Head down to the beach and join the crowds for a picnic and a game of cricket or volleyball. Just remember your sunscreen and swim between the red and yellow flags.

If it’s too chilly for a swim, the traditional Boxing Day movies might be an option (see guide below).

Cinema-goers can expect big things with some movies already flagged as having Oscar potential.

Destined to be blockbusters are Philomena starring Judi Dench, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. 

Locally made, The Railway Man, starring Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman, is another quality drama.

For the kids, cool down from the summer heat with Disney’s computer-animated movie Frozen about two sister princesses who learn that it’s OK to be different.

For those with energy to spare after all that festive eating, Jamberoo Action Park is a great way to tire out the kids. Animal lovers can spend some time at Symbio Wildlife Parkand why not make a day of it with a stroll in the afternoon over the Sea Cliff Bridge or enjoy an ice-cream at Stanwell Tops while watching the hang-gliders do their thing. 

The Nan Tien Temple is  welcoming visitors on Boxing Day and is a good place for lunch, either at their cafe or their vegetarian restaurant. 

The award-winning Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk is a nature experience not to be missed. A gentle 1.5kilometre return walk takes in a native rainforest and a central tower raised nearly 50 metres from the forest floor. 

If you would like to combine culture with the outdoors,  the Wollongong Traditional Arts Society is holding an exhibition and selling original paintings by members at Belmore Basin. 

Also outside is the first movie in the IMB Sunset Cinema series at the Wollongong Botanic Garden. Grab a picnic rug and a friend to watch About Time, rated M. 

Holiday blockbusters

The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug -  The second of the trilogy continues the adventures of Hobbit Bilbo Baggins.

Frozen - A Disney animation about princess Anna who saves her tiny Norwegian kingdom after her Snow Queen sister Elsa loses control of her powers.

Philomena - Judi Dench is the title character Philomena in a film based on the true story of a  mother’s long-time search for her adopted son.

The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty - Romantic comedy drama about an ordinary guy who is thrust into a global adventure.

The Railway Man - A comedy drama starring Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman.

Check local cinemas for classifications and screening times.