Embarking on my second visit to the South Coast this year, I was looking forward to experiencing the things I didn’t have the chance to last time.

With inclement weather for part of my last sojourn south, I was disappointed to find that gale force winds and torrential rain greeted me at our meeting place of Bald Hill Lookout this time around as well.

Mum and I brave the weather

Mum and I holed up in the car watching the waves crash against the rocks beneath us and lamented at the luck of such bad weather when we had so many exciting ‘weather dependent’ activities planned.

The good thing about a challenge when on holidays is that you get creative and, to be honest, I didn’t think there would be many options in and around Wollongong for inclement weather.

Like my last trip where the wide array of activities on offer knocked my socks off, the variety of options and sightseeing available when things get a little wet surprised me!

The Bahamas or Wollongong? The view from The Scarborough Hotel

The Scarborough Hotel showed us a touch of paradise that we weren’t expecting and, unless you knew you were near Wollongong, you could have easily mistaken their garden and stunning view for a resort in the Bahamas!

After warming up with a chai latte on the beach (read in a cafe looking at the beach) we headed into Wollongong for a delectable seafood lunch by the small lighthouse.

Bombora Seafood Restaurant was located in a prime position to watch the ‘wave show’ and to play ‘spot the rogue boat battling the 6 metre swells’.

Prawn Hot Pot at Bombora Seafood Restaurant

Savouring a prawn hot pot, seafood platter and Sauvignon Blanc, we were transfixed by the display of Mother Nature so near to us and I played the role of amateur photographer trying to get that postcard shot.

Service was second to none and our attentive waiter, Dylan, ensured that we had all we desired to keep us satisfied whilst we sat back and watched the show outside the window.

The car seemed the easiest way to get up close and personal with the waves that seemed to be jostling for prime position on land and we cruised the coastline, occasionally stopping for photos when we dared.

Whilst misty and grey, I have never before seen a show of such strength in the ocean. It was breathtaking.

Wollongong City Art Gallery was our next stop and I was impressed that entry was complimentary.

My attempt at professional photography

Obtaining a parking spot directly in front of the gallery (being a city girl this always amazes me), we squelched in and enjoyed a plethora of captivating artworks including my favourite, Iain Whittaker’s Psychopomp exhibition.

Well worth a visit, his works were so detailed and lifelike, it took a while to realise that some of them weren’t actually photographs but beautifully executed oil on canvas paintings.

With colours vivid enough to brighten even the dreariest of days, we decided to head upstairs to show our support to the Illawarra League Centenary Exhibition.

Being women who don’t particularly have an interest in the NRL, it wouldn’t have been our first choice of exhibitions to attend, but I did actually get a shiver of excitement when I saw the NRL Premiership Cup on display following the St George Dragons Grand Final win last year.

Amusing as well was the change in style and hairstyles over the years in the player photographs...the mullet better not come back into vogue!

The weather hadn’t cleared yet but that didn’t dampen our spirits, we had a dinner date with the fabulously talented Monica Trapaga.

It was time to check into our home for the night...the gorgeous Bellachara Boutique Hotel Gerringong.

Click here to view the entire photo gallery of photos from my wet, wild and windy time in Wollongong.