Indulge in culinary delights and craft beverages, live entertainment, kids activities, door prizes and more at this food and wine festival in Towradgi. Photo: Teel Studios.
This week’s list of nine awesome things to do in the Illawarra starts with a folk festival against the backdrop of Kiama’s crashing waves and ends with an African circus.
In between there’s a travel expo, a traditional Aboriginal experience, a bit of Beatrix Potter and a splash of Dorothy the Dinosaur.
Take in some astounding live choral and instrumental music, run, walk or crawl through a colourful wonderland of fun or discover some of the best food, wine and beer the region has to offer.
All weekend
Eclectic music and a variety of creative events in picturesque Kiama. Image: Folk by the Sea Kiama Facebook.
Folk by the Sea – Kiama
When: Friday 20 to Sunday 22 September, various times
Where: Various Kiama venues
Cost: Friday Youth $5 | Friday Adult $40 | Saturday Youth $25 | Saturday Adult $70 | Sunday Youth $20 | Sunday Adult $40 | Three-day Youth $30 | Three-day Adult $130 | Book via Folk by the Sea.
Let an enchanting and eclectic variety of music wash over you against the backdrop of Kiama’s beautiful Surf Beach – Folk by the Sea is back. This intimate folk festival spotlights folk, world, roots, Celtic, bluegrass and gypsy music. The festival features around 35 artists from around the country in numerous concerts on Kiama Showground and surrounds, as well as complementary satellite events including dancing sessions and a poet’s breakfast.
Saturday
Find out the best way to make your travel ambitions a reality. Photo: Sean Pavone.
The Greatest Travel Show
When: Saturday 21 September, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Where: Sage Hotel Wollongong, 60/62 Harbour Street, Wollongong
Cost: Free | Register via Inspiring Vacations.
Dreaming of faraway adventures? Presented by Inspiring Vacations, this immersive experience allows visitors to connect with travel experts, explore incredible destinations, and get all their travel questions answered. Gain insights to help plan your dream holiday. Entrance is free but spaces are limited, so ensure you register.
Gumaraa DanceRites (2023) – part of the rich culture explored in this experience. Photo: Milly Hooper Photography.
Gumaraa’s Cultural Experience
When: Saturday 21 September
Where: The Farm Kiosk, Killalea Drive, Shell Cove
Cost: Adult $60 | Child $50 | Book via Gumaraa.
In this two-hour Aboriginal cultural experience, you will participate in many traditional experiences and gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of Australia’s First Nations culture – the oldest continuous culture in the world. This event is suitable for all ages. Please note, Killalea Regional Park is accessible for those with wheelchairs, mobility scooters and prams, however, some areas are grassy and/or gravelly and uneven.
Find out about Beatrix Potter’s childhood, learn how she began her career, marvel at her glorious drawings and whimsical stories, and hear about her passions for conservation, sheep and fungi. Image: Shellharbour City Libraries.
The Whimsical World of Beatrix Potter
When: Saturday 21 September, 10:30 am to noon
Where: Shellharbour Civic Centre – City Library, 76 Cygnet Avenue, Shellharbour City Centre
Cost: $25 | Book via Trybooking.
Join literary expert Dr Lauren Weber for this whimsical morning of tea, treats and talks, and enter the delightful world of Beatrix Potter. In this event celebrating the iconic author, whose 23 children’s tales have become beloved classics that have inspired films and ballets, you’ll enjoy a delightful tea with special treats as you discover the remarkable life of Beatrix Potter in a themed venue. Suitable for adults and children aged 12 and up.
Hands will be clapping and toes tapping with Dorothy’s mega mix of dance hits. Image: The Wiggles.
Dorothy the Dinosaur Spectacular Show!
When: Saturday 21 September, 10 am
Where: Main Auditorium, Wollongong Town Hall, Crown and Kembla streets, Wollongong
Cost: $30 | Book via Merrigong Box Office.
Get ready to Romp-Bomp-A-Stomp with everyone’s favourite dinosaur in this extravaganza of show-stopping songs, including all The Wiggles’ greatest hits like Rock-A-Bye Your Bear, Hot Potato and Do the Propeller. Joined on stage by all her Wiggly friends you’ll be Shaking your Hips with Wags the Dog, you’ll Move Your Arms like Henry the Octopus and sing Quack, Quack with Captain Feathersword.
Immerse yourself in an afternoon where the human voice takes centre stage with the local chamber orchestra Steel City Strings. Image: Steel City Strings.
Choral Riffs: Strings and Voices with Steel City Strings
When: Saturday 21 September, 7:30 to 9:30 pm
Where: St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral, 36 Harbour Street, Wollongong
Cost: Adult $55 | Concession $45 | $20 | $15 | $120 | $35 | Book via Trybooking.
This is the world premiere of Elemental by acclaimed composer Sally Whitwell. Commissioned specifically for this concert series, Elemental celebrates the natural beauty of the region. Joining forces with Con voci Vocal Ensemble and Wollcon Chamber Choir, Steel City Strings will present a selection of ethereal works by Gabriel Faure, Eric Whitacre and Ola Gjeilo. The orchestra will also perform locally inspired works by John Spence and Bowral composer Ann Carr-Boyd alongside the dynamic Fast Blue Village 5 by Elena Kats-Chernin.
Sunday
Wollongong Colour Frenzy Fun Run/Walk
When: Sunday 22 September, 8:30 to 11:30 am
Where: Stuart Park, Grand Pacific Drive, Wollongong
Cost: Toddler (under 5s) $5 | Child (under 12s) $19.50 | Team (six) $36 | Adult $39.50 | Family $99 | Book via Colour Frenzy.
This year’s colour run has enhanced colour stations, the beloved bubbles station and a brand-new all-ages inflatable crawl station. In addition to the exciting run, the event boasts new pre- and post-event entertainment with giveaways, music, a small select marketplace offering food and drinks where everyone gets a finisher medal and much more.
This all-ages event is self-paced and untimed; you can choose to do one lap of the 1.25-km track or four. Every ticket comes with a race pack (wristbands, glasses and personal powder bag) plus there will be optional merchandise available for purchase. Carers accompanying individuals living with disability receive free admission with one carer per person. Carers presenting a companion card at the race pack collection get a free race pack.
A portion of the proceeds from tickets for this dog-friendly event goes towards providing shelter, food, and protection for local animal shelters.
Towradgi Beach Hotel & i98FM presents Beer, Food and Wine Festival 2024
When: Sunday 22 September, 11 am to 5 pm
Where: Towradgi Beach Hotel, 170 Pioneer Road, Fairy Meadow
Cost: Free entry.
Celebrating the Illawarra region’s finest local produce and quality international products, Towradgi Beach Hotel’s Beer, Food and Wine Festival offers a fun way to discover and try a diverse range of culinary delights and craft beverages. Expect to sample the wares of creative food producers, innovative winemakers and top-notch craft beer and distillers. There will also be live entertainment, kids activities, door prizes, guest speakers and more.
Thursday
Image: Rokitz Entertainment.
Cirque Africa
When: Thursday 26 September, 7:30 pm
Where: Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, 32 Burelli Street, Wollongong
Cost: Adult $89.90 | Concession $84.90 | Child $79.90 | Family $320 | Group $80 | Book via Merrigong Box Office.
This spectacular show is produced and directed by “Papa Africa” – aka Winston Ruddle, the director who brought us the hit Broadway Show Cirque Mother Africa. His energetic new spectacle features the very best talent from across Africa. Audiences will be fully immersed in traditional African culture while witnessing a handpicked world-renowned African troupe of acrobats, dancers, musicians and contortionists.
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