ABOUT WOLLONGONG

Wollongong is located approximately 80 kms south of Sydney. AAP 2019 is the third time Wollongong has hosted the Australasian Association of Philosophy's annual conference. The first was in 1977 and the second in 2012.

Accommodation

Transportation

Restaurants, Bars and Cafes

Campus Information

Things to do in Wollongong

Accommodation

There are a number a hotels, motels and hostels in the Wollongong CBD and North Wollongong. The UOW campus is approximately 3kms from the CBD, and two free shuttle buses - the 55A and 55C - operate on throughout the day to connect central Wollongong with the university.

Transportation

The conference will take place at UOW’s main campus on Northfields Avenue in Wollongong.

Train

The nearest train station to the university is North Wollongong station. A free shuttle bus (9 and 9N) connects North Wollongong station with the main campus. The bus can be found on the west side of the tracks.

For visitors heading straight to hotels or other accommodation, Wollongong (main) station may be more convenient than North Wollongong.

Sydney Trains timetables and Trip Planner can be found here: https://transportnsw.info/routes/train

Bus

In addition to the shuttle buses connecting the main campus with North Wollongong station, Wollongong has two other free bus services. These buses (55A and 55C) run clockwise and anti-clockwise along the same loop, connecting the main campus with the centre of Wollongong and other areas. The schedule for these services can be found here:

http://www.premierillawarra.com.au/shuttle.html

Find a map of the free shuttle bus here:

http://www.premierillawarra.com.au/pdf/gongshuttlemap.pdf

There is also an Android app for the buses with live updates: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=edu.uow.unishuttle&hl=en_US

More information on shuttle busses can be found here:

https://www.uow.edu.au/transport/shuttles/index.html

Wollongong Restaurants, Bars and Cafes

RESTAURANTS

Samaras. Lebanese and mediterranean food. A very popular spot, the platters are particularly renowned. Often packed even on weeknights, so reservations are recommended.

JJ’s Indian. Hands down the best Indian in the Illawarra. Right in town (just off Corrimal St). Will not disappoint, whatever your tastes.

Thai Carnation. Wollongong is jam-packed with Thai restaurants, and this is one of the best. Good dishes, not expensive, and a solid wine list.

Kneading Ruby. A modern take on a pizzeria, featuring rustic dishes and traditional pizza made with fresh, locally sourced produce. All dishes designed to be shared. Vegetarian and Vegan options available.

Bull & Bear. Tapas in the heart of town. Lots of variety and nice atmosphere.

BARS

Dagwood. One of the most iconic bars in Wollongong. Dagwood offers a great atmosphere, combined with delicious food and cocktails.

The Illawarra Brewery. Located at the Stadium, the Brewery gives you the opportunity of having a beer while looking at the ocean. They have a great selection of beers, including some very special ones.

Howling Wolf. The Wolf! Wollongong's premier whisky bar. Over 260 varieties of whisky, plus gin & craft beers.

Dicey Riley’s. Voted best pub in the Illawarra in 2016, Dicey Riley’s is an Irish pub specialized in beer and whisky. Great for concerts and for nights that get longer than expected.

Little Prince. Another iconic bar of Wollongong. Perfect for a chill night and a chat with friends while drinking a cocktail or a gin and tonic. The selection of beers gets renovated every month.

Births and Deaths. A new cocktail and gin bar. Offers a great selection of spirits (particular gin) that are not to be found anywhere else in town.

5 Barrels. Local brewery. A short walk from the middle of town. It has 7 beers on tap, all of them homebrew. Perfect to taste something different.

Breakout Bar. Newly renovated venue, the decoration reminiscent of a steampunk science-fiction movie. It offers delicious cocktails, escape rooms, karaoke, and board games. You can order food from Kneading Ruby.

CAFES

Lower East. Down the beachy end of Crown St. Food menu is excellent, and plenty of very fine veggie/vegan options. A go-to breakfast/brunch spot.

Lee and Me. Conveniently located on Crown St, Lee and Me is a picturesque space, that is cafe, boutique, and art gallery at the same time. Food and coffee excellent.

Meni Cafe. Good spot in a good location. A perfect option for a breakfast. Good quality coffee and food. Vegetarian and Vegan-friendly.

Diggies. Situated in a lovely, heritage-listed house at the North Wollongong Beach, it offers you the opportunity of having a coffee near the ocean. It offers a simple but delicious menu with a focus on seasonal, local produce.

Lettuce B. Frank. Good selection of food, mostly organic. Specialized in freshly baked food, it offers a great range of delicious options for breakfast, brunch, and lunch. Good selection of gluten-free products.

Opus Coffee Brewers. A short walk from the mall on Kiera St, they have some of the best coffee and bagels in town. Great vegetarian selection as well.

UOW Campus Information

There are many options for food and coffee on campus. Buildings 11 and 67 (where the conference will take place) both have food courts and dining areas. There are several other places to dine or get take-away meals or snacks scattered around campus. Vegan and vego options are available at most establishments.

Building 11

DELISH

Delish serve up a tasty selection of Turkish dishes, Chargrilled burgers, kebabs, pide, gozleme, Mediterranean rice dishes, chicken and beef snack packs, and many more delicious food that is all halal. (Vegan/Vego friendly)


Location: Building 11, Level GA

Hours: M-F 7am-4pm

LITTLE ASIA

Little Asia serves up delicious, authentic Chinese cuisine and popular Asian street food including laksa, wontons and stir fried noodles.

Location: Building 11, Level GA

Hours: M-F 10am-3pm

LITTLE CURRY HOUSE

Little Curry House creates traditional Indian Curries. Choose from a selection of your favourites such as Butter Chicken, Vindaloo, Korma, Basmati Rice, Naan Breads and snacks like Curry Puffs all at reasonable prices. (Vegan/Vego friendly)

Location: Building 11, Level GA

Hours: M-F 10:30am-2pm

OKUMA SUSHI HOUSE

Okuma Sushi serves a large selection of Asian cuisine, ranging from hot stir fry dishes, freshly made Sushi, Rice Paper Rolls, and hot noodle soups. Okuma Sushi House provides affordable options for all tastes. (Vegan/Vego friendly)

Location: Building 11, Level GA

Hours: M-F 10:30am-2:30pm

RUSH 2

Great coffee and better service! Highly trained baristas serve quality Zest coffee products, freshly prepared gourmet sandwiches, pastries & muffins and more. (Vegan/Vego friendly)

Location: Building 11, Level GA

Hours: M-F 8am-3:30pm

SOCIETEA

Experience the rich luscious flavours of authentic Taiwanese Bubble Tea. A unique taste on campus - Mix it up with your choice of tea and toppings, and finish with a delectable baked delight. (Vegan/Vego friendly)

Location: Building 11, Level 1A

Hours: M-F 11am-2:30pm

SOUL

SOUL offers a range of healthy options inspired by nature’s goodness. Choose from a range of smoothie bowls, crushes and salads to satisfy your cravings for something nourishing. (Vegan/Vego friendly)

Location: Building 11, Level GA

Hours: M-F 10am-2pm

UNISHOP

UniShop is your one stop shop for all your Uni essentials. Snacks and lollies available for purchase.

Location: Building 11, Level G

Hours: M-F 8:30am-5pm

ZAMBRERO

Zambrero serves up fast and fresh Mexican delights with nachos, taco burritos and heaps more on their delicious menu. (Vegan/Vego friendly)

Location: Building 11, Level GA

Hours: M-F 10:30am-4pm

Building 67

B67 CONVENIENCE

B67 Convenience, is your campus convenience store full to the brim with everyday essentials, snacks, grab-and-go food options, drinks, a pick and mix lolly wall and a range of grocery staples.

Location: Building 67, Ground Floor

Hours: M-F 9am-2pm

HEMINGWAY CAFE

Hemingway is nestled away on the first floor terrace of the McKinnon building with the best views on campus. Offering dine-in all day breakfast and lunch with a Mediterranean and Cuban twist. All menu items are available to take away as well as a big variety of grab and go items. (Vegan/Vego friendly)

Location: McKinnon Building 67, Level 1

Hours: M-F 8am-3:30pm

KEW THAI

Kew Thai serves authentic Thai cuisine, freshly made on campus. With a large menu, you are sure to find something tasty that you'll love. Choose from stir fried dishes, noodle soups, fried noodles, salads, BBQ & traditional dishes. (Vegan/Vego friendly)

Location: Building 67, Ground Floor

Hours: M-Th 11am-3pm

SUBWAY

Subway. Famous for subs and shop baked breads, Subway at UOW provides great value with only the best ingredients. Made fresh, exactly how you like it! (Vegan/Vego friendly)

Location: Building 67, Ground Floor

Hours: M-F 10am-3pm

RUSH

Great coffee and better service! Highly trained baristas serve quality Zest coffee products, freshly prepared gourmet sandwiches, pastries & muffins and more. (Vegan/Vego friendly)

Location: Building 67 Ground Floor

Hours: M-F 8am-3:30pm

Elsewhere on campus

ESPRESSO WARRIORS

Espresso Warriors is situated at the entrance to the Early Start Building, and provide great coffee and a scrumptious menu of healthy snacks, delightful baked goods, sandwiches and vegetarian options. (Vegan/Vego friendly)

Location: Building 21, Early Start Building

Hours: M-F 8am-4pm, Sa/Su 9am-4pm

GYPSY JONES CAFE

Gypsy Jones provides fast affordable, healthy lunches, snacks and coffees in a chilled café setting. Gluten free, halal, vegan and vegetarian options available.

Location: Building 17, Arcade

Hours: M-F 7:30am-4pm

PANIZZI CAFE

Panizzi offers great range of fresh food and coffee. Freshly made sandwiches, salads and much more. (Vegan/Vego friendly)

Location: Building 16, Library

Hours: M-F 7am-6pm, Sa/Su 9:30am-3:30pm

PITT STOP

Healthy menu, wraps, Turkish foccacias, yoghurt and smoothie bar, sweets, coffee & cold drinks.

Location: UniActive, Building 13

Hours: M-F 7:30am-6pm

UNIBAR

UniBar is your resident campus hang out, and one of the premier music venues in the Illawarra. Head here for lunch and tunes with friends. Try the famous chip roll, nachos, chips, fish, vegetarian meals, salads, and of course drinks. (Many vegan and vego options)

Location: Building 12

Hours: M-F 11am-6pm

THE YARD

The Yard serves Vittoria Rainforest Certified Organic Coffee, hot and cold drinks, along with grab and go meals and snack options. Have a friendly game of basketball, volleyball, futsal and or badminton using the complimentary sporting equipment for hire. (Vego friendly)

Location: Building 7

Hours: M-Th 7:30am-2:30pm

Places to visit and things to do in Wollongong

Here are some suggestions for visitors looking for a break from the conference:

Wollongong Botanic Garden

Just across the street from the University of Wollongong, the botanic garden is a place of natural beauty where people can come to relax, celebrate, and learn more about plants and horticulture.

http://www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/botanicgarden/Pages/default.aspx

Mount Keira Ring Track Hike

Encircling Mount Keira just above the University of Wollongong, the ring track passes through the varied terrains and forests of the Illawarra Escarpment, starting and finishing in a perfect picnic spot.

https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/mount-keira-ring-track

Wodi Wodi Walking Track

This is a 6.5 km track, named after the original Custodians that lived along the Illawarra coast. The track has been designed to provide a comfortable one day circular trip, starting at Stanwell Park Station.

https://www.sydney.com/destinations/south-coast/wollongong-and-surrounds/stanwell-park/attractions/wodi-wodi-walking-track

Sublime Point Walking Track

Sublime Point walking track is one of the iconic treks of the Illawarra escarpment, and is a challenging walk through lush coastal rainforest to the plateau above with incredible scenic views.

https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/sublime-point-walking-track

Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures

The award winning Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures is one of Australia’s premier treetop walk and zipline experiences. The 1.5 km return walk takes in native rainforest, the steel walkway which features two gently swaying cantilevered arms, and a central tower raised nearly 50 meters from the forest floor.

https://www.illawarrafly.com/

Wollongong Head Lighthouse

Wollongong Harbour is the only point on the eastern coast of Australia which has two lighthouses. The area around the lighthouses is perfect for a picnic or a relaxing walk along the shore.

https://lighthouses.org.au/nsw/wollongong-head-lighthouse/

North Wollongong Beach

Wollongong’s best beach has rock pools, continental pools, wading areas, and good surf. There is plenty of grass, shade and picnic booths. A children’s playground is close by, and shops, cafes, and amenities are provided.

http://www.visitwollongong.com.au/things-to-do/beaches-and-pools

Sea Cliff Bridge

The 665 metre long Sea Cliff Bridge is a highlight along the Grand Pacific Drive. The bridge has become an icon to the people of Wollongong, welcoming tourists annually to this picturesque coastal road. The Sea Cliff Bridge is accessible via public transport.

https://www.sydney.com/destinations/south-coast/wollongong-and-surrounds/stanwell-park/attractions/sea-cliff-bridge

Stanwell Tops

Located just north of the Sea Cliff Bridge and is one of the Illawarra’s, and Australia’s, most well known and popular lookouts. Not only are the views excellent, the area is also internationally known as a major hang gliding point.

https://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/south-coast/wollongong-and-surrounds/stanwell-park/attractions/bald-hill-lookout

Eat Street Markets

The Eat Street Markets take place on Thursday nights from 5pm-9pm in the western end of the Crown St Mall (weather permitting). Eat Street aims to promote those who are passionate about the food they produce. Where local foodies can share their food stories and connect with the community; providing a gateway to learn about ‘conscious’ eating.

http://www.visitwollongong.com.au/things-to-do/attractions/eat-street-markets

Friday Forage Markets

Lower Crown Street Mall is buzzing on Friday’s between 9am and 3pm with the Friday Forage Markets. Stock up on fresh, locally grown produce, enjoy delicious food from around the world and shop for soaps, handmade jewellery, clothing, organic products and more!

https://www.eatstmarkets.com/

Hangdog Climbing Gym

With over a 140 different climbs on 40 ropes with a wide range of climbs from absolute beginner to advanced, Hangdog has options for everyone.

https://hangdog.com.au/

Skydive Australia

Skydive directly over the beach in Wollongong and experience the wides blue yonder you will ever know. Securely attached to your experienced tandem instructor, you will be guided through your entire skydive.

https://www.skydive.com.au/

Nan Tien Temple

Nan Tien Temple is the largest Buddhist Temple in the Southern Hemisphere. Nan Tien is very different from most tourist attractions because there is so much on offer. The visual delights of grandeur architecture, art and culture including unique exhibitions and festivals, Buddhist festivals, vegetarian culinary delights, education and healthy lifestyle classes and retreats, accomodation, top class conference and auditorium facilities. There is also the spiritual and religious experience that is unforgettable, and even life changing for some.

http://www.nantien.org.au/