Driving
Wollongong is a short distance drive south of Sydney. If you are driving down from Sydney, you will either end up driving down the Illawarra escarpment or on the scenic route that takes you along to ocean all the way to North Wollongong beach, across the road from the accommodation of Novotel Wollongong. The Grand Pacific Drive is a coastal drive with exquisite views, and will take you over the world famous Sea Cliff Bridge, which also features a walking path if you want some extra time to enjoy the landscape.

There is some secured parking at the Novotel for a fee of $10 a day, but there are also suburban streets a short walk from the Novotel for you to park on if you choose to do so. Take note of parking times on street signs, especially around the beach. For example, the main car park for North Wollongong beach is very close to the Novotel, but parking is not allowed between 10pm to 5am.

 

 

 

 

 

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Sea Cliff Bridge, Grand Pacific Drive

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Multiple routes from the Sydney CBD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Driving via the Grand Pacific Drive

 

Train

The train is an easy way to get to Wollongong from Sydney, and provides scenic views of the coast as you travel.

The express service that leaves from Central takes approximately 90 minutes to North Wollongong, the station closest to the Novotel. It also stops at Wolli Creek, where you can transfer from the airport line if you are flying into the state.

When you get into North Wollongong, if you are catching the bus go to the west (mountain) side of the station, and if you are getting a taxi/uber or walking to the Novotel go to the east (ocean) side of the station.

If you are coming from Melbourne, Canberra, or Brisbane, you can catch a train or bus service to Wollongong itself, or travel directly to Sydney and then transfer to a local service.

The train to and from Wollongong is on the local Opal network, so you may choose to obtain and charge an Opal card or buy a single trip ticket. There is no fee to purchase an Opal card, but the minimum cost is $10 to charge your card. Note that single trip tickets are more expensive than travelling with your own Opal card.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North Wollongong train station (mountain side)

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Plane
The closest airport to Wollongong is the Sydney Airport in Mascot.

If you choose to take the train after arriving at the airport, you catch any train that goes to Wolli Creek, then transfer to the South Coast line and get on a train that stops at North Wollongong.

Please note the train timetable if you have an early flight out of Sydney airport. There is a period of time where trains do not travel from Wollongong to Sydney, roughly after 11:30/00:30 ‘til 4:30/5:30 some mornings (depending on day of the week). Do not book early morning flights after Easters as you will be incapable of making it to the airport on time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sydney Airport