Located about 100 kilometres from Sydney, Wollongong is an incredible seaside town that welcomes over 14,000 international students annually!
With its enviable location right next to white sand beaches, plus its affordable cost of living and diverse range of education providers, Wollongong is a popular place to live and study in New South Wales. Here are the top ten reasons you’ll want to live in Wollongong as an international student.
1. The relaxed lifestyle
If you are a person who doesn’t like big crowds and busy streets, Wollongong is the place to be. Imagine waking up to the sounds of cockatoos on your balcony in the mornings, with a gorgeous backdrop of mountains. Enjoy long, peaceful walks in the evening with the clear, starry sky above you and greenery all around. Living in Wollongong offers you the relaxation of the countryside, but with all the perks of a bigger city.
2. There’s free transport to get you around
The free Gong Shuttle starts its route from the University of Wollongong and gets you to major locations in Wollongong, whether you are heading to the Leisure Coast Fruit Market & Garden Centre, the supermarket (you can pick between Coles, ALDI or Woolworths), or the beach. The shuttle runs from 7am to 10pm on weekdays, 9am to 5.20pm on Saturdays, and 9.40am to 5.20pm on Sundays.
3. It’s the perfect vacation spot
Are you having a hard time picking between a weekend trip to the beach or the mountains? Well, you don’t need to decide between them when you’re living in Wollongong!
Wollongong is known for its amazing lookouts. Enjoy a walk around the Wollongong Hospital, with its scenic view of the mountains. Mount Keira Lookout is accessible all days of the week and overlooks the city.
Alternatively, head to the Wollongong Harbour and Lighthouse – a perfect spot for a hangout with friends. Plan your trip for when the skies are clear and sunny.
4. Great nightlife
Wollongong has amazing nightlife and you won’t want to miss partying when you’re here. Head over to Mr Crown, Harp Hotel or Tusk for great drinks, music and dancing into the night. You can also book yourself an After Dark Party Bus and unleash your party spirit!
5. You can let your taste buds travel the world
Wollongong is home to a wide range of international eateries. Get mouthwatering Indian at Manjit’s. Head to Omar’s Kebab and Pide for some Turkish delicacies. Steamers Bar and Grill serves local food with a lovely view of the beach, or try Vietnamese cuisine at its best at Mylan Restaurant.
For something a little bit more expensive (treat yourself!), enjoy elegant seafood dining at Lucia’s By The Sea. There are multiple restaurants that accept the NSW Dine vouchers which offer a $25 discount on your food bill. The NSW Dine vouchers are available to all NSW residents – check the Service NSW website for details and to apply!
6. Great employment opportunities
There are plenty of part-time work opportunities for international students in Wollongong. Part-time and casual roles offer flexible schedules, so you can ensure your study time isn’t compromised. You will find plenty of cafés and restaurants, supermarkets and grocery shops as well as petrol stations looking for part-time workers. Have a printed copy of your resume handy when you visit these places to enquire about positions.
There are numerous volunteering opportunities as well, which can help you learn valuable workplace skills.
7. Study at some of the best educational institutions
As a student at the University of Wollongong (UOW), you’ll be surrounded by lush greenery as you walk from class to class. Ranked among the world’s top 200 universities and rated five stars in undergraduate educational experience benchmarks by the Good Universities Guide for 21 years the UOW is a great place to study. In particular, the UOW has been ranked in the top 50 universities in the world for engineering and business administration.
Alternatively, you can study at one of TAFE NSW’s Wollongong campuses. TAFE NSW is the leading provider of vocational education and training in Australia and students graduate with workplace-ready skills and industry connections.
8. Perfect weather
As an international student, you will want to live somewhere with a mild climate, so you’re able to explore your new home to the fullest. Wollongong has ideal weather all year round, with average temperatures between 10 and 25°C. Being a coastal area, there’s always a calming sea breeze that’s perfect on hot summer days.
9. Migration incentives
Studying in a regional area such as Wollongong gives you extra time on your post-study work visa. You can initially apply for the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) after graduating. Then, you will have the opportunity to apply for a second Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) which can increase your time in Australia.
10. Affordable cost of living
Wollongong is a famous vacation spot – so does this make it an expensive place to live? No!
Living in Wollongong is very affordable. The weekly rental cost is much lower than in Sydney and Melbourne. This gives you the opportunity to live in or near the Wollongong CBD. This means you’ll be in the heart of the busiest and most happening area of Wollongong, packed with shops, restaurants and bars buzzing with people. If you’d prefer somewhere a little more peaceful, we recommend living around North Beach.
