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Briannah Devlin

Artists, volunteers and members of the community are devastated about the sudden closure of Creative Space Southern Highlands in Bowral, which is run by St Vincent de Paul Society NSW. Picture by Briannah Devlin

Artists and volunteers are angry about the closure.

'It is a lifeline for people' - Creative Space closure devastates users

Natalie Croxon

Meningococcal disease survivor Claudia Gill. Picture by Robert Peet

Claudia became so unwell she asked her dad to call an ambulance.

If teen had waited half-hour to seek help, she could have died

Mittagong local Isobel Marchment turned 103 in February. Picture supplied 

The Mittagong local turned 103 this year.

Isobel Marchment's 103 years of adventures, companionship and memories

Ben Carr

Samara Low with baby nephew Atlas after arriving in London in the early hours. Picture supplied

Samara Low was caught at Dubai airport on her way to London.

Samara braves flooded Dubai airport for first time meeting with baby nephew

Police have established a crime scene. File picture.

A motorcyclist has died after a fatal crash in Marulan.

Man dies following single vehicle crash, investigations underway

Books Ever After is one of many destinations to celebrate the upcoming season of Bridgerton in Bowral. Picture by Netflix

Embrace the regency era across Bowral for Bridgerton.

Where to promenade in Bowral in celebration of season three of Bridgerton

Sebastian Stafford passed away in 2023 from diabetic ketoacidosis. Picture supplied 

The organisers aim to raise awareness and $100,000.

Cyclists honour Sebastian's memory and his Type One Diabetes struggles

Sir Donald Bradman AC spent 12 years in Bowral, where he honed in on his cricket skills. The home is on the market. Pictures supplied by Drew Lindsay Sotheby's International Realty

He lived there from the age of three to 15.

Cricket legend's childhood home for sale, price guide starts at $2.9 million

David Reid and his wife Kate have owned the Moss Vale Newsagency for 23 years, and have passed the baton to new owners. Picture by Briannah Devlin

Moss Vale Newsagency has new ownership after 23 years.

Moss Vale Newsagency celebrates a change of ownership after 23 years

Burney Wong

RaceAway Track Time Team drivers Scott Tidyman, Ben Shaw and Seth Gilmore. Picture supplied. 

RaceAway Track team finishes second in the Bathurst 6 Hour Endurance race.

Minor hiccup doesn't prevent RaceAway Track Time team from a second placed finish

News

While visitors to the Illawarra flock to the main attractions, those in the know hang out at the little-known places.&nbsp; Here we reveal the secret spots the locals love.&nbsp; Flick through the gallery above and tell us what local gems you would add to the list? 20 great hidden parks and coastal trails in the Illawarra

THE SECLUDED BAY: Boneyard, south of Kiama Downs, is a well-known snorkelling and surfing break - but it's also a beautiful place to explore on foot, and in close vicinity of Kiama's out-of-this-world Bombo quarry and Cathedral Rocks. Photo: ashpannn

OTHERWORLDLY ROCKS: Cathedral Rocks, an outcrop at the southern end of Kiama's Jones Beach, is a coastal jewel and a favourite spot for South Coast photographers keen to capture the divine lines, moss-covered rocks and atmospheric light. Photo: Justin Beverstock Photography


THE LANEWAYS: With their nooks and crannies, flower-filled facades, glowing little bars and vibrant street art, Wollongong’s lanes have proved the perfect place to lead the city’s transformation. Click the link to check out Moore (pictured), Crown, Globe, Keira and Coome lanes, as well as Town Hall Place. 

THE COASTAL RELICS: The heritage-listed Bulli boat sheds mark the spot where the locals like to lay their towels and explore the rocks. Visit the timber and corrugated structures and have a swim at neighbouring Sandon Point Beach, which is patrolled in summer. Click the photo to read a fascinating history of the boat sheds by local historian Mick Roberts. Photo: coolchangephotography.com.au

THE FUN PARK: This Foxground amusement park is a vortex into the 1950s, packed with quirky carnival rides. Visitors can operate Transformers, ride a carousel built with World War II bomb seats, operate rides that require manual operation, ponies and ‘the spider’ a series of ropes that kids climb to reach a spiral slippery dip. 

UNDER-THE-RADAR BEACH: Surfers, boaties and dog owners know it and love it, but there's so much more to appreciate about Bellambi Beach. At low tide, this place is magic. You can lose hours exploring the figure-eight-shaped pools along the rocky shoreline, all teeming with crustaceans, anemones, starfish and more. There's an ocean pool for swimming laps, and for the little ones a splash pool and brand new playground. 

THE BUSHWALKS: Mount Keira and Kembla get all the attention, and they're certainly spectacular, but our escarpment offers so much more. Try Saddleback Mountain in Kiama, Bong Bong Mountain in Dapto, Clovers Hills in the Macquarie National Park and Brokers Nose in Tarrawanna, for starters. Instagram photo: she.who.explores

THE HIDDEN BEACH: Tucked away in Killalea State Park, sheltered by rainforest to the west and the Minnamurra River to the south, Mystics Beach is beautiful and uncrowded (though unpatrolled), largely because it's a bit of a hike to get to.

THE FESTIVALS: Every year Wollongong comes alive with music and dance from stalwarts Yours and Owls, Viva La Gong, Folk by the Sea and Spring into Corrimal, to name just some. Now there's a new event on the region's festival calendar to get excited about, Sculptures of Killalea.  

THE LITTLE LAKE: While most tourists have no idea it exists, the locals cannot enough of Elliott Lake, between Warilla and Barrack Point. It's packed in summer, with the clean sea water and gentle waves making it the perfect spot to learn to surf and paddleboard.

THE WATERFALLS: Not far from the majestic Carrington Falls in the Budderoo National Park is Nellies Glen, a bushland swimming hole and picnic area with scenic waterfall views and short walking tracks. A must visit. Also worth a look: Kellys Falls in Helensburgh, Maddens Falls in the Dharawal National Park and Cascades Falls in Macquarie National Park.

THE TEMPLE: The Helensburgh Hindu temple is very interesting, with wildly intricate details in the architecture and, best of all, the canteen at the back sells the most fantastic authentic Indian food. It's fantastic!

THE WILD PLACE: The ferocity of the sea has carved out many little inlets and bays on Windang Island, sitting at the mouth of Lake Illawarra. The native name was ‘‘Kauyanggang’’ (Kanyangang) which meant ‘‘saved by the big bear who pulled the Island into its present position’’. It was a significant meeting place for the local Aborigines, and figured prominantly in their Dreaming stories. Nowdays the island is a haven for fishermen and surfers, who rockhop out to the best spots to catch a feed or ride a wave.

THE SECRET GARDEN: A popular spot for wedding ceremonies, Illawarra Rhododendren Gardens is filled with flowers, a duck pond and pergola and a covered barbecue area. Look for the gates within this beautiful Mount Pleasant valley that lead to walking tracks up the escarpment. Instagram photo: @sofia_tsalidis

PORT PYRAMIDS: Dozens of white concrete triangles - beach tank traps left over from World War II - fill up the heritage park at the Breakwater Battery Museum to create a striking sculpture by the sea. Photo: Seascape Cafe


THE FOOD SCENE: In the past few years, Wollongong's hospitality industry has thrived, creating a close-knit scene of chefs and restaurateurs. With places like Babyface Kitchen, Rookie, Lorenzo's, Bull and Bear, Caveau and Sandygoodwich (yes really, try eating there at night for a menu that goes well beyond sandwiches) the city has quality dining to rival any other - and the diverse population of migrants from all over means we've got the best local Italian, Thai, Vietnamese, Turkish, Lebanese, Moroccan, Balinese, Spanish and the list goes on.


THE GLOW TUNNELS: Opposite the old Helensburgh railway station entrance, just up from the modern-day station, lies Tunnel Road and a journey into the mysterious world of glow-worms. From the original restored railway platform, visitors can enter an old rail tunnel which is now the home of an incredible glow-worm colony. Best seen at night, take a torch and a pair of gumboots with you. Once inside, turn off the light, stand still and behold the bioluminescence. The site is maintained by volunteers, so remember to take your rubbish with you.


THE STEEL TOUR: This fascinating two-and-a-half hour tour takes visitors deep inside the Port Kembla Steelworks. Your tour coach will feel positively pint-sized next to the giants of steel - massive buildings, raw materials stockpiles, blast furnaces and heavy machinery.


THE UNSPOILT PARADISE: Bushrangers Bay, a secluded marine reserve at the end of Bass Point Tourist Road in Shellharbour, is one of the hidden gems of the Illawarra and a snorkeller's paradise. Take a right turn at the end of Pass Point Tourist Road, follow the signage down the track and take the stairs down to a small rocky bay sheltered by impressive 6m-high cliffs.


THE BAR SCENE: More than 20 small venues have opened in Wollongong city centre and inner suburbs in the past few years, meaning you can happily bar hop at venues that rival those of any capital city. Our top pick is the Throsby in Kembla Street Wollongong.


THE ROCK POOLS: Built by volunteers in 1915, this nothern Illawarra jewel has been the swimming spot of choice for many for almost a century. The view up the escarpment is dramatically beautiful enough to rival anything in the world. Click the photo to take a tour of all of our ocean pools, from Coalcliff to Kiama.


PORT BEACHES: When the mercury climbs, you can count on the masses flocking to Wollongong's city beaches. But further south, at magnificent Port Kembla Beach, a kid-friendly ocean pool overlooks miles of sandy shoreline and sparkling waters. The only thing missing, thankfully, is the crowds. Also take a walk along nearby Fishermans Beach (unpatrolled).

THE MILITARY TUNNELS: The Port Kembla tunnels are technically closed to the public but there's plenty of evidence that people are still able to get inside. Wollongong council has been considering a makeover for all of Hill 60, with ideas put forward to turn the tunnels into a restaurant or even an underground cinema.


THE LITTLE BLOWHOLE: While all the tourists crowd around the Kiama blowhole, locals head to Tingira Crescent three kilometres south of the township. Why? They know the Little Blowhole can often be better value than the big guy.


THE BEACH BOWLO: The Scarborough-Wombarra bowling club is easy to drive past but a wonderful place - great Thai and bistro food, barefoot bowls, room for the kids to run around, and a magnificent view of the sea.


THE LAKE: After decades of being left to fester, the work that's been put in by the now disbanded Lake Illawarra Authority has turned the lake into a clean and glistening fishing spot. 


THE FORGOTTEN CEMETERY: The Garrawarra cemetery was left off public records for more than 60 years and only rediscovered in 2011. It remains technically inaccessible by the public and is almost completely overgrown but there are a few who know just how to find it in the bush. The ravages of time have destroyed almost all the 2000-plus graves of tuberculosis victims but the ones that are left are haunting in their beauty. 


THE OFF-LEASH BEACHES: Our dazzling beaches are a major tourism drawcard, but word has yet to spread that dog owners have the run of nearly 30 off-leash beaches and parks in the Illawarra, including the scenic yet under-rated Coniston Beach.


THE QUAINT OVAL: A relaxing Saturday can be spent taking in a club cricket match on Keira Mine Road at Mount Keira - an old but nice suburban ground which has been spruced up in recent years, with a traditional white picket fence and escarpment views.


THE BOTANIC GARDEN: A walk around the Gwynneville park reveals hidden pockets to be explored, shady picnic and party spots and unexpected art displays. Highlights include the the cactus garden and a rainforest walk that opens up onto the grounds of Gleniffer Brae.


BIKE TRACK: The shared pathway from Wollongong to Bulli is remarkable - 20-odd kilometres of walking and cycling with an exquisite beach backdrop.


THE FOOD MARKETS: Thursday night's Eat Street food markets show Wollongong at its best. Open from 5pm to 10pm in the Crown Street Mall, the producers sell products that are fair trade linked and part of the slow food movement.


While visitors to the Illawarra flock to the main attractions, those in the know hang out at the little-known places.&nbsp;

Here we reveal the secret spots the locals love.&nbsp;

<b>Flick through the gallery above</b> and tell us what local gems you would add to the list?

<a href="http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/4186479/20-great-hidden-parks-and-coastal-trails-in-the-illawarra/">20 great hidden parks and coastal trails in the Illawarra</a>

32 hidden Wollongong spots the locals love

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