We Love The Gong

Vanessa is our ‘We love the Gong’ food blogger! A freelance photographer, website developer and a real ‘foodie’, Vanessa will be blogging her way around Wollongong restaurants and sharing her experiences with us. Although hailing from Wollongong, Vanessa lived in Tasmania for a few years before returning to ‘the gong’ – promising to ‘become a tourist in her own backyard’. And now with her camera in hand and a long list of restaurants to visit…she’s certainly making that true.

  I grew up in a large, multicultural family that loves food. When visiting with European neighbours or my Italian relatives I would look forward to Italian sponge fingers dipped in coffee. Divine! These were either made fresh or sourced from one of the many European delicatessens in the Illawarra with stores in Wollongong, Fairy Meadow, Port Kembla and especially Warrawong, known locally as our own 'little Italy'. My favourite is Oskar's Deli with a ... More

  When talking with people outside the Wollongong area they did not associate Gourmet food with The Gong. That is until recently when tourism shows such as 'Postcards', 'Sydney Weekender" and  'The Chopping Block'  began featuring local restaurants in our area. It is wonderful to see more people travelling from Sydney and other locations to make a day trip or weekend stay in the Illawarra and experience the hidden gems of the Gong for themselves. Recently there has been a great deal ... More

I love the Gong. I'll say it loud and strong. It's easy - there is so much to love. I have to admit that it took leaving the Gong, living in Tasmania for two years, to realise how special it really is. I live in Lake Illawarra, just the other side of the Windang Bridge. Technically I am located within Shellharbour City as the Wollongong City boundary ends on the south ... More