Easter is but a bunny-hop away and we’ve come up with 10 egg-cellent ideas to keep you, the family and any visitors, busy and away from the four-year-old’s Humpty Dumpty smarties…
1 :: Towradgi Beach Hotel’s Annual Easter Show
This fun day on the Illawarra holiday event calendar is back and we can’t wait!! What’s happening? Alllll the things! Dodgem cars, a Ferris wheel, a giant slide, a sideshow alley, snow cones, fairy floss and the mammal of the moment, the Easter Bunny will be there too. Fun. Fun. Fun!
2 :: Easter At The Shellharbour Club
The Shellharbour Club is bringing all the fun this Easter long weekend with free entertainment, festive treats, and plenty of chocolatey goodness!
Kick things off on Friday night with free Easter face painting from 6pm to 9pm in Precinct, perfect for little bunnies looking to get into the Easter spirit. Plus, an Easter egg hunt in the Gazebo.
On Saturday, the party continues with live music from Martini Henrys and a DJ from 6pm to midnight.
Sunday brings even more fun for families, with a giant roving Easter Bunny spreading joy from 12pm to 2pm.
And, of course, Easter wouldn’t be complete without something sweet! Bon Bon is serving up Wonka’s Chocolate Dream soft serve for the littles, while grown-ups can get their fix with an Augustus Gloops Chocolate Martini, yah!
3 :: Get Out And Groove
Plenty of local venues are turning up the tunes for the Easter long weekend.
The Tap House at Groundz Precinct in Dapto will be open from Friday, Saturday and Sunday with live music, beer, wine and cocktails, and different food trucks. We love spending an arvo shaking our hips on the lawn here.
Down the coast, Gerringong Bowlo is bringing the beats on Saturday from 2pm right through to 10:30pm, with some face painting in the mix. Sunday keeps the fun going with more live music, an Easter Egg Hunt, and a visit from the bunny itself.
Of course, you can always take advantage of the loooong weekend and all those opportunities for a late night and a lie-in by heading out to a local bar, club or pub with your mates for a catch-up!
Remember to drink responsibly and buy local booze where you can!
4 :: Staycation
A long weekend getaway sounds great…. but a car ride filled with eleventy billion ‘are we there yet’s’ doesn’t. The Lodge Jamberoo Resort & Spa has a long weekend program that’s worth staying close to home for.
From movie nights, an egg hunt, pool parties and more this sounds like a great time for the whole brood. AAAAND they’re pet friendly so even the pupper can come along.
5 :: Good Friday Seafood Buffet At Headlands Hotel
Seafood and eat it! Oysters, prawns, grilled barra, smoked salmon, salt & pepper squid…. the list goes on. Seriously, this spread is set to be bountiful and full of all the oceanic delicacies we can imagine. Plus, yummy salads, veg and heavenly sounding desserts, oh yeah! Bookings will probably fill up fast so get yours in stat.
6 :: Head To A Winery
Crooked River Wines will be celebrating all long weekend, Chill out to some live music on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and enjoy some tasty bites from their onsite restaurant. The restaurant is closed on Monday but the cellar door will be open serving drinks and nibbles.
And if you’re in the mood for a wine tasting or two… or three… here’s a list of cellar doors to visit in the Illawarra.
7 :: Head Outdoors And Get Active
We love this time of year for getting out and about and experiencing the great outdoors – the wriggly sticks are heading off to hibernate, the mornings and evenings are crisp, cool and perfect for getting active without losing your body weight in sweat!
We recently spent a morning rambling around Blackbutt Forest Reserve and think it would be a great spot for a long weekend picnic and stroll. Or if you’re looking to get those legs pumping and heart racing check out our guide to Clover Hill Trail.
Head to our explore page for even more outdoor adventure inspo.
8 :: Pack A Picnic
The Easter long weekend is a great time to get your picnic on with the weather being [hopefully] nice and the days still [mostly] long. Here’s our recommendations for 15 top-notch spots to get your picnicking on in the Illawarra.
9 :: Sculpture In The Garden
Make the most of the time off with a visit to the Wollongong Botanic Garden for the Sculpture in the Garden exhibition, running throughout April. The garden will be closed on Good Friday but open every other day.
Wander at your own pace through 18 incredible sculptures by local and national artists or sign up to meet artist Greer Taylor on the 19th as she discusses her piece. Greer will also invite visitors to add to her growing sculpture for an amazing hands-on experience.
10 :: Easter Movie Screening
It’s an Easter film egg-stravaganza at Lake Illawarra Hotel!
Friday night they’re screening ‘Hop’, Saturday it’s ‘Ice Age: The Great Egg-Scapade’ and Sunday it’s everyone’s favourite cottontail…. ‘Peter Rabbit’.
Tix for each are $15 and come with popcorn, lolly pops and drinks. Book a spot for dinner at the pub beforehand and make a whole evening of it.
There you go.
Something for everyone!
And you can keep an eye out for more Easter events as they pop up here.
Happy Easter, Illawarra!