Wollongong is increasing in popularity and it’s clear why. With stunning beaches at your doorstep and only a 90-minute drive to Sydney, living in Wollongong provides all the benefits of a small coastal town, as well a large city.
Some of the perks of living in Wollongong are outlined below.
Restaurants and Retail Outlets
Wollongong has an abundance of restaurants, bars and cafes in the heart of the city and next to the sea. The Crown Street Mall refurbishment has also seen stores such as Mecca Maxima, T2, David Jones and Peter Alexander open their doors this morning. Though Wollongong should have you covered, if you can;t get what you need then should be able to find it at one of the 220 stores at Stockland Shellharbour, which is only a 15-minute drive away.
Music and entertainment
The music scene has also been steadily growing in Wollongong. The UOW Uni Bar has supported established and upcoming artists for many years. Wollongong is also home to the Yours and Owls Festival, which took place last weekend and had acts such as A.B Original, Allday, Alex Lahey and Ali Barter perform.
If you enjoy walking alongside beaches and past a stunning harbour and lighthouse then you will love the ‘Blue Mile’ Upgrade. The upgrade is scheduled to be completed in September 2018 and comprises of a spacious shared cycle and bike path that runs from Stuart Park to the Wollongong Golf Club.
Education
Though it may not be common knowledge, Wollongong is also home to one of the best educational institutions in the world. The University of Wollongong (UOW) has been ranked as the number 1 University in New South Wales and ranked in the top 2% of Universities in the World. UOW graduates also placed within the top 1% of universities in the in the world for the quality of graduates, according to the 2018 QS Graduate Employability Rankings.
Medical Facilities, Technology and Innovation
Wollongong also has a brand new private hospital located next to the public hospital, providing residents even greater convenience and peace of mind.
The city of Wollongong is also implementing steps to become a new technology and innovation hub. One step that has been taken to achieve this is the iAccelerate program, which helps launch start-up companies involved in industries such as 3D printing, wearable technology and various types of software.
Transport
It is very rare to be able to find a town or city that offers free public transport. However, Wollongong has just that! Known as the “Free Gong Shuttle” these bright green buses can get you to popular destinations such as the Crown Street Mall, Wollongong Harbour, Wollongong Train Station, the University of Wollongong, the Innovation Campus, Wollongong Library without paying a cent. It may not always be reliable, but free transport and two railway stations which provide easy transport to Sydney are big draw cards for the city of Wollongong.