Wollongong is a city located in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia. The name is believed to originate from the Dharawal language, meaning either 'five islands/clouds', 'ground near water' or 'sound of the sea'. Wollongong lies on the narrow coastal strip between the Illawarra Escarpment and the Pacific Ocean, 85 kilometres south of Sydney. Wollongong had an estimated urban population of 302,739 at June 2018, making it the third-largest city in New South Wales after Sydney and Newcastle and the tenth-largest city in Australia by population. The city's current Lord Mayor is Tania Brown who was elected in 2024.
Population: 280,153 (UCL 2021)
Postcode(s): 2500
Elevation: 5 m (16 ft)
Area: 572.2 km² (220.9 sq mi)
Location: 85 km (53 mi) S of Sydney · 40 km (25 mi) N of Kiama · 73 km (45 mi) E of Bowral · 72 km (45 mi) NE of Nowra · 244 km (152 mi) ENE of Canberra
AdFind the best thingstodo in Wollongong with the help of over 8 million trusted reviews. Find the top-rated and best-reviewed tours and activities in Wollongong for 2025.
Easy online booking · Easy price comparison · Flexible booking · Top-rated things to do
Destinations: Taronga Zoo, Jervis Bay, Sydney Airport, Sydney Harbour, Skywalk
Save
Share
More