Winter is the perfect time for opulence and supreme indulgence at a venue otherwise not open to the general public. Photo: Jaspers Berry.
It’s school holidays, but the kids don’t get to have all the fun. Across the Illawarra, there’s a packed program of things to see, do and discover — whether you’re flying solo, wrangling little ones or planning a winter outing with friends.
From live music and art openings to hands-on workshops, community events and thoughtful film screenings, it’s a season for warming up minds and reconnecting with local culture.
Headline events include the highly-anticipated South Coast Readers & Writers Festival, a high tea to end all high teas and, miraculously, there are still some tickets left to see the legendary Toni Childs live in Thirroul.
There’s something happening in just about every corner — so layer up and dive in. Here are our top nine picks for the week.
Multiple Days
Plants from all over Australia can be seen in a garden like no other at Illawarra Grevillea Park. Photo: Envato/SundryPhotography.
Winter Open Days at The Illawarra Grevillea Park Botanic Garden
When: Saturday 5, Sunday 6, Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 July, 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Illawarra Grevillea Park Botanic Garden, Grevillea Park Road, Bulli
Cost: $7 | Payable upon entry.
Believe it or not, winter is a wonderful time to visit the Illawarra Grevillea Park Botanic Garden. Many of the West Australian grevilleas are now in flower, including Grevillea simplex. Often referred to as the “banana custard” grevillea, it has a perfume to die for. Many of the spectacular tropical hybrids are breaking into bloom and putting on a wonderful show, and the rainforest and vine forest walk offer well defined paths for visitors to explore.
Pack a picnic and make a day of it, and browse plants for sale, many of which cannot be found in any nurseries.
Jaspers Berry’s Limited Season Colonial High Tea
When: Saturday 5, Sunday 6, Saturday 12, Sunday 13 and Saturday 19 July, 11:45 am to noon and 2 to 2:15 pm
Where: Jaspers Berry, 4 O’Keeffes Lane, Jaspers Brush
Cost: $90 | Book via Jaspers Berry.
Step into a storybook this winter as the first instalment in a special Colonial High Tea series arrives at Jaspers, Berry. The iconic and deeply cherished wedding venue will open its gates for a limited-time experience that offers an immersive afternoon in a space normally reserved for the most unforgettable weddings. Billed as “a celebration of style, storytelling and sweet indulgence”, guests can expect assorted Victorian finger sandwiches, a curated selection of savoury bites, freshly baked scones with seasonal preserves and cream, handmade pastries, tartlets and cakes crafted by Michelin-trained executive pastry chef Madame Severine, as well as tea and coffee.
To complement the experience, guests will enjoy a thoughtfully curated wine list featuring celebrated Australian vineyards. And to finish, you’ll be offered a slice of Jaspers 1897 Old Schoolhouse Fruit Cake — to be shared, or taken home as a sweet reminder.
Friday
Fafangu ae Fangufangu — Awakening the Fangufangu, 2024 (detail) and Double pirogue des Îles des Amis, 1817. Image: Adriana Māhanga Lear.
Official Opening of Fafangu: To Awaken at Wollongong Art Gallery
When: Friday 4 July, 6 to 8 pm
Where: Wollongong Art Gallery, 46 Burelli Street, Wollongong
Cost: Free.
An evening of art and culture awaits at Wollongong Art Gallery, at the official opening of Fafangu: To Awaken, a new body of work by queer Tongan-Australian artist Adriana Māhanga Lear. Using photography, video, sculpture, installation, sound and music, Lear interrogates the colonial archive to examine the legacies of Eurocentrism and heteropatriarchy on Tongan art forms. The event is free and suitable for all ages.
Bellambi Renewal — First Community Consultation
When: Friday 4 July, 11 am to 2 pm
Where: Bellambi Neighbourhood Centre, 49A Cawley Street, Bellambi
Cost: Free.
The NSW Government has been working with the Bellambi community to better understand its needs, priorities and aspirations for the future renewal of the Bellambi estate. Now it’s ready to share the draft Bellambi People and Place Plan – a plan shaped by the community’s ideas and feedback, designed to help guide the next stages of renewal.
The draft plan is on public exhibition from Thursday 26 June to Wednesday 23 July. You can share your feedback in-person at the first drop-in session today (Friday 4 July), where there will be a free community barbecue. If you miss this one, subsequent sessions will be held:
- Thursday 10 July, 4 to 7 pm (free refreshments) at Bellambi Surf Life Saving Club, Morgan Place, Bellambi
- Saturday 12 July, 9 am to noon (free refreshments) at Bellambi Surf Life Saving Club, Morgan Place, Bellambi
Tickets are running out to see the legendary Toni Childs live in concert. Image: Toni Childs.
Toni Childs – A Retrospective
When: Friday 4 July, 7:30 to 10:30 pm
Where: Anita’s Theatre, 264-270 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Thirroul
Cost: $92 | Book via TicketMaster.
Join the legendary Toni Childs for a special two-hour solo performance as she celebrates her life’s musical works in song and in story. Toni will be performing hits and fan favourites from Union, House of Hope, The Woman’s Boat and Keep the Faith, and sharing stories of how Union came to life in the first hour of her show. The second hour will be an introduction to Toni’s new music, from two very special albums, It’s All a Beautiful Noise and Citizens of the Planet.
Dive into a celebration of writing, ideas, and voices that inspire, challenge, and connect, in the picturesque village of Thirroul on the NSW South Coast. Image: South Coast Writers Centre.
South Coast Readers & Writers Festival
When: Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 July, 10 am to 4:30 pm
Where: 352-358 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Thirroul
Cost: Various | Book via Humanitix.
The South Coast Readers & Writers Festival returns to Thirroul with an incredible line-up of literary talent, from rising stars to international bestsellers. Expect gripping conversations on cautionary tales from the past and speculative futures, the reclamation of lost histories and endangered languages, climate grief and the turbulence of current affairs, new mythologies, explorations of womanhood and the business of publishing. From soul-stirring poetry readings, captivating literary fiction, historical recreation and young adult adventures to thought-provoking non-fiction, intimate memoirs, gripping biographies and cutting-edge politics, this year’s South Coast Readers & Writers Festival promises an unforgettable program.
Saturday
Calling all film buffs — don’t miss the screening and discussion about Spirited Away. Image: Spirited Away.
Film Club: Spirited Away
When: Saturday 5 July, 7:30 to 9:30 pm
Where: Coledale Community Hall, 745 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Coledale
Cost: SCWC and Screen Illawarra Members $7 | Non Members $10 | Humanitix.
In July, Film Club will be screening Hayao Miyazaki’s acclaimed animated fantasy, Spirited Away (2001). It follows the supernatural journey of a sullen 10-year-old girl who, during her family’s move to the suburbs, wanders into a world ruled by gods, witches and spirits, and where humans are changed into beasts.
These sessions are regularly hosted by local film expert Graham Thorburn and open to anybody interested in seeing, thinking and having fun talking about films. Each session will start with some background information about the film – the times and context of its making, the people who made it, and something notable about the content or techniques of the film – perhaps even a bit of gossip. After the film screening, there will be a chance to discuss the film. Tea and coffee will be served.
Sunday
Like family games night — if your family were the entire Kiama community. Photo: yanadjana.
Unplugged Family Afternoon
When: Sunday 6 July, 3:30 pm
Where: Finding Fillmore’s, Unit 2/38-40 Manning Street, Kiama
Cost: Free entry.
“Disconnect to reconnect” is the catch phrase of Kiama Unplugged. They’ll host an “unplugged family afternoon” at community-centric cafe Finding Fillmore’s. At this screen-free afternoon you and your little ones are invited to reconnect with friends and family while participating in fun, hands-on activities. Enjoy yummy wood-fired pizzas and drinks while you engage in board games, card games, LEGO, colouring and many other activities to unplug from your devices. All are welcome.
Thursday
Screening and Panel Discussion: Women of Steel
When: Thursday 10 July, 6:30 to 9:30 pm
Where: Gala Cinema, 204 Cowper Street, Warrawong
Cost: $25 | Book via Humanitix.
This year marks the 45th anniversary of the Tent Embassy outside the Steelworks, when the campaign for Jobs for Women began. To mark the occasion, you’re invited to a special screening of the documentary Women of Steel, which tells the inspiring story of a 14-year battle by women for the right to work in Wollongong’s steel industry. This event is a chance to hear firsthand from trailblazers who stood up for justice and equality — and won. After will be a Q&A session with the filmmaker Robynne Murphy and some of the incredible women featured in the film. This is a chance to reflect on the historic fight and its lasting impact on gender equality and workers’ rights.
