Free & Low Cost Things to do with Kids in Wollongong / Illawarra

Free things to do with kids Illawarra wide. Discover best family friendly fun in Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama that is FREE or low cost fun. Parents Guide Illawarra is your guide to best kid-friendly sites, attractions, venues, places, playgrounds and more. Here are the best free ways to enjoy a day or weekend in Wollongong with kids.

You may also enjoy Top 28 Things to do with Kids in the Illawarra / Best babies, toddlers, school-aged and teen classes / after school activities

Best Playgrounds & Parks

Stuart Park Playground & Lagoon, North Wollongong

Our Wollongong parks and playgrounds are amazing! We have an article here about the best playgrounds in the Illawarra if you need more inspiration. For the ultimate toddler-friendly playgrounds, read all about the best-gated playgrounds in the Illawarra here.

Stuart Park has just been upgraded, and what a beauty it is. We love that it has toilets within walking distance, trees to sit under on hot days, heaps of seating, and The Lagoon Restaurant next door for takeaway lunch, coffee or ice cream.
Reddall Reserve in Warilla is another well-thought-out playground that caters for a range of kids ages and abilities. The playground has a mixture of big slides, swings, and sandpits. There are also grassed areas for running and a great ninja course. Taking the kids home is hard because they’re having so much fun. We often pack a picnic and make a day of it.
The Wollongong Botanic Garden has a beautiful playground that is a lovely addition to the gardens. This one is fenced, and there are toilets and a coffee cart just outside the fenced area. While aimed at younger children, even our older kids enjoy this playground. We also usually take frozen peas to feed the ducks, eels, and water dragons (no bread though, it makes them sick) as we wander the gardens.
Cringila Hills’ all-abilities playground is next to the amazing mountain biking track. It has everything you could need to keep kids of all ages and abilities busy. It has some shade and toilets available onsite. It has a bubbler for kids to refill drink bottles or have a quick drink in between all the play. Remember to bring food and drinks because this playground isn’t near shops.

Best Nature / Bush Walks with Kids

Mt Kembla Ring Track, Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area

The Illawarra has some stunning bush walks and places to explore. Some of our favourites are below, but if you want more ideas, check out our article on the Best family-friendly bushwalks in the Illawarra.

Cascade Falls: located in Macquarie Pass National Park. Wander along the creek, with lots of places to splash and play, through the rainforest to the waterfall (we recommend taking a change of clothes). Wildlife abounds – lyrebirds, lizards and the odd echidna.
Mt Keira Ring Track: a beautiful walk through the mountains, with plenty of beautiful bird calls, and some historical coal mining infrastructure to check out. Lots of people prefer to do this walk in reverse from the Windy Gully end, saving the rainforest for last. It depends on if you prefer going up or down steep stairs, or if you have younger children, you might prefer to just do the second half of the walk which is much more flat.
Minerva Pool Walking Track: this trail is beautiful. Found within the Dharawal National Park, the Minerva Walking Track winds through bushland to the Minerva Pool. A perfect spot for a picnic and swim, the pristine waterhole is a sacred site for the Dharawal People. Because of this, the Local Aboriginal Land Council requests that only women and children enter the water.

Best Free Attractions, Sites & Places to Go

The Blue Mile – photo c/o Wollongong City Council

Take in the beautiful scenery of this area with some well-designed places to explore here in the Illawarra. Check out this article for more ideas.

The Blue Mile stretches from Stuart Park to Wollongong Lighthouse. Along the way, there are scenic views and cafes galore. This is a beautiful all-abilities walk, but also a great one for kids on bikes. Take swimsuits for a dip along the way, or stop off for a coffee, lunch or ice cream. There are even playgrounds along the way for the younger kids who need a stop-off or a shorter trip.
Wollongong Botanic Garden is a stunning location with a playground, coffee van, and a huge range of botanic environments to explore from the rainforest to the desert. Take food for a picnic lunch under the trees or at one of the many seating areas available.
The Sea Cliff Bridge walk is a must-do walk for both Illawarra locals and visitors, look for whales or just take in the beautiful ocean views. This walk is in Clifton and is a famous landmark for the Illawarra, featuring in advertisements, TV shows, and even movies.
Wollongong City Libraries are located from Helensburgh to Warrawong and everywhere in between, Wollongong City Libraries are inclusive, welcoming hubs for the community for all ages. They offer a range of engaging programs including free sessions for babies, toddlers, children, and adults during the term. Plus, they have special activities during every school holiday period.
Wollongong Art Gallery offers a variety of fun programs to nurture your child’s curiosity in the arts! They offer tours, workshops, and programs for kids all year round – including their free monthly Junior Art Trail for kids aged 3 to 5, and their After School program for primary school students. The Junior Art Trail is a free, fun tour of the Gallery for children aged 3 to 5 years old. Explore artwork through storytelling, art making, songs and games.

Culture Mix – Wollongong, Saturday 19 October, 2024

Culture Mix

This FREE one-day outdoor inclusive event is open to people from all backgrounds, ages and abilities, and celebrates Wollongong’s diverse community with vibrant music, dance, workshops, installations, and food from around the world. The event is held at various locations in Wollongong CBD – Crown Street and Mall, The Arts Precinct, Wollongong Library, Wollongong Art Gallery and Wollongong Town Hall.

Families will be able to taste food from around the globe, enjoy free creative workshops, support a local Aboriginal artist by purchasing something unique, learn K-Pop dance moves or join a community street parade with a giant Ogah Ogah (monster) and Gamelan Orchestra. With 3 stages, 9 zones and over 100 things to see and to on the day, there really is something for everyone. Learn more now here.

Best Indoor Venues / Free & Low Cost Places to Visit

Wollongong City Libraries Book Week Competition

Wollongong City Libraries are an inclusive, welcoming group of libraries that run some wonderful activities for children and the community. With libraries from Helensburgh to Warrawong and everywhere in between, each library runs free baby, toddler, children and adult programs during the term, with programs on every school holiday period.
Wollongong Art Gallery has free entry and an ever-changing selection of exhibitions on display. They also run free early childhood tours, which are a fantastic introduction for preschoolers to develop a love of art. The art gallery also is host to a range of paid art classes for children and adults that are run by artists who specialise in the field.
Science Space is a favourite with children of all ages, and even for adults. Their school holiday programs are amazing, inspiring a love of science. The planetarium and daily science shows (some of which include liquid nitrogen and the science of bubbles), are fantastic. Hands-on science at its best, you won’t regret a visit.
Early Start Discovery Space is an interactive and inspired science museum where the kids learn through play. It also has a cafe onsite and a cool outdoor area with a creek and heaps of hands-on activities. Buying a yearly membership makes this a really affordable activity, and I’m so grateful we have access to it here in the Illawarra.
Flipout Albion Park has a ninja warrior zone, cafe, seating area, and trampolines galore. It is a local favourite. There’s parking out the back too. This is a great way to have some fun with your kids, why not buy or bring some Flip Out socks of your own and join in the fun?
HARS Aviation Museum is another Albion Park favourite to visit, especially for the plane enthusiast. There are so many to look at and explore. On the second Friday of the month, they host tarmac days where you can witness the display of some of their collection. They also have lots of other regular tours to choose from.
Tabatinga Dapto is located within Dapto Leagues Club and offers a safe and fun indoor play centre for parents to leave their children while they head to the Bistro for dinner. Children need to be toilet-trained and over the age of three. This awesome option means you can relax, knowing they are safe and happy while you enjoy some adult time.
Green Connect is a local produce farm with the goal of meeting the employment needs of refugees, while also reducing waste. They offer a range of fun and educational experiences – from farm tours to playgroups, school holiday programs, birthday parties, and more.

Illawarra Light Railway Museum in Albion Park

Illawarra Light Railway Museum in Albion Park is a great place to take children who love trains! Visitors can enjoy rides on restored light rail vehicles and learn about the evolution and history of railways in Illawarra.

Ride the steam trains and miniature rail trains whilst getting a fascinating glimpse into the history of our rail transport. The tours are lively and full of history, you’ll get up close and personal with all the trains. The museum features a collection of trams, locomotives, and carriages + you and the kids will LOVE riding the miniature trains. Book online!

With a cafe and BBQ picnic areas to enjoy, make a day of it! Wheelchairs are welcome and can be accommodated on some of the train rides, so it’s an accessible venue.

The Museum is opened to the public for Steam Train Rides on the Second Sunday of Each Month and On the Forth Saturday of each month for Diesel Train Rides from 10am – 2pm. Plan your visit now here.

Illawarra Light Railway Museum, Albion Park

Best Beaches / Rock Pools & Swimming

Windang Beach & Lagoon

Finding a secluded beach spot in the Illawarra can be a challenge, but there are still so many to choose from. Some of our favourites are listed below, and still more are in this article about the Best Beaches for Beach Bums in the Illawarra or our article on the Best Beaches in Wollongong and the Illawarra.

Coalcliff Beach & Pool is very special and has a small pool that is waist-deep the whole way (depending on your height). At high tide, the waves often crash into the pool. It is clean and beautiful, with a patrolled beach next door.
Austinmer Beach & Pool is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike, especially in summer on weekends. With a great range of cafes, a patrolled beach, and even a fenced playground, it is a winning place to visit. We prefer it midweek or in off-peak seasons when parking is easier and the crowds aren’t as thick, but always, this is a great spot.
Port Kembla Beach & Pool is a bit of a paradise and very family-friendly. This pool has an eight-lane 50m pool, a huge shaded toddlers’ pool and shallow paddling pool for bubs. And it has a beach-style sloping entry ideal for those who just want to wade. There’s even a cafe available onsite, which is very popular.
Windang Beach & Lagoon is a stunning location that caters for everyone. With Reddall Reserve playground on the foreshore of the entrance to Lake Illawarra, it is a great spot for a bike ride and picnic. Windang Beach is ideal for paddling, swimming or a BBQ, the flat calm water is great for small kids although watch out for the fast flowing tides.

Best Dining With Kids (includes playgrounds & specials)

Tabatinga Dapto

A night out with the kids, and a night off cooking is fun, relaxing and very appealing with these great places to take the family. Each with playgrounds, kid-friendly meals and deals. One even has an indoor play centre to leave the kids at and go have a meal, just the adults. Date night without any guilt. Have a look at our article on family-friendly eateries and our other article on dining with play areas.

Kids Eat Free. Cheap Eats & Local Restaurant Specials

The Balgownie Hotel

We have another article here for you to read with all the local restaurants where kids eat free. Or this list of fabulous family-friendly eateries, all with specials and deals to make eating out with the family more affordable. All while also being a fun experience.

Best Bike Rides / Tracks for kids

Wollongong has some epic cycling tracks and cycleways for people of all ages. Get inspired with some of the amazing ones on offer in this article with the top 10 family-friendly cycle rides. Get everyone out of the house and have some fun exploring your local area. Find new places to cycle, or enjoy your local fave.

About the Author: Lisa Hagan
Lisa grew up in Thirroul and is a mum of four children. A student to life, Lisa loves learning and searching for the most fun things to do with her kids. She loves exploring the Illawarra and its surroundings. Searching for fun and educational activities is her favourite for her kids whom she homeschools.

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