Why go to Wollongong?
This city has a young, urban feel and no shortage of museums, shops and restaurants
Some of the public spaces are outdated and could do with a bit of love
Wollongong is close to Sydney and a great jumping-off point for active excursions
Wollongong Cruise Port Facilities?
Because Port Kembla is a 'closed port' there are no services and amenities located in the port itself. As you exit the Port Kembla Terminal you will see the free Gong Shuttle buses, which will take you into Wollongong, where you will find ATMs and free Wi-Fi in selected areas and shops. Passengers arriving in the city by shuttle bus can expect to be met by friendly ambassadors from the Wollongong Ambassador Program, who are keen to sell the region's attractions and offer advice on what to see and do.
Good to Know?
Wollongong's friendly ambassadors are there to highlight all the region has to offer and they do a stellar job of it, too. As well as being the go-to when it comes to what to see and do, the ambassadors are super friendly and enthusiastic and bursting with civic pride. It takes the experience of being a visitor to the city to the next level and makes it such a memorable and personal exchange.
Getting Around?
Shuttle buses will operate on a loop to and from the city from the Bus Shuttle Station at Port Kembla Terminal. This service is free. When you arrive in the city, you can also use public transportation and taxis or book a guided tour with a company such as South Coast Scenic Tours, which is a family-run company that showcases the Illawarra.
On Foot: If it's an urban hike you're after, many of Wollongong's tourist attractions are within walking distance. The bus will drop you in Burelli Street. Walk north down the lane and turn right to get to glistening white-sand beaches, a very attractive esplanade and parkland with infrastructure for a picnic. After arriving in Burelli Street, in the Welcome Precinct, walk down the lane and turn left on Crown Street, where you will find yourself in the city's main shopping precinct, one of the best and buzziest streets to stroll down. The downtown district is dotted with historic buildings from the 19th century and the newly renovated Wollongong Central (the CBD).
By Car: If you are after a private car to show you the sights, you can pre-book a driver with a local firm such as Harris Airport & Cruise Terminal Transfers. Otherwise there are half-day shore excursions that steer passengers around the region. You will find an AVIS representative at the Welcome Precinct in Burelli Street or at the AVIS store. (47 Flinders Street, Wollongong; +61 2 4251 1311; open Monday to Friday, 7 am to 5.30 pm.; Saturday, 8 am to noon; Sunday, 8 am to noon)
By Train: If you're looking to travel to the outer suburbs of Wollongong and to some of the beautiful towns further south such as Shellharbour, Kiama or Nowra, City Rail offers regular timetabled services on the South Coast Line. For timetables, visit the Transport NSW website. The train station is wheelchair accessible. (Lowden Square, Wollongong; +61 2 4223 5517; Open daily)
By Shuttle Bus: The free Gong Shuttle runs every 10 minutes and is on a loop from Wollongong Station to Wollongong University via Wollongong Hospital, Burelli Street and the Innovation Campus. The route numbers for the free Gong Shuttle are 55A and 55C. Visit Transport NSW to determine the route you wish to take. Places of interest along the route include Wollongong Botanic Gardens, University of Wollongong, Wollongong City Beach, Wollongong Golf Club, Wollongong Harbour and the nearby historic lighthouse.
By Taxi: Taxis are safe and metered and drivers are usually both welcoming and honest. You can book ahead with Wollongong Radio Cabs (+61 2 4254 2111) or go to the secure cab rank located on the corner of Crown and Kembla Streets, near to where the shuttle bus will drop you. Ubers are also available.
Currency & Best Way to Get Money?
The currency used is the Australian dollar. For current currency conversion figures, visit www.oanda.com or www.xe.com. There are no ATMs at the port. However, a free courtesy shuttle bus will drop passengers arriving in Port Kembla to the city centre near Crown Street, which is dotted with ATMs and banks, where you can also exchange your currency. Fee-free currency exchange is also available from The Currency Exchange (Shop N122 Wollongong Central Shopping Centre), which is closed on Sundays. Credit cards, PayWave and PayPass are widely accepted, too.
Language?
The native language of the port destination is English; Aussies talk fairly fast and use a lot of slang. A few helpful colloquial phrases that a day-tripper might like to throw around include: 'No worries' which means 'all good' and 'g'day' which means 'hello'.
Where You're Docked?
Port Kembla is a suburb of Wollongong located 8 kilometres south of the CBD. Port Kembla gets its name from nearby Mount Kembla. The East Coast port, which was established in the 1890s, is regarded as one of the area's key assets and is a closed port, which means you cannot explore the area around the terminal. The courtesy Gong Shuttle bus does loops into the city centre to and from Burelli Street, which is in the heart of the city centre.
