Wollongong

Wollongong is one of those rare places that feels almost too good to be true. Squeezed between a dramatic mountain escarpment and the sparkling Tasman Sea, this Australian city packs an incredible amount of scenery into a small stretch of coastline. Whether you are gazing out at the Pacific Ocean or looking up at forested cliffs towering above the suburbs, nature is impossible to ignore here.

The city has a relaxed, outdoor spirit that is totally its own. Brave visitors can watch hang-gliders launch from clifftops and drift down toward the beach far below like colourful kites caught in the wind. Down at the harbour, a pair of historic lighthouses stand side by side, which is a pretty rare sight anywhere in the world. Just outside the city, an enormous Buddhist temple surrounded by peaceful gardens offers a completely different kind of wonder.

Wollongong also sits close to one of the oldest national parks on Earth, where waterfalls, wildflowers, and lyrebirds wait to be discovered. Big adventures, beautiful landscapes, and surprising sights around every corner — this city genuinely has it all.

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Quick fact

Wollongong is New South Wales' third largest city, dramatically sandwiched between the Illawarra Escarpment and the Tasman Sea, just 80 kilometres south of Sydney.

Fun fact

Wollongong is one of the few cities in the world where you can hang-glide off a mountain cliff and land directly on a beach — thrill-seekers launch from Bald Hill and soar down to the coast below!

Landmarks

Wollongong Lighthouse and Breakwater

Two charming historic lighthouses sit side by side at Wollongong Harbour, guiding ships safely into port and making for one of the prettiest harbour walks in New South Wales.

Nan Tien Temple

The largest Buddhist temple in the Southern Hemisphere sits just outside Wollongong, with beautiful pagodas, peaceful gardens, and colourful lanterns to explore.

Wollongong Botanic Garden

These lovely gardens are home to an amazing collection of plants from around the world, including a tropical glasshouse and a serene Japanese garden with a koi pond.

Bald Hill Lookout

From this dramatic clifftop high above the ocean you can watch hang-gliders soar like giant birds on the sea breeze, with spectacular views stretching for kilometres.

Flagstaff Hill

A historic hilltop fort overlooking the ocean where you can see old cannons and learn about how the people of Wollongong protected their harbour long ago.