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City of Wollongong

10 ideas to help wrap up the school holidays

Monday 17 January 2022

School holidays are nearing their end, and to help make the most of it, we’ve compiled a list of activities our young locals can enjoy online and outdoors.

“Rain, hail or shine, we know our students will be doing their utmost to enjoy their well-deserved summer break after a very challenging year,” Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said.

“For the safety of our community, we made the decision to cancel our face-to-face school holiday activities and events this January and we were disappointed to take that step. However, there are still many ways to enjoy the break – more specifically online and outdoors.

“Take advantage of our public spaces and spend some time at our dirt bike tracks, including the newly opened Cringila Hills Mountain Bike Park or the suburban tracks at Bulli, Fairy Meadow or Dapto, at our playgrounds, or relax and cool down at one of our patrolled beaches.”

Cr Bradbery encouraged everyone to continue to stay vigilant and be COVID-safe when out and about to give families the best chance to end their holidays on a high note.

“We will continue to monitor the Public Health Order and advice from NSW Health to support the health, wellbeing and safety of our community as well as Council staff and their families,” he said.

“Although there are many online resources and activities available, our libraries, Youth Centre, and Art Gallery are open for visitors. If you choose to visit, please remember to check-in using the QR code, wear a mask, continue to wash and sanitise your hands, get tested if you have even the slightest of symptoms and stay home if you feel unwell.”

Here are 10 outdoor and online activities to help close out the summer holidays:

  1. Connect with nature via Botanic Gardens’ Go Slow for a Mo trail – The self-guided Go Slow for a Mo’trail at Wollongong Botanic Garden invites visitors to pause and take a moment to connect with nature in a meaningful way. Read more in our media release: Botanic Garden’s trail is more than a walk in the park.
  2. Create a Cardboard Relief Sculpture of the Pink Galah – Get your family together and learn how create a cardboard relief sculpture of the Australian bird, Pink Galah, thanks to Wollongong Art Gallery’s online YouTube videos. If sculpture work is not your creative outlet, there’s plenty more on their YouTube channel including art workshops, collection tours and exhibitions.
  3. Play and picnic at a new park - With more than 150 playgrounds and parks across the city, there is plenty of choice when you’re looking for a place to play and picnic. You can check out www.playillawarra.com.au which includes the location of Wollongong’s playgrounds and their facilities.
  4. Join us for a ‘wheely’ good time – Wollongong Youth Services have two ‘Out and About’ sessions left at Helensburgh Skate Park and Cringila Hills Bike Track for young people to ride and socialise. There will also be fun giveaways, so make sure to stay updated on the event via Facebook.
  5. Take a dip at one of our patrolled spots – Enjoy the warmer weather at one of our patrolled spots which include our 17 patrolled beaches, Council’s eight outdoor pools, and the Continental, Port Kembla and Thirroul Ocean Pools, and our nine patrolled ocean park pools. Remember to put safety first at our beaches and if there are no flags, it’s no swim.
  6. Enter the Children’s Acknowledgement of Country Art Competition – Wollongong City Libraries are calling all young local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people! The Art competition seeks to find what Country means to you, and we need you to let us know in art form! Learn more on our website. Submissions close 31 January.
  7. Hangout at the Youth Centre – Looking for a sweet outdoor spot to hang out with your mates? Wollongong Youth Centre is the place to be – out the front is a basketball court and skate ramps, and at the back is a legal graffiti wall that you can add your artwork to. Check out times on our Facebook and Instagram for when we are open!
  8. Build a bee hotel – Want to nurture a project closer to home? Try your hand at a bee hotel. You can read all about it in our media release, including how to make one and the important role they play in the environment.
  9. Stay in and digital stargaze – Gaze at the amazing night sky and learn facts that are out-of-this-world with Wollongong City Libraries award-winning Starstruck: Digital Stargazing. Keep your eyes peeled on their Facebook page for the January date but in the meantime catch up with previous sessions online.
  10. Get a head start on the Reading Challenge 2022 – For the rainy days, check out this year’s Reading Challenge and take on the 24 different challenges including rereading a classic or picking a book with a green cover. And don’t forget to share your progress with us on social media by tagging us on Facebook or Instagram.

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