Stanwell tops and The Seacliff Bridge in the distance
Woollongong about 1.5 hours or 82 km (51 miles) from Sydney CBD has a reputation for it’s heavy industry and port activity, but did you know it has beautiful beaches? The drive along the escarpment from Sydney once you head inland towards the sea, is rainforest and the cliff line is stunning along the almost non stop chain of beaches. It’s an inspiring drive at any time of the year. Do I hear you asking if there will be food at the end of the trip..? well yes, there is.
South Beach Woolongong
There s a lot happening in the Gong these days, and its all quite exciting. Bars, cafes and restaurants are popping up. Experienced operators pulling up stumps in Sydney and heading for the South Coast Beach life. At 300,000 people it is our 3rd biggest city in NSW and in fact the 9th biggest in Australia. I was very excited about driving through Stanwell Tops where hang gliders risk life and limb to float on air currents above the tree lined cliffs. I have never been on the Seacliff Bridge, and wanted to drive across it and stop to take a picture. On this beautiful day I got to do just that. I ran out into the middle of the windy expanse of bridge and looked over the edge at the deep blue sea stretching all the way out to boats passing on the horizon. Next stop along the coast Austinmer Beach where my Grandmother spent some of her holidays as a young woman. She arrived in Australia from Hull, in England in 1901. Families once took the long 2 day journey to Austinmer to spend the summer holidays in a seaside boarding house. Today there are beautiful modern beach houses, shops and cafes near the beach to stop at before getting to North Beach Woollongong and “Diggies” cafe.
Sea Cliff Bridge. How I love this bridge
Austinmer Beach
Diggies is right on the water. Summer or winter the beach is the view that makes me happy and it is clearly the same for others because this place is always full. Bright, busy and open for breakfast and lunch & brunch everyday from 7am, its the place to see locals running along the beach, walking dogs, digging in the sand and sipping coffee. 
This cafe seems to have grown out of it’s simple original building and has expanded to include an outdoor seating area that is rightfully quite popular. The original building has bi- fold windows but the terrance/deck is open with fold down opeque sides. All tables are full when we arrive and after a short wait we sit at a table on the deck. They don’t take bookings so plan to arrive reasonably early to shorten waiting times. Breakfasts include a sense of humour and things like: “boston panackalty. $16.5 pumpkin, potato & bacon has with house baked beans and poached eggs. ” OR serena van salmon.$ 16 smoked salmon, crushed peas & feta with mustard creme fraiche on toasted rye” During the last rays of sunshine before the winter rain began I stopped by for lunch. A Roasted Vegetable Salad. 19. included farro, toasted sunflower seeds, feta and thyme oil. It was all deliciously fresh but a little short on dressing, dry farro is not happy farro.
Spring Vegetable salad
A marinated Lamb backstrap with quinoa, harissa, yoghurt and crisp tortillas $28 was a nice combination of flavours and crunch.
Spring Lamb backstrap
But my favourite dish was the fish cakes. They came with a crunchy apple peanut salad with an Asian style dressing
fish cakes & salad
Hand cut chips with Aioli can never go astray…$8
Hand cut chips with aioli $8
Leaf tea is always welcome.
Fresh juices are one thing ( and a good one) but a thoughtfully pulled together wine list is another thing that is just the ticket on a sunny day.
North beach . The coast line with ships on the horizon
Austinmer Beach
Hang gliding at Stanwell Tops
I really want to return and explore the NSW coast, its been years and would make a great road trip for a Westie.
It’s been too many years since I was down in the Gong. Somehow, every time we decide to spend a weekend away, we gravitate North. There really are so many beautiful places to go South of Sydney, this post was a timely reminder for me to explore the region more
Hello.. I’m just a friend of Celia’s.. and she mentioned you so I’m popping in to say hi:D Love your review.. love where you live, I hope one day to visit and see that ocean in person!! xx
What a gorgeous place! I would love to visit your country sometime. The food made my mouth water. Great post, thanks for sharing Tania:)
I wish Canberra was a little closer to an ocean view! What a nice place and cafe indeed Tania x
What gorgeous pictures – you have certainly convinced me this place is worth visiting! I too love that bridge, and the look of this cafe. Thanks for sharing your images 🙂
A smile and a thank you from me. Living at the Northern end of the Southern Highlands I only have to travel some 40 minutes to get to the ‘Gong, so this address will go straight into the ‘try’ book!! And that first Stanwell Park/Tops photo brought back so many memories; our family summer house of many years can still be clearly seen at the back: third from the left, bottom row 🙂 !
Really Eha. How amazing is that?
Feel like jumping in the car right now and head south!
Woollongong is beautiful any time of the year, true!
Thanks Tania for providing your unique view!
The Thai fish cakes look YUM and the apple peanut butter salad…am hungry now!
Cheers! Joanne
It looks like you were there on a beautiful day. I love the image of the umbrella between the two buildings. What great looking food. I’d love a bowl of those chips right now xx
Just my kind of place–comfortable atmosphere, gorgeous view, and appealing food. Even the simple fish cakes have me drooling.
Those fish cakes and salad look amazing – can you create a recipe for the fish cakes?
Ill give it a go!
I’m sure it is but I’ve never heard it called “the gong” before. I love it.
I think I’d like Diggies too. Just quirky enough for me. 🙂
Oh my goodness those chips! I think I would have gobbled that bowl up before you could say… hey look a dolphin!
Great photos!
It’s such a beautiful part of the country, I love the Gong. The beach area is just amazing, and the bridge is one of my favourites as well. Darn it though, now I want hot chips. 🙂