Wollongong Top Ten Family Attractions

10 great ways to keep the kids, and adults, amused in Wollongong

1. The kids will love

Symbio Wildlife Gardens

, where you can fire up a barbecue, check out the crocodiles, meerkats or any of the other 1000 animals in the park and cool off in the swimming pool. Open every day from 9.30am. To get there follow the Princes Highway up Mount Ousley and connect with the Sydney freeway, and take the Helensburgh/Stanwell Park turnoff and follow the signs to Symbio. www.symbiozoo.com.au

2. Spend a day at

Jamberoo Action Park

, a massive water park with new Outback Bay wave pool-cum-man-made beach, water slides, thrill rides, chair lifts and toboggan rides. There are pools designed for all ages, from toddlers to teenagers. Open during the summer months, September to April. www.jamberoo.net

3. Mesmerize the kids with science at the

Science Centre and Planetarium

at Fairy Meadow. There are more than 100 interactive exhibits relating to various themes like ‘Electricity’ or ‘The Changing Earth’ as well as laser shows in the Planetarium, an observatory and science shows. Open daily, 10am-4pm. www.sciencecentre.uow.edu.au

4. Take a guided tour of the massive steel works that was once the economic back bone of the city at

Industry World

at Port Kembla. The visitors centre is open every weekday and public tours of the Port Kembla Steelworks are available most Wednesday and Friday mornings at 9.30am and finish at midday. Bookings are essential. Call (02) 4275 7023. www.aiw.org.au

5. The wheelchair accessible boardwalk in

Minnamurra Rainforest

(part of Budderoo National Park near Jamberoo) that leads from the Minnamurra Rainforest Centre to through subtropical and temperate rainforest areas to Minnamurra Falls is great for little legs and strollers.

6. Wollongong’s legendary Sydney to the

Gong Bike Ride

has long been a favourite with hard-core cyclists, but the new 15km City Cycleway caters for cyclists of all abilities. Starting in the CBD it follows the shoreline north to the coastal village of Thirroul and offers wonderful views of the Pacific Ocean on one side and the brooding Illawarra Escarpment on the other and is lined with restaurants and cafes – just in case you need a breather.

7. Get a bird’s eye view of the coast from the top of the

Illawarra Fly

, a 500-metre-long, 25-metre-high elevated tree top walk. For those with a head for heights there’s a 45-metre-high lookout, while thrill seekers can take a bounce on the edge of the springboard cantilevers. It’s at 182 Knights Hill Rd, Knights Hill, 10 minutes from Robertson, and is open daily 9am-5pm.

8. Under 10s will think they’re in playground heaven at

Zoom

, an indoor play centre with multi-level maze, jumping castles, and themed party rooms. There are three specific age play zones; one for crawlers, one for toddlers and one for the bigger kids aged 5-10. Open Tuesday to Friday from 9.30am and weekends from 10am. 65-69 Keira St. www.zoomwollongong.com

9. Climb aboard the vintage train for the

Cockatoo Run

, the Illawarra & Southern Highlands Scenic Railway. The train climbs up the escarpment through rainforests, past waterfalls and the spectacular viaduct. Bring your own picnic lunch or get off at Robertson pub (home of Babe). Trips depart every Sunday and selected Wednesdays and Thursdays. www.3801limited.com.au/cockatoo

10. Explore the rainforest on horseback with