The Fold - Illawarra

The Fold - Illawarra Where the Illawarra unfolds
Eat, Stay, Shop + Play
Discover more on our website! The Fold is a guide to life in the Illawarra, NSW.
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It's all about making the most out of living here and sharing all the fab things to do, places to see and local businesses to work with. We're all about helping local businesses thrive and helping locals keep up with everything going on. We work with local businesses to promote them; so let's be kind, if you have anything negative to say please get in touch with the local business directly rather than leave negative comments on this page!

Pour yourself a glass because we’ve rounded up some of our favourite local w**eries you’ll definitely want to visit arou...
17/09/2026

Pour yourself a glass because we’ve rounded up some of our favourite local w**eries you’ll definitely want to visit around the Illawarra. 🍷

Around here, we take our local w**e trips very seriously (and by seriously, we mean any excuse to sit on a hillside with a fresh cheese plate). We’ve included everything from a classic Gerringong spot with cracking views + an onsite brewery for good measure, to a gorgeous boutique w**ery perched above the river, and a Berry favourite that somehow has both alpacas AND a helipad?! Obsessed.

It’s just a great little lineup for planning your next easy weekend day trip and discovering a new local drop.

Head here to read the full guide: https://bit.ly/4xrJYBJ

Growing your small business is exciting, but suddenly you’re juggling job ads, resumes, interviews, reference checks and...
16/09/2026

Growing your small business is exciting, but suddenly you’re juggling job ads, resumes, interviews, reference checks and a whole lot of admin too. 🤦‍♀️

Recruitment can be a serious time suck, especially when you’re already busy running the business. So, is handing it over to a recruitment agency actually worth it?

We spoke with Illawarra Recruitment to unpack why outsourcing recruitment can be a smart move for small businesses, including the time it can save, the expertise you gain access to and why having someone who understands the local employment market can make a real difference.

There are some handy insights in this one if you’re thinking about growing your team or hiring your next employee.

Read the full article here: https://bit.ly/4xkEEjp

16/09/2026

NEW KID ON THE BLOCK // Rewear Thrift Market

A new (and super cute) monthly thrifting night has landed in Port Kembla, and we’re very into this idea!

Rewear Thrift Market is happening every third Thursday night, bringing together pre-loved fashion and the chance to find some new-to-you pieces for the wardrobe. We love a good secondhand find!

It’s a collaboration between Butter Boutique au and Number 99, held alongside PK Night Shift market by Port Kembla Precinct. So you can make a whole Thursday night of it, have a browse, do a little thrifting and wander around the precinct while you’re there.

And the venue is pretty gorgeous too. The Wedding Chapel brings all the retro-vintage, mid-century modern charm, which is just the cherry on top for this market!

Giving good clothes another outing, supporting local and having a fun night out in Port Kembla is such a fab weekday plan.

Head here for all the details about Rewear Thrift Market: https://bit.ly/4j3OzGz

🎥 .rewear

Tulip Time is calling… and this year there are plenty of reasons to make a proper spring escape to the Highlands. 🌷Yes, ...
15/09/2026

Tulip Time is calling… and this year there are plenty of reasons to make a proper spring escape to the Highlands. 🌷

Yes, Corbett Gardens is the main attraction, but the best part about Tulip Time is all the extra experiences waiting to be discovered across the region.

Make an afternoon of it with a wander through beautiful gardens, a sunset tour through historic Retford Park, or a garden party high tea at one of the Highlands’ prettiest venues.

Get hands-on with a beekeeping and honey tasting experience, discover local stories on a Bowral Historical Beauties Tour, or indulge in chocolate tasting among the blooms.

Families are also very well looked after, with Dogs Day Out bringing the four-legged family members along for the fun and Bloom & Play creating a colourful school holiday experience for little ones.

And of course, there are plenty of floral moments to enjoy along the way, from the Floral Apothecary to creative workshops and all those gorgeous springtime displays popping up around the region.

The beauty of a Highlands spring escape? You don’t just visit one garden and head home. Take your time, explore the villages, settle in for a long lunch, discover a cellar door and make a few days of it.

Tulip Time runs from 11 September to 5 October, and we’ve rounded up some of the experiences worth adding to your itinerary.

Head to the link to start planning your spring escape: https://bit.ly/4r1shY3

A little friendly competition never hurt anyone, right? 🎳There’s something super satisfying about a bowling night. A few...
15/09/2026

A little friendly competition never hurt anyone, right? 🎳

There’s something super satisfying about a bowling night. A few strikes, a few questionable throws and suddenly everyone is taking the scoreboard very seriously.We’ve rounded up some of the best spots around the Illawarra for a roll, with options for family fun, birthday parties, rainy-day plans and a proper night out with the crew. And some of these places have plenty happening beyond the lanes too (arcades, laser tag, bumper cars and all the extra fun), so you can easily turn a game of tenpin into a much bigger outing.

Just a little tip before you go: if you’re planning a weekend or school holiday bowling session, it’s worth booking your lane ahead!

Check out our full guide to where to go bowling in the Illawarra here: https://bit.ly/4xZsz4C

Okay, friends… we have a confession to make.We are very much brunch people.And when brunch comes with flowing drinks, en...
14/09/2026

Okay, friends… we have a confession to make.

We are very much brunch people.

And when brunch comes with flowing drinks, endless plates to share, a long catch-up and a fab little deal to make it feel even better? Well, we are absolutely listening.

The Illawarra has some seriously good bottomless brunch, lunch and grazing options, so we’ve rounded up a few worth adding to the group chat.

Tacos and margaritas at Boveda, rooftop brunches at Humber, pizza feasts at Franco, grazing boards at Pickled Poet, bao buns at The Fitz and plenty more tasty little situations. Plus, quite a few come with very handy bottomless deals, which we obviously love.

Safe to say, you’ll want to arrive hungry and maybe keep the afternoon free.

Head here: https://bit.ly/4xf4RzV the full list and start planning your next catch-up.

A good picnic is one of life’s simple pleasures. 🧺A basket full of goodies, a comfy spot to roll out the rug, good compa...
14/09/2026

A good picnic is one of life’s simple pleasures. 🧺

A basket full of goodies, a comfy spot to roll out the rug, good company and a few hours to enjoy the surrounds… perfection!

The Illawarra is packed with beautiful places to enjoy a picnic, from coastal spots with ocean views to leafy parks, gardens and peaceful corners where you can settle in for a few hours.

We’ve rounded up 12 fab picnic spots across the Illawarra to help you plan your next outdoor feast, whether you’re bringing the whole crew, keeping the kids entertained or just looking for a lovely spot to enjoy some fresh air.

So pack the sangas, grab your favourite picnic treats and pick your spot for your next outing.

Read the full guide here: https://bit.ly/4xeHqGZ

The Illawarra knows how to keep the calendar interesting.This week has a bit of everything: creative days spent making s...
13/09/2026

The Illawarra knows how to keep the calendar interesting.

This week has a bit of everything: creative days spent making something new, nights filled with live music, a little nostalgia, a little dancing and plenty of reasons to wander out and see what’s happening locally.

Hunt for pre-loved treasures at Rewear, relive the soundtrack of Countdown or finally give line dancing a crack at The Oaks.

https://bit.ly/4wynnUA

A little bit of sparkle, a little bit of curiosity and plenty to explore at Gemtopia Wollongong. ✨If crystals, gemstones...
12/09/2026

A little bit of sparkle, a little bit of curiosity and plenty to explore at Gemtopia Wollongong. ✨

If crystals, gemstones, jewellery and unique handmade treasures are your thing, this one is very much worth a wander.

Gemtopia Wollongong is bringing two days of colour, creativity and shiny little finds to Wests Illawarra in Unanderra on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September, from 11am–5pm.

Have a browse through the stalls, chat with exhibitors, discover something new and maybe find a piece that feels like it was absolutely meant to come home with you. You know how it goes… one minute you’re “just looking”, the next minute you’ve found your new favourite crystal.

Across the weekend, there’ll also be readers, wellness practitioners, crystal singing bowl sessions and plenty of family-friendly activities to check out.

The kids can join the free crystal quiz and take home a special gift, and there’ll be lucky door prizes given away daily too. Love a little bonus.

Entry is just $5, under 18s are free and your ticket covers both days, so you can pop in, come back and keep exploring.

A fun one for the crystal-curious, the collectors, the jewellery lovers and anyone keen to try something a little different.

Find all the details here: https://bit.ly/4xdtgWy

Ohhh there’s nothing lovelier than apple pie, spring blossoms and a beautiful orchard setting. 🍎Apple Pie Day is coming ...
11/09/2026

Ohhh there’s nothing lovelier than apple pie, spring blossoms and a beautiful orchard setting. 🍎

Apple Pie Day is coming to Darkes Glenbernie Orchard on 27 September, celebrating all things spring, orchards and the humble homemade apple pie.

After a very wet August meant the original date couldn’t go ahead, we’re so glad this sweet little event has a new date locked in. A little more time for the orchard to dry out, and a little more time for us to get excited!

Spend the day wandering through the blossoms, enjoy live music, and get involved in classic games that will have the whole family joining in.

And of course, the main event… the apple pie! The baking competition will showcase some seriously impressive creations, with loooads of delicious slices to enjoy throughout the day. (Do you see that spread?!)

We just love seeing events like this that bring people together for simple things done really well. A picnic blanket, some good food, a beautiful setting and a little bit of community fun sounds pretty lovely to us.

Five per cent of every ticket also goes towards supporting the CWA Stanwell Park, which makes this one even sweeter.

Pack your cosiest picnic blanket, bring your chairs and get ready for a lovely spring day out at the orchard.

Find all the details and plan your visit here: https://bit.ly/4xLegjq

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Wollongong, NSW

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