Organised by the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet to encourage investment, the tour took in some of the major private and public-sector developments in the city centre.

Delegates came from four major Chinese banks, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the People's Daily, a selection of Chinese companies and the University of Sydney's China Studies Centre.

Following the tour, an investment adviser from Sydney's VC Group, Hui Li, said it was "exciting to know the city is in transition".

"I think there are a lot of investment opportunities in property and real estate because of the region's proximity to Sydney.

"There are a lot of Chinese investors looking for projects, so I think it's definitely of interest to them," she said.

She also said there were agricultural opportunities further south and in the Southern Highlands, with investors looking to set up hobby farms for tourism, as well as farms for dairy, beef and vegetable supply.

The group ended their day in Wollongong with a tour of Port Kembla's inner harbour and outer harbour precincts.

"For the coal companies and infrastructure companies in the delegation ... there are good prospects there for participating in the development of the port," Ms Li said.

Minister for the Illawarra John Ajaka met the delegation for lunch at Wollongong City Council, saying the region had plenty to offer.

He said the region's strengths included tourism, education, accommodation and infrastructure.

"We want these people to see that the Illawarra has some great investment opportunities and any new investment means new infrastructure, new jobs and all the great benefits that flow from that," Mr Ajaka said.