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City of Wollongong

Sister Cities

Wollongong has long-standing connections with other cities around the world to promote friendship, trade and cultural exchange.

Cities that Wollongong has formal ties with are shown below.

You can read about how we form links with other cities in the Civic Relations Policy PDF, 57.68 KB.

Our Sister City relationship with Kawasaki was established in 1988. This is our longest-standing and most active international relationship.

As well promoting economic cooperation, this relationship includes regular cultural exchanges. Each year, a delegation of students from Kawasaki schools visit Wollongong thanks to the support of Kawasaki Shinkin Bank and the City of Kawasaki.

A traditional Japanese bridge and tea house were presented to our city from Kawasaki in 1993 to mark the fifth anniversary of our Sister City relationship. You can visit the bridge and tea house at Wollongong Botanic Garden.

Ohrid and Wollongong became Sister Cities in 1996. This agreement has led to several cultural and educational exchanges between the two cities.

A Friendship City agreement was signed between Longyan and Wollongong in 2001. Our connection with Longyan has included many economic development initiatives, as well as cultural and educational exchanges between primary schools and universities in both cities.

Plans are underway for a new Chinese feature garden at Wollongong Botanic Garden. This garden is expected to open in 2021 to mark the 20th anniversary of the Wollongong-Longyan Friendship City agreement. You can read more in our media release.

We have a lifeguard exchange program with Nova Scotia, Canada, that has been running for more than 25 years. This program gives lifeguards from both cities the chance to broaden their experience and develop new skills.

Each year in our winter, one of our lifeguards heads to Nova Scotia’s lakes. Over the peak Christmas school holiday period, a Nova Scotian lifeguard joins our team patrolling Wollongong’s beaches.

We’ve had an Inter-Council Friendship Agreement with Carrathool Shire Council since 2008. This gives both councils the chance to work co-operatively, share knowledge and foster sporting, education, business and cultural links.