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City of Wollongong

All the ways to keep busy (and socially distanced) these holidays

Monday 18 January 2021

Looking for something different to do as you enjoy the last few weeks of the school holidays?

We’ve pulled together a list of outdoor and indoor holiday activity ideas that will keep the whole family busy while also maintaining social distancing.

Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said Wollongong residents were spoilt for choice when it came to great facilities and natural spaces.

“I know that current COVID restrictions has meant families have had to rethink the usual holiday activities and excursions. The good news is that there’s so much to do for those who are holidaying at home in Wollongong,’’ he said.

“Why not explore the Wollongong Botanic Garden or enjoy playtime at a playground? Go for a swim at one of our patrolled pools or kick a ball on one of our ovals? Check out the Wollongong City Libraries’ digital resources, skateboard on our skate parks, go for a bush walk along the escarpment or bike ride along one of the many cycleways across the City.”

We do encourage everyone to continue to follow the current NSW guidelines by wearing a mask when required and socially distancing from others when in Council facilities.

“If you do venture into one of our indoor facilities — welcome! But remember, we’re asking everyone over the age of 12 to wear a mask while using a Council facility like our libraries, community centres and Art Gallery,” said Cr Bradbery.

“It’s up to everyone to do the right thing to make sure that our community facilities can continue to stay open. So, make sure you wear a mask, stay 1.5metres away from other guests, wash or sanitise your hands and stay home if you’re feeling unwell.

“And, of course, if you’re experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, no matter how mild, be sure to get tested at one of the many free testing sites across Wollongong.”

Here's our list of school holiday activity ideas:

Make the most of your local Library

All seven of our libraries are back open! That means now’s the perfect time to stop by your local library to pick up a book, magazine, CD, movie and more.

There’s no need to book before you arrive, instead we’re asking all visitors to sign-in with a QR code and wear a mask if they’re over the age of 12.

If you don’t want to leave the house – Wollongong City Libraries can come to you. Download their Library App and borrow eBooks, eAudiobooks, or stream movies for free without leaving the couch.

For the littlies, Wollongong City Council is also offering access to the Storybox Library — an online website that offers great stories read by Australian and New Zealand storytellers.

Sounds good? All you need is a library card to access Storybox and so much more. Find out how you can sign-up to become a library member by visiting the Wollongong City Libraries website.

Get on your bike/scooter

There’s no better way to get active than go for a bike ride. Here in Wollongong we have more than 120km of off-road shared paths and cycleways that are perfect for learner cyclists and families to enjoy.

If you’re up for adventure and looking for something new, visit Council’s website and download a copy of our cycling map.

Our skateparks are also open for the holidays! If you ride a skateboard, scooter or skates, we’ve got some great skate parks for you to learn new skills or perfect that trick. Visit Council’s website to find a skate park near you.

Visit your local playground

Did you know that Council has over a hundred playgrounds? From Helensburgh in the north and Windang in the south, we look after 140 great playgrounds that offer great opportunities for play and fun for all of our community.

Some of our playgrounds like Luke’s Place Playground and Wollongong Botanic Garden All Abilities Playground have been designed for a wide range of ages and physical abilities.

What are you waiting for? All of our playgrounds are open and ready for playtime. For more information visit Council’s website.

Go for a dip in the pool

Wollongong is home to a number of great fresh water and saltwater pools that are supervised by Council Lifeguards.

This summer we’re asking visitors to plan ahead and book their swim by using our free online booking system. Pool patrons will also be required to sign in by QR code on arrival.

If you’re planning on having a swim at the pool, don’t forget to book your swim before you arrive to secure your spot. It’s simple to do, just visit Council’s website to make a pool booking today.

Get creative with Wollongong Art Gallery

The Wollongong Art Gallery is still open for visitors, with all attendees asked to wear a mask and sign-in on entry using a QR code.

You can get creative at home by following Wollongong Art Gallery’s free YouTube art tutorials. With videos on a range of different topics from painting landscapes to making collages, there’s no reason why you can’t get creative at home these school holidays.

For more visit the Wollongong Art Gallery YouTube channel for heaps of free content.

Explore the Wollongong Botanic Garden

The Botanic Garden is open and ready for visitors! Stroll through the Rainforest Collection, take a trip to the outback in the Dryland Collection or to the Americas and Africa in the Succulent Collection.

Enjoy a picnic and feed the resident ducks while you’re here. Just remember, if you’re packing duck snacks, they like peas or worms, not bread.


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