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Australia Day at Wollongong Harbour

Belmore Basin, Wollongong Harbour

Aquathon 06:30
Community Event 17:00
Fireworks 21:00
Finish 21:10

Event Information

Roads will be closed as large crowds attend the Australia Day Aquathon and celebrations followed by a fireworks display at Belmore Basin near the lighthouse in Wollongong Harbour.

Road closures will be in place for the event, attendees are encouraged to catch public transport with trains and buses within short walking distance, or to use active transport options.

Heavier than usual traffic is expected, so allow extra travel time – you can find real-time updates on traffic conditions at livetraffic.com.

Opal

You can use an Opal card for all modes of public transport in Sydney and surrounding regions, including metro, trains, buses, ferries and light rail.

Remember to top up your Opal card before you travel to avoid waiting in line at top-up machines. You can top up your card online or at an Opal retailer.

More ways to pay

If you have a contactless-enabled American Express, Mastercard or Visa debit or credit card, or a linked device, you can use it to pay for your travel by tapping on and tapping off at Opal card readers. Available on all public transport, contactless payments are another way to pay on the Opal network. Adult Opal fare pricing applies and you will receive Opal benefits, including daily and weekly fare caps.

The closest stations to the celebrations are North Wollongong and Wollongong on the South Coast Line. Both stations are approximately a 25-minute walk to the event site. The Free Gong Shuttle Bus will also be available to travel to and from the event from both stations.

For train service disruption information, check trackwork and travel alerts or plan your trip using the Trip Planner.

Trackwork is carried out on an ongoing basis to maintain the safety, reliability, and efficiency of the Sydney Trains network. Check travel alerts and trackwork or use the Trip Planner to find the latest information before you travel.

Free Gong Shuttle

The free "Gong Shuttle" bus (routes 55A and 55C) runs every 10 minutes in a loop around Wollongong making stops at North Wollongong Station, Fairy Meadow Station, Gywneville and Wollongong University and Innovation Campus. 

Gong Shuttle buses will run every 10 minutes from 7am until 11pm on Australia Day. The closest stops to the celebrations at Belmore Basin are along Corrimal St and Burelli St.

Due to road closures, the Free Shuttle Bus will travel along Corrimal Street instead of Cliff Road.

From 8pm until 10pm buses that usually run along Crown St and Burelli St will terminate and depart at Burelli St (west of Corrimal St).

Route 887 diversions

Route 887 will not run along Cliff Rd due to road closures, the service will be be detoured along Burelli St, Corrimal St, Campbell St, Church St and Bourke St.

Premier Illawarra and Dion's Bus Services also operate regular bus services in the area. Visit the websites for details including timetables and network maps.

For bus service disruption information, check travel alerts or plan your trip using the Trip Planner.

Road closures and changed traffic conditions will be in place as up to 10,000 people are expected to attend Australia Day celebrations at Belmore Basin in Wollongong Harbour.

View the road closure map for more details.

The following roads will be closed from 4pm-10pm:

  • Cliff Road, between Marine Drive and Georges Place
  • Harbour Street, between Market Street and Cliff Road
  • Hector Street
  • Hinton Street
  • Campbell Street, from Corrimal Street to Wilson Street
  • Wilson Street
  • Smith Street, between Corrimal Street and Harbour Street
  • Market Place

The following roads will be closed from 8pm-10pm:

  • Marine Drive
  • Crown Street from Harbour Street to Marine Drive
  • Endeavour Drive

For the latest traffic information check Live Traffic NSW or download a real-time traffic app.

Wollongong Radio Cabs service the Wollongong city centre and Illawarra. You can call 4229 9311 to book or visit the website.

Parking in the area is limited and is expected to fill quickly. For details on the available secure car parks in Wollongong CBD, visit Wollongong City Council.

Or view the best places to park and catch the Free Gong Shuttle here.

Motorists are encouraged to park at the Innovation Campus carpark and catch the free Gong Shuttle. 

Accessible pick up & drop off zone

Limited parking is available for Accessible Viewing Area attendees and must be booked in advance. There will also be a drop-off and pick-up point for attendees who are not assigned reserved parking.

Viewing area

An accessible viewing area will be available, those requiring this area will need to book ahead.

Transport

Accessible trips are shown in the Trip Planner with the wheelchair icon. You can select "accessible services only" in the Options to ensure you only see accessible services. Only trip plans with accessible train platforms, ferry wharves and buses will be presented. See accessible travel or download a transport app (select the "Accessibility" filter).