Illawarra residents have never had so many fun picks for Santa photos.
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Beyond the usual shopping centres, options include a drone shot in Santa’s sleigh, on the beach, with your pet, in a grotto or a winter wonderland.
Many venues are also offering sensitive Santa sessions, where the kids can get a photo taken without the loud music, crowds and distracting lights.
Here’s your guide to this year’s Santa photos around the region:
Illawarra Fly
Illawarra Fly visitors can get a unique photo with Santa via a drone up to 30m high in Santa’s sleigh.
What: Aussie Santa drone photo at Illawarra Fly
Where: Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures | 182 Knights Hill Road, Knights Hill NSW 2577
When: Every Saturday and Sunday from 2nd -24th December
Hours: 1am-1pm. IFLY open from 9am-5pm daily.
Cost: $5 with the purchase of any Treetop walk ticket. For best ticket price book online. Walk-up price for treetop walk: Adult $25 and Child $15.
Kiama Downs SLSC
Santa photos on Jones Beach from 2pm-6pm:
- Sunday, November 26
- Saturday, December 2
- Sunday, December 3
- Sunday, December 10
If you haven’t managed to get a booking for Sunday, don’t worry, Kiama Downs Surf Life Saving Club is taking walk-ins. Cash only, pay on the day.
Illawarra Dog Training Club
Available Saturday, November 25 from 2pm-3pm at JJ Kelly Park, Swan Street in Wollongong. Click here for details.
Wollongong Central
Pet photos and Sensitive Santa sessions also available. Bookings essential.
Stockland Shellharbour
Available daily until Christmas Eve. Click here for hours. Every child receives a gift from Santa to take home.
Sensitive Santa available from 7:30am to 9:30am on Sunday, November 26. Bookings can be made through Customer Care on 4296 8266 or visit the Customer Care Centre at Stockland Shellharbour.
Domayne Warrawong
Available in store at 119 -121 King Street. Click here for prices.
Harvey Norman Warrawong
Available every weekend from 11am-2pm until December 17 at 157/161 King Street. Click here for hours and prices.
Warrawong Plaza
Available daily until Christmas Eve. Located in front of the Playworld on Level 2. Click here for hours and prices. Santa pet photos also available.
Figtree Plaza
Available daily until Christmas Eve. Click here for hours and prices.
Dapto Mall
Available daily until Christmas Eve on level one. Click here for hours.
Sensitive Santa sessions from 8am-10am until December 10. Santa pet photos from 9am-3pm on November 25-26.
Warilla Grove
Available from December 2 until Christmas Eve. Meet Santa and Mrs Claus in their Christmas setting opposite King Chinese and receive a free Christmas fridge magnet craft kit and lollipop with any photo purchase.
Sensory Santa session Sunday December 10, 8am to 9.30am. Bookings essential on 4296 5811.
Santa pet photos December 16-17 from 4pm to 6pm. (Size restrictions apply to pets.)
Woonona Bulli RSL
Winter Wonderland Christmas scene available from 10am-1pm on Saturday, November 25. USB cards loaded with photos will be available to collect from reception within a week of the photos being taken. Bookings essential on 4284 1577.