Wollongong to host Red Pandas and Tasmanian Devils!

Wollongong is set to become home to two endangered Red Pandas and Tasmanian Devils, with the region’s own award winning family owned zoo, Symbio Wildlife Gardens, beginning construction on specially designed enclosures for the new arrivals.

The Pandas – whose stay in Wollongong has been made possible through a business partnership between Symbio and the Illawarra Credit Union – will add to an extensive and growing family zoo .

Symbio will also be the only institution in the world working with the 'Devils in Danger' conservation programme .

“These are obviously very important projects for us and further important developments of our conservation strategies,” the parks owner Mr John Radnidge said. “Red Pandas eat an average of 200,000 bamboo leaves each every day, so we will be launching a community appeal to identify and source future food supplies.”

Illawarra Tourism Awards - Launched!

The 2006 Illawarra Tourism Awards were launched last month, with a great response already received.

With this years event to be held in Wollongong at the City Beach Function Centre, the theme for the event is 'Grand Pacific Drive' and is set to be bigger and better than ever.

If you are an operator wishing to enter the awards- it's not too late! Entry forms are downloadable from the Illawarra Tourism website or by contacting your local tourism office.

GOOD LUCK!

Wine and dine with Penfolds

Tickets are expected to sell like hotcakes for the Penfolds Wine Maker’s Dinner on Friday August 4 at City Beach Function Centre featuring a presentation by industry head Peter Taylor.

Responsible for quality and direction for Southcorp wine making, Mr Taylor has previously held the prestigious position of Penfolds senior red wine maker. He will share some of his experiences at the event which will offer guests a taste of the Penfolds portfolio to complement a menu designed by City Beach executive chef, Joel Bickford.

Bookings can be made by contacting the City Beach sales office on 02 4228 3188, or via the venue’s secure website.

Be ready for Census

Guides provide national advertising opportunities

Tourism Wollongong will be hard at work this month starting the design for this year’s Accommodation, Eating Out and Recreation guides.

There are plenty of opportunities for members to advertise their product in all three guides, taking advantage of national distribution channels.

For more information contact Tourism Wollongong’s Sales and Marketing Manager; Greg Soster on 02 4228 0300 or via email.

Call for new and renewed members

It’s that time of year again – time to get your membership of Tourism Wollongong sorted!

If you’ve already a member, then we encourage you to renew for another year. If not; then we encourage you to join us and take advantage of all the support and networking opportunities we can offer you.

Benefits for members have been revised this year, effectively taking the organisation and its members into the future of growing tourism in the city. For more information, contact Tourism Wollongong’s Sales and Marketing Manager; Greg Soster on 4228 0300 or via email.

Live international exposure for GPD

July was a month of famils for Wollongong and the Illawarra, with staff hosting visits from MSL and a Malaysian group to see Grand Pacific Drive and other attractions throughout the Illawarra.

We also had the pleasure of hosting Dynasty Travel and the DJ from Singapore’s second-largest radio station on August 10. Live broadcasts back to the breakfast show in Singapore were conducted during the famil.

Dynasty Travel is packaging up day tours to Wollongong and Kiama featuring the Grand Pacific Drive.

Diary dates

Whether whales are your want, cooking is your cup of tea or sport is your scene, there’s something to wet your entertainment appetite this month.

The whale watching season is naturally being conducted from Wollongong to Jervis Bay (and it’s free!). Take advantage of the many coastal lookouts scattered along the coastline, or keep your eye out on board Signa Charters or Dolphin Watch Cruises.

The award winning Elise Pascoe International Cooking School will host its Spring Series, offering a series of cooking classes teaching Italian and Moroccan cooking styles. For more information, call 02 4236 1666 or contact via email or visit the website.  

And for sports fans, the Sydney Swifts will meet the Kestrels in the 2006 Commonwealth Bank Trophy Draw at WIN Stadium, Wollongong, at 7.30pm on Friday August 4. More information call 02 4220 2828 or visit the website.

And....as the Dragons head to the finals, don't forget to catch their last game at WIN Stadium for the 2006 season againt the Sharks, on Saturday 26th August. For more information, click here.