The third largest city in New South Wales, Wollongong has a population of some 250,000 people and is blessed with some of the most beautiful coastline in Australia, not to mention the Illawarra Escarpment which provides a backdrop to the city.
Set around a harbour and with a beach in the heart of the city, Wollongong is only an hour’s drive south from Sydney with a trip along the coastal road taking you through the Royal National Park to witness some breathtaking scenery.
Wollongong is home to the Nan Tien Buddhist Temple, the largest in the Southern hemisphere, while Rugby World Cup 2003 will coincide with the annual Viva La Gong Festival, which runs from 17 October to 2 November.
The city is developing a reputation for nouvelle cuisine, its blend of some 80 or so cultures a sure fire guarantee that virtually any taste from Lebanese to French, Indian to modern Australian dishes are catered for.
Wollongong harbour provides a variety of fresh seafood dishes to sample amid beautiful settings, while Keira Street is dominated by Asian restaurants. The Crown Street and Corrimal Street areas offer their fair share of cafés and other drinking establishments.
Wollongong and its surrounding areas offer a blend of accommodation alternatives from hotels to camping grounds with the likes of the Quality Hotel City Pacific, Boat Harbour Motel, Downtown Motel, International House and Corrimal Beach Tourist Park.