Sights and sounds about 5-15 minutes walk from the Novotel/Conference Venue. By David Cortie (local)
Further suggestions welcome! Email to David or Errol
Wollongong small boat harbour: Leaving Novotel, head straight to the Ocean, then strong South along the beachfront cycling track past coffee shops etc, after ~ 10 minutes will reach the scenic small boat harbour which has safe areas for children to swim or adults to paddleboard.
Ocean Pools: Along the cycle track near Novotel, there are some ocean pools one can swim in, and also a conventional public swimming pool.
Lighthouse: Walking further South you will reach the lighthouse which has a good view, particularly on stormy days.
Secret Ocean Pool “the Nuns Pool”: For the adventurous, there is a tricky pathway around the front of the lighthouse down to the base of the hill that it sit on. There’s a natural pool here, usually with a few friendly octopuses in it. In by-gone times gone past the local nuns at the convent would use to bathe in privacy. Approach from the north through the rocky tidal area when the tide is low. Don’t go at night and don’t attempt the walk alone. There is another path that comes down from the South buts it is very steep and very slippery, I don’t recommend the path from the South, as it is no longer maintained and it’s quite treacherous.
Bushwalk Puckey’s Estate: A very easy and gentle bushwalk during daylight hours, its starting point can be accessed easily by a short stroll from north of Novotel, or the far side can be accessed at Fairy Meadow Beach (near the conference venue). It’s about a 2 km walk each way next to the beach, across a small bridge and through a forest area. Also a popular jogging spot.
Top Hint: Free shuttle buses on endless circular loop around Wollongong There are free shuttle buses that come ~ 20 minutes during the week and every ~40 minutes over the weekend. They stop in multiple venues across the city including the two University campuses (the main campus and the Innovation Campus). Just look out for the free shuttle sign. There’s a stop outside the front of the Novotel Hotel (where some people are staying) and there is also a stop outside the front of the conference venue. The shuttle gets busy in peak times between 7-9 and 4-6 pm.
Activities accessible from the shuttle bus for kids/families:
- Science Centre Situated adjacent to the conference venue on the Innovation Campus, the Science space has educational hands-on displays aimed at kids from 5 – 15 years of age, and tickets are $12-$16 per day. There is also a state-of-the-art planetarium which runs $3 shows on the weekend, each about ~15 minutes long.
- Discovery Space: Situated on the main University campus, this centre is aimed at kids from 1-6 years of age, and a large number of fantastic exhibits and activities. It has a drop-in rate of $7.50-$15 per day, although on the weekends it can get busy so bookings may be advised.
- Wollongong Botanical Gardens and outdoor playground: Free outdoor playground
- Little Stompers Indoor Playground: For rainy days, a great indoor playground
- Symbio Wildlife Park : It’s about ~35 minute drive north of Wollongong, a small local zoo with Koala’s etc.
Food There are too many restaurants to list, but here are a few of my favourites:
- Lagoon Seafood: fancy-ish sea-food place near the scenic lagoon.
- Samaras: very good Middle Eastern, good prices, highly recommended
- Manjit’s: popular Indian restaurant
- Steamers Bar and Grill – fancy-ish bar/grill/cocktail venue
- Amigos : Reasonable approximation of Tex-Mex, cheap tacos on Tuesday, popular with undergrad students and young families! Also the site of famous murder in Wollongong….
- Eat Street: Thursday night markets in the the Mall of Wollongong, many food vans.
- His Boy Elroy – arguably the best burgers in town.
Boutique Coffee There are countless coffee shops in Wollongong, most of them fairly decent. Below I just list the ones that actually roast their coffee brands on-site:
- Delano Coffee – this one is around the corner from the conference venue, open in business hours on weekdays only
- Swell Coffee
- Wollongong Botanical Gardens
Microbreweries/pubs Lots more than listed below, but here are the ones I like:
- Illawarra Brewery: This one is around the corner from the conference venue, about a 4-minute walk.
- 5 Islands Brewery: On the far side of town, started by a UoW chemistry graduate, multiple awards and well worth the visit.
- North Gong Pub: the uni-student pub (at least in my day), a good live music venue on Sunday afternoons, about a 10-minute walk from the conference venue. Also the site of the famous Schnitzel-gate money laundering saga…
Activities for adults:
- Scenic bike ride along the coastal track
- Hang-dog Rock climbing (assisted by a safety harness)
- Dynamite Bouldering (free climbing)
- Drop-in gym (pay per single usage)
- Holey Moley Indoor Golf Bar/Arcade
Nightlife? I really have no idea as with small children I never go out anymore. However, I am told the following venues may be ok: Humbar, Hotel Illawarra