Wollongong is New South Wales’ third biggest city – closely preceded by Newcastle.
“The Gong” (locals don’t actually call it this) is located an hour’s drive south of Sydney and is is known by many for it’s coastline, it’s steelworks and for it’s NRL team, the Dragons.
But for many of the families living in Wollongong is SO much more.
Here’s 20 things that only Wollongong mums will understand:
Your kids have grown up on the beach.
There’s so many beaches to choose from that your kids have claimed their favourite beach. It’s “their” beach.
Your kids’ first school excusion is to Symbio.
You know every beachside playground from Austi to Kiama
Your kids fight over whether you go to the flying fox at Thirroul or the giant slide at Towradgi
You’ve grown tired of explaining what the smoke stacks at Port Kembla do.
No, they don’t make the clouds. Yes, there is fire coming out of that chimney.
You’ve been known to drive home via Woonona or Dapto train stations in the hope that a train is coming. Those level crossings are better than any Peppa Pig episode.
There’s prizes for guessing how many carriages the passing train will have and extra points if they guess it’s a freight train
Your kids don’t look twice to see seven people falling from the sky. Skydiving? Meh. That’s so common.
The same goes for coal ships on the horizon
If they see a giant, inflatable clown advertising a circus though? Now THAT’S something to get excited about.
“Can we go, Mum?! Can we go, Mum?!” is all you will hear for the next three kilometres until you distract them with…
Caesar’s or Chicko’s for hot chips and chicken burgers on a Sunday. That is all!
Eating them at the beach is the simplest pleasure. Free playground for entertainment and no washing-up. WIN!
Your kids know to never feed the seagulls. Those cunning rats with wings will grab a fish cocktail from your hand as it is.
On day trips to Sydney you hope no one asks where you’re from – just to avoid people exclaiming, “Wollongong?! Wow you must be exhausted!”
Umm it’s 80ks away, not 800!
Coming home from the city on the train is the best when you pop out of the tunnel at Stanwell Park. That view of our coast line never gets old
When you drive home at night you love hearing your kids marvel at the pretty fairy lights on Bulli Pass & Mt Ousley
You’ll do anything for your kids – including parking forever away from the WEC just to see The Wiggles live in concert. Now that’s love!
The Camp Quality Convoy for Kids is literally the highlight of your kids’ year.
Because TRUCKS! And POLICE CARS!
This is closely followed by the NYE and Australia Day fireworks at Belmore Basin
Huddling under a picnic blanket while your kids look mesmerised at the expolosions in the sky makes the long wait and huge crowds worthwhile.
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