The Lock-Up presents a bleak view of past penal life with its tiny cells. Tourists may come away feeling saddened for the people imprisoned here, knowing that many suffered simply for the courage to voice an opinion. Tour museum relics and displays with your family or as part of a school group. Take the time to view art by many locals whose work is presented in bright contrast to their sad surroundings.

Christ Church Cathedral has shown its resilience against war and an earthquake, standing tall today for visitors to admire its grace and beauty. Many tall stained glass windows were designed and created by famous Pre-Raphaelite painters from England. This sacred building maintains a bright aspect, along with exquisite marble flooring. Materials came from Australia and Italy, the latter in particular when earthquake repairs were required.

No one knows where the Nobbys gets its name, but this oddly-dubbed island performs a serious role. While welcoming vessels into Newcastle Harbour, it also offers the protection of a lighthouse. Many ships have been wrecked along this coast and numerous lives lost. The most recent wreck of merely a few years ago ended well with the ship re-floating and no lives lost. Guides will show the curious resting places of many unfortunate vessels.

At Lee Wharf on Hunter River enjoy active displays run by the Maritime Centre. Gain a better understanding of important sea-based industry to the people of Newcastle since the city first became official around 150 years ago. Bogey Hole marks the spot of an odd, sometimes dangerous pass time. Residents like to jump into this busy bathing hole from the cliffs above, or risk the waves which rush in during a storm, holding onto chains or getting washed out to sea. During good weather, safely soak up some sun without getting sand in your bathing suit.

Fort Scratchley displays relics from its 1870s origins and action during the Second World War. Guns fired here to defend the city over sixty years ago remain for the perusal of interested visitors. Guide yourself throughout the museum or join a tour, but make sure you go up top. A wide view over the harbour and sea may afford a glimpse of whales or dolphins passing through.

Enjoy all kinds of snacks and cuisine during a wander along the city streets. Precincts combine art galleries, pubs, cafes and restaurants serving Greek, Italian and more. The pubs get pretty busy along here, so if you hope to meet other tourists like yourself, this could be the place to do it.

Stay on a severe budget with backpacker accommodation or bring your young family to a resort. Newcastle Hotels, motels and bed and breakfasts will locate tourists in the city or suburbs. All kinds of lodgings wait for your booking. Rent an apartment with friends helping to cover the cost. Visit a spa for some self-care. Opt for the tranquility of a vineyard retreat.

Wollongong city in New South Wales is easily accessible from Sydney. It is a multi-ethnic city and is famously known as ‘the Gong’. Its name is synonymous with pristine beaches, breathtaking coastlines, beautiful parks, industries and coal mines. The meaning of the word Wollongong is believed to be ‘the sound of the waves’ in the native language.

The influx of settlers in the 1800s was followed by rapid town-building. The settlers came from all over the world- Britain, Greece, Italy, China and India, bringing their culture and festivals. Today, these immigrants, along with the native Aborigines, form a very vibrant society.

The city has several miles of breath-taking coastline and beaches. Its pristine beaches are legendary. They are the hubs of activity during the scorching summer. People indulge in all kinds of sports like swimming, fishing and surfing. The other summer hangouts include the various parks in the city like the MacCabe park and the Botanical Gardens. Their cool shade provides the walkers and joggers relief from the summer heat.

The light houses are must-visit on the to-do list. Some of the buildings like the old lighthouse, St. Michael’s Cathedral and the Courthouse are heritage buildings. They are of historical as well as architectural importance and interest. A group of islands called he Five Islands are located off the city’s coast and they serve as a rich eco-hub with hundreds of species of wildlife.

The city has a vibrant social scene with all kinds of shows, folk festivals and sporting events. The Illawara folk festival is one such event where the shows are so popular that huge crowds throng the city. Other performing arts festivals like Viva la Gong are held yearly as mediums to showcase the city’s rich culture.

Another important thread in the fabric of Gong society is art. The beauty and scenic locales inspire the artists to create wonderful masterpieces that adorn the walls of some really fabulous galleries. The arts and crafts of the region draw heavily from the native Aboriginal culture. The city also has much to offer in terms of entertainment at the Performing Arts Centre, WIN Entertainment Centre for sporting events and its other malls, nightclubs and quaint cafes.

The city’s location on the coast serves as a blessing as it enjoys pleasant breezes throughout the year. However the summers, for the same reason, can be scorching, with temperatures as high as 35 degrees and a few times, they have known to have even touched the lower forties. Thankfully, the summer weather is interspersed with soft breezes. It is also common to have slight rainfall almost throughout the year. The city can easily be reached from Sydney by road, rail and air.

The residents display the famous Australian passion for sports and outdoor activities. Popular activities include surfing, mountain climbing and biking. People sharing these passion will have a very enjoyable vacation here. It is as ideal for a family holiday as for a personal break. Wollongong is at its best during the summer when all the festivals, events and activities are in full-swing.

If heading down south from Sydney for a few day find some good Wollongong accommodation nsw, attractions and other travel related information about the area.

Four Kilometres of Pristine Beach
The beach is undoubtedly the main attraction in Terrigal, and at 4 kilometres (2.5 miles) long it’s easy to see why! The pristine sand offers a place to relax for many tourists, or enjoy the swimming and the surf in the Pacific Ocean. The calm waters of Terrigal lagoon are popular too, especially for families with children, while off the coast between May and October you may spot some of the whales that frequently pass through this way.

More Than Just The Beach!
Even if Terrigal only had its beach to offer there’s no doubt it would still be a very popular little seaside town, but visitors to Terrigal can enjoy so much more. The Skillion, for example, is the town’s top landmark; rising above the coast this lump of rock is just asking to be climbed, and the views from the top are wonderful!

Terrigal lagoon is perfect for swimming in, though a little further outside the town is Wamberal Lagoon which serves as a haven for protected birds and animals. If you enjoy watching wildlife and birdlife this is a great place to do it.

Terrigal’s Vibrant Café Culture
Once you’ve enjoyed the beach, hit the town and soak up some of Terrigal’s famous café culture. There are many great little cafés here where you can sit and watch the world go by, admiring the views all around. Once refreshed, do some window shopping in the high class boutiques that Terrigal has also become famous for, then end your day with a fabulous meal in one of the renowned restaurants. There are many to choose from, serving both local and international fare that’s been cooked by top class chefs!

Spend More Time in Terrigal
Once you’ve visited Terrigal you may be tempted to stay a while and enjoy the relaxed pace of life. Like the restaurants, cafés, boutique shops and long sandy beach, accommodation in Terrigal is renowned for its quality too, and there’s something for all tastes here.