Surf Life Saving NSW issues a critical alert for Illawarra swimmers and surfers following four shark attacks in two days. Two victims are fighting for life. Stay safe with our essential beach tips.
Wollongong City Council has secured Flagstaff Hill as an alternate launch site for Australia Day fireworks after dangerous swells forced a New Year's Eve cancellation. Learn about the new safety measures.
A dramatic start to the patrol season sees 113 rescues in 48 hours across Victoria. Lifesavers urge swimmers to stay between the flags and heed safety advice.
A Greek tourist faces a massive battle after fracturing his spine at Cottesloe Beach. Doctors give him a 5% chance to walk again. A GoFundMe is helping cover his care.
A London-trained pastry chef has opened Crois.Au on Market Street, Wollongong, selling out of pastries on day one. Discover the French-inspired treats now available.
A 28-year-old Greek tourist faces a grim prognosis after a diving accident at Perth's Cottesloe Beach on New Year's Eve left him with catastrophic spinal injuries. A GoFundMe has been launched to support his recovery.
A Wollongong man caught nude sunbathing near a school excursion at Fairy Meadow beach has avoided a conviction. The 62-year-old verbally abused a jogger who photographed him.
A Wollongong man learned a costly lesson after thinking a meat pie and hot chips could offset five full-strength beers. He was caught driving with a blood alcohol reading three times the legal limit. Read the full court outcome.
NSW Police ramp up summer safety with Operation Safer Sands, using unmarked 4WDs and trail bikes at Stockton and Samurai beaches. Nearly 440 vehicles checked over the weekend.
Two women in their 20s were hospitalised after being pulled from a rip at an unpatrolled Wollongong beach. The dramatic rescue highlights the dangers of swimming outside the flags. Read the full story.
A Perth mother's holiday sting turned into a sepsis nightmare. Doctors at Fiona Stanley Hospital saved her leg after a severe reaction. Her story is a crucial warning for beachgoers.
Two children and a teen rescued in separate incidents at Woonona Beach. Lifesavers plead with public to swim at patrolled locations only as extreme heatwave hits Illawarra.
Wollongong City Council will deploy surveillance cars to monitor timed parking zones from February 2026, replacing manual tyre chalking. The one-year trial aims to improve efficiency and turnover in high-demand areas.
A national car club abandons plans for a 200-person meeting in Wollongong due to a critical shortage of affordable hotel rooms, highlighting a major hurdle for the city's visitor economy.
A 34-year-old man has drowned at Green Patch Beach in Jervis Bay, marking the second tragic death on Shoalhaven beaches in two days. Emergency services responded to the incident in rough conditions.
Wollongong City Council will review the cancelled New Year's Eve fireworks after a wave washed over the breakwall. The probe will ask why there was no Plan B. Read the full story.
A Sydney mother has died after rushing into dangerous surf to save her son, part of a tragic toll on NSW beaches. Authorities urge swimmers to stay between the flags.
Tributes flow for Melissa Austin, 45, who drowned at a NSW beach. Her death is part of a tragic cluster of coastal fatalities, prompting urgent water safety warnings.
A deadly blue-ringed octopus was found in the shallows of Geelong's Eastern Beach, metres from children. Experts warn of the extreme danger and urge immediate action if spotted.
An antisocial trend of using cling wrap to reserve public spaces has returned to Wollongong's Stuart Park for New Year's celebrations, sparking local outrage and calls for better enforcement.
A 35-year-old Irish tourist has died in a drowning at Queensland's Whitehaven Beach. Police are investigating as the Whitsundays community mourns the tragic start to the new year.
The body of a 25-year-old woman has been recovered after she was swept into the ocean from a Maroubra rock pool. Emergency services conducted a major search. A report is being prepared for the coroner.
Wollongong Art Gallery has closed an exhibition after artist Anthony Lister was charged with multiple offences, including alleged sexual assault. The council is monitoring the case.
Sydney's world-famous New Year's Eve fireworks drew over a million revellers to the harbour, with crowds braving intense competition for prime spots. Discover the scenes and security measures for 2026's spectacular.
Wollongong City Council cancels the 9pm New Year's Eve fireworks display due to dangerous ocean conditions at the harbour. Public safety cited as the top priority.
Surf Life Saving Illawarra urges swimmers to heed safety advice after 63 rescues this season. Learn the vital steps to avoid becoming a statistic and what to do in an emergency.
A massive section of cliff is dangerously unstable above a popular Surf Coast beach. Authorities urge visitors to avoid the area and stay safe. Read the latest safety alert.
Wollongong residents condemn racist propaganda distributed in local letterboxes. A former AFP communications head speaks out against the 'filth' targeting the community.
Plan your New Year's Eve in Wollongong with details on foreshore road closures, public transport options, and fireworks displays. Essential travel advice for 31 December 2025.
Ring in 2026 across the Illawarra! Our complete guide covers Wollongong Harbour fireworks, the Summer Carnival, and live music from Royale With Cheese to Touch Sensitive. Find your perfect party.