Best of Wollongong
Free Things to Do in Wollongong: Coast, Escarpment and Culture
Wollongong offers a solid range of free activities across its coastal and escarpment setting. The ocean pools along the coast at Wollongong, Towradgi, Bulli and Austinmer are free to use. The Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area has free walking tracks including the Bulli Tops fire trail and various lookouts above the city. Wollongong Botanic Garden is free to enter and overlooks the city from a terraced hillside. Flagstaff Hill Lookout north of the city provides views over the harbour and coast at no cost. The weekly Crown Street Mall market and the Wollongong Farmers Market at Bulli Showground are free to browse. Symbio Wildlife Park at Helensburgh carries an entry fee, but the Minnamurra Rainforest walk in Budderoo National Park south of Kiama is free to enter outside peak times.
The Daily Wollongong brief
Love Wollongong? Get the daily briefing, free.
- 1
Wollongong City Beach and North Beach
A pair of adjacent beaches in the city centre, City Beach is patrolled for swimming, North Beach is popular for surfing, and both are free to access.
- 2
Wollongong Botanic Garden
A free botanic garden adjacent to the University of Wollongong, with a Japanese garden, heritage trees and walking paths through 27 hectares of parkland.
- 3
Nan Tien Temple
One of the largest Buddhist temples in the Southern Hemisphere, a free attraction open to the public with guided tours, a heritage garden and the Nan Tien Museum.
- 4
Mount Keira Summit Walk
A 3.6km return walk to the summit of Mount Keira in the Illawarra escarpment, with panoramic views from the ocean to the mountains.
- 5
Flagstaff Hill and Wollongong Lighthouse
A heritage lighthouse complex on the southern headland of Wollongong Harbour with free access, lighthouse tours and views over the city beaches.
Missing from this guide?
Suggest a Wollongong business
Sponsored placements