Wollongong Caravan Parks and Things To Do When You Get There

A coastal city, an hour south of Sydney in New South Wales, Wollongong is teeming with beaches, scenery, and exciting days out. With surfing beaches and rock pools across the coastline, Wollongong is the perfect place to spend your vacation. 

Hitch up your caravan, head out along the Grand Pacific Drive, and don’t stop until you reach your Wollongong accommodation. This guide will map out the top caravan parks in Wollongong for all the family to enjoy. Plus, you’ll find no shortage of inspirational days out in Wollongong. 

Try the local Forage Market where you can eat and drink the local produce, or spend a rainy day at the Australian motor life museum. And, if the weather is nice, try out one of Wollongong’s 17 surfing beaches. Get ready to begin your memorable family holiday in Wollongong. 

Caravan parks in Wollongong

Let’s start with where to stay when visiting Wollongong. Whether you want an exciting leisure resort or relaxing spa cabin, Wollongong has it all. Wollongong’s caravan parks make the perfect home away from home. 

Windang Beach Tourist Park

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Nestled between the South Pacific and Lake Illawarra, the Windang Beach Tourist Park has something for everyone. Enjoy a morning surfing off the Windang Beach or take your fishing pole to the calmer waters of Lake Illawarra.

The campsite has a BBQ area, camp kitchen, children’s play area, boat ramp, and boat hire facilities. Bring your caravan, campervan, camper trailer, or tent and pitch up in one of their spacious powered sites. They also offer ensuite camping sites. 

Windang is just a short drive from Shellharbour and Wollongong. So you can enjoy the exciting city bustle as well as relax at the scenic holiday park.

Surfrider Caravan Park

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Surfrider Caravan Park is a family-owned holiday park in Barrack Point on the NSW south coast. With the white sands of Shellharbour Beach steps away, you couldn’t pick a more scenic destination. They offer the best of both worlds: a peaceful, tranquil getaway relaxing on the shores of the South Pacific Ocean or enjoying a fun day out at the restaurants in Wollongong.

Whether you want a powered or unpowered site, Surfrider can accommodate you. If you’re eager to stretch your legs, the Jamberoo Park, Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk, and Minnamurra Rainforest Centre are on the doorstep. There are also many local surf schools.

NRMA Shellharbour Beachside

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In the heart of Shellharbour, this NRMA Beach Tourist Park is just half an hour from Wollongong. Shellharbour itself is the ideal place to kick back and enjoy the laid back lifestyle. Or head into Wollongong’s city centre to experience the exciting tourist attractions and surf beaches.

The NRMA Beach Holiday Park offers BBQs, a boat ramp, a camp kitchen, and an ocean swimming pool. Plus, they’re pet-friendly, so even the family dog can come along. With beaches and surfing schools right on Shellharbour’s doorstep, you won’t run out of activities. Alternatively, enjoy your days fishing on Lake Illawarra, just a ten-minute drive away.

Kendalls On The Beach Holiday Park

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If you’re looking for a beachfront paradise, Kendalls On The Beach is the ideal place to spend your vacation. It’s ideally situated just a short walk from the famous Kiama Blowholes and Minnamurra Rainforest. It’s easy to while your afternoons away relaxing on the beach and soaking up the views.

The park is only a 30 minutes drive from Wollongong if you want to explore the bustling, exciting city. Make sure you stop at Lake Illawarra too. 

They have a range of luxurious cabins, powered or unpowered sites, so you can spend your holiday however you please. They’re also pet-friendly outside of school holidays.

Corrimal Beach Tourist Park 

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The Corrimal Beach Caravan Site is situated close to Wollongong’s city centre. The bus stop is just two minutes from the park entrance, taking you right into the heart of Wollongong. With Corrimal Beach steps away, split your time between the touristy attractions of Wollongong and surfing in the sun. 

Corrimal Beach Tourist Park offers a range of accommodation, including cabin, caravan, or camping options. They provide ensuite and powered caravan pitches. For larger vehicles, they provide drive-through sites, so you don’t even need to unhitch. The park has a sheltered BBQ area, camp kitchen, and a children’s playground. 

Wollongong Surf Leisure Resort

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The Wollongong Surf Leisure Resort is just a short drive north of Wollongong. If you’re looking for a tourist park that has it all, look no further. The Wollongong Surf Leisure Resort is ideal for families who want an action-packed holiday with three swimming pools, bicycle hire, a steam room, and tennis and basketball courts. 

The camping and caravan accommodation has plenty of amenities. You can get back to nature in one of their large, grassy sites. Or set yourself up on one of their waterfront powered pitches and wake up to stunning views of the ocean each morning. Alternatively, if you prefer a basic lifestyle, they offer unpowered sites.

Bulli Beach Tourist Park

Image credit: Wollongong Tourist Parks

Bulli Beach Caravan Parks Wollongong has everything you need. Stay in their caravan parks (with the option of an unpowered or powered site), ocean view cabins, or campsite. Just 15 minutes north of Wollongong, you’ll get the best beachfront living while not far from the more exciting cities. 

Spend your vacation relaxing on one of the many surrounding beaches or explore the local coastal villages. It’s also ideal for spending your holiday trekking around the nearby trails and taking in the magnificent views. Plus, it’s not far from Sydney if you want to enjoy a day or two in the exciting bustle of the city.

Things to Do in Wollongong

There are plenty of activities to fill your holiday in Wollongong. Whether you want to enjoy the local scene or take an adventurous day trip up to the Southern Highlands or the Blue Mountains, there’s something for everyone.

Grand Pacific Drive

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The Grand Pacific Drive is a 140-kilometre coastal road trip from Sydney to Shoalhaven. The route winds along the Pacific coast, through the Royal National Park and the Sea Cliff Bridge. The Sea Cliff Bridge is nearly half a kilometre long and promises impressive views of the sandstone cliffs. 

You can pick up the Grand Pacific Drive in Wollongong and head north to Sydney or south. There are plenty of breathtaking views and attractions to take in along the way. So either head out for a day’s drive or incorporate it into your travel plans as you enter or leave Wollongong.

Wollongong Botanic Garden

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The Wollongong Botanic Gardens sit in the highest part of Wollongong, at Gleniffer Brae Manor House. It’s just a five-minute drive out of Wollongong’s centre.

At the Botanic Gardens, you’ll find a palm garden, rose garden, rainforest collection, dryland plants, succulent collection, and more. It’s home to native, exotic, and rare plants. Also, a trip to the Towri Bush Tucker Garden is well worth it to learn about Aboriginal culture.

The Wollongong Botanic Garden is free. Plus, they have a children’s play area and a programme of activities for families to enjoy.

Harbour and Lighthouses

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If you’re eager for stunning ocean views, make sure you check out the Wollongong Harbour and lighthouses. The harbour has been around since the 1840s. Now heritage-listed, this landmark displays a beautiful combination of manufactured and natural beauty. Just east of the harbour is the Wollongong Breakwater Lighthouse, and to the south, the Wollongong Head Lighthouse. 

Steeped in history and an excellent place to soak up the scenery, the harbour and lighthouses are just minutes from Wollongong Beach. After an enjoyable morning trekking around the harbour, have a picnic on the beach.

For more scenic views, make sure to check out the Bald Hill Lookout. Bald Hill is quite a drive from Wollongong but well worth the effort if you find yourself heading west.

Nan Tien Temple

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It is known as the largest Buddhist temple in the southern hemisphere. Situated in Berkeley, the Nan Tien Temple is just outside of Wollongong. Built in the early 1990s, it looks like a Chinese palace. You’ll find beautifully landscaped gardens, Tibetan-style prayer halls, a museum, and Japanese-style gardens on its grounds.

The temple is home to retreats and meditation classes if you choose to incorporate a relaxing getaway into your Wollongong vacation. Also, if you’re a fan of Wollongong’s markets, visit Nan Tien Temple’s Health and Wellbeing Market. Note that you need to book ahead of visiting.

Jamberoo Action Park

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Jamberoo Action Park is more than just a water park. Just south of Wollongong, it’s an ideal place to take the kids. Set in the steep hills on the edges of the Budderoo National Park, it uses gravity to enhance its attractions. Each water slide is like a theme park ride, with special effects enhancing the experience.

Make sure you check out the Funnel Web ride, awarded a Guinness World Record for The Largest Spider Sculpture. You’ll reach speeds of 30km per hour in a water raft. Don’t worry if you have minor children; there’s plenty to do.

Symbio Wildlife Park

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About 30 minutes from Wollongong, the Symbio Wildlife Park sits on top of the Illawarra escarpment, near Stanwell Park Beach. It’s a family-owned zoo. Spend your day getting up close to Australia’s best-known animals, like koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, and dingoes. However, there are also lots of more exotic species, including red pandas and cheetahs.

The Wildlife Park offers various animal experiences, from feeding kangaroos to cuddling koalas. 

While you’re in the area, make time to visit the Helensburgh Tunnel. This old railway tunnel is now home to an incredible glowworm population. There are many local superstitions and stories of hauntings. Ensure you time your journey right as the tunnel is often closed to recover the Glow Worm population.

Wollongong Science Centre

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Don’t let a rainy day ruin your vacation. The Wollongong science centre, Science Space, is an interactive, kid-friendly museum. With more than 100 exhibits on all kinds of science, it’s the ideal place to let the children run freely. Learn about electricity, dinosaurs, and nanotechnology. 

According to Destination NSW, Science Space also boasts NSW’s best digitally advanced Planetarium. Its 4k laser projection system will take you on an immersive journey through the universe or back in time. They also run an extensive list of other science-based shows to educate visitors, young and old.

North Wollongong Beach

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Wollongong is home to many exciting and stunning beaches, and one you have to make time for is North Wollongong Beach. Perfect for bathing or surfing in the salty waters, it’s patrolled by lifeguards all year round. Nearby are rock pools, picnic areas, and cafes.

Try the walking track that stretches behind Wollongong’s beaches for a more active day. The trail starts at Belmore Basin and follows the coastline 15km to Brighton Beach, Bulli Beach, and Sandon Point Beach.

Other beaches you should check out:

• Austinmer Beach
• Port Kembla Beach
• Wattamolla Beach
• Seven Mile Beach
• Fairy Meadow Beach

Minnamurra Rainforest Centre

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The Minnamurra Rainforest Centre is just off the Budderoo National Park. Here you can see what remains of the primaeval rainforest that once dominated the Wollongong and the Illawarra region.  You can discover the area’s history in the visitor’s centre and learn about the local natural wonders.

There’s also a short walk that takes you through the canyon, along suspension bridges, and across raised boardwalks. The trail takes about an hour. You’ll see lush waterfalls and vegetation, and keep an eye out for wildlife.

Illawarra Light Railway Museum

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The Illawarra Light Railway Museum is a miniature railway display of Illawarra’s industrial history and railway heritage. With a range of exciting exhibits and attractions, this Illawarra museum is the perfect place to take the kids. The museum is home to steam and diesel locomotives and passenger cars. You can even ride the trains. And, just around the corner is the HARS Aviation Museum to continue your educational day out.

Summing up

If you’re looking for a holiday destination outside of Sydney, Wollongong offers the perfect combination of beachside getaway and exciting city life. With a range of tourist attractions in Wollongong or a short drive away, you won’t run out of things to do. 

Caravan holidays can’t get better than spending an afternoon grazing delicacies at the Eat Street Markets or relaxing on a sunny beach.