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    Summer Guide in Wollongong & the Illawarra. 21 Ways to Stay Cool / Do Cool Things!

    Hello best things to do in Wollongong, Shellharbour & Illawarra wide over summer. We have found the best ways to stay cool, and do cool stuff! Discover our best swimming spots, fantastic summer events, best local eats and how to keep the kids entertained. Whether you live here and have the whole summer to explore or are visiting for a weekend or holiday, here’s our insider What’s on in Wollongong guide. Discover what’s on & the best things to do this summer.

    Table of contents

    Best Swimming Pools, Rocks Pools & Beaches

    Ultimate Summer Guide – Best Beaches in Wollongong

    Stay cool this summer! Check out the Illawarra’s best beaches for kids, Wollongong’s best rock pools, and the best pools that take in the beautiful views and atmosphere of our wonderful area.

    Some of the best local beaches include (but are definitely not limited to):

    Stanwell Park: A great beach hidden in plain sight. Stanwell Park Beach has a fantastic playground and cafe. It is also patrolled. It is a beautiful spot, with plenty of parking, toilets, and even a creek for the kids to splash in.

    Austinmer: The ever-popular Austinmer Beach is another northern Illawarra-patrolled beach. It has good parking but gets very busy in summer. There are takeaway shops or cafes to eat in across the road, a fantastic beach pool and easy access to toilets.

    Woonona: Woonona has a lovely long stretch of beach to find the perfect place to spend your day. There is a great park behind the beach and a lovely cafe across from the park; the food and coffee there is delicious. Woonona also has a beautiful ocean pool to enjoy.

    Sandon Point: The famous Sandon Point Beach is very popular for surfing and swimming; on the north side of the point is McCauley’s Beach, which is a great dog beach, and on the south side is patrolled and a beautiful place to stretch out and swim. The surf club has toilets as well. On the south end of Sandon Point Beach is the gorgeous Bulli ocean pool, and there is also a fantastic cafe for lunch or coffee.

    Water Park – Jamberoo Action Park

    Ultimate Guide to Wollongong – Jamberoo Action Park

    Jamberoo Action Park is the best water park in the Illawarra for kids or adults of all ages. It is a fantastic day out and will be somewhere the whole family will want to return to time and time again. At Jamberoo Action Park, you can set yourself up at a picnic and lose the big kids for the day, only seeing them for fuel to keep playing, or you can spend the day together exploring the huge variety of slides, pools, toboggans, and the awesome wave pool. You can bring your own food or buy lunch and ice creams from the great selection of cafes onsite.

    Best Illawarra Markets

    Ultimate Guide to Wollongong – local markets

    Whether it’s Christmas markets or markets by the beach that have a fun summer vibe, Wollongong has some amazing markets in the area. There are enough, in fact, that every weekend has one somewhere. Check out our article on all the local markets in our area, including the summer and Christmas markets.

    Best Local Eats, Kids Eat Free & Restaurant Deals

    Ultimate Guide to Summer – Steamers Bar & Grill

    Wollongong has some award-winning and wonderful places to eat, ranging from bars to cafes to restaurants. Whatever your favourite style is, you will find it in Wollongong. We have amazing lunch & meal deals in Wollongong here, lots of beachside & ocean view Wollongong dining options, places where kids eat free, and lots of romantic restaurants for couples to choose from.

    Best Bars & Happy Hours

    Ultimate Guide to Summer – Best Happy Hours, Wollongong

    Going out somewhere local and enjoying happy hour in the local area is bonus fun! Read Illawarra’s local happy hour deals. Read our Best Wollongong and Shellharbour Bars and Pubs here

    Turn up the heat with Steamy Sundays at Steamer’s Bar & Grill

    Ease into those Sunday evening vibes with The Alto Social Club – Steamers’ two legendary local DJs bringing the perfect Sunday soundtrack from 4–6 pm. All summer long, soak in the views, savour their extended happy hour, and let the music take you to that Sunday state of bliss.

    Free entry | $12 Cocktails $6 Draft beers $6 Red and white wine.

    Bring your friends and end every weekend on a high note, right here on the deck at Steamers Bar & Grill. Learn more here.

    Sunset Sessions at The Lagoon

    Enjoy live music every Friday and Sunday on the deck at The Lagoon Restaurant whilst sipping on their Happy Hour specials. They have a brand-NEW tapas and cocktail menu to quench your thirst.

    • Friday 4-7pm
    • Sunday 3-6pm

    This event is also both a kid-friendly and dog-friendly event – so grab your mates and family and plan a date at The Lagoon!

    Their kiosk will be trading longer hours on Friday and Sunday afternoons. So soak up the sun and join in for an unforgettable fun time at The Lagoon. Learn more here.

    Sunset Cinema Wollongong

    Ultimate Guide to Summer – Sunset Cinema Wollongong

    From December – March screening Thursday to Saturday, Sunset Cinema Wollongong will be bringing its signature mix of new releases, family faves and all-time classics from under the stars at the Wollongong Botanic Garden. PLUS – this December there will be two weeks of Christmas Films.

    Cozy up on a bean bag, grab burgers from His Boy Elroy + enjoy a fully licensed bar & fresh popcorn. Perfect for date night, family fun, or a night out with friends. Secure your tickets now.

    Summer Offer at Five Barrel Brewing: $20 Pints & Prawns

    NEW Summer Offer: Five Barrel Brewing are offering a Pints and Prawns deal every Thursday – Friday, all day until sold out. It’s a pint of lager, xpa and pale and prawns for $20. This offer will be running ALL Summer, so book your table here now!

    Treetops Adventure Nowra

    Ok Treetops Adventure, we love your action park! it’s a little drive south of Wollongong to Nowra (only 59mins!) but so worth the trip. You and the kids (age four up), can literally climb up, zipline and adventure through the trees next to the tranquil and coastal Shoalhaven River. Treetops Adventure Nowra is an epically awesome adventure park on the South Coast of NSW. It’s safe too with their harness system and different courses / challenges for all ages. Plus, it’s next to Shoalhaven Zoo so you get free little sneak peaks of the animals (or pay for entry to the Zoo if you want close up’s and a double whammy day trip experience!)

    Bask in the sun at the Waterfront Tavern, Shellharbour Marina with Live Music every day this Summer!

    The Waterfront Tavern will now be hosting Live Music 7 DAYS A WEEK! From casual acoustic vibes to live DJs, there’s something for everyone at your local at the stunning Shellharbour Marina.

    What’s On:

    • Acoustic/Solo Live Music: Mon – Thu, 8pm – 10pm AND Sun, 7pm – 9pm
    • DJ on Deck: Fri & Sat, 8.30pm – 11.30pm

    PLUS they’ve got brand new extended trading hours, so you can enjoy your local even later into every evening. Learn more here.

    BIGWAVE Skydive

    Enjoy a scenic flight up to 15,000ft enjoying panoramic coastal and bushland views, before jumping out and freefalling over Shellharbour’s new marina! Bigwave Skydive’s experienced and friendly team, and exclusive location provide for the ultimate skydiving adventure.

    A skydive makes for the perfect gift, providing family or friends with lifetime memories. PLUS – Bigwave Skydive will beat any price or deal by $20 – for a beachside skydiving experience around Wollongong!

    Now’s the time to book your memorable South Coast adventure with Jervis Bay Wild!

    Explore the Wonders of Jervis Bay Marine Park with Jervis Bay Wild! Discover the hidden gems of the South Coast with their Jervis Bay Passage Cruise.

    • Cruise past the majestic cliffs of Point Perpendicular
    • Relax in the protected lagoon of Honeymoon Bay
    • Glide along the whitest sands in the world at iconic Hyams Beach
    • Watch Bottlenose Dolphins, sea eagles + so much more!

    Ready to experience the magic of Jervis Bay? Book your adventure now!

    Experience the magic of the Illawarra Folk Festival, 17 – 19 January, 2025

    Located at Bulli Showground, the Illawarra Folk Festival presents over 100 performers over 3 days, 8 venues, on-site camping and so much more. Enjoy the intimate, vibrant, community & family-friendly atmosphere the festival has become renowned for. Kids U12 are FREE.

    As well as performances by some of the best national and international folk acts, the program features the intensive folk school workshops, sessions, dancing, the Youth Folk Traditions awards, instrument makers, poet’s breakfasts, and an array of beautiful international cuisines and craft stalls. Get in quick to secure your Earlybird Tickets on sale now.

    MMJ Aquathon, Sunday 26 January, 2025

    Illawarra’s favourite summer community fitness event, MMJ Aquathon celebrates edition number 25 on Sunday 26 January 2025 at picturesque Wollongong Harbour. It’s all out fitness across swim-run ‘aquathon’s’ and the popular Blue Mile 5k Fun run. The Aquathon is a swim and then a run with distances for Kids 6-12’s, and options across the Mini, to the Short and Long for ages 13+. Do it solo or tag team-one swims, one runs. Awesome vibe, finisher medals, family fun and a perfect community event.

    A proud local event supporting local non for profits and charity partner Black Dog Institute. Don’t miss out entries are now open.

    Best Walks

    Ultimate Guide to Summer – Seacliff Bridge – photo c/o Jo Wetten

    Wollongong has some great walks to explore, both bushwalks and others. In summer, discover our Best Wollongong Walks with Waterfalls and Swimming Holes. Here is a great article on how to explore the Seacliff Bridge. There are some beautiful bush walks to make the most of our beautiful escarpment while in the Illawarra. And why not get the family out of the house and into nature with some of these great walks in Wollongong that are family-friendly.

    Best Illawarra & Wollongong Bike Rides

    Ultimate Guide to Summer – Cycling around Wollongong

    Wollongong has a fantastic selection of bike rides for various age groups and abilities. Whether you are looking for great family-friendly bike rides or other cycling routes around Wollongong and the Illawarra, you will find what you are looking for here.

    Best Illawarra & Wollongong Playgrounds & Places for Kids

    Ultimate Guide to Summer – Best playgrounds Wollongong

    Wollongong has heaps of terrific playgrounds and activities for kids of all ages. Follow these links for playgrounds and activities to suit your family and give you a great day out. Pack a picnic, take a soccer ball, or simply enjoy the equipment, and why not choose a playground with BBQ facilities for a perfect lunch out? Here are the links; each article has everything you need to know: toddler-friendly playgrounds, fenced playgrounds, playgrounds and activities teens will love, and the best playgrounds around Wollongong.

    Best Illawarra & South Coast NSW Festivals

    Ultimate Summer Guide – Yours & Owls Festival, Wollongong

    Festivals are an awesome and fun way to spend summer, something truly memorable and special. We have researched and found the best festivals in Wollongong and the Illawarra area for you. We just know that whichever one you choose, it will be a fantastic day out.

    Best Events & Whats on Guide Wollongong & Illawarra

    Wollongong has a range of activities to do this summer. For a range of activities, events, and a list of programs that will leave you spoiled for choice, check out our What’s on in Wollongong & Illawarra Events Page and browse the huge range of things to do.

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    For more articles on the awesome things to do in Wollongong over the summer, check out below.

    About the Author: Lisa Hagan
    Lisa grew up in Thirroul and is a mum of four children. A student to life, Lisa loves learning and searching for the most fun things to do with her kids. She loves exploring the Illawarra and surrounds. Searching for fun and educational activities are her favourites for her kids whom she homeschools.