Wollongong WEDDINGS

Arriving from Sydney, you notice the differences straight away. Your shoulders relax once as you see the panoramic view of Wollongong as you drive down from the escarpment.

If you’re after beaches, space, serenity, affordability, good vibes and views, you’re in the right place. In and around Wollongong you’ll come across some damn lovely wedding venues and nature settings scattered along the coastline - perfect for hosting a wedding. And the big bonus, Wollongong is only 1.5 hours drive from central Sydney.

You might see Wollongong as a steel city but those days are numbered. Thankfully, Wollongong has undergone a big rejuvenation. Residents are pretty proud of how it’s transformed.

It’s got the same uni city vibe, art & live music scene. Public infrastructure has had a revamp, with great cycling, paved walking and bushwalking tracks. It’s been looked after and there’s a growing array of fab cafes, bars and restaurants, lovely lawns and gardens, an endless list of uncrowded beaches, did I mention views and top notch wedding venues!

The Coal Coast in the northern part of the Illawarra has a dozen gems, all of which have amazing oceans views. Central Wollongong offers some great urban spaces as well as beach and garden style venues, everything from laidback to full fancy. South Illawarra and the border of the Shoalhaven, is really where its at! If you haven’t been to Kiama and Gerringong, I suggest you take a reccie down there ASAP.

Weather-wise, you’ll find it similar to Sydney though it tends to be at least one degree cooler. Wollongong and the Illawarra has so much going for it. I highly recommend you check it out! To help, here’s a list of Illawarra wedding locations on my radar…