David Bottin, the man behind the ever-popular Lost Wollongong Facebook group, had in the past worked alongside Destination Wollongong and the local museums to establish the local trail to help better promote our heritage tourism in the Illawarra.

After months-long closures and no money coming in, the ability of these cultural centres to bounce back now depends on visitors returning in droves.

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"Museums all over Australia have been greatly affected by the pandemic, with many smaller museums now struggling for finance and volunteers," he said.

"When the pandemic started, all of the Illawarra's museums were forced to close, but many have now reopened under COVID-safe restrictions.

"We need people from the Illawarra to get out there and help support their local museums like never before."

The Black Diamond Heritage Centre, located on the eastern platform of Bulli train station, reopened just last weekend.

The museum, which has been operating since 1989 and houses a collection of railway and local coal mining artefacts, is on the hunt for new volunteers and is running a raffle to help raise money to keep it running.

Information about the raffle, as well as our region's history, museums and heritage events are available at www.lostwollongong.com.

MUSEUMS TO VISIT:

The Illawarra's museums are open on the second Sunday of the month, so why not hit the road to find out more about our social, industrial and environmental heritage.