Wollongong is located an hour and 15 minutes drive south of Sydney in the region of New South Wales on the coast of the Pacific Ocean. The city is one of the largest in the region and is governed by the nearby urban regions Shellharbour and Kiama. Wollongong is also nicknamed as ‘the Gong’ and is a huge attraction for tourists as it is a seaside city rich in natural beauty, surfing beaches and picturesque spots.
The Wollongong botanic Gardens are one of the top tourist attractions alongside the water park, Jaeroo and one of the largest ever Buddhist Temples, Nan Tien Temple. The unusual name of the city is no completely clear however a common explanation is it means ‘the sound of the sea’ in the original language spoken in the city. Other water related names have also been considered such as ‘song of the sea’.
Illawarra Regional Airport is the nearest international airport and is located a 20 minute drive south of the city in Shellharbour City. The Albion Park train station is located close to the airport and is serviced by the south coast railway line. Cars are the most used mode of transport; the main roads are Waterfall-Yallah Southern Freeway and the Illawarra Highway.
