Your ultimate girl's trip guide to the Gong | HerCanberra

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Your ultimate girl’s trip guide to the Gong

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Wondering where to go with the girls but can’t find something that ticks all the boxes? Stop thinking and let this guide to Wollongong, from one girlie to another, decide for you.

Affectionately known as the ‘Gong’, Wollongong has been my home for the past two years, and even after exploring its hilly environment extensively, I’m still discovering new places. And I know all too well that when trying to figure out the Gong as a first-timer you’re presented with an overwhelming (and expensive) labyrinth of choices when you search up ‘what to do in Wollongong’. It’s not ideal.

But now, find out what’s really going on in this guide to the Gong.

Where to eat

 

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Diggies

The top go-to café for my girlies and me is hands-down Diggies. Nestled right on North Beach it’s got gorgeous views, and despite its busyness, scoring a seat never seems to take too long.

It has both takeaway and eat-in options, perfect for when you want to chow down on a big brekky while sitting in the warm glow of the sun, before walking off with a fresh juice in hand down the beach or towards the Lighthouse.

The food choices are also great if you want (or need) variety. From the classic brekkies to more plant-based selections to dishes unique to Diggies, this café has an option for everyone.

P.S. Bring sunnies. The summer glow, though beautiful, is blinding.

1 Cliff Road, North Wollongong | @diggiescafe

Kneading Ruby

Though sometimes hard to find, I assure you this Italian restaurant is always delicious.

When I first went to Kneading Ruby, the girlies and I were simply grateful we even made it in after showing up without a booking (usually you have to book a week in advance minimum). But somehow they squeezed us into the packed place, the moody atmosphere making our dinner feel intimate even while surrounded by people.

It may seem basic, but a must-have on the menu is the garlic bread. As well as being disgustingly delicious, your lovely personal server for the evening will turn the dish into a show, pouring oil over the fluffy, warm bread and instantly making you drool as they do so.

And of course, after gouging down on that, there’s still the pizza or pasta to go!

5 Crown Lane, Wollongong | @kneadingruby

Hemingway Café and Bar

I may be biased in adding Hemingway to this list as it’s located at the University of Wollongong, and I am a UOW student… but trust me the food here should not be missed out on!

Their selection of sweet treats and pastries always hit differently, but be warned, you may get so addicted that you’ll quickly move to Wollongong and lose your whole bank account to this café (which I totally can’t relate to).

Their specials menu is one to keep an eye out for as well, with tantalisingly fun dishes and drinks always making an appearance.

And while this café does have a lovely seating area, with cosy greenery views, you can also take advantage of the beautiful Botanical Gardens that are only just a five minute walk away and enjoy a girlies picnic there.

BLD 67 Level 1 McKinnon Building, University of Wollongong, Northfields Avenue, Keiraville | @hemingwaycafeuow

Amigos

This Mexican restaurant was one of the first dinner places I went to when I moved to the South Coast, and there’s a reason for it! With Wing Wednesday, Taco Tuesday and Margarita cocktail deals, Amigos is great for finger-licking dishes on a budget.

The funky vibe of Amigos, with its rustic furniture, colourful tile walls and flower-skull designs, makes this restaurant feel like a whole new world. Standing out amongst the many in the Gong area, Amigos guarantees to crowd your camera space.

The Mexican restaurant, being close to the heart of Wollongong, also affords easy access to ice cream parlours, bars and clubs if you’re not ready to let go of the Gong experience just yet.

116 Keira Street, Wollongong | @amigosmexican

C9

Now of course, it wouldn’t be a proper ‘where to eat’ list if I didn’t include the best dessert place in Wollongong. The Gong C9 is truly like walking into a magical fairytale, with lovely staff, a cute design, and an overwhelming amount of gelato choices, including flavours you didn’t even think existed.

But the best part?

C9 doesn’t just do gelato, you can add mouth-watering crepes, pancakes and waffles to your choice of gelato, making it a full sugary fiesta!

And yes, you can ask for multiple taste-testers before you decide on which gelato flavour suits your fancy.

P.S. To all my Wollongong friends reading this, yes I think C9 is better than Cow & the Moon. I will fight you on this. To all other readers, you can try them both and find out for yourself.

Shop 5/166 Keira St, Wollongong NSW 2500 | @c9wollongong

What to do

Mount Keira hike and Sea Cliff Bridge Lookout

If you and your girlies are the adventuring type then the Mount. Keira hike needs to be added to your itinerary. Located right next to the university, Mount. Keira or ‘Djeera’, as it’s known by the local Dharawal and Wodi Wodi people, is a special place for all Wollongong inhabitants.

And once you’ve walked the two and a half hours up the mountain to reach the summit, you’ll get an inkling for why that is. With a view that looks out over the entire Illawarra area and ocean beyond it feels truly sacred, casting a quiet awe over all who have witnessed it.

But if you’d rather avoid the hours-long hike (relatable), yet still want those good views, the Sea Cliff Bridge Lookout is also a spectacular experience. With the guided trail only taking max twenty minutes before you are rewarded with a birds-eye view of paradise.

The beaches

Obviously, if you’re coming to the Gong you’re going to visit the beach, but with multiple beaches and rockpools in the area it can be tricky figuring out which one will suit your needs best.

The most popular is Wollongong City Beach, a classic Aussie beach situated on the right of the Lighthouse, close to a Mr Whippy’s ice cream truck. As a bonus, if you walk through the rocky area near the cliffside next to the beach you’ll eventually reach a gorgeous rockpool. This hide-away pool is great for lazing in when you need a break from the waves and is often a few degrees warmer than the ocean.

To the left of the Lighthouse is North Wollongong Beach, quite similar to its neighbour, I find this beach great for when you’re having a D & M with a friend or need to do some soul-searching. Near this beach is quite a large rockpool, and if you’re looking for the perfect ‘I’m-a-mermaid’ Insta photo then this is the spot for it.

For other places to swim, Fairy Meadow Beach is best for evening to late night beach swims and body-surfing, with the waves often less hostile then its other Wollongong counterparts. When it’s low tide this beach also offers a variety of pretty seashells! The beach is not far from a lot of fast-food places too, which means if you’re hankering for a chow-down after a big swim then this is the beach for you.

Breakout Bar

This funky place is tucked away along Crown Lane and boasts several fun activities, but their masterfully designed escape rooms are personally my favourite, with ‘The Future’ escape room involving three uniquely wacky spaces and several tricky puzzles that kept our group of seven gripped the entire time.

But wait there’s more! The Breakout Bar also hosts karaoke spaces for singing ‘Let It Go’ to your heart’s content, and a rustic steampunk bar with a Negroni so good it’ll make your eyes roll to the back of your head.

But wait there’s even more! If you’re brain hurts just thinking about attempting an escape room and you don’t feel like testing your questionable vocals with karaoke, you can also book a class in the Cocktail Lab and learn how to make mind-blowing cocktail concoctions.

Crown Lane, Wollongong | breakoutbar.com.au

Watch the sunrise and sunset at the Wollongong Harbour and Lighthouse

One simple pleasure that can often be taken for granted is the Wollongong Harbour and Lighthouse. This area is the perfect place to either sit down and eat hot chips or go on walks and chats, with a stunning view over the ocean no matter where you step.

Get ready for your inner child to come bursting out too when you see the cannons near the Lighthouse. Something about them makes you immediately want to climb on top of them and take funny photos.

The views don’t get any better than when you’re watching the sunrise or sunset from the Lighthouse cliffside. Many mornings I’ve cursed myself for choosing to wake up at the crack of dawn, before doing a complete one-eighty and having no regrets as soon as I see that breathtaking sunrise. And at sunset the sky glows in such a way that you wish you could paint the view and capture it forever.

The trees

One thing that is unique to Wollongong is its trees. Specifically, the trees along Crown Street that have been strapped to poles, folded along the ground, and the sort. You haven’t experienced the true heart of the Gong until you’ve seen them with your own eyes. So, don’t forget to add ‘tree-watching’ to your itinerary.

Silent Disco

Wollongong has many clubs, pubs and bars but finding out what will ensure a good time can feel impossible if you’re not a local, so as someone who’s experienced the worst and best of what the Gong has to offer, I can attest that Silent Disco at the Illa on Thursday nights is always a consistently fun time.

Basically the idea behind ‘Silent Disco’ is that upon entry you pay only ten bucks for a pair of headphones that get you access to three different channels of music to choose from – R&B, pop music and techno. But when you take the headphones off, there’s no music playing, hence the ‘silent’ part of the disco.

It may sound strange at first, but three music channels mean you’ll never get bored and often the night becomes an interesting game of trying to convince each other to swap over to a different channel. Personally, the R&B one is my fave.

Did I mention they also do $5 vodka drinks before 10 pm?

160-164 Keira Street, Wollongong | theillawarra.com.au

Howlin’ Wolf Whiskey Bar

This bar is one of the coolest places I’ve ever walked into, with its walls decorated with roses and flames, snug booths to comfortably sit in for hours, and a creepy-waiter-statue in the corner that you can take funny drunk photos with (who may or may not have a broken arm now due to one said drunken photo I took with him). Even the name ‘Howlin’ Wolf’ sounds pretty cool.

But this bar is not only cool because of the design, it’s cool because it’s unique. Unlike other bars, Howlin’ Wolf has an assortment of games you can play while drinking, including Jenga, Connect-Four, dominoes, and on special occasions, Ping Pong!

So, if you’re ever stuck for conversation or looking to laugh at how bad your friends can get at Connect-Four after a few drinks then this is the bar for you!

Side note, Howlin’ Wolf plays some killer music, especially if you like the songs you’re parents would listen to, and makes a mean Apple Fireball.

103/53-61 Crown Street, Wollongong | howlinwolfbar.com.au

Pepe’s On The Beach

As mentioned in the name, Pepe’s location means if you’re dying for an icy cold drink after a long swim, you don’t have to walk far.

A beachside restaurant by day, and a breezy bar by night, Pepe’s caters to all needs, including all weather conditions, with a coastal-inspired inside space and several pockets of al fresco areas. Despite being outside, these alfresco pockets offer a decent level of privacy, so you can drink your yummy cocktails hidden from the raucous crowd and music, free from worrying about whether or not your friends can hear a word you’re saying over the noise.

On Fridays and Sundays, Pepe’s also does great cocktail deals. With a range of both classic cocktails and frozen ones on offer every day, you are spoiled for choice!

2-14 Cliff Road, North Wollongong | pepesonthebeach.com.au

North-Gong Hotel

On a Sunday, if you’re looking for something to do, people to meet, and pool to play, then North-Gong is the place where literally every local in their 20s will be. As soon as the live music starts at 4 pm people flood this pub.

But don’t worry, with a hefty inside and outside space, there’s plenty of room for everyone to mingle. Inside, you’ll be greeted by the head-bangin’ dance area, the bar and kitchen to satisfy all your pub cravings and the pool tables. If you’re a pool-lover like myself be quick, those pool tables go fast!

Outside they have a second bar, a big-screen TV for the footy fans, plenty of large tables, and oddly enough, a basketball area that can be used until 8 pm if you’re feeling confident enough to score some hoops after a few beers.

Graciously, North-Gong Hotel also provides a free party bus after they close at 10 pm so the night doesn’t have to end with them! This will transport you straight to the Illa (the club that does Silent Disco).

3 Flinders Street, North Wollongong | northgong.com.au

Feature image: Destination NSW.

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