Best Things to Do in Wollongong in Winter: Warming Inspiration Awaits
Winter in Wollongong but there’s still amazing things to do. Whether it’s cold, rainy, or windswept outside, discover cozy, exciting and invigorating ways to stay entertained, relaxed and warm. From indoor adventures to hot saunas, scenic bushwalks, indoor markets to pubs with roaring fires, here’s your ultimate winter what’s on guide.
What’s On in Wollongong is your go-to for discovering the best things to do Illawarra-wide – including where to eat, play, relax and enjoy every season. Even in Winter, Wollongong’s average daily temperature is still 17 degrees, no hibernation needed! Let’s get you out and about…
Best Indoor Fun Venues:
Hangdog Climbing Gym – Work Up a Sweat Climbing the Walls
Escape the cold and get your blood pumping at Hangdog Climbing Gym. With over 140 climbs on 40 ropes, an indoor caving system and a great Kids Club, it’s perfect for families or anyone wanting to stay active and warm. What’s On in Winter at Hangdog:
- Hangdog is now also home to a next-gen infared sauna & ice bath at their brand-new Recovery Room! Open to everyone, not just climbers, casual visits are from $10 & Weekly Memberships from only $20 – epic value! See more below.
- Community Climb Nights: Looking for something fun and a little different to do on a Friday night? Skip the usual and try an epic evening of climbing, laughs & new friends at Hangdog! Join in every First Friday of the month from 6pm to close for a social, staff-led night for climbers of all levels.
- HangFit and ClimbaYoga: Join Hangdog’s two different class types tailored for strength, endurance, mobility and control. Learn more here.
Wollongong’s NEW VR Escape Room Experience is HERE!
Step into another reality with Virtual Reality Escape Rooms at Revolution Laser Arena – where mind-bending reality meets next level tech. Book now and get 20% off your first VR session!
- Perfect for parties, team events, or a fun family day out (15 yrs +)
- Fully immersive. Seriously thrilling. Totally unforgettable.
- Book now & experience the future of fun!
Northern Bowl – Classic Tenpin Fun for All Ages
Retro vibes meet family fun at Northern Bowl just 10 mins North of Wollongong. With bowling lanes, arcade games and a café on site, it’s an easy Winter win for kids, teens and grown-ups alike. $10 Bowling Games – All Day Every Tuesday. Younger Kids Love Sharky’s Play in Northern Bowl too…
Best Playcentres for Kids & Families
Need to wear the kids out indoors? Check out our full guide to Illawarra playcentres via Parents Guide Illawarra. Some family faves include:
- Tabatinga Dapto (pictured above): Award-winning Tabatinga Family Fun & Social Centre at Dapto Leagues Club! Affordable, safe & friendly children’s entertainment! Massive play zones for every age.
- Flip Out Albion Park – trampolines and ninja courses – literally bounce off the walls!
- Science Space – brilliant for age 5 up, hands on science fun and the planetarium is awesome!
- Early Start Discovery Space – LOVED by toddlers and pre-schoolers – NSW’s only museum dedicated to kids.
- Revolution Laser Arena: Looking for an exciting way to stay warm and active this winter? Step into their immersive, movie-set-style arena and battle it out with your friends or family.
- Block House at The Shellharbour Club: Let your little ones enjoy the rush of slippery slides & interactive spaces! Set amongst the docks in the Precinct, the children’s play area is a unique place full of wonder. It’s endless hours of play!
- Discover the HARS Aviation Museum at Shellharbour Airport: An interactive, family-friendly destination where you can board real aircraft and explore Australia’s aviation history, including the last Boeing 747-400 in the country.
- Wollongong Art Gallery & Wollongong City Libraries: Always great options to get lost in! Loads of free fun, free activities and you’ll never know what you’ll discover….
Warming Saunas & Wellness
Indulge in wellbeing and warmth this winter at Hangdog’s Recovery Room (pictured above). Choose the infrared sauna to soothe tired muscles or if you’re feeling brave, immerse in the ice bath for full contrast therapy benefits. Boost your recovery, energy and mood. It’s one of the cheapest sauna/ice bath sessions in the Illawarra, with bookings starting from just $10.
Winter can be a great time to indulge in some skin treatments, whether it be laser treatments (better in winter away from the sun), nourishing facials or a revamp, check out Sanctuary by Thrive’s leading skincare specialists in the Illawarra. Give your skin a winter glow!
30% off Winter Stays at Holiday Haven + Stay 7, Pay for 5 at Kangaroo Valley
Escape to the stunning Shoalhaven and South Coast this winter with Holiday Haven Parks! With 12 beautiful beachfront, lakefront, and riverfront locations to choose from, it’s the perfect time to enjoy a cozy retreat or outdoor adventure – like snowshoeing through quiet winter trails.
For a limited time, save 30% on stays of 2 nights or more between 1 May and 31 August 2025 (excl. select dates at Huskisson Beach and White Sands). Plus, enjoy their Kangaroo Valley special: stay 7 nights, pay for just 5. Book now with code hh30 and make the most of winter without the crowds!
Family Fun Weekend at Holiday Haven Huskisson Beach, 15 – 17 August
30% OFF Accommodation + FREE Activities! Get ready for a weekend of fun, laughs & play with the perfect winter escape at Holiday Haven Huskisson Beach!
- Stay 2+ nights & save 30%
- Early check-in + late check-out
- Free family activities all weekend!
- Book now & don’t miss out
Best Winter Bushwalks & Activities
Crisp winter air and panoramic views? Yes please. Rug up and explore some of the Illawarra’s best trails from our Illawarra Escarpment bushwalk guide. Local escarpment climbing walks to make you sweat baby!
- Mount Keira Ring Track
- Sublime Point to Austinmer
- Puckeys Estate Nature Reserve
- Bundanon, located 20 mins from Nowra and situated along the Shoalhaven River, offers a family-friendly destination for stunning & educational nature walks.
- Brokers Nose and more
Perfect for when you want to brave the cold and feel truly alive.
Treetops Adventure Nowra
Rug and up and venture to South Coast NSW Best Adventure Park, Treetops Adventure Nowra – you’ll work up a sweat here at this stunning climbing ropes and flying fox course. Great for all ages (4 up), go embrace the cold and be active in nature! Treetops Adventure Nowra is located only 1 hour’s drive from Wollongong and well worth the trip.
Pubs with Fireplaces
Few things beat a toasty fireplace and a pint, or glass of red in winter. Our Guide to Wollongong’s best pubs with fireplaces includes:
- The Imperial at Clifton: Historic, iconic, landmark, it is worth the drive up to Clifton! Just over 500m from the Sea Cliff Bridge, The Imperial at Clifton (pictured above) is perched on a clifftop on the Grand Pacific Drive.
- Steamers Bar & Grill: Award winning venue! Lush circular fireplace in the middle that pumps out heat. Enjoy the sweeping ocean views over the beach and Wollongong Harbour. Outdoor heaters for the outside dining too.
- The Bally Hotel – the closed fire in the middle belts out heat! A beautiful traditional pub choice with something for everyone. Great for a family meal or a night out with mates.
Dance to Live Music
Warm up on the dance floor with live gigs all winter long. Our Live Music Guide to Wollongong has all the best venues to groove in.
- Don’t miss Salsa Nights at Seeker Brewing in Unanderra – a great way to move, mingle and raise your temperature in all the right ways.
- Monthly Band Nights at The Bally: They have live music every Friday and Saturday and Band Night once a month – keep an eye out here to see who’ll be performing next.
- Centro CBD Wollongong (pictured above): Local and international live and intimate music acts. Dinner and Show packages available.
Rug Up and Visit South Coast NSW Markets
Layer up, grab a coffee and explore Wollongong, Illawarra and the South Coast’s best local markets. The Greenplan Plant Sales at the Wollongong Botanic Garden – 3rd Friday of the month – is your chance to pick up high-quality plants at subsidised prices, including:
- Native ground covers & grasses
- Trees, shrubs & stunning exotics
- Plus expert advice from our horticulturists to help your garden thrive!
Host a Dinner Party:
Invite your faves to your place, light the candles, host a Christmas in July even!? Embrace the chill. Get the cosy benefits and the social hit! Need help with Catering Dinner Party? Here are our top, best local picks:
Dine In by Brooke Silk – Up to 15% Off Winter Offer
Looking for the ultimate winter indulgence? A private dining experience with Dine In by Chef Brooke Silk is the perfect way to stay cozy while treating yourself to something extraordinary.
Imagine staying warm indoors as an award-winning chef crafts a seasonal, restaurant-quality meal right in your own kitchen—no crowds, no stress, just incredible food and great company. Paired with their exclusive Up to 15% off Winter Wine Pairing Specials, it’s the ideal way to elevate a chilly night into a memorable winter gathering with friends, family, or someone special.
Warm up this Winter with Villa D’oro Catering
There’s no better way to beat the winter chill than with a hot coffee in one hand and a fresh panini or bowl of pasta in the other. Nestled in Fairy Meadow, Villa D’oro is serving up soul-warming Italian comfort food from 6am Monday to Saturday — perfect for cozy breakfasts, hearty lunches, or easy takeaway dinners. With over 20 years of experience, Claude Guido and the team are known across the Illawarra for food that’s fresh, flavourful, and made to satisfy.
- Grab a hot meal on the go
- Take home a ready-made dinner
Plan the perfect, cosy, rugged up picnic with blankets with Pony & Wolf – get 20% off with What’s On In Wollongong!
Get 20% OFF all Winter Picnics booked with Pony & Wolf Bespoke Pop-up Picnics
From romantic dates, group celebrations to birthdays & wedding proposals, every picnic booked this Winter comes with 20% off all styling costs. Just mention What’s On in Wollongong when you book!
Experience cosy blankets, plush cushions, boho teepees & delicious grazing platters. Embrace winter with a luxe picnic you’ll never forget! Wollongong, Shoalhaven, South Coast & Sydney.
Winter Dining Deals & Cheap Eats
It’s cold, your metabolism is working overtime to keep you warm. So make the most of Wollongong’s best meal deals! Enjoy a meal out in some of our cosiest restaurants. Or discover our most Romantic Restaurants, or beachside restaurants.
Our top Winter dining picks:
- Steamers Bar & Grill: 3-Course $45 Winter Menu – serious bang for your buck!
- Andie’s, Thirroul: Every Wednesday, enjoy their Pasta & Wine Night, with your choice of pasta paired with a glass of wine for $30. Plus – New Fri Steak Frites Lunch!
- La Trattoria at The Fraternity Club’s 2-for-1 Meals every Mon Night
- Altitude 1148 is Wollongong’s premier destination for cosy dining with breathtaking views!
- The Lagoon Restaurant: Enjoy their special mid-week winter offering, including comfort dishes perfect for crisp days and chilly evenings. $50 for 2 courses or $60 for 3 courses.
- Restaurant Santino: You cannot beat the 5-star ambience and cosy vibes of this award-winning dining experience.
- The Icon’s $12 Schnitty, Chips & Gravy every Thu from 11am till late!
- The Whisky Bar (The Poultry Shed), Groundz Precinct, Dapto: Meticulously renovated with two fireplaces, this rustic bar is a cosy and intimate space, serving a range of local, Australian and International whiskeys, or a wine or cocktail.
Five Barrel Brewing
Get comfy at the Taproom at Wollongong’s Five Barrel Brewing. Their taproom is pouring fresh craft beers and serving up mouth-watering burgers from their seasonal winter menu – the perfect pairing for cold days and cosy catch-ups.
Whether you’re hiding from the wind or making the most of winter, they’ve got the comfort food and good vibes to keep you going. Burgers. Beers. Just the right amount of snug. Visit now.
Explore Bundanon with a Stay Weekend
Warm up with an inspiring stay weekend at Bundanon in their award-winning accommodation – located along the stunning Shoalhaven River next to Nowra – 1 hour from Wollongong.
Spend the weekend immersed in Bundanon’s stunning natural landscape. Packages include simple, eco-friendly accommodation on The Bridge, fine food, local wines and beers, and cultural experiences, environmental and creative encounters along with incredible food, tours of the latest exhibition and access to the Bundanon Collection, the historic Homestead, and Arthur Boyd’s Studio. Learn more here.
For the Winter daredevils! $25 off tandem skydives over North Wollongong with Skydive Australia
Skydive Australia is giving you $25 off tandem skydives at Skydive Sydney–Wollongong when you book before 31 December 2025. Just use code ‘GONGLOCAL25’ at checkout to experience the ultimate adrenaline rush – freefalling from up to 15,000 feet over stunning North Wollongong beach!
Located right in Stuart Park, it’s the perfect spot to jump, float, and take in breathtaking views of the Illawarra coastline. Book now and let gravity do the rest. *T&Cs apply.
Discover more local hidden gems, family fun and seasonal inspiration at What’s On in Wollongong – or sign up to our newsletter and get the best of the Illawarra straight to your inbox.
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