Dear visitor to our country, our fine region and city,
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Welcome to “The Gong”. That’s short for Wollongong. Just FYI, locals generally don’t call it “The Gong” and if you use it when you speak people will instantly recognise that you are a visitor from elsewhere or, even worse, from Sydney.
Wollongong is not the Illawarra. The Illawarra is the region more broadly. Nobody really agrees on the exact border, but suffice to say we don’t claim the Southern Highlands. Let’s face it, no-one really does.
People from Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama DO definitely make up the Illawarra. You keeping up?
Like where many of you are from, we were founded and forged on industry and we still have one of the last remaining steelworks in the country.
But we are a largely unpolluted, seaside wonderland with some of the best beaches in the country. If you came expecting pollution and traffic congestion, again, Sydney is an hour north.
While you are here you will no doubt be tempted to jump in the surf? Why wouldn’t you. Just do us one favour. There will be most likely be some uniformed people on the beach wearing “budgie smugglers” (that’s Aussie for swimming trunks) and there will be some big yellow and red flags.
Please swim between those flags or the chances are the next thing you know you’ll be lying on the beach, on your back, being given a long, deep kiss by one of those people wearing the budgie smugglers. Sounds romantic? The gallons of water they’ll be pumping from your chest will make it less so. Our beaches are beautiful, but bloody dangerous. Oh, and wear sunscreen. Lots of it.
Also, while you are here you must visit the Sea Cliff Bridge, the temple and take a trip up Mount Keira. Don’t argue or ask why, it’s just the law. You welcome. Enjoy your stay.
