Car Hire Wollongong

If you’re feeling the urge to get active while in town, you won’t have to look far in Wollongong. The beautiful beaches of Wollongong are awash with activities to enjoy – dive in with some water sports, go hang-gliding or simply get lazy and bask in the warmth of the sandy dunes.

A network of shared paths snake their way throughout the area, giving hikers and cyclists alike access to some of the area’s best lookouts and natural wonders. Before visiting, make sure you check out what’s on. Wollongong has lots of local events, with festivals, markets and shows a common occurrence all year round.

Visit the southern hemisphere’s largest Buddhist temple

Situated in the Wollongong suburb of Berkeley, Nan Tien Temple is the largest Buddhist temple in the southern hemisphere. The Chinese-styled palace is built on a hillside and set amidst elegant landscaped gardens. It’s the perfect place to go for a wander and find a bit of zen – and only a short drive from Wollongong in a rental car.

The architecture of the complex is notable as it contains features from several different styles of Buddhism. The pagoda is distinctly Chinese in style, while the main temples incorporate elements of Tibetan monastic architecture. Throughout the grounds of the complex, courtyards feature Japanese style gardens, with statues and shrines that feature bright colours, similar to those of Southeast Asian temples. There is also a museum on site for those keen to learn more about Buddhism and its tenets.

Drive the Grand Pacific Highway

Wollongong is also a stopping point on the Grand Pacific Drive, a 140km scenic coastal drive that takes you through rainforests, around sea cliffs, and through coastal cities and towns, including Shellharbour, Kiama and Shoalhaven. There are endless experiences to be enjoyed along the Grand Pacific Drive, from adventure activities to delicious food and wine, family activities, natural wonders and too many beaches to mention. Be sure to pack a camera and maybe a picnic. This is as picturesque as it gets!

Explore Belmore Falls and the Hindmarsh Lookout

A short jaunt inland in your rental car will take you to Belmore Falls, located in Morton National Park, famous for its impressive plunge waterfall that attracts many visitors. A short walking track guides you along several lookout points, including the Hindmarsh Lookout, from where you can enjoy panoramic views over Kangaroo Valley. Pack some sturdy footwear and prepare to be wowed by some seriously impressive scenery.

Wollongong and the surrounding region has so much to offer travellers. For the best way to see it all, jump in a rental car and hit the road.

Wherever you choose to explore, you’ll get there in a rental car from Hertz.

Wollongong, affectionately called “The ‘Gong” by local residents, is a seaside town with plenty to recommend it. It’s a favourite weekend escape for Sydneysiders who head south to enjoy the relaxed pace of this friendly city. It’s a city that knows how to play hard and work hard too, being a bustling hub of industry centred on their busy port. With an almost continuous chain of surf beaches, you’ll be spoiled for choice.

Grand Pacific Drive

When you’re headed to the ‘Gong, getting there is half the fun, because between Sydney and Wollongong is one of the greatest coastal drives in the world – the Grand Pacific Drive. Spanning 140 kilometres it winds through seaside villages, lush coastal rainforest and sweeps out over the ocean too, the most iconic part of the drive being the 655 metre Sea Cliff Bridge, a truly spectacular drive at any time of year. Why not hire a roadster from Hertz and do this drive in real style?

See the light

With Wollongong’s coastline being quite treacherous to ships in years gone by, it boasts a number of scenic lighthouses on its shore – it is the only place on the eastern coast to feature two lighthouses close to one another on the shore. One of the most beautiful is the Wollongong Breakwater Lighthouse – although its been retired from active duty protecting vessels at sea it is now a treasured heritage building. Still hard at work is the nearby Flagstaff Hill lighthouse, which can be seen sending its light out to see every night.

Symbio Wildlife Park

Whether its farmyard favourites or Australian native animals you want to see, you’ll find it all at Symbio Wildlife Park. You can cuddle a koala, feed a kangaroo or get up close and personal with a snake at this complex, and that’s not all. They also boast a great assortment of Exotic animals too – monkeys, red pandas, cheetahs and more. There’s a fun “Splash Zone” where you can enjoy some swimming, and a well-appointed kids playground too. Top all this off with their fun Zoo restaurant and you are sure to have a day to remember.

Bounce time

For a weatherproof day of fun, take the kids to the Hangtime Trampoline Park – with more than 800 square metres of bouncing space they are going to be able to rampage to their hearts content, while you enjoy a well-deserved cuppa. With areas for kids and adults you can also go ahead and join in the fun yourself, too. They have a range of fun classes for those looking to perfect your aerial skills as well.

Head to the Beach

Wollongong is blessed by a myriad of beautiful beaches – there are seventeen fully patrolled beaches here, so take your pick. You can either brave the surf or for a more sedate experience there’s also more than a dozen Ocean Rock Pools for a gentler sea bathing experience. If you fancy a real adventure, there are plenty of places where you can hire surf gear, too, or get a refresher course from an expert local before heading towards the breaks yourself.