Years ago, few people travelled to Wollongong on the coast south of Sydney for a holiday. Although vital to the state's economy because of its key position in the steel industry, it was just not the place people would choose to go to for a relaxing break.

Slowly over the past couple of decades, things have changed.

Wollongong is a big city - third-largest in NSW, tenth in the country - but it's no longer purely an industrial centre. Today it is both a dormitory city for Sydney, and a lush getaway for city folks. A slew of recent 'luxe B&Bs and other accommodation caters to these newer needs

Now the city (sometimes affectionately referred to by locals as 'The Gong' ) has a café and restaurant scene that is growing, and visitors are also discovering the beautiful beachside and hinterland attractions.

Approach from the north via the coast and you will see long coastal views and one of the state's most amazing bridges, the Sea Cliff Bridge. Choose the former Princes Highway (now Southern Freeway) and when descending the Illawarra escarpment the almost aerial panorama of the city and surrounding coastal areas far below, when seen from Bulli Pass or Mount Ousley, is stunning.

Now that more people visit the area for pleasure rather than business there is a wide range of accommodation options, ranging from bed and breakfasts and self-catering cottages to large hotels....read more

The dining scene has improved enormously, still often reflecting the wide range of ethnic communities (many of whom arrived initially to work in the regions heavy industries) as well as many bars and cafes.

One exciting addition to the food and drink mix in Wollongong in recent years is the award-winning Five Island Brewing Company which makes a range of handcrafted beers.

One of the larger hotels in Wollongong is the year-old Chifley Hotel Wollongong is situated on the foreshore, adjacent to WIN Sports and Entertainment Centre and a short walk to City Beach, as well as vibrant restaurants and cafes, and shopping at Wollongong Central and Crown St Mall.

Venture further south to the beach-side towns of Kiama (below), Berry, Gerringong and Gerroa and Nowra. The the west the hinterland has rainforest walking trails and waterfalls. A trip on the steam train, Cockatoo Run is great fun too, and it links to the delights of the Southern Highlands.... read more

FACTS ABOUT WOLLONGONG AND THE ILLAWARRA REGION

Once a noted industrial and steel producing city, now this city is a major centre attracting many tourists annually.

NAME: Wollongong means 'sound of the sea' in the local Aboriginal language, although there are several other related suggestions.

LOCATION: 82km south of Sydney, in the Illawarra region.

POPULATION: 290,000 (ninth largest city in Australia, 3rd largest in NSW)  

CLIMATE: Oceanic climate with moderate temperatures and rainfall.

DINING: Dozens of restaurants, bars and cafes, serving cuisines of many countries.

TRANSPORT: Connected by road, rail, bus and air to Sydney and other cities.

SISTER CITIES: Kawasaki, Japan; Ohrid, Republic of Macedonia; Longyan, People's Republic of China (friendship city.

MORE INFORMATION: ..read more

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT WOLLONGONG

• The Nan Tien Temple completed in 1995, to the south of Wollongong, is one of the largest Buddhist temples in the Southern Hemisphere.
• Aunty Jack Sings Wollongong, a 1974 album which was a spin-off from the cult ABC Television show Aunty Jack.
• Port Kembla's industrial complex is the largest single concentration of heavy industry in Australia
• Port Kembla's electrolytic copper smelter has the tallest chimney in Australia.
• Wollongong is home to people from over 70 countries.