Wollongong is a seaside city located in the Illawarra region. It takes about and hours from Sydney. Wollongong is also industrial city with a harbor that serves the coal mines in the Illawarra region. The city is more or less little sister to Sydney in natural beauty and things to do. The road trip from Sydney to Wollongong via the Pacific Drive by itself is a spectacular beginning.

Wollongong has a large number of beaches many unique in their own ways. The beaches that might be worth your visit are:
Stanwell Park – A coastal village situated in a small valley between Bald Hill, Mount Mitchell and Stanwell Tops. It is a very nice place barbeque and a quiet swim. It also has a little steam join into the sea. You can have a swim in the backwaters or the sea.
Wollongong City Beach – A beach close to the city, you will find it a very picturesque place to be. You have several eateries and cafes right next to the beach.
Helensburg – This is also a small town with a beautiful beach with several Air Adventure sports like para-gliding or gliding. It has a beautiful Hindu temple right above the Stanwell park area on top of the hill over looking the sea.

Other place to see in and around Wollongong are:

Nan Tien Temple is a Buddhist temple complex located in suburb of Berkeley. Nan Tien is a Chinese term which means "southern paradise". It is a beautiful temple with golden plated figurines and walls. They offer Buddhist sermon every week end.
Hill Fort built in early 1800's.
Nowra region has some national parks and great fishing spots.
Kiama blow hole is a natural rock formation that allows the sea to do some spectacular water works

Wollongong also has a wide variety of restaurants and eateries. Being a city they have a vibrant night life with several pubs and bars.

For the more adventurous there are so many sky sport in this region. You can do a Paragliding, skydiving, para-sailing session. There is also something called the Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk where you walk on a bridge constructed on tree tops.

Things to do: Fishing, Kayaking, Canoeing, River Walk, Trekking, Camping, Surfing, Sky Diving, Para-Gliding, Sailing, Wine tasting, Whale watching, Dolphin watching, and more
Places to Visit: Beaches: Stanwell Park, Coalcliff, Scarborough, Coledale, Austinmer, Thirroul, Sandon Point, Bulli, Woonona, Bellambi, Corrimal, Towradgi, Fairy Meadow, North Wollongong,Wollongong City Beach, Port Kembla, Windang and more beaches in Kiama region, light house on Wollongong beach, Kiama Blow Hole, Nan Tien Temple.
Type of Place: Family Vacation, Fishing Trip, Wedding venue, Group holiday or a much needed break.
Best time to visit: October - May

Here are some other places you might want to see around Sydney:

Sydney City Attractions
Akuna Bay - House boat Holiday
Bondi To Coogee Walk-The best walk of your life
University Of Sydney - Australia's Oldest & Best University
Jenolan Caves-Outstanding Cave System
White Sand Beaches of Australia
Nelson Bay - Port Stephens, Northern Beaches
Snowy Mountains - Skiing Holiday
Tumut - Top Family Vacation Spot
Kangaroo Valley-Australia's Most Beautiful Valley