Coal Coast Magazine

When Felicity Gardner moved to Shellharbour, it unlocked a new source of inspiration - the Illawarra itself.

Hearing the word ‘pub’ in Australia evokes a classic image; the local watering hole that welcomes one and all to indulge in a crisp cold beer. This is the world that Noni Hazlehurst draws audiences into in The Lark.

Sick of filling your trolley with grocery “specials” that don’t feel special at all? Take control of your spend (and where it ends up) by supporting the Illawarra’s local providers.

Bulli’s main street is home to pretty much anything you could need, from butchers to bakers. While not quite the candlestick maker, the Heritage Hotel might be an even better find; a pub that welcomes all.

In 2026, celebrated the centenary of the first auction of the 280 blocks of land in Werri Beach. This was an initiative of local dairy farmer James Muir Miller. The development was certainly ahead of its time as it was marketed primarily to prospective buyers from Sydney as a holiday destination.

WAH-WAH Australia is a Knitwear brand that walks the walk and talks the talk, designer Kaylene Milner shares the muses and the message behind the merino wool.

Samina and Baljinder’s Helensburgh café transforms each evening into a vibrant celebration of Northern Indian flavours.

Few stories feel as intrinsically Australian as Miles Franklin’s literary classic My Brilliant Career, yet this new musical adaptation proves that even the most familiar narratives can evolve into something startlingly fresh.

Behind our Issue 30 cover is Lee Robinson — a Wollongong photographer with a fresh eye for the familiar.

Imagine hosting a supper party for an entire orchestra in a flat so small you have to bring guests in waves because that’s the only way to fit them inside. You’ve got champagne taste, a beer budget, and absolutely no shame about it. That was Ethel Hayton. She was unapologetically theatrical, wildly determined, and absolutely dedicated to shaping (and let’s be honest – setting up!) Wollongong’s arts and cultural scene.

In the digital age, businesses can seemingly set up shop anywhere. That’s what makes Thames Street in West Wollongong, home to six female-owned businesses, special.

With unique food and wine pairings, Park Road Wine is the latest spot in Bulli to enjoy a summer spritz.

After weathering eight years of storms, shutdowns and shifting tides, Thirroul’s South Sailor has found its sea legs – emerging as a local favourite for fresh, coastal fare.

Indie rock quartet Pacific Avenue have been turning heads in the Australian music scene since 2017. Their latest single, Working Class Hero, is a heartfelt tribute to their hometown of Gerringong. We sat down with Ben to chat about their upcoming album, sharing the stage with their idols and the summer festival season.

FROM HEYDAY TO TODAY - 100 YEARS OF THIRROUL’S ICONIC THEATRE.

The Wollongong Art Prize has undergone a transformation as Gallery Director Daniel Mudie Cunningham leads a new way forward.