Travel Wollongong

SITUATED A COUPLE of hours to Sydney's south, the 'gong is home to a massive university. And where there's university students, there's stupidly cheap beer, drunk nubile young things and ample opportunities to expose yourself in extremely childish ways. Not that we would ever do that, you understand.

But that's not all. Despite being the third largest city in New South Wales, the 'Gong feels a bit like a jaunty village in Devon or Cornwall, with a fishing fleet in Belmore Harbour providing plenty of fresh supplies to the fish markets every morning, an 'old' nineteenth century lighthouse and some wicked surfing beaches located either side. For those who fancy taking to the waves, North Beach has the best surf, whereas toe dippers should stick to the harbour beaches.

Wollongong also has Nan Tien Buddhist Temple, the largest in Australia. The temple offers two-day meditation retreats if it's your cup of tea.

Failing that, there is always the option of getting absolutely leathered, and where better to do it than at the Five Islands Brewery on the corner of Crown and Harbour Street? Not only does the pub have fantastic views of the beach from its veranda, but they also brew a variety of beer on the premises. They have daily free tours from 12pm and along the way, you get the opportunity to sample the delights of the rather alcoholic Bulli Black, Dapto Draft Rust and Long Board, along with a highly addictive alcoholic Ginger Beer. Believe us, it's good stuff.If you're still standing after re-hydrating at the Five Islands, you should attempt a trek to the south of Wollongong to the Kiama blowhole. Located just down the coast, it's a pretty spectacular natural phenomenon where the sea shoots it load through a crack in the rock throughout the day and it provides some great photos to bore your mates with back home.

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