Things To Do For Teens in Wollongong. Events & Activities Youth / Illawarra

Discover the best things to do for teenagers in Wollongong & Illawarra, including parks, events and activities. Here at Parent’s Guide Illawarra, we are your local guide to the best kids’ activities, events and places to go in Wollongong and Illawarra. As a local mum with three kids, I’ve shortcut you to the best, free, low cost and dedicated centre’s, places and activities that our Wollongong teen’s rave about. We also include where to take your teen, so best events for under 18’s in Wollongong,.

Now drumroll please for the best parks, places, events and activities for youth and teens across Wollongong and Illawarra.

Wollongong Youth Centre
Treetops Adventure Nowra
Music Events for Under 18’s & Teens & Family
Jamberoo Action Park
Flip Out, Albion Park
Local markets
Mobile Revolution Archery Tag
Revolution Laser Arena
Hangdog Climbing Gym
UOW Science Space
Unanderra Velodrome & Criterium Track
Illawarra & Wollongong Rock and Beach Pools
Best Skate Parks
Cringila Hills Mountain Bike Park

Wollongong Youth Centre

85 Burelli Street, Wollongong

Best playgrounds for big kids & teens across Wollongong & the Illawarra – Parent’s Guide Illawarra – Wollongong Youth Centre

The Wollongong Youth Centre is an inclusive space for young people aged 12-24 to connect, explore new interests, and enjoy a safe environment. Run by the dedicated Youth Services team, the centre provides a range of free resources, workshops, and social groups tailored to meet the unique needs of local youth. Wollongong Youth Centre also run regular drop-in, free programs during the School Term and School Holidays.

What’s available:

Free resources like WiFi and charging stations
Art and drama workshops
Big-screen gaming, live music, and events
Social groups (Rainbow League & Q-munity)
Legal Aerosol Art Wall
Recreation options: pool tables, basketball, and skateboarding

You can learn more about Wollongong Youth Centre and contact their team here for further information here.

Treetops Adventure Nowra

23 Rock Hill Road, North Nowra.

Best playgrounds for big kids & teens across Wollongong & the Illawarra – Parent’s Guide Illawarra – Treetops Adventure Nowra.

A great day out for parents with teens (and age4+), the more challenging climbs and ziplines at Treetops Adventure are a fun, bonding activity and get rid of some teen need for adrenaline (in a safe way!). Great for building skills and stepping out of your comfort zone. With amazing views and great staff who will support you every step of the way. With over 80+ challenges and 15 flying foxes, this is an experience your young person will always remember. A great activity to bond with them, get away from screens, be in the great outdoors and an experience that you will always share together. See the link here below for more info.

Get 10% off at Treetops Nowra with Parents Guide Illawarra! Treetops Nowra provides exciting outdoor adventures that the whole family can enjoy. With thrilling treetop courses and activities for all ages, it’s a perfect day out.

You can now enjoy a 10% discount on their Standard Session (2.5hrs) during the school term! Use the code PARENTSGUIDE at checkout – BOOK ONLINE NOW

Music Events for Under 18’s & Teens & Family

Not easy to find as many live music gigs and venues are over 18’s only. However, we’ve found some amazing Live Music at Seeker Brewing where teens and under 18’s are welcome if accompanied by an adult at all times. Click here to find upcoming music and shows at Seeker Brewing in Unanderra

Plus, enjoy sit down music and dinner with your teens, click to view Wollongong’s Centro CBD who have some amazing live music acts.

Jamberoo Action Park

1215 Jamberoo Road, Jamberoo.

Best playgrounds for big kids & teens across Wollongong & the Illawarra – Parent’s Guide Illawarra – Jamberoo Action Park.

A huge day out full of laughter, adventure, and adrenalin-filled rides. Jamberoo Action Park is everything you want a water park to be, and so much more. See the link below for more details.

For more info check out their link here.

Flip Out, Albion Park

182 Princes Highway, Albion Park Rail.

Best playgrounds for big kids & teens across Wollongong & the Illawarra – Parent’s Guide Illawarra – Flip Out

A fantastic space for all ages, filled with trampolines and even a Ninja Warrior course. My kids love it here and want to come back again and again. They also have a good cafe with coffee and food options. Plan your visit to Flip Out Albion Park here.

Local markets

With such an amazing diversity of Wollongong & Illawarra markets, you teen can pick their fave! Generally free to get in, with many having music, food and free entertainment, it’s a fun thing for teens to visit with mates, or mooch together as a family.

Mobile Revolution Archery Tag

Unit 1 / Lot 2 Drummond Street, Spring Hill.

Best playgrounds for teens & pre-teens across Wollongong & the Illawarra – Parent’s Guide Illawarra – Mobile Revolution Archery Tag.

Team-building at its finest. What an amazing way to spend a day. Two teams, armed with bows, face-masks and arrows (with foam tips) have objectives to complete and seven minutes each round to do it. See the link here for more details.

Revolution Laser Arena

2 Drummond Street, Spring Hill.

Best playgrounds for big kids & teens across Wollongong & the Illawarra – Parent’s Guide Illawarra – Revolution Laser Arena.

Great for keeping the kids active and busy while having a great time, during any weather. Revolution Laser Arena is a fun day out for kids and adults of all ages. See the link here below for more details.

Hangdog Climbing Gym

130 Auburn Street, Coniston.

Best playgrounds for big kids & teens across Wollongong & the Illawarra – Parent’s Guide Illawarra – Hangdog Climbing Gym.

There are so many awesome climbs here, for beginners through to experienced climbers. Kids of all ages are catered for here. See the link here for more details.

UOW Science Space

60 Squires Way, North Wollongong.

Best playgrounds for big kids & teens across Wollongong & the Illawarra – Parent’s Guide Illawarra – UOW Science Space.

UOW’s Science Space is amazing. The Science Shows & Planetarium is great for younger teens. Children of all ages will learn something new from each and every hands-on activity here. They won’t even realise they’re learning as they explore how and why things work. The planetarium is spectacular. See the link here now for more info.

Wollongong City Libraries

Wollongong, Corrimal, Warrawong, Thirroul, Dapto, Helensburgh and Unanderra

Free things to do with Big Kids in Wollongong & the Illawarra – Parent’s Guide Illawarra – Wollongong City Libraries

Discover Wollongong City Librarie s with seven locations across the region. Their libraries are more than just places to read—they are inclusive, safe spaces for all ages including teens and young adults from 13 – 18 years of age.

Whether teens are looking to learn, play, or connect with other like-minded young people, Wollongong City Libraries offer a diverse range of free educational, recreational, and social sessions young adults. Simply drop in—no bookings required!

Programs on offer during the school term include Board Game Club, Build & Connect, Highschool Tutoring, Homework Club, Kidz Connect, STEAM Punks, Teenz Connect. Join in an d explore all that our libraries have to offer!

Unanderra Velodrome & Criterium Track

Lyndsay Maynes Park, Unanderra

Free things to do with Big Kids in Wollongong & the Illawarra – Parent’s Guide Illawarra – Unanderra Velodrome

The Criterium Track is great for all ages, and all non-motorised wheels are welcome. The Illawarra Velodrome is licensed by and run by the Illawarra Cycle Club. Join the Illawarra Cycle Club for regular cycling events held here too.

Illawarra & Wollongong Rock and Beach Pools

Free things to do with Big Kids in Wollongong & the Illawarra – Parent’s Guide Illawarra – Austinmer Rock Pools.

We are so lucky to live in this part of the world. Nearly every beach has an ocean pool to enjoy. They are beautiful and regularly cleaned. From Coalcliff to Port Kembla, most beaches have an ocean pool. Just in case you want a list, though, here it is: Coalcliff, Wombarra, Coledale, Austinmer, Thirroul, Bulli, Woonona, Bellambi, Towradgi, Wollongong, and Port Kembla.

After more beach and rockpool exploring inspo for your kids? Read our Best Beaches & Swimming Spots Wollongong, Illawarra and South Coast guide here.

Best Skate Parks

Free things to do with Big Kids in Wollongong & the Illawarra – Parent’s Guide Illawarra – Holborn Park Skate Plaza (Berkeley)

We have a great range of dedicated Wollongong & Illawarra skate parks. These are places your kids can ride their bikes, skateboards, or scooters. Most are close to a playground for younger kids too. Here’s a list of the ones we found for you: Helensburgh, Fairy Meadow, Unanderra, Holborn Park Skate Plaza (Berkeley), Albion Park Rail, and Port Kembla.

Cringila Hills Mountain Bike Park

Free things to do with Big Kids in Wollongong & the Illawarra – Parent’s Guide Illawarra -Cringila Hills Mountain Bike Park

Cringila Hills Mountain Bike Park is bound to be fun for the whole family, but older kids will love the freedom and mixture of challenges here. There is a jumps park for beginner to intermediate riders, a pump track, and a bike skills playground. Every skill level is catered for here.

PLUS – we have even more cool local bike tracks for kids of all ages to discover at our 10 Family Friendly Cycle Rides in Wollongong. Best Bike Tracks in the Illawarra guide here

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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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 surrounds. Searching for fun and educational activities are her favourites for her kids whom she homeschools.

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