Geography...
Wollongong is
located 80km south of the centre of Sydney. It is an area of 714 square
kilometres and is set on a narrow strip of coastal plain, flanked by the
Illawarra escarpment to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east.
Wollongong’s natural environment is one of the greatest
qualities of Australia, where the escarpment dominates the landscape of the
area, rising suddenly from the sea to 300 metres high. Wollongong’s forested
slopes allow a sensational scenery for its suburbs and a valuable habitat for
fauna and flora. Many things add to the appeal of Wollongong’s landscape and
offer citizens a varied spectrum of outdoor recreational activities; including
National Parks, State Recreation Areas, pockets of sub-tropical rainforests, 17
patrolled beaches and Lake Illawarra.
History of Human Activity...
![Picture](/uploads/4/8/6/7/48677389/8367096_orig.jpg)
With the expansion out of Sydney in the early 1800's, Wollongong Harbour was developed to serve the new township of Wollongong and the Illawarra region. In the 1860's, work on the harbour included the construction of a basin and breakwaters.
In 1869, tenders were invited for the construction of lighthouses at Wollongong and Ulladulla. The light house was manufactured in England, shipped to Australia and assembled. Construction began in November 1870 and although it was completed in March 1871, it stood unfinished until the lantern arrived from England in June 1871. More delays occurred until finally the lantern was brought into permanent use on the 1st March 1872. The lantern was manufactured by Chance & Co Birmingham England and was described in 1873 as being ".a fixed Dioptric system of the 4th Order with a fixed red light." The light was permanently extinguished in 1974. In 2000 the light was fully restored and still is, now in 2015.
In 1869, tenders were invited for the construction of lighthouses at Wollongong and Ulladulla. The light house was manufactured in England, shipped to Australia and assembled. Construction began in November 1870 and although it was completed in March 1871, it stood unfinished until the lantern arrived from England in June 1871. More delays occurred until finally the lantern was brought into permanent use on the 1st March 1872. The lantern was manufactured by Chance & Co Birmingham England and was described in 1873 as being ".a fixed Dioptric system of the 4th Order with a fixed red light." The light was permanently extinguished in 1974. In 2000 the light was fully restored and still is, now in 2015.