About Wollongong

Wollongong has a relaxed, coastal vibe with many outdoor activities on offer thanks to the surrounding national park and 17 patrolled beaches. This blends perfectly with a lively cultural, social and food scene—Wollongong is Australia’s tenth-largest city, so there’s always something happening.

On weekends, you could head to North Beach and its many cafés and restaurants. Or you could go shopping, get involved in the community, or simply relax at home with your family. Or you could do all of the above because Wollongong has so many options for getting around!

The great outdoors 

Now’s the time to try something new! Learn to surf, parasail, windsurf, rock climb or mountain bike—in Wollongong, the list goes on!

Wollongong has plenty of sports facilities and golf courses, and a range of local sports competitions including netball, cricket, soccer, rugby union and AFL. If you’re a fan, the NRL’s St George Illawarra Dragons play at WIN Sports & Entertainment Centre—also home to the Wollongong Wolves football team.

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Culture & the arts 

The Illawarra has long inspired creative thinking. In 1894, aviation legend Lawrence Hargrave successfully lifted himself off the ground using box kites on Stanwell Park Beach. The beach is still popular for handgliders and paragliders.

Artists have also always been drawn to the region, including Norman Lindsay, Arthur Streeton, Margaret Preston and Brett Whiteley. The Wollongong City Gallery’s exhibitions change regularly—and it displays a permanent collection of contemporary Aboriginal art.

The gallery is part of the CBD’s cultural precinct—also home to the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre. Wollongong Conservatorium of Music overlooks the Botanic Gardens, next to the uni, and WIN Sports & Entertainment Centre hosts international concerts.

See what's on  in Wollongong 

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Eat, Drink, Dance 

Wollongong’s diverse multicultural population means the city’s restaurants, cafés and bars are lively and offer many tasty delights. From inner-city dining to alfresco cafés and bars, you will discover flavours from as far as Europe, South America, the Middle East and Asia. There are three restaurant strips in the city, but venturing into the northern suburbs or to the harbour will uncover alternative culinary treasures. There are also many reputable pubs and bars for after-dark entertainment.

Whether you unwind in the beer garden at the North Gong Hotel, dance the night away at Cooneys, the Glasshouse or the Ivory or relax by the beach at the Brewery, you'll always find something to entertain you. The Five Islands Brewing Company, 50m from the beach and named after the islands off the coast, is a unique venue with its homebrewed beers named after local landmarks, such as Bulli Black, Dapto Draught, Porter Kembla and South Peach.

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Shop 

Crown Street Mall is the city’s biggest shopping area comprising Wollongong Central Shopping Centre, David Jones, Myer, Rebel Sport and more than 300 specialty stores. And there are plenty of regional shopping centres as well as regular markets and street stalls.

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Community 

There are many ways to become involved in the local community:

• Wollongong City Council
• Healthy Cities Illawarra
• Illawarra Business Chamber
• Wollongong City Library  
• Nan Tien Temple
• Sri Venkateswara Temple
• Omar Mosque
• Christian churches

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Live 

If you are moving to Wollongong to study, one of your most important decisions will be where you live. You have several accommodation options…

University Residences: Live in a community with academic support, pastoral care and the chance to mix with other residents.

• Campus East
• Weerona College
• International House

University Apartments: A little more independence and small-group living in a furnished apartment shared with other students.

• Graduate House
• Keiraview
• Kooloobong
• International House Apartments

Private: Live by yourself or in a share-house. UOW Accommodation Services, with its database of properties, can help you find private accommodation. 

It’s important you’re aware of the basic rights and responsibilities of tenants before you agree to rent a property. The Office of Fair Trading Renting Guide contains this information.

• Illawarra Regional Accommodation Servics
• Wollongong City Accommodation
• Domain
• Realestate.com.au

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Your family 

Wollongong has many schools, childcare facilities and activities for children and partners. The following links will help you select the right school for your children:

• Wollongong School Education Area
• Public Schools
• Catholic Schools

Childcare waiting lists can be long, and places limited, so it is important that you plan well in advance.

• Care for Kids
• Illawarra Child Care
• Kids Uni (at UOW)

Playgroups are a great way to get to know other families. They offer support and learning for parents and children. 

School holiday activities are listed on the Wollongong City Council website. Parks & playgrounds are dotted throughout the city, and story time is just one of the after-school activities on offer at the Wollongong City Library.

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Getting around 

Wollongong has a reliable transport network of trains, buses and taxis. Transpot Infoline can help you plan your trip if you require more than one mode of transport. UOW runs a shuttle bus service from North Wollongong train station.

Riding a bike is also an option! The city has dedicated cycle paths, often taking in spectacular scenery. And bikes don’t require an entry permit to the university, although they must be parked in designated bike racks.

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