Attractions And Things To Do In Wollongong Australia

Once named Australia’s happiest city, there’s no shortage of things to smile about in this playful seaside town. In search of an adventure? We’ve asked our local insiders to root out the best places The Gong has to offer.

1. Symbio Wildlife Park

Zoo

While you can’t cuddle koalas in NSW, you can get a selfie with one at Symbio. The award-winning wildlife park prides itself on its Happy Snaps encounters, which will fill your feed with Aussie icons including koalas, alligators and snakes. Next up, a different kind of feed. Purchase a bag of animal food at the entrance, and you’ll have kangaroos quite literally eating out the palm of your hand. Finally, tuck into your own lunch at the park’s lookout for one of the best views over Wollongong. Recommended by local insider Angharad Jones

2. Jamberoo Action Park

Amusement Park

You can’t get much more Aussie than naming a water park ride after one of its deadliest spiders – except, perhaps, whizzing past a giant model of the arachnid at 30km/hour while on a water slide eponymously named the Funnel Web. This family-friendly action park is filled with rides to get the blood pumping, like zero-gravity multi-sensory experience ‘The Perfect Storm’ and the eight lane-strong racing slides at Surf Hill. Need to dry off? Calm your heart rate by reclining on the chair lift and surveying the surrounding tranquil hills. Recommended by local insider Angharad Jones

3. Nan Tien Temple

Buddhist Temple, Architectural Landmark, Historical Landmark

One of the more surprising of Wollongong’s accolades is that it is home to the largest Buddhist temple in the Southern Hemisphere. Set among a soothing expanse of greenery and drooping willow trees, Nan Tien is a calming place to switch off and explore the resplendent pagodas even if you’re not a practicing Buddhist. Photography is not permitted, but you can swap technology for tai chi by either booking onto one of the focused weekend retreats or dropping into a daily class. Recommended by local insider Susanna Smith

5. HangglideOz

Natural Feature

From the western serrated folds of the Illawarra Escapement to the yawning coastline hugged by Grand Pacific Drive in the east, Wollongong has eye-watering views on tap – and one of the best ways to drink them in is from the air. Hang gliding is the favoured way to see the local area for the team at HangglideOz, who have over 150 years of flying experience between them. Beginners can opt for a 30-minute tandem flight that marries stupendous views with a hefty dose of adrenaline (and a sprinkling of Aussie humour to calm any jangling nerves). Recommended by local insider Susanna Smith

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.