If the price at the bowser is leaving a question mark over your long weekend getaway plans, or you've left your organisation to last minute, Wollongong City Tourist Parks can help.
Right now, we have selection of vacancies in the Council-owned parks at Bulli, Corrimal and Windang for caravans, cabins and camping sites.
For Lord Mayor of Wollongong Councillor Tania Brown, this means a weekend away from home might be easier thank you think.
"We can all crave a break and a change of scene and often the Easter long weekend is a time when we pack our bags and make the most of the four-day break with a little getaway,'' she said.
"But I'm hearing from a lot of people in our community that the cost-of-living pressures are making this opportunity harder than ever. Particularly with what people are paying to fill their car at the petrol station.
"However, from challenges comes opportunities. Maybe this Easter is a good time to holiday at home and enjoy the best Wollongong has to offer?
"If that's the case, I'd suggest a couple of nights away from home at one of the city's tourist parks that delivers exactly what people need, while reducing the cost associated with a long drive, might be just what the doctor ordered.''
The city's tourist parks are located at Bulli, Corrimal and Windang along the beachfront. All of the parks are family-friendly. Corrimal Beach Tourist Park is also pet-friendly during the Off-Peak Season which runs from 22 April to 2 July 2026.
Regardless of whether you're packing your pyjamas and heading away from home, or just opting for the comfort of your own bed, there's plenty to enjoy in the city and suburbs this weekend.
"There is so much to see and do in Wollongong and in our suburbs and the Easter long weekend provides the perfect opportunity to enjoy all our local area has to offer,'' Cr Brown said.
"That's why we're encouraging resident to take a look at Wollongong through the eyes of a tourist – there's so much to see and do. And you don't even need to drive great distances to do it.''
Beaches
We've 17 patrolled beaches across our Local Government Area where you can swim, duck and dive in the waves under the watchful eye of Council's lifeguards, and NSW Surf Life Saving volunteers on public holidays. Why not shake things up and try somewhere new? There's a full list on our website including information about patrol hours so you can swim safely.
Pools
Fancy making a splash at one of our pools? You're spoilt for choice on this front with nine rock pools, three saltwater pools with a lifeguard service and six freshwater pools. If you're headed to the pool on Good Friday, our lifeguards are on duty at the Continental Pool is open from 7am to 2pm. All our other lifeguarded pools will be closed on Good Friday only.
Parks, Gardens and Playgrounds
Our crews have been hard at work mowing the fast-growing grass in our parks and public spaces recently so that they're ready for picnics, frisbee matches and soaking up the autumn weather.
The Wollongong Botanic Garden is open over the long weekend – except Good Friday – and there are some great walking trails over the 27-hectare site.
If sea breezes are more your jam, why not visit Puckeys Estate Nature Reserve ? It's an annexe to the Wollongong Botanic Garden and you can add in a beach swim at Fairy Meadow or North Wollongong Beach while you're here.
Playgrounds will be the place to be if you've got kids with a sugar rush. We've got more than 140 of them across the city. Some of the most popular are Towradgi Beach Playground, Cringila Hills Playground and Bankbook Park in Wongawilli.
With six exhibitions currently running – and all free to visit – Wollongong Art Gallery makes for a great day out. Right in the heart of the CBD, you can enjoy a visit, grab a bite to eat nearby and use public transport to get home. Just remember, it's closed on Good Friday and Easter Monday.
Life is better with a good book – but if you've left your reading run for the long weekend too late, don't worry. Just jump on to the library's website and check out our digital library. There are plenty of options for ways to borrow ebooks, audiobooks, movies and magazines. Alternatively, just swing by one of our seven branches and say hello. Full hours are on their website, but they're all closed on Friday and Monday for the public holidays.
Support local restaurants, cafes and bars
If you're headed into the CBD, why not grab some food and drink while you're there? Wollongong City Council's Wollongong CBD website provides a snapshot of the options available, and may introduce you to the new family favourite.
