From Shellharbour to Austinmer, it’s time to turn those kilometres into kindness in The Great Illawarra Walk: Great Illawarra Walk.
Dust off your walking shoes and clear your weekend schedule, because the Illawarra is absolutely buzzing with energy this week. Whether you are looking to smash a personal fitness goal or simply want to sit in a dark room and laugh until your sides ache, there is a little something for everyone.
We are lacing up for a massive 40 km trek along our stunning coastline for charity, but if you prefer your “active” time to involve flippers and silver balls, the national pinball elite are rolling into town to claim their crown.
From the heartfelt melodies and spoken word of a massive local musical tribute at the UniBar to the muddy, joyful chaos of a morning at the farm, this week is all about community connection. You can get crafty with upcycled denim, find your inner zen through intuitive art, or even test your bravery by coming face-to-face with a crocodile.
Whatever your speed, there is a seat (or a walking track) waiting for you.
Multiple Days
Prepare for an electric four-day festival of high-stakes competition and retro gaming nostalgia as the nation’s best flipper-wizards descend on the Illawarra. Image: IFPA.
The Australian Championship Series of Pinball and Side Events
When: Thursday 19 to Sunday 22 March, various times
Where: The Fraternity Club, 11 Bourke Street, Fairy Meadow
Cost: Side events $30 | Book via TryBooking.
This premier event features the country’s top-tier talent, including world-ranked champions, all battling for national glory in a playable arcade of more than 70 machines. While the main championships are for the pros, the lively side tournaments are open to all skill levels, offering casual players a chance to test their mettle on everything from 1970s classics to modern masterpieces. With live commentary and a high-energy “sunken lounge” atmosphere, it is a total jackpot for anyone who loves the clatter and lights of a vintage arcade. Get your tickets early, as these popular side events often sell out faster than a multiball.
Friday
Illawarra stand-up comedian Diana McLaren is naughty, nice and not looking for a plus one. Image: Diana McLaren.
Trial show: Detached — Diana McLaren
When: Friday 13 March, 7:30 pm
Where: Side Door Theatre, 293-297 Crown Street, Wollongong
Cost: General $15 | Concession $10 | Chosen Family $50 | Extended Chosen Family $75 | Book via Humanitix.
Illawarra’s own professional oversharer, Diana McLaren, is pulling back the curtain on the chaotic reality of modern intimacy before she hits the big leagues at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. This raw trial show is a hilariously unfiltered dive into the trenches of dating disasters, therapy breakthroughs, and the existential spiral of “living life the wrong way.” From accidental death planning to the horrors of the Tinder creep, Diana turns deep-seated embarrassment into high-grade comedic gold.
Part group therapy and part late-night group chat, it is a punchy, sweary and gloriously honest invitation to laugh at the messy bits of being human. Catch this unpolished gem locally before the rest of the country catches on.
Saturday
Grab your sneakers and prepare for a scenic slog for a stellar cause. Photo: halfpoint.
The Great Illawarra Walk
When: Saturday 14 March, 7 am to 5 pm
Where: Starting at Bean Roasted Espresso Bar, 33 Addison Street, Shellharbour
Cost: $50 | Book via The Great Illawarra Walk.
This year’s Great Illawarra Walk invites participants to trek 40 km from the charm of Shellharbour Village all the way to the iconic Headlands Hotel in Austinmer. For those seeking a gentler stroll, there are multiple starting points along the route, including a family-friendly, accessible 1.6 km “KidsWish Blue Mile” at Belmore Basin.
Every cent raised supports KidsWish in providing vital programs for local children living with disability or illness. With a free lunch at Stuart Park and a well-earned finish line celebration in Austinmer, it’s the perfect way to clock up some steps while making a massive difference in the community.
Swap the screen time for some green time at this award-winning urban oasis. Photo: Green Connect.
Green Connect Farm Play & Picnic Day
When: Saturday 14 March, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Where: Green Connect Farm, 6 Anna Avenue, Warrawong
Cost: Adults and Children $20 | Under 1s free | Book via Green Connect.
The Farm Play & Picnic Day offers a muddy, magnificent escape for families, featuring a dedicated Children’s Garden packed with sandpits and loose-parts play. Between bites of your waste-free picnic, small-group mini-tours will whisk you away to meet the farm’s most popular residents, including the pigs, sheep, goats and chickens. It is a hands-on lesson in sustainability where kids can smell the compost and see exactly where their veggies come from. Best of all, visiting this social enterprise helps support employment for former refugees and young people, making it a Saturday morning that feels as good as it looks.
Get ready for some scale-filled fun as the library transforms into a temporary sanctuary for some of Australia’s most fascinating cold-blooded creatures. Photo: Wollongong City Council.
Saturday Session: Reptile Experience
When: Saturday 14 March, 10 to 11:30 am
Where: Warrawong Library, Level 1, 67-71 King Street, Warrawong
Cost: Free | Book via eventbrite.
This interactive session invites brave locals to get up close and personal with a variety of scaly stars, ranging from sleepy pythons and curious lizards to prehistoric-looking crocodiles and friendly turtles. Whether you are keen to pet a frog or test your courage by holding a snake, it is a fantastic, hands-on way to learn about reptile conservation and behaviour. It is the perfect weekend outing for budding zoologists or anyone looking to add a little bite to their Saturday morning. Just make sure to snap up a booking before they all slither away.
Give your old blues a brand-new soul at this clever upcycling workshop. Photo: The Tinkerage.
Denim Re-use Bag at The Tinkerage
When: Saturday 14 March, 10 am to 3 pm
Where: The Tinkerage, 44 Buckleys Road, Dunmore
Cost: Free | Book via Shellharbour Council.
Led by textile whiz Jo Thomas, this hands-on session proves that you don’t need a sewing machine to keep fabric out of the landfill and look good doing it. Participants will learn to strip down recycled jeans and reconstruct them into one-of-a-kind tote bags, complete with quirky denim flowers and repurposed pocket details. It’s a relaxed, creative masterclass in sustainability where every participant walks away with a bespoke accessory made entirely from salvaged materials. Just remember to bring your own scissors and wear enclosed shoes — the denim is on the house, but safety and sharp blades are BYO.
Ditch the rigid rules of art school and let your inner spark take the lead at this soulful workshop. Photo: Pictures_for_You.
Intuitive Art, Oracle Cards and Meditation Workshop
When: Saturday 14 March, 11 am to 2 pm
Where: Shellharbour Village Imaginarium, Wentworth Street, Shellharbour
Cost: $75 | Book via Cheryl Cattarin.
Facilitated by local artist and meditation veteran Cheryl Cattarin, this session is less about perfect brushstrokes and more about profound self-discovery. Participants will blend meditation with oracle cards to tap into their subconscious, translating symbols and colours directly onto the canvas. It is a judgment-free zone where “mistakes” simply don’t exist — only the freedom to create from the heart. With all supplies and caffeine provided, it is a deeply restorative way to spend a Saturday morning connecting with your wise spiritual self.
It is a beautiful opportunity to toast a local legend while supporting the independent airwaves he loved. Image: Supplied.
Ben Hession Tribute Event
When: Saturday 14 March, noon to 10 pm
Where: UniBar, University of Wollongong, Northfields Avenue, Wollongong
Cost: $23.50 | Book via Moshtix.
The local creative scene is coming together for a marathon showcase to honour the life and legacy of Ben Hession, a titan of the Wollongong arts community. For decades, Ben was the voice of independent music and poetry through his work at Vox FM, and this all-day tribute at the UniBar reflects that immense impact.
Dozens of poets, musicians and performers are donating their talents to a program that promises to be as eclectic and heartfelt as the man himself. Attendees can also jump in on a “Gong-centric” raffle featuring items from local businesses, with all proceeds supporting the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute and Vox FM.
Wednesday
Connect with the rhythms of Country in this deeply resonant hands-on cultural workshop at Corrimal Library. Photo: Wollongong City Libraries.
Aboriginal Clapstick Workshop
When: Wednesday 18 March, 6 to 8 pm
Where: Corrimal Library, 15 Short Street, Corrimal
Cost: Free (Ages 18+) | Book via eventbrite.
Led by a local Aboriginal facilitator, participants in this workshop will be guided through the traditional process of crafting and decorating their very own set of clapsticks. The evening offers a unique window into both historical and contemporary designs, exploring the profound significance these instruments hold within Aboriginal cultures.
Beyond the craftsmanship, attendees will gain insight into the stories and songlines that have echoed across this land for millennia. It is a rare, tactile opportunity to learn a sacred skill and take home a piece of living history. While the event is free, spaces are strictly limited, so make sure to drum up a booking early.
