Wollongong might be famous for its beautiful beaches and laid back lifestyle, but there’s a lot more to this city than first meets the eye. You just need to know where to look.
Wollongong’s laneways have had a serious revival in recent years, making exploring the city on foot one of the best ways to get around. Meander down Globe Lane for a spot of boutique shopping, fitting in a cake stop at delicious Hungarian bakery, Kutosh; check out the street art on Coombe Street; and make a beeline for Keira Lane when it’s time to eat.
The city’s small bar scene has also taken off over the last couple of years, and there are now more than a few hidden gems in and around the city centre. The courtyard at The Throsby is our go-to for sunny afternoons, while the moody interiors of Howlin’ Wolf Bar make it our undisputed favourite for after-dark fun.
Speaking of after-dark, the best way to bring in a Thursday evening is with a visit to Eat Street; Wollongong’s impeccable food market. Boasting ready-to-eat options to satisfy any craving, along with plenty of outdoor seating and live music, Eat Street’s the kind of place where it’s hard to put a foot wrong.
If you feel the need to work off your indulgences the next day, put on your joggers and tackle as much of the 20km Wollongong to Bulli track as you feel like. It’s a shared path, so you can walk, run, or ride. Just make sure you take the time to soak up the stunning coastal landscape on route.
Looking to cool off, post workout? Head to Bellambi Beach. Just north of the city centre, it’s the best under-the-radar beach in town. Perfect for swimming (both in the open ocean and the ocean pool), surfing, and boating, it’s also a magic stretch of sand at low tide, thanks to the abundance of figure-eight-shaped pools along the rocky shoreline, housing an impressive array of colourful crabs, anemones, and starfish.
Whatever you do with your time in the city, make sure you come home to Adina Apartment Hotel Wollongong. It’s perfectly located just 3 minutes’ walk from both the beach and the CBD, putting all of Wollongong’s secret gems right at your fingertips.
