Wollongong, locally known as ‘The Gong’, is the largest suburb in in the Illawarra Region, about 80 kilometres south of Sydney. Famous for its laid-back beachside setting, Wollongong has a distinct sense of community where locals are united through sporting teams and their love for the beach and serene escarpment!

 

Cafes, Restaurants & Bars

Wollongong has a burgeoning food and drink scene that’s constantly growing, with its café and small bar market quickly becoming nationally acclaimed. Wollongong CBD comprises a huge assortment of cuisines including but not limited to Italian, Asian, Mexican, Lebanese, Czech, American, and Indian. Many of these cuisines can be found at Eat Street Market every Thursday evening, occurring through the middle of Wollongong Mall.

In Wollongong, you can find a café nearly on every corner. The café scene is incredibly competitive; however, this only means that the food and drinks available are of a very high standard.

As well as a competitive café scene, Wollongong is renowned for its small bars, scattered throughout the CBD. Wollongong’s nightlife is fast-expanding as it becomes a strong competitor for Sydney.

Shops

Within Wollongong Central Shopping Centre and Crown Street Mall, you are guaranteed to find almost every brand in Australia. Over the last decade these two shopping centres have been renovated into a lively, contemporary centre containing global and local retail, grocery, and eccentric stores. The CBD is only a ten-minute walk from Wollongong’s main beaches, with free buses travelling to and from throughout the week.

Things to Do

Wollongong is an iconic hub of activity abundant with things to do all throughout the year. With a coastline of beaches, foreshore parklands and countless small businesses, locals and visitors are drawn in all year round.

Some of Wollongong popular weekend attractions are the Wollongong Botanical Gardens, Science Space. Although known primarily as a beachside suburb, Wollongong has a thriving arts scene with music, theatre, and visual arts quickly becoming one of its prominent characteristics.

Wollongong is also home to the largest Buddhist temple in the southern hemisphere, the Nan Tien Temple, located just ten minutes from the centre.

If this is not enough, there is a myriad of thrill-seeking opportunities available in Wollongong, including surfing, skim boarding, rock fishing, hang gliding, paragliding, sky diving, laser tag, escape rooms, bowling, motor crossing, and go-karting.

Sport

Wollongong is home to several sporting teams, including the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Illawarra Hawks. Those living in Wollongong have the option to join clubs for rugby league, AFL, soccer, touch football, tennis, baseball, cricket, golf, rock climbing, surfing, mountain biking, as well as a number of competitive dance schools.

Wollongong is also the beginning of the popular 13-kilometre Wollongong to Thirroul Bike Track.

Schools

Along with an abundance of public schools, including one of the state’s top performing high schools, Smiths Hill High School, Wollongong is also home to selective, denominational and independent schools including:

• The Illawarra Grammar School
• St Mary Star of the Sea College (all-girls Catholic high school)
• Edmund Rice College (all-boys Catholic high school)
• Holy Spirit College (Co-educational Catholic high school)
• Cedars Christian College
• Illawarra Christian School
• Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts

The University of Wollongong is a globally leading academic institution attracting students both nationally and globally. The Wollongong Campus is also the Illawarra Institute of TAFE’s largest campus, offering a variety of courses.

Parks

Wollongong is scattered with gorgeous parks, reserves and playgrounds, catering to children, athletes, animals or just to those who enjoy a scenic stroll. Perhaps most notably is Stuart Park, located at the end of Wollongong Beach containing a large playground, flying fox and picnic area.

Water

Wollongong has two of its own beaches; North beach and City beach, both waking distance from the CBD and separated by the beautiful Wollongong Harbour. These globally famous beaches attract thousands of locals and visitors throughout the year. Wollongong’s centrality also provides you with an assortment of beaches that are only a short drive away along Australia’s beautiful east coast.

If you are in the mood for a day trip, Wollongong is just over an hour away from world-famous national parks including the Royal National Park to the north and Jervis Bay National Park to the south. 

Transport

Wollongong is connected to the Southern Freeway, the Princes Highway, Mount Ousley Road and the Illawarra railway line, all direct methods of travelling to Sydney or any of Australia’s other major cities.

Wollongong is only an hour and a half by driving or by train to Sydney’s CBD, meaning that many people commute from Wollongong to the city for work or studies.

Fun Fact

As of 2021, Wollongong has 10 Heritage Listed Sites.

 

 

MARKET INSIGHTS

$1,065,000 Average House Sale Price 12 months prior	$673,000 Average Unit Sale Price 12 months prior
$570 PW Average House Rent Price April 2022	$470 PW Average Unit Rent Price April 2022
2.78% Implied Gross Rental Yield April 2022	3.63% Implied Gross Rental Yield April 2022
8.60% Compound House Growth Rate  Over 5 Years	3.56% Compound Unit Growth Rate Over 5 Years
727 No. of Properties Sold 12 months prior