The Fold - Illawarra

The Fold - Illawarra Where the Illawarra unfolds
Eat, Stay, Shop + Play
Discover more on our website! The Fold is a guide to life in the Illawarra, NSW.
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It's all about making the most out of living here and sharing all the fab things to do, places to see and local businesses to work with. We're all about helping local businesses thrive and helping locals keep up with everything going on. We work with local businesses to promote them; so let's be kind, if you have anything negative to say please get in touch with the local business directly rather than leave negative comments on this page!

We love a local event that gets the whole community together, and Culture Mix is one of those days where Wollongong real...
08/09/2026

We love a local event that gets the whole community together, and Culture Mix is one of those days where Wollongong really gets to show off what makes it such a special place.

Taking over the CBD on Saturday 26 September, Culture Mix is bringing together food, music, dance, art and hands-on experiences for a big celebration of the many cultures that make our city so vibrant.

One minute you might be watching a live performance, the next you could be trying a new dish (there are some really mouth-watering picks), joining a workshop or learning about a culture you’ve never experienced before.

It’s a beautiful celebration of the people who make Wollongong the welcoming, colourful city it is, with plenty of opportunities to wander, discover something new and enjoy the day.

With more than 20,000 people attending in previous years, Culture Mix has become a much-loved event on the local calendar.

Head to the link for all the details: https://bit.ly/4fw57UA

A spring escape to the Southern Highlands is looking very pretty. 🌷Tulip Time is returning to Bowral, bringing tens of t...
08/09/2026

A spring escape to the Southern Highlands is looking very pretty. 🌷

Tulip Time is returning to Bowral, bringing tens of thousands of tulips, colourful gardens, live entertainment, local food, workshops and plenty of reasons to make a day (or weekend) of it.

But the best part? The festival gives you a perfect excuse to explore beyond the blooms too.

Wander through beautiful gardens, discover local experiences, settle in for a long lunch, browse the shops or simply enjoy the slower pace of spring in the Highlands.

We’ve pulled together everything you need to know for Tulip Time 2026.

Head to the link and start planning your spring getaway: https://bit.ly/4gUq24f

The Illawarra is looking pretty good this week.There’s a little creativity, live music, community catch-ups and plenty o...
06/09/2026

The Illawarra is looking pretty good this week.

There’s a little creativity, live music, community catch-ups and plenty of reasons to get out and enjoy our own backyard.

A landscape painting workshop, lampshade making, jazz in Port Kembla, board games in Clifton and a big night of old-school R&B in Wollongong are just a few of the things happening across the region.

We’ve picked out a few things we’d happily make time for, so have a scroll and find something to add to your week.

Head to the link for the full guide: https://bit.ly/4wynnUA

To every dad, step-dad, grandad and father figure across the Illawarra, Happy Father's Day! ⁠⁠Thanks for the dad jokes w...
05/09/2026

To every dad, step-dad, grandad and father figure across the Illawarra, Happy Father's Day! ⁠
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Thanks for the dad jokes we pretend not to find funny, the lifts, the life advice, and for being our biggest fans. We hope today's full of good food, good coffee and a well-deserved sit down.⁠
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And for those for whom today isn't easy, remembering a dad who's no longer here, or navigating a complicated one, we're thinking of you too. ⁠
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Tell us how you're celebrating your legend today 👇

LOCAL NEWS // A few Illawarra stories have caught our eye this week.Illawarra Grammar School’s new learning hub has reac...
05/09/2026

LOCAL NEWS // A few Illawarra stories have caught our eye this week.

Illawarra Grammar School’s new learning hub has reached an exciting milestone, while other local updates include a free household chemical clean-out coming to Berkeley, the latest Kiama Council by-election update, a new Shellharbour Dads’ Group and more community news.

Grab a cuppa, settle in and catch up on the latest local stories here: https://bit.ly/3V9siNG

Forget the same old weekend plans for a minute…The Illawarra markets are a great excuse to get out, try something new an...
04/09/2026

Forget the same old weekend plans for a minute…

The Illawarra markets are a great excuse to get out, try something new and spend a little time exploring what’s happening right on your doorstep.

Have a look at the upcoming markets and pop one on the calendar.

Find all the details via the link: https://bit.ly/4coJ5SO

📸Dapto Uniting Church Market

This is exactly the kind of local day out we love.A little country town, live music drifting out of cafes and pubs, a co...
04/09/2026

This is exactly the kind of local day out we love.

A little country town, live music drifting out of cafes and pubs, a coffee in hand and nowhere you need to rush off to.

A Day Well Spent – Folk is bringing a full day of live folk music to Berry this September, with eight artists taking over venues around town and turning a Sunday into one big little adventure.

We’ve pulled together the full trail, plus a few of our favourite Berry stops to make a weekend of it.

Pop this one on the calendar and have a read via the link: https://bit.ly/4gDfs2Q

A little music, a little comedy, a little coastal grit and a lot of Father’s Day planning.This weekend across the Illawa...
03/09/2026

A little music, a little comedy, a little coastal grit and a lot of Father’s Day planning.

This weekend across the Illawarra has beerhall harmonies, stand-up laughs, the Coastal Classic, garden fun, Talking Heads energy and some very decent ways to treat Dad.

We’ve put the highlights in one handy place.

Have a look via the link: https://bit.ly/3KNeVhp

Okay Illawarra, September is looking very good.We had a scroll through what’s coming up this month and honestly… there i...
03/09/2026

Okay Illawarra, September is looking very good.

We had a scroll through what’s coming up this month and honestly… there is a lot happening.

R&B Fest is bringing the throwback tunes to the Gong, the Boss Woman Breakfast is serving up a lovely morning of good food and connection, and Nature Shake looks like a pretty great excuse to spend an afternoon wandering Wollongong Botanic Garden.

If your ideal weekend is a little more slow and creative, there’s art and matcha in Kiama, sound baths, watercolour sessions, farm picnics and plenty of other little local gems worth knowing about.

We’ve pulled together some of the things that caught our eye, so have a scroll and find a few new things to pop on your calendar.

Full guide via the link: https://bit.ly/3T6fOG5

THINGS TO DO // Oh spring, it’s your time to shine! And what comes to mind first? Flowers, obviously. 🌸Tucked beneath th...
03/09/2026

THINGS TO DO // Oh spring, it’s your time to shine! And what comes to mind first? Flowers, obviously. 🌸

Tucked beneath the Wollongong escarpment at Mt Pleasant, the Illawarra Rhododendron and Rainforest Gardens is a pretty special spot to spend a few hours outdoors.

There are 13 hectares to explore, with colourful rhododendrons, azaleas, magnolias, native plants, rainforest, a lake and lots of gorg spots to stop for a picnic. Spring is the gardens’ big flowering season, so the timing is rather lovely.

Keep an eye out as you explore too. The gardens are home to plenty of local wildlife, including birds, frogs, water dragons and echidnas, and there are paths winding around the lake as well as steeper bush tracks heading into the rainforest.

And we love that your entry helps the volunteers who look after and continue developing this beautiful local spot.

Add the Illawarra Rhododendron and Rainforest Gardens to your next adventure list and find out more here: https://bit.ly/4gujfzh

📸 Illawarra Rhododendron and Rainforest Garden

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Wollongong, NSW

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