 2.5 metres opening in the rock face has had its plumes of water recorded at heights of over 30 metres!
While you are here there are some great cafes and fish and chips to enjoy in Kiama.
261 helybéli ajánlásával
Kiama Blowhole
Every so often, nature likes to show off, and Kiama Blowhole is the perfect place to see it.
Kiama's famous Blowhole is the largest in the world, and when the swell is running from the southeast, you're in for a real treat. The 2.5 metres opening in the rock face has had its plumes of water recorded at heights of over 30 metres!
While you are here there are some great cafes and fish and chips to enjoy in Kiama.
Beautiful Rainforest walk. Even better to visit when its actually raining. Family friendly. Hear the loud tumbling water, sound of the birds whilst admiring the many various rainforest trees and Plants.
Parking fee required.
177 helybéli ajánlásával
Minnamurra Esőerdő Központ
345 Minnamurra Falls RdBeautiful Rainforest walk. Even better to visit when its actually raining. Family friendly. Hear the loud tumbling water, sound of the birds whilst admiring the many various rainforest trees and Plants.
Parking fee required.
Kiama's coastline is broken significantly twice - at its northern and southern boarders. In the north, Minnamurra River does the honours - a popular swimming spot and home to kayakers, paddle boarders, fishermen and more, enjoying its sandy shores and tidal personality.
The entrance of the river is characterised by an offshore island, named Rangoon Island, after an 1870 shipwreck just offshore.
23 helybéli ajánlásával
Minnamurra River
Kiama's coastline is broken significantly twice - at its northern and southern boarders. In the north, Minnamurra River does the honours - a popular swimming spot and home to kayakers, paddle boarders, fishermen and more, enjoying its sandy shores and tidal personality.
The entrance of the river is characterised by an offshore island, named Rangoon Island, after an 1870 shipwreck just offshore.
Kids and Adventure
If you like Water Parks this is a must visit for a full day of Fun. About 40mins drive south, but definitely worth the drive!
228 helybéli ajánlásával
Jamberoo Action Park
1215 Jamberoo RdIf you like Water Parks this is a must visit for a full day of Fun. About 40mins drive south, but definitely worth the drive!
Inspire their imagination and curiosity at Australia’s first dedicated hands-on children’s museum – perfect for children (birth – 10 years) and adults to enjoy together.
https://www.earlystartdiscoveryspace.edu.au/
Discovery centre
Inspire their imagination and curiosity at Australia’s first dedicated hands-on children’s museum – perfect for children (birth – 10 years) and adults to enjoy together.
https://www.earlystartdiscoveryspace.edu.au/
Science Space is home to Australia's most digitally advanced Planetarium, over 90 interactive exhibits and so much more.
https://sciencespace.com.au/
31 helybéli ajánlásával
Science Space
60 Squires WayScience Space is home to Australia's most digitally advanced Planetarium, over 90 interactive exhibits and so much more.
https://sciencespace.com.au/
Free fun to be had for the MTB enthusiast! This is a great family fun day. open sunrise till sunset. If you also have younger children that can't yet ride there is an awesome fence playpark that will keep them occupied.
https://wollongong.nsw.gov.au/about/parking-transport/cycling/cringila-hills-mountain-bike-park
Cringila Hills Mountain Bike Park
Lackawanna StreetFree fun to be had for the MTB enthusiast! This is a great family fun day. open sunrise till sunset. If you also have younger children that can't yet ride there is an awesome fence playpark that will keep them occupied.
https://wollongong.nsw.gov.au/about/parking-transport/cycling/cringila-hills-mountain-bike-park
Restaurants
Our Favourite Italian Restaurant. Great food, wine and service. Atmosphere is 10/10 and reasonable pricing.
Pram friendly.
46 helybéli ajánlásával
Kneading Ruby
5 Crown LnOur Favourite Italian Restaurant. Great food, wine and service. Atmosphere is 10/10 and reasonable pricing.
Pram friendly.
Our Favourite Lebanese restaurant. family friendly, pram friendly.
26 helybéli ajánlásával
Samaras Restaurant Wollongong
Corrimal StreetOur Favourite Lebanese restaurant. family friendly, pram friendly.
Dinning right on the beach. Enjoy the view and sound of the waves as you enjoy your woodfired pizza for dinner.
Breakfast here is great on a weekend. With all day dinning on the weekend the menu will not disappoint.
Wednesdays — Fridays
05.30PM to 09.30PM
Saturdays — Sundays
All-Day Dining
11.30AM to 09.30PM
6 helybéli ajánlásával
Northbeach Pavilion Pizza Restaurant, Bar & Kiosk
5 Cliff RoadDinning right on the beach. Enjoy the view and sound of the waves as you enjoy your woodfired pizza for dinner.
Breakfast here is great on a weekend. With all day dinning on the weekend the menu will not disappoint.
Wednesdays — Fridays
05.30PM to 09.30PM
Saturdays — Sundays
All-Day Dining
11.30AM to 09.30PM
Favourite Cafes ( Pram Friendly)
This cafe is hidden in a little ally in the centre of Wollongong. Initially this treasure of a cafe may not catch your eye, but hands down does the BEST breakfasts in Wollongong.
Family friendly, pram friendly.
Fat Cat Kitchen
81 Church StreetThis cafe is hidden in a little ally in the centre of Wollongong. Initially this treasure of a cafe may not catch your eye, but hands down does the BEST breakfasts in Wollongong.
Family friendly, pram friendly.
If you have just had fun at the blow hole and fancy a coffee or even a nice dine in lunch with a glass of wine, this is you place! Great atmosphere and location.
14 helybéli ajánlásával
Diggies Kiama
1 Blowhole Point RdIf you have just had fun at the blow hole and fancy a coffee or even a nice dine in lunch with a glass of wine, this is you place! Great atmosphere and location.
Bush Walks and Tracks
Mount Keira Ring track is a 5.5km, grade 4 circuit hike, located in the Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area. The hike should take approximately 4hrs to complete.Circling Mount Keira in an engaging loop, the ring track is a terrific setting for a casual hike or an energetic run. Expect to encounter a lush parade of forests and terrain, from cool sub-tropical bush to lofty red cedars and rocky outcrops. Catbirds call in the rainforest as you trace the old route of an early colonial road.
You can join the track just 3 mins up the road via Parrish Avenue.
Mount Keira Ring Track
Mount Keira Ring TrackMount Keira Ring track is a 5.5km, grade 4 circuit hike, located in the Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area. The hike should take approximately 4hrs to complete.Circling Mount Keira in an engaging loop, the ring track is a terrific setting for a casual hike or an energetic run. Expect to encounter a lush parade of forests and terrain, from cool sub-tropical bush to lofty red cedars and rocky outcrops. Catbirds call in the rainforest as you trace the old route of an early colonial road.
You can join the track just 3 mins up the road via Parrish Avenue.
Located at the top of the Illawarra escarpment, it is a significant Aboriginal cultural heritage site. You can enjoy awe-inspiring views over Wollongong from the lookouts and explore multiple bushwalking tracks.
74 helybéli ajánlásával
Mount Keira kilátó
Queen Elizabeth DriveLocated at the top of the Illawarra escarpment, it is a significant Aboriginal cultural heritage site. You can enjoy awe-inspiring views over Wollongong from the lookouts and explore multiple bushwalking tracks.
This is a fabulous lookout. You can simply drive to the top and admire the view...or take the route of most resistance and walk or should I say climb) the track to the top. Its magnificent. Not for the faint hearted but definitely worth the steps. Cafe and a cold beer at the top as a reward:)
Too tricky for young children to climb.
71 helybéli ajánlásával
Sublime Point Lookout
This is a fabulous lookout. You can simply drive to the top and admire the view...or take the route of most resistance and walk or should I say climb) the track to the top. Its magnificent. Not for the faint hearted but definitely worth the steps. Cafe and a cold beer at the top as a reward:)
Too tricky for young children to climb.