Wollongong

Experience Wollongong's gorgeous beaches along a splendid stretch of coast. From Stanwell Park in the north to Windang in the south, the Wollongong area is blessed with many beaches. Coalcliff Beach attracts families to its rock pool, uncrowded Coledale has a relaxed vibe and Austinmer is longtime favourite because of its rock pools and ocean baths. The most popular beaches are North Wollongong Beach and Wollongong City Beach. Both have great waves as well as wading pools, cycle paths, barbecues and parks offering respite from the Sun.

A marvel of engineering, the Sea Cliff Bridge is a highlight along the magnificent coastal road of the Grand Pacific Drive, one of Australia's great touring routes. Visitors can stop here to break up their road journey, stretch their legs and take in majestic panoramic views across the Pacific Ocean. It's also a great viewing platform for migrating whales heading north and south during the migrating season between June and November.

For an unforgettable experience, skydive above the beach and ocean in Wollongong. Securely attached to your experienced tandem instructor, you'll be guided through the entire skydive. Your adventure begins with a safety briefing followed by a scenic plane ride. As the excitement builds, your instructor will prepare you for the countdown and together you'll make the jump from more than 4 km above the beautiful coast. After you freefall at more than 200 km/h for a minute, your instructor will pull the chute and you'll soar serenely for 5-7 minutes before landing.

Symbio Wildlife Park, near the start of the Grand Pacific Drive, is home to hundreds of creatures and offers daily animal shows and enthralling wildlife experiences. Reserve an animal encounter to pat a koala, feed a meerkat and join keepers and dingoes on their daily walk around the park. You can also see water dragons, Tasmanian devils, kangaroos and echidnas, among the many other native animals in the sanctuary. An impressive collection of reptiles – big and small – slither and crawl, and you can enjoy a daily reptile show.