The Wollongong fast food outlet is one of only three franchises in NSW where McDonald's is cracking down on motorists using the franchise for free all-day parking or at other busy times when parking spaces are in short supply.

Ticket machines have been installed in McDonald's car parks in Wollongong and the Sydney suburbs of Blacktown and Stanmore. Parking is free for the first 45 minutes after collecting a ticket from the machine and displaying it on the dashboard.

Motorists who plan to stay more than 45 minutes will be slugged $2 upfront, while those who stay from one to two hours will pay $4. Overstay the two-hour limit and you can expect to be fined.

A McDonald's spokeswoman said the Wollongong store's proximity to WIN Stadium had been one of the issues and customers were having difficulty finding parking spaces.

The site, at the corner of Corrimal and Burelli streets, is also close to other restaurants on Corrimal and Crown streets, the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre and WIN Entertainment Centre.

At 2pm yesterday, there were only a handful of cars in the usually busy car park, suggesting city workers might also have been using the car park.

The parking overhaul also comes ahead of Wollongong City Council rolling out parking meters early next year.

The spokeswoman said the ticket machines were only being trialled and there were no plans to roll them out at any other McDonald's in the Illawarra.

"It is for the benefit of customers so when they come to McDonald's for a meal they can find a parking space."

She said the initiative was not about making money, with the money raised from parking fees going to Ronald McDonald charities.

Australian National Car Parks has been engaged to run the car parks and will collect the revenue from fines - referred to as payment notices. Customers who believe they have unfairly received penalty notices will be able to appeal the fines.