Illawarra restaurants, pubs, and hotels are experiencing high demand for Christmas Day dining as families opt to avoid the stress of cooking at home. Discover the festive menus and prices on offer.
Wollongong revellers face a choice this New Year's Eve: harbour or CBD fireworks? The Illawarra Hotel adds a 9pm CBD show, complementing council's harbour display. Locals share their picks.
A car has crashed into the Royal Hotel in Capertee, NSW, injuring seven patrons. Two seriously injured were airlifted. The driver, 30, has been charged.
The Illawarra Mercury unveils its exclusive list of 56 standout young athletes set to dominate courts, fields, pools, and slopes in 2025. Discover the region's future champions.
Newcastle's vacant Queens Wharf building will be demolished from February after council approval. The site's future will involve community-driven short-term activations. Read the latest.
Lion's Den Collectibles opens in Warrawong Plaza, offering Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering & Warhammer. Owners aim to create a community hub where gamers of all ages can play and connect.
Townsville's historic Banks Hotel is being transformed into student accommodation, a key project in the city's CBD revitalisation. Discover the $1.5bn pipeline driving the urban renewal.
The City of Canning invites residents to a free New Year's Day concert and fireworks display at Shelley Foreshore on January 1, 2026. Enjoy live music, family activities and a stunning finale over the Canning River. Plan your visit now.
A prominent Gold Coast dance coach has pleaded guilty to supplying cocaine, including to a minor, in a Coomera hotel. The case has shocked the local dance community.
A severe heatwave warning is in effect for the Illawarra, with temperatures predicted to reach 35 degrees Celsius. Learn the details, why it's classified as a heatwave, and how to stay safe.
A deadly canine parvovirus outbreak is spreading across the Illawarra, claiming one puppy's life. Vets warn the soil-borne virus can linger for years. Protect your pet now.
Thousands of children with disability or illness celebrated at the annual KidsWish Christmas party at Symbio Wildlife Park. The Illawarra Mercury mascot joined the fun.
Illawarra Hawks great Glen Saville opens up on the immense pressure facing the team as their NBL championship defence teeters. Can they turn it around?
Townsville's iconic Finnegans Hotel has undergone a $1.5 million transformation and name change to The Condo Hotel. Discover the new look and what it means for the city's hospitality scene.
The iconic Mulletfest grand final returned to Kurri Kurri, crowning Daniel Cooper as the best overall mullet. See photos and meet the winners of Australia's premier celebration of the infamous haircut.
A 34-year-old man has been charged after an alleged assault outside a Hurstville hotel left a 49-year-old man fighting for his life. The victim remains in an induced coma.
A former Dragons star faces crypto theft charges, a man admits years of stepdaughter abuse, and reckless stunts headline a busy week in Wollongong and Port Kembla courts. Read the full wrap-up.
Discover Perth's top pubs and restaurants open on December 25, 2025. From festive buffets to gourmet lunches, find the perfect stress-free Christmas feast for your family. Bookings essential.
A West Australian family discovers spacious apartment-style hotels in Tokyo, navigating solo adventures and unexpected kindness. Explore Mimaru Suites for your next Japan trip.
A 48-year-old woman was discovered deceased in a parked vehicle outside the Lake Illawarra police station. Police believe she may have been there for three days. A critical incident has been declared.
The iconic Mulletfest is back at Kurri Kurri's Chelmsford Hotel this Saturday for its eighth grand final, celebrating community, charity, and the legendary 'business in the front, party in the back' hairstyle. Join the fun!
Discover key ways Illawarra residents can support locals in need this Christmas, from donating hampers and gifts to volunteering at community events. Get involved and make a difference.
The Wollongong Welsh Choir will hold its last concert this December, ending a 30-year tradition due to dwindling membership and fewer Welsh migrants to the Illawarra region.
The Meow Meow Hotel in Cardiff opens next Monday, offering stress-free boarding for up to 30 cats. Read how owners overcame council hurdles for this premium facility.
The 2014 attempted abduction of April-lee Gillen in Lake Heights remains unsolved. Police believe someone in the Illawarra community knows the identity of the two men in a black BMW SUV.
Discover how Batu Belig Beach is transforming from a laid-back expat haven into a premium destination with new restaurants and a massive hotel complex. Explore the changes now!
Caleb Cooper and Corey Keating launch The Boys on Veronica, a fully gluten-free cafe in Warilla responding to community demand for safe, high-quality coeliac-friendly dining options.
Exciting news for aviation fans! Details about the revived Wings Over Illawarra airshow will be revealed next week following AMDA Foundation's withdrawal. Stay tuned for dates and new operators.
The Mawson's Huts Foundation hosts a special dinner recreating Sir Douglas Mawson's 1911 Antarctic expedition lunch at Hadley's Orient Hotel, supporting conservation efforts.
Discover the Illawarra's best Christmas light displays with the Mercury's 2025 interactive map. Register your home by Dec 10 to be included in this festive spectacle.