Christmas is getting closer with every passing week. For the top 20 Christmas gift ideas in the Illawarra, continue reading. We’ve found the most popular and the best Christmas present ideas. Here at What’s On In Wollongong, we’ve tracked down some unique gifts for your family, friends, neighbours, teachers, or colleagues. Check out this awesome gift-shopping guide for great gift ideas. Be confident that you’ve found the perfect Christmas gift for everyone this Christmas. Here, you will find everything from luxury to practical gifts and everything in between.

Hamilton Home Co

Top 20 Christmas Gift Ideas Illawarra – Hamilton Home Co.

Hamilton Home Co. love creating spaces that reflect your unique style and personality. They are a proud Australian family business with a passion for modern and mid-century interior decor. They have curated a stunning online collection of furniture, homewares, and artworks that elevate everyday living. They also stock an exquisite range of indoor and outdoor furniture, homewares, colorful indigenous and modern canvas prints and more from carefully selected artisans and suppliers from across Australia. They are also passionate advocators for the beauty of local craftsmanship and the power of small businesses. Shop with them now and see what all the fuss is about.

******LIMITED TIME OFFER: FREE delivery in the Illawarra on Homewares only with code XMASPROMO. Valid until 22nd Dec. Min spend $25. Shop here now.

Stockland, Shellharbour Shopping Centre

Top 20 Christmas Gift Ideas Illawarra – Stockland Shellharbour and Stockland Nowra

With its diverse range of stores, including toy, candle, and luxury gift stores, you’re sure to find something for everyone here. Stockland Shellharbour also has big-name stores like Kmart, Target, and Myer. Stockland Shellharbour is sure to impress anyone gift shopping this Christmas season.

Stockland, Nowra Shopping Centre

Top 20 Christmas Gift Ideas Illawarra – Stockland Shellharbour and Stockland Nowra

Nowra Stockland Shopping Centre is considered a gem of the South Coast, with a great range of stores to choose from, including games stores, Kmart, jewellery stores, and many more. You’re sure to find everything you need for your gift shopping in one location.

Restaurant Santino

Top 20 Christmas Gift Ideas Illawarra – Restaurant Santino, Wollongong

With a beautiful ambience and the knowledge of how to pair the perfect wine with the perfect meal, Restaurant Santino knows how to impress. Buying a gift voucher for a stunning romantic meal at Restaurant Santino is a gift sure to impress.

Sunset Cinema, Wollongong


Top 20 Christmas Gift Ideas Illawarra – Sunset Cinema Wollongong

The iconic Sunset Cinema will be returning to Wollongong Botanic Garden this Summer for its 11th season, from 11 January – 16 March 2024! 

Looking for something a little different this Christmas? We all wish we could spend more quality with friends and family and nothing beats a memorable night at Sunset Cinema. Sunset Gift cards can be used for tickets, seating and snacks, so give the gift of the ultimate outdoor movie experience this holiday. Purchase online here now.

Choose from over twenty-five fabulous films with everything from blockbusters, comedies, thrillers and some family-friendly themed movies. There is even a fully licensed bar on-site, and delicious wood-fired pizzas from Fired Up Mobile Pizza available. It’s a great night out and an even better gift!

Touchdown Helicopters

Top 20 Christmas Gift Ideas Illawarra – Touchdown Helicopter

What could be better than the ultimate Christmas ride in a helicopter across the Illawarra? With a selection of amazing views and adventures to choose from, like the Waterfall and Canyon Safari, South Coast Pub and Winery Tour, the Jervis Bay and Winery Adventure, and many more. Touchdown Helicopters offers flights of a lifetime and a truly memorable day.

Crown Street Wollongong Christmas Markets, 14 – 16 December

Top 20 Christmas Gift Ideas Illawarra – Crown Street Wollongong Christmas Markets

Get ready to jingle all the way to the most festive event of the year! 🎅

WHEN:
14 Dec 11am-9pm
15 Dec 8am-3pm
16 Dec 8am-3pm

🌟Crown Street Markets Wollongong’s Christmas Market is just around the corner! Join us from the 14th to the 16th of December for a magical shopping experience that will get you into the holiday spirit!

Discover unique, handcrafted gifts and support local artisans, makers, and small businesses.

Savor the best of local cuisine with delicious treats and festive goodies. Enjoy the sounds of the season with live music performances to put you in the holiday mood. It’s the perfect opportunity to soak up the holiday spirit, support local businesses, and find the perfect gifts for your loved ones. 🌟

Spread the cheer and let’s make this Christmas market one to remember!

Steamers Bar & Grill

Top 20 Christmas Gift Ideas Illawarra – Steamers Bar & Grill

Leave the gift giving to Steamers Bar & Grill this Christmas and spoil your loved one with a Steamers Bar and Grill gift card.

The Steamers Bar & Grill Gift Card allows them to choose exactly what they want; whether that’s a round of cocktails at the Bar, a few dozen oysters overlooking the beach and lighthouse or our meat share platter. You can purchase a Steamers Bar & Grill Gift Card for values ranging from $50 to $1,000.

Merrigong Theatre Company

Top 20 Christmas Gift Ideas Illawarra – Merrigong Theatre Company, Wollongong.

The IPAC (Illawarra Performing Arts Centre) is a not-for-profit theatre company with a vibrant and eclectic mix of experiences. For a season or one-off tickets for arts, theatre, music and culture, you will not be disappointed with Merrigong Theatre Company. Tickets here would be an incredible Christmas gift.

Jamberoo Action Park

Top 20 Christmas Gift Ideas Illawarra – Jamberoo Action Park

Season passes to Jamberoo Action Park mean a whole season of fun and laughter for children of all ages or a whole family. It’s an epic day out and a gift anyone would be thrilled to receive. Gift vouchers for a day there are also an incredible gift.

Treetops Adventure Nowra

Top 20 Christmas Gift Ideas Illawarra – Treetops Adventure, Nowra

Fly through the treetops at Treetops Adventure Nowra. This is Australia’s first tree ropes and cliff edge park. It is located inside the Shoalhaven Zoo, so the views are awesome of the animals below—a gift anyone, child or adult, would adore.

Brilliant Blooms

Top 20 Christmas Gift Ideas Illawarra – Brilliant Blooms, Fairy Meadow

Get festive and celebrate with Brilliant Blooms! Christmas is around the corner and Brilliant Blooms has got you covered! A range of pre- made hampers available in store, sweet, savoury and other gifts available to create bespoke hampers to suit style and budget! Jessie and Sarah are here to help and create the perfect gift for family, friends and corporates to celebrate Christmas. Shop here now.

Centro CBD

Top 20 Christmas Gift Ideas Illawarra – Centro CBD, Wollongong

Buying gifts can be tricky, but with a Centro CBD Restaurant Gift Card you’re giving your friends and family the opportunity to get something they’ll truly enjoy. With live music and amazing food, a gift voucher from Centro CBD is a perfect gift for gourmet foodie adults who love fine dining with a great atmosphere. They have regular bands and artists performing, and their focus on gourmet food makes a night here a memorable experience.

It’s time to get into the festive season spirit like never before! Enjoy incredible dining offers, concert updates, dine for free on your birthday, bonus gift cards and VIP benefits when you sign up to the Centro CBD database!

  • Sign up to our database and receive a *$25 Xmas Gift from us to use at Centro CBD in January and February of 2024 when you book at our restaurant (*T&Cs apply).
  • Be the very first to know about our upcoming concerts, events, special offers + more!

Do you want a FREE Gift Certificate from Centro CBD for you or a friend?
When you purchase a Gift Certificate for someone this Christmas online, you will be sent a second certificate worth 20% of the original one for FREE!

  • Purchase a $50 Certificate and you get an extra $10, purchase a $100 Certificate and you get an extra $20 and so on. Gift Certificates start at as low as $50.
  • You can keep the extra Gift Certificate yourself or pass the full 120% onto your friend or family member for their Christmas gift.

*T&C’s apply. Please note this offer is only for our VIPs and only available when you sign up to our database here.

The Sensory Studio

Top 20 Christmas Gift Ideas Illawarra – The Sensory Studio, Fairy Meadow

A kind store with a community-minded focus. Here, you can select from a wide selection of sensory toys and equipment. The Sensory Studio stocks a range of wooden toys, educational supplies, sensory resources, weighted toys and Occupational Therapy Equipment for children of all ages.

WEA Illawarra

Top 20 Christmas Gift Ideas Illawarra – WEA Illawarra

With a wide range of courses set to impress the teen or young adult in your life, as well as adults. Check out the courses for a great original gift to enhance current skills or learn new ones at  WEA Illawarra.

Twig & Bo Florist

Top 20 Christmas Gift Ideas Illawarra – Twig & Bo Florist

This award-winning florist has incredible posies for your loved ones, but they also have a wide range of beautiful gifts and cards for those who want to buy something unique and special.

Wolf & Woman Distillery

Top 20 Christmas Gift Ideas Illawarra – Wolf & Woman Distillery

Unwrap the spirit of the season with Wolf & Woman Distillery’s in the top 20 Christmas gift ideas!

From locally crafted gin and vodka to exquisite liqueurs, find the perfect present for every palate.

Gift the joy of choice with our vouchers, making your holiday shopping a breeze. Family-owned and proudly handcrafted in Bellambi, we’re your go-to destination for unique, award-winning delights.

Give the gift of exceptional taste this Christmas! Click here now to learn more.

Hayley Haynes Photography

Top 20 Christmas Gift Ideas Illawarra – Hayley Haynes Photography

Hayley Haynes Photography specialises in portraits for your special day or capturing the joy of your family. A voucher for Christmas would mean an opportunity for your loved ones to create memories and have beautiful photos to capture them.

UOW Science Space

Top 20 Christmas Gift Ideas Illawarra – Science Space, Wollongong

The Science Space is a fantastic science museum for kids of all ages. Why not buy your family or the kid in your life an annual pass or a day visit? Better yet, why not buy yourself one and go with them? The Planetarium’s magic, and the science shows are sure to amaze and inspire. They also have an epic gift shop with inspired gifts for your little scientist.

Shellharbour Wild

Top 20 Christmas Gift Ideas Illawarra – Shellharbour Wild

Shellharbour Wild offer whale watching and scenic adventures great for adults or families. They have a range of cruises to choose from, and a gift voucher from here would be a wonderful gift for nature lovers. There’s something magical about seeing wild animals in their natural habitat, and being a part of their world for a while.

UOW Early Start Discovery Space

Top 20 Christmas Gift Ideas Illawarra – Early Start Discovery Space

Great for kids under twelve, the Early Start Discovery Space is an amazing day out with fresh exhibits or zones added regularly, friendly staff, and a great gift store. This museum for young kids is the most impressive one I’ve ever been to. It makes learning effortless and fun, so let the kids explore and see how much fun they have and how much they learn. Annual passes are affordable and an awesome gift for a child or a family.

Kid’s Classes across the Illawarra

Top 20 Christmas Gift Ideas Illawarra – Kids’ classes – Gravity Gym, Warrawong

Buying your niece, nephew, grandchild or child a term of classes is the gift that keeps on giving. With a wide range of kids’ classes available across the Illawarra, there’s sure to be one that your young one will enjoy.

Kenny Escapes Wine Tours


Top 20 Christmas Gift Ideas Illawarra – Kenny Escapes Wine Tours

Kenny’s Escapes Wine Tours has a range of options for you to choose from, with wine tours in Wollongong, Sydney, and the Southern Highlands. The one that I’d love to go on most is the High Tea in the Vines (in the Southern Highlands), but they all look divine. A wine tour is a sophisticated gift for your friends or family alike.

37th Illawarra Folk Festival, Bulli


Top 20 Christmas Gift Ideas Illawarra – The Illawarra Folk Festival

Now, this is a truly cool gift for your music-loving friends or family members. With over 150 acts jamming it out over four days, the annual Illawarra Folk Festival will take the holidays up a notch. Over four exciting days, get set to discover folk, world, roots, bluegrass, gypsy and Celtic music, plus poetry, comedy and dance with local and international acts. Come for one day or come for all four. Why not make it a truly magical experience and camp out under the stars of the Northern Illawarra escarpment with camping and onsite parking available? This is an all-ages event. Children aged twelve and under are admitted free (with a paying parent). Ages 12+ require a ticket. All minors aged 18 and under must be accompanied by a ‘responsible adult’. View the Full Program, including scheduled artist details.

The Lagoon Seafood Restaurant, Wollongong


Top 20 Christmas Gift Ideas Illawarra – The Lagoon Seafood Restaurant, Wollongong

Located in picturesque Stuart Park in North Wollongong. This amazing restaurant is open seven days for breakfast, lunch and dinner; the Lagoon Restaurant offers a sophisticated dining experience. Gift cards are available for any amount, making it the perfect solution for Christmas. Simply purchase at The Lagoon Seafood Restaurant‘s reception or phone (02) 4226 1677.

We hope this guide has inspired you and given you some new ideas for your Christmas gift buying. If you’d like to hear more from us, please subscribe below. If you’d like to read more of our articles filled with local intel, then below are some options to begin with. Thank you so much for your time and for reading.

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About the Author: Lisa Hagan
Lisa grew up in Thirroul and is a mum of four children. She loves exploring the Illawarra and its surroundings.