Lookouts
Bulli Pass
Spectacular views over Wollongong and up and down the coast are available from the lookouts at the top of the Bulli Pass. Barbecues, picnic tables and kiosks are available at the lookouts. There are actually three lookout locations here, including Bulli Lookout and Sublime Point. Sublime Point is probably the most famous, and best for a picnic or the view. Bulli Lookout has a restaurant/cafe on the top of the cliff.
Mount Keira Lookout
More spectacular views from the top, as well as some walks and views of the hang-gliders launching. Cafe at the top, serving Devonshire Teas. Worth a visit at night to see the lights of the town.
Mount Kembla Lookout
The escarpment next to Wollongong provides spectacular views over the coastline and city.
Gardens and parks
Minnamurra Rainforest
Visitors centre and boardwalks through sub-tropical rainforest. Go early in the morning for the best chance at seeing wildlife such as lyre birds and wombats. (http://www.nationalparks....)
Wollongong Botanical Gardens
A usually uncrowded open space, with duck ponds and short walks. Bring some bread for the ducks, and a picnic.
Attractions
WIN Sports & Entertainment Centres
The Sports stadium hosts rugby league St.George Illawarra, rugby union, and soccer and has a capacity of 18,500 11,000 seated. The Entertainment Centre is situated to the north of the stadium and hosts a variety of sports and special events.
Nan Tien Temple
Opened in October 1995 it is a branch temple of Fo Guang Shan and the biggest Buddhist Temple in the Southern Hemisphere. "Nan Tien" in Chinese means "Paradise of the South". Received awards for lighting yes, architectural lighting, gardening, architecture and tourism.
Australia's Industry World - Port Kembla Steelworks
The Port Kembla Steelworks is located 80 km south of Sydney in the heart of Port Kembla, an industrial suburb in the Greater City of Wollongong, A fully integrated plant with steelmaking capacity of 5 million tonnes a year, the Steelworks is situated on an area of 800 hectares and directly employs up to 6,000 people. The Steelworks is one of the world's most technically advanced producers of high quality slab, plate and strip products. It has become arguably one of Australia's most valuable industries, competing for overseas markets and providing valuable export dollars for the Australian economy. A drive through the area at night can be interesting, with the flames more visible. You can even sometimes see the glow of the hot steel.
Museums
Science Centre and Planetarium
Two-storey museum with lots of stuff to do for kids aged 1 to 15 and their parents, of course. Don't miss the 3PM Planetarium show $6 adults, $4 children/concession.
BHP Australian Historical Flying Museum
Illawarra Regional Airport (http://www.wollongongairp...) of the Princes Highway (F6 and the Illawarra Highway). A project was started to build an exhibition facility for the aircraft of the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (http://www.hars.org.au/in...) who have an existing base there. HARS recently completed a major hanger, part of an ongoing project. HARS has and extensive static aircraft display and many operational aircraft including the only remaining flying Super Constellation in the world.
swimming and surfing
During the summer months, Wollongong has 17 surf beaches to choose from, each with less crowds and more space than any Sydney beaches. All have free foreshore parking, and most are accessible by public transport and bicycle.
To the north of the city try...
North Beach
One of the most popular beaches, in front of Stuart Park and the Novotel. There is a kiosk right on the beach, but other take-away and restaurant options nearby. You can find a shady spot under the trees in the park, just a few steps from the sand.City (South) Beach
right at the end of Crown St, by WIN Entertainment Centre. Not as popular as North Beach, perhaps because the views to the south take in the steelworks and dunes rather than parks and headlands. Still, it is nice sand and a place to cool off only minutes walk from the city centre.Austinmer
is a very pleasant cove, and small beach. Cafes and restaurants across the road, park and barbecues behind, some would say the ultimate beach, sometimes suffers from its popularity. Go early or late on a sunny day.Towradgi
beach you are sure to get your own stretch of sand.To the south of the city try..
Port Kembla
maybe the Gong's most underrated beach. Possibly associated with the steelworks and the town, but the beach is over the headland, very pretty, and possibly the longest strech of sand on the Wollongong coastline. Has parking, is on the coastal cycle track, and about 2km from Port Kembla station.Windang
has the caravan park, and a feel more like a south coast beach. Just near the entrance to Lake Illawarra, there are also nearby parks and bicycle rides near the lake.If you just want to do some laps, or for the kids to splash in the water, try the lap and leisure pools at Beaton Park, on Foley St off, off Gipps Rd.