Best Craft Breweries in Wollongong, Illawarra & the South Coast NSW

Drum roll please! We’ve chosen our Top Wollongong and Illawarra Breweries. Our beautiful What’s on In Wollongong writer Jodie Berry (now called Jodie Beery…….see what we did there?), was tasked with sampling our finest Illawarra Breweries and best craft beer spots in Wollongong and beyond. Here is Jodie’s insider guide to our amazing craft beer culture in our region that’s brewing….

As with kids, you shouldn’t have favourites (we love them all!), but here goes…

Five Barrel Brewing

Welcome to Five Barrel Brewing, your go-to family-owned brewery in the heart of the Illawarra! Open since 2015, they’ve grown from eight taps to a rotating lineup of sixteen, pouring fresh, unfiltered, and unpasteurised craft beers straight from the source.

Whether you’re into bold Hazy IPAs, smooth Milk Stouts, or crisp lagers, there’s something for everyone. Grab a bite from our legendary Five Barrel Food Truck – serving up mouth-watering burgers (including gluten-free and veg options) Thursday to Sunday. Join them for live music every Saturday, test your smarts at Trivia Night every second Thursday, or bring the whole family to their Sunday Funday Game Day for giant Jenga, board games, and an unbeatable Family Meal Deal.

Plus, don’t miss their epic $10 Spicy Chicken Burger Thursdays and daily Happy Hour specials. Whether you’re here for a pint, a party, or a laid-back afternoon in the sun, Five Barrel Brewing is all about great beer and great food. See you at the taproom!

Address: 318 Keira Street Wollongong NSW 2500. Learn more here.

Seeker Brewing

Welcome to Seeker Brewing – this award-winning Wollongong brewery is your go-to spot for adventure-fuelled vibes, exceptional beers, and live global music every week.

With 18 taps, a wood-fired pizza truck, and a basketball hoop out back, they’re more than just a brewery – they’re a gathering place for seekers of great times. Whether you’re kicking back after a surf, hike, or bike ride, their small-batch brews are designed to elevate those golden-hour moments. Join them Thursday to Sunday for $8 schooners during Happy Hour, soul-shaking tunes, epic pizza, and the kind of warm, welcoming atmosphere that keeps you coming back.

Address: 1 Industrial Road Unanderra NSW 2526. Learn more here .

Principle Brewing

At Principle Brewing, every beer is crafted with care, passion, and the finest ingredients – from bold stouts to refreshing sours, there’s something for every moment. Born from over a decade of friendship and good times, their brewery is built on simple values: great beer, great people, and giving back to the community they love. Come find them at 103 Princes Highway, Fairy Meadow.

Resin Brewing

Based in the renovated Bulli Railway Guest House at 8 Station Street, Bulli, Resin Brewing is a jewel in Bulli’s crown – bringing bold beers, good vibes, and a ‘brewpub’ built for everyone. They’ve gone all out to create a space where locals and visitors feel right at home. Whether you’re here for a quick pint or to settle in for the afternoon, come see why they’re one of Wollongong’s favourite spots for craft beer lovers.

Coal Coast Brewing Co.

Coal Coast Brewing Co. was born and raised in Austinmer, now located on the Bulli Lookout, Princes Highway, Wollongong), and is inspired by the raw beauty, tough history, and wild spirit of the Illawarra. From coal miners who blasted sea pools into the rock with dynamite, to the timeless pull of the ocean and escarpment – their beers honour the grit, ingenuity, and stories of the coast we call home. Crack a tin and taste the history.

Reub Goldberg Brewing Machine

Welcome to Tarrawanna’s best-kept secret! Nestled beneath the escarpment just north of Wollongong (81 Meadow Street, Tarrawanna), Reub Goldberg Brewing Machine is a proudly local, 100% independent nano-brewery pouring fresh, hand-crafted ales straight from their custom-built brewhouse. With 11 rotating taps, a laid-back beer garden, regular live music, free pool, trivia nights, and mouthwatering tacos next door, it’s everything a village pub should be – relaxed, welcoming, and full of good beer and good vibes. Built by locals, for locals (and beer lovers everywhere). Dog friendly, community loved.

The Illawarra Brewery

The Illawarra Brewery made history in 2001 as the region’s first-ever brewery. Since its relaunch in 2010, it’s evolved into the largest taphouse in the Illawarra, boasting an unbeatable range of craft and commercial beers on tap. While the original brewhouse has closed, the spirit of local brewing lives on – right here at the coast’s favourite spot to enjoy a cold one with a view. Located at Eastern Terrace, WIN Entertainment Centre Crown Street (Cnr Harbour St), Wollongong.

Bass Point Brewing

Bass Point Brewing was founded by two brothers from Shellharbour with a lifelong passion for crafting (and enjoying) quality beer. After 20+ years of perfecting our recipes, they’re proud to share their brews with the public. Inspired by both classic and modern styles, their range includes something for every season and every occasion – brewed with heart, heritage, and a whole lot of flavour. Located at Unit 4 / 7 Sunset Avenue, Barrack Heights.

Dusty Lizard Brewing

Dusty Lizard is a small-batch nano brewery and bar in the heart of Wollongong (102 Smith Street, Wollongong), pouring fresh, locally crafted beer in a laid-back, welcoming space. Their taps feature a rotating selection of Dusty Lizard brews alongside guest beers from fellow local legends. Come in, get comfy, and pair your pint with a great feed – it’s all about good beer, good vibes, and great company.

The Barrel Shepherd

The Barrel Shepherd is a tiny blendery nestled in Bellambi (16a Bellambi Lane), crafting seasonal farmhouse, foraged, and wild ales using 100% NSW organic grains and locally sourced hops and fruit. Housed in the historic King Gee warehouse, our space doubles as a bar, cellar door, and private event venue, offering a truly unique beer experience. Join in every Friday (4–8pm), Saturday (12–7pm) and one Sunday a month, with rotating food trucks and a rotating lineup of wild ales and barrel-aged sours.

First Light Brewing Co.

First Light Brewing Co. is built on passion, community, and damn good beer. Founded by Haydon and Damien – two locals with a love for brewing and a down-to-earth approach – they’re proud to craft fresh, small-batch beers right here on-site. From crisp lagers to juicy hazies, their core range has something for every beer lover. Come for the quality, stay for the good vibes and lasting memories. Located at 30 Miller Street, Coniston.

Darkes Cider – Glenbernie Orchard

Visit Glenbernie Orchard, home of Darkes Cider – clean, crisp, award-winning beverages brewed with love on a 6th-generation family orchard. Handpicked apples are crushed fresh on-site and master brewed to create ciders with just the right balance of natural sweetness and a signature bite. With no added sugar or water, every drop is 100% fruit, vegan-friendly, and gluten-free. Join in for Cider Sundays or Family Days, where good drinks and relaxed vibes meet among the apple trees. Open 7 days at 259 Darkes Forest Road, Darkes Forest.

South Coast breweries that are totally worth the road trip……

Stoic Brewing, Gerringong

Tucked away in the heart of Gerringong (6/45 Rowlins Road), Stoic Brewing is a family-owned microbrewery by father and son duo, Steve and Andrew, with a simple vision: create a welcoming space where the community can gather, connect, and enjoy locally brewed beer and cider right among the vats. From fresh pints and refillable growlers to weekend food vans, build-your-own cheese plates, and relaxed Sunday Sessions, it’s all about good beer, good food, and great company. This hidden gem is proudly independent and brewed with heart.

Flamin’ Gallah Brewery, Huskisson

Just minutes from the ocean, the Flamin’ Gallah Brewery in Huskisson’s industrial estate (Factory 8 / 5 Erina Rd, Huskisson), offers a chilled coastal vibe like no other. Sip fresh beer brewed just metres away, enjoy house-made hard sodas, ginger beer or cocktails, and soak it all in under blooming bougainvillea in their lush beer garden. Live music every weekend and a brewery built with love by owners Sam & Claire make this spot truly one of a kind. Hungry? The Nest serves up handmade pizzas, bao, sliders, fish & chips, tacos and more + don’t miss Sunday Sessions with Happy Hour 3–4pm.

Jervis Bay Brewing Co.

Jervis Bay Brewing Co. craft delicious beers founded by four mates who believe in putting fun before formality, people before profit, and nature before numbers, they’re all about great beer with a light-hearted spirit. Sustainability is at the core of everything they do – because they believe Jervis Bay is one of the most beautiful places in the world and we tend to agree! This brewery is so worth a day trip – it’s fun, family-friendly and a little hard to leave! Located at 3 Duranbah Drive, Huskisson.

Other worthy brewery mentions if heading down the South Coast:

Swordfish Restaurant & Brewing – 187D Jacobs Dr, Sussex Inlet
Wombat Brewery – Unit 6/1/3 Coller Rd, Ulladulla
Camel Rock Brewery Bar and Grill – 200 Wallaga Lake Rd, Wallaga Lake

After more food & drink inspo in Wollongong, Illawarra and the South Coast? Check out our awesome guides for Wollongong foodies below:

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