Wollongong

Wollongong is a city in New South Wales between the Illawarra Range and the Pacific Ocean. Streets in the center extend from the harbor to hillside residential areas, surrounded by beaches and forested ridges.

Early European settlers arrived in the area during the early 19th century for cattle grazing and timber harvesting. The steel industry shaped the region from the 1920s onward and influenced economic development for decades.

The name comes from the Dharawal language and refers to the sound of the sea along this stretch of coast. On weekends residents gather at harbor cafés and beachfront promenades, while runners and cyclists use the pathways that follow the shoreline.

Train connections from Sydney run regularly and take around 90 minutes for the journey. The center can be explored on foot, though local bus routes connect beaches and outer suburbs.

Oil paintings and sketches by Eugene von Guérard from the 1860s show the coast and mountains of the region in early colonial times. These works appear occasionally in local collections and exhibitions.

Location: City of Wollongong

Inception: 1834

Elevation above the sea: 5 m

Shares border with: North Wollongong, Port Kembla, Coniston, Gwynneville, Mangerton, West Wollongong

Website: http://wollongong.nsw.gov.au

GPS coordinates: -34.43306,150.88306

Latest update: December 15, 2025 09:08