[Martha]

hello,

This is for anybody who is interested in seeing some photos of a city in 'Oz' called the 'Gong'.

These websites are a great promotion for the Illawarra area. The 'Gong' is on the escarpment and on the coast. These sites have some beautiful pictures of the place. Also it has a facebook site which is where I got the links from. I hope you enjoy them.

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.visitwollongong.com%2F&h=b283c1ba6d84eac957779bb00da78983
http://www.grandpacificdrive.com.au

[scotty]

Thanks for the links. Wollongong looks very beautiful and the motorway is amazing. Just wondering how far is it to drive from Wollongong to Sydney?

[heather]

Thanks for the links. Wollongong looks very beautiful and the motorway is amazing. Just wondering how far is it to drive from Wollongong to Sydney?

Wow the Princes highway looks fab. Wollongong is 1 hour 20 mins drive from Sydney on the Princes highway according to the tourist guides but I expect it will take a lot longer at rush hour.

[Martha]

Rush hour is very early in the morning anytime from about 6 am to 9am. This is peak commuting time and by the time you hit the outskirts of Sydney, everybody is going to work.

It usually takes me 1 hour 30 minutes minimum as they have changed the speed zones to 50 kms per hour in some areas of the highway.

[Martha]

I have another one that is good for a browse. I haven't been there myself yet - intend to but the weather is not so great at the moment for bush walking.

Illawarra Fly Tree Top Walk - Southern Highlands, NSW, Australia
www.illawarrafly.com
The Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk is a 500 metre long, 25 metre high elevated tree top walk. The 1500 metre long rainforest walk is nestled amongst the warm temperate rainforest of the Southern Highlands of NSW. ...

[heather]

It looks beautiful as long as you are not scared of heights.

[scotty]

I'd be interested to know any other recommended places to visit in the area.

[Martha]

The Wollongong Botanic Gardens are a popular place to visit. They have educational tours, events for entertainment like concerts and live theatre, social occasions like weddings are a regularly booked and the gardens themselves are an absolute treasure.

This is the website:

www.botanicgarden.wollongong.nsw.gov.au

[littlekoalabear]

Gong looks like a good place to live away from Sydney and yet connected by rail I believe. Does anyone know if the distance makes it too far to commute and if the fees were adjusted recently?

[Martha]

A lot of people commute to Sydney from the Gong every weekday. There are extra trains running to accommodate for this. From about 5.30am to 9am, the trains are running hot.

There is a change to the transport system fees starting in April. They claim to become cheaper or remain the same price- so it's not going up. the mulit-fare sounds like a great deal. Train, bus and ferry all day - unlimited ticket, one price.

It's only one and a half hours by train or car to the city from the Gong. The train journey can be very pleasant and relaxing. International acts/entertainment are easy to get to. Trains go to the airport, the city, Olympic Park - which is a huge venue for all sorts of interests, sports, expos.

[Martha]

The latest update from Tourism Wollongong. MYGONG is a van with a Wollongong logo painted over it that tours the region promoting events and places throughout the Illawarra and South Coast.

"MYGONG Hits the Road and she is Looking GOOD
Hot on the heels of opening Australia’s most advanced visitor information centre – the Southern Gateway Centre at Bulli Tops - Tourism Wollongong is hitting the road with another marketing benchmark, a visitor information vehicle that will take the region’s tourism message to the people.

MYGONG can be anywhere, anytime, what ever it takes… An innovative concept that enables us to attend local events and variety of locations throughout the City of Wollongong.
The consumer response has been fantastic!"

[PhillipaW]

Wow those are some awesome photos!

[Martha]

Wollongong, NSW, Australia

Hi fans- we wanted to give you a heads up on a new hotel coming to Wollongong. Officially announced today - the Chifley brand is to open later in 2010. Close to beach, shops, Wollongong Golf Course and Entertainment Centre.

Welcome Chifley....Another new property opening in early June. The new Chifley Wollongong opening later 2010 part 1 of 4!

[Martha]

Towradgi Beach Food and Wine Festival is on in the 'Gong'.

Sunday, March 21, 2010
Time: 11:00am - 4:00pm
Location: Towradgi Beach Motel

Event: Over 60 stalls with Wine, Boutique Beer, Gourmet & International Food.
Live music in the Beer Garden!

Sounds like a nice afternoon out.