Wollongong weather: When is the best time to visit Wollongong?

The Wollongong weather offers its best combination of temperatures and rainfall in late spring. November and December are the best time to visit the Illawarra beaches.

The Wollongong weather is relatively similar that of coastal Sydney, which should come as no real surprise. Wollongong is, of course, just down the coast from Sydney.

But when is the best time to visit Wollongong and the Illawarra beaches, such as Stanwell Park Beach, Austinmer Beach or Windang Beach? Well, let’s look at the Bureau of Meteorology climate data.

Main Beach in Wollongong, Australia. Photo courtesy of Destination NSW

Warmest month in Wollongong

The Bureau of Meteorology has been collecting Wollongong weather data from the coastal suburb of Bellambi since 1997. The stats suggest that January is the warmest month in Wollongong, with a mean maximum daily temperature of 25°C. The temperature is pretty consistent from December to March, with that mean maximum temperature only dropping by a degree.

6 fantastic Wollongong experiences to book before you arrive

Tandem hang-gliding flight from Bald Hill – float down towards the beach.
One hour private surf lesson in Woonona – learn the basics, and get standing on your board.
Illawarra Fly ziplining course and treetop walk – test your nerves high up in the canopy.
Tandem skydive with beach landing – feel the rush of freefall.
Explore the city on a scavenger hunt – a fun way to get to know Wollongong better.
Half day deep sea fishing adventure – haul in some big boys.

The Wollongong weather is colder between May and August, with that mean maximum daily temperature dropping below 20°C. July, at 17.2°C, is the coldest month. Based on temperature alone, the best time to visit the Illawarra beaches is summer. Although early autumn and late spring are pretty decent, too.

Wollongong weather: Rainfall

But what about rainfall? Well, the Wollongong weather is wettest in February, March and June. February gets 144.8mm of rain, March gets 126mm and June gets 121.2mm. September is the driest month in Wollongong with 54.8mm of rain.

The best time to visit the Illawarra beaches, therefore, is arguably November or December. That’s when the weather in Wollongong is relatively warm and relatively dry.

Other beaches worth looking at when it’s warm in Wollongong include Corrimal Beach, Thirroul Beach, Woonona Beach and Coledale Beach. Meanwhile, the Towradgi Beach Hotel and Scarborough Hotel are great seaside suburb pubs.

Wollongong accommodation choices include the roomy Adina, the well-equipped Novotel Northbeach and the golf-centric Best Western City Sands.

Australian weather in other destinations