What to do in Wollongong with a baby. New Parents Guide to The Illawarra

What to do with your baby in Illawarra and Wollongong and how to meet other new parents and mums! As of 14 weeks ago, I officially became a “local mum” following the birth of my daughter Lenny. For all the new parents reading this, I firstly want to say the biggest well done to you on a hard job. So, if you are ready to venture out of the beautiful newborn bubble, but unsure where is baby friendly in Wollongong, here are some of our favourite baby-friendly activities, attractions and spots in Wollongong and the Illawarra.

You can also discover even more activities for babies in Wollongong with our list of music classes and swimming classes.

Discover the best baby activities Illawarra-wide

Those first weeks and months are so raw, with your body recovering, whilst navigating a roller coaster of emotions and a huge life adjustment. For me, getting outside was important to stay sane and find our groove amidst all the new things to get used to!

Plus you can also read our Best Things to do with Kids Illawarra & Wollongong here. Parents and carers we’ve got you covered! Now drumroll please for the best parks and activities for big kids and teens across Wollongong and Illawarra.

Best Walks with a Baby around the Illawarra

I love a good walk especially when it gets me out into nature or looking at the beach, and judging by Lenny’s sleeping habits, so does she.

Whether in the pram or the carrier, my favourite gentle walk spots are:

1. Seacliff Bridge in Coalcliff (the wide pavement is great for prams).If you have enough energy, try and walk to The Scarborough Hotel for a coffee or lunch with a stunning view. It takes about 40 minutes form the bridge.

2. Bulli Beach Ocean Path – I love this part of the ocean bike path, there are two lovely cafes to stop and chill at.

3. Wollongong Blue Mile and Harbour – love this walk. SO many places to stop and admire the place where your baby will grow up! Plus rock pools, gentle harbour beaches, cafes and The Continental Pool awaits (it has a toddler and baby pool too).

4. Wollongong Botanic Garden – Immerse yourself in nature at Wollongong Botanic Garden (rated #1 on Trip Advisor by travellers of things to do in Wollongong!), with an excellent network of paths to explore and hidden treasures to discover. Babies will love spotting the wildlife, exploring the trails and visiting the duck pond and the sustainable garden.

Mums and Bubs Yoga Illawarra and Wollongong

When your body is ready to start gentle exercise, Mums and Bubs yoga classes are a perfect way to incorporate some grounding mindfulness and gentle stretches whilst accommodating for those noisy little sidekicks.

My favourite one right now is the Mums and Bubs Yoga @ Stanwell Park Surf Club– 10.30am- 11.15am on Tuesdays, $15 per class. Ocean views too!

Best part is there are no lock in courses as the beautiful teacher Renata knows that some weeks it will just be in the too hard basket.

Other places doing Mums and Bubs yoga classes in the area are: Austinmer Beach House Yoga.

For other local exercise options, CLICK HERE,

Best Cafes for Babies and Toddlers in Wollongong

Nourishment- essential for new mums (and dads!). here are my best eating spots

A good cup of coffee, burger or perhaps a delicious pastry is a fabulous reset especially if you have a grizzly baby or if having people over is a bit tricky, meeting family in pram friendly venues can be much easier.

So here are some of our favourite spots: Best Baby Friendly Places around the Illawarra:

1. Three Flamingos Espresso (Albion Park and Unanderra): This awesome, community-focused, baby-friendly cafe offers delicious dining, online event catering, functions & party space + a host of weekly events and specials! Open 7 days, they are the perfect place for breakfast or lunch with friends and family, with their popular and well-loved brekky and drinks menu available all day. You can also check out their dedicated & delicious Kids Menu here! During the school holidays, their Albion Park location rolls out kids’ competitions, kids eat free deals and fantastic breakfast and lunch offers for the whole family.

2. Headlands Hotel, Austinmer. A beautiful spot, with beach walks either side and amazing ocean views. There is lots of space indoor and outdoor and easy pram access everywhere. Great spot for any out-of-town baby visitors to stay too.

3. Boston Brew Cafe, Stanwell Park. Beautiful views, indoor/ outdoor setting, easy pram access, lots of space, easy walking circle nearby if bub needs some extra rocking. Some high tables that come in handy if you are having to bounce your bub in the carrier and your food has already arrived (this may have been a regular occurrence for us).

4. Wombarra Bowling Club, Wombarra. Cheap and cheerful with great outdoor setting, plus views of the escarpment and ocean.

5 .Bulli Beach Cafe. Ocean views, both indoor and outdoor settings or can grab take away and sit on the grass nearby. Great walking path nearby if you need to get a coffee to go.

6. Towradgi Beach Hotel. Good activities for older kids, lots of outdoor space with pram access. Breakfast menu available!

Baby playgroups and baby activities in Wollongong

Mothering and Fathering is a team sport. Finding other parents who are going through the same things can be very helpful, as is finding activities that are baby friendly, where you can breastfeed comfortably and crying babies are welcomed.

Wollongong City Libraries

Wollongong City Librar ies are an inclusive, welcoming group of 7 library locations from Helensburgh to Warrawong and everywhere in between – and each library runs free baby and toddler programs.

Their Preschool Programs run during school term aim to support your baby or child’s early literacy and social development through engaging stories, lively songs, and fun play. No need to book—just drop in! Programs include Baby Beats, Baby Bookworms, Drop in Duplo, Preschool Storytime, Toddlertime and Wriggle & Jiggle. For babies – 2 years.

Find out more about activities for toddlers at Wollongong City Libraries here.

What to do in Wollongong with a baby. New Parents Guide to The Illawarra – Wollongong City Library

UOW’s Early Start Discovery Space

Perfect for children (birth – 10 years) and parents to enjoy together. The Discovery Spa ce is the ultimate learn-through-play experience, located on the University of Wollongong’s main campus.

Open seven days a week from 9am – 1pm during school terms and 9am to 3:30pm during school holidays. Closed some Public Holidays.

What to do in Wollongong with a baby. New Parents Guide to The Illawarra – UOW’s Early Start Discovery Space

Giggleworms – Kiama, Woonona & Gwynneville

Giggleworms offers two educational, interactive and fun-filled classes for families to choose from and is suitable for families with newborns through to Kindergarteners.

Their Music Together® music and movement program, offers lots of ways for parents/caregivers to interact musically with their baby. Their Say YES to the MESS! Messy Play classes are the perfect place for babies and children to freely (and safely) explore, create, and learn while using all of their senses (please note that this class is suitable for 8 months to 4 year olds).

Reach out to Kristy of Giggleworms to learn more about their classes for babies here.

What to do in Wollongong with a baby. New Parents Guide to The Illawarra – Giggleworms

Becoming a parent is far from easy and all of us have different ways and different people we lean on for that support.

If you looking for even more kid-friendly fun (and free) activities to do in the Illawarrra, check out our Fun Places To Take Kids page on our site HERE

Also if you are on Facebook, join these two beautiful mum’s groups – Illawarra Mums Group North and Illawarra Mums Group South. They are non judgemental, supportive and lovely places to hang out!

Wishing you all the magical moments with your baby, and a reminder that ‘this too shall pass’ when life gets tricky with your baby!

Olga x

Finally, make the most of family life in our stunning Illawarra – Subscribe to the ultimate guide to family living weekly email by Parents Guide. Say NO to bored kids and get inspired! Click and sign up for our Parents Newsletter here. Get all the local inspo!

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