Wollongong is gearing up for a bustling New Year's Eve celebration, with crowds expected to flock to the foreshore for fireworks, a Hawks game at WIN Stadium, and festive gatherings. To manage the influx, significant road closures will be in effect, prompting transport authorities to urge revellers to reconsider driving.
Essential Road Closures for Wollongong Foreshore
Transport for NSW has announced a series of road closures to ensure safety and smooth traffic flow around the harbour area on Wednesday, 31 December 2025. The closures will be staged throughout the afternoon and evening.
From 4:00 PM until 10:00 PM, the following roads will be closed:
- Cliff Road, between Marine Drive and Georges Place
- Harbour Street, between Market Street and Cliff Road
- Campbell Street, from Corrimal Street to Wilson Street
- Wilson Street
- Smith Street, between Corrimal Street and Harbour Street
- Market Place
- Marine Drive
- Endeavour Drive
- Hinton Street
- Hector Street
Additionally, Crown Street, between Harbour Street and Marine Drive, will be closed from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
Public Transport: The Smart Way to Travel
With the combination of event traffic and the scheduled road closures, officials strongly recommend using public or active transport. To accommodate the large crowds, the free Gong Shuttle bus service will increase its frequency, running every 10 minutes to help people get to and from the celebrations.
Bus diversions will be in place due to the road closures. Event-goers are advised to plan their journey in advance by visiting the Transport for NSW event page or using trip planning tools. The key message is clear: leaving the car at home will save time and hassle.
Staying Informed on the Night
For real-time updates on traffic conditions and closures, revellers can download the Live Traffic NSW app. To receive direct notifications, users can search for 'Wollongong Cliff Road' within the app, select the relevant incident, and tap 'Follow'.
As captured by Illawarra Mercury photographers over the decades, New Year's Eve at Wollongong Harbour is a beloved local tradition. This year, with dual fireworks displays and a major sporting event, planning your transport strategy is more important than ever for a smooth and enjoyable start to 2026.
