They have to one of the most amazing animals on the planet and can currently be seen migrating north (before heading back south later this year) at a coastline near you.

For those like me who are in awe of these animals or for those who are yet to see one, we have put our heads together and compiled the best vantage points in Wollongong to spot these giants of the ocean:

• Bald Hill – regardless of whether you see a Whale or not, you won’t be disappointed by the breathtaking views
• Flagstaff Hill - enjoy the views from one of our most iconic landmarks as you watch Whales travel north
• Along the beaches – Wollongong is fortunate to have over 17 beautiful beaches along the northern villages, the CBD and to the south that can be taken advantage of when looking for Whales.
• Diggies Cafe – catch up for a coffee and grab a big breakfast and make sure you grab a seat with water views. On a clear day, Whales can be spotted breaching almost daily.
• At the Royal National Park – contact the team at Royal Coast Walks and not only take part in one of the most spectacular of walks along the Eastern seaboard, you will also be a good chance of witnessing Whales, Dolphins and/or seals!
• From the air (if you are not afraid of heights) - there is a new one! Skydive the Beach, Southern Biplanes, NSW Air and Touchdown Helicopters regularly report Whale sightings – not to mention the amazing experience of soaring above our coastline. Talk about bang for your buck!

Or! Why not go on a Whale watching cruise in Jervis Bay with Dolphin Watch Cruises or Dolphin Wild Cruises where you have the chance to get up close and personal with some of these beautiful creatures of the sea!

If you do spot one of these giants of the ocean, be sure to share it us via Twitter or Facebook. If you use twitter, be sure to include the hashtag #welovethegong!

Justice Crew got talent too!

After winning the hit talent show in 2010, Justice Crew have taken the world by storm one dance floor at a time and they have collaborated with some of the most recognised artists in the music industry.

Tomorrow, they will be performing in Wollongong!

From 12 noon, this hit troupe will be taking to the City Centre stage to unleash their high energy performance and perform their hit new song, ‘Boom Boom’.

After Johnny Ruffo performed a few weeks ago, the stage is set – literally – for some exciting crowds and exciting entertainment.

Be sure to get down and check out this FREE performance and while your there, why not take the afternoon to start your Christmas shopping…..it is not far away!

When: Saturday 8 September 2012
Where: City Centre Stage, Crown St Mall
Who: I think you have this part figured out….JUSTICE CREW!!
Time: 12 noon
Cost: FREE

A great quote by a man who knows exactly what taking risks and making great films is all about.

Enter award-winning filmmaker, Jason van Genderen, who is in Wollongong next week Friday to host a workshop to empower regional filmmakers with new thinking, tools and disciplines to help you uncover your stories.

In February Wollongong hosted Tropfest at the University of Wollongong and it was great to see so many budding filmmakers turn out to see the finalists for 2012. BUT….Why watch them when it could be your film on the screen?

Jason van Genderen’s homelessness themed film ‘Mankind is No Island’ was made for less than $100 and won a stack of local and international awards. This could be you.

If you think you have what it takes, now is your opportunity!

The theme for Tropfest in 2013 is ‘Balloon’ and on Friday 31 August, a AFTRS workshop, hosted by van Genderen will take place at the University of Wollongong Innovation Campus.

This is the perfect opportunity for you to gain the skills and knowledge you need to join van Genderen in being recognised, world wide, for your contribution to short films. What’s better – the course will offer an insight into how to kick start this career on a minimum budget with no big crews, special effects or stuntmen.

Think you have what it takes? We are giving ONE lucky winner the chance to win a place at next week’s course! Simply head to our Facebook page and tell us in 25 words or less why you deserve this spot.

Enrolment to the course is being offered at a special discount regional rate of just $125 (normally over $165). Fortunately for Wollongong, AFTRS Open regional program is bringing this workshop here to support the development of the local filmmaking industry – and hopefully some more local Tropfest entries!

To find out more about the course, An Insider’s Guide to Successful Short Films, at the University of Wollongong Innovation Campus on Friday 31 August, or to enroll, visit the AFTRS website.

*Note: AFTRS reserves the right to cancel any course for any reason at any time. In the event of a course being cancelled a consolation prize of equal value will be offered.

Fast forward to today and he has become one of the most talked about talents in Australia thanks to his rise to fame and appearance on channel sevens, X-Factor, last year.

Since he first graced our screens, Johnny Ruffo has been touring Australia, with thousands of screaming teenage girls in his wake, and on Saturday 18 August he will be performing for the first time in Wollongong thanks to Wollongong Central and Wollongong City Council.

This pop-hit sensation will be performing his latest hit “On Top” followed by a 1pm signing outside JB-HI following his performance.

Here are some important dates, times and locations to make sure you don’t get wrong:

WHO: Johnny Ruffo
WHERE: City Centre Stage, Wollongong
WHEN: Saturday 18 August 2012
TIME: 12 noon

Johnny Ruffo is the ultimate package – he can sing, he can dance (even winning the latest season of Dancing with the Stars!) and has the looks to boot. This is a performance not to be missed.

For more information on the event be sure to check us out on Facebook or follow us on Twitter at @wollongong_nsw.

There is no other event in the world that can captivate a global audience like the Olympics – sports fan or not, there is just something about the Games that unites people. The power, prowess, protruding six packs – whatever it is that gains your attention, there is every chance that at some point, whether you know it at the time or not, you will tune in.

Despite happening on the other side of the world, Wollongong is getting right behind the 2012 London Games and our own athletes who are representing Australia on the world stage across a range of different sports – Jarryd Poort, David McKeon, Ryan Gregson, David Smith, Kieran Govers and Casey Eastham.

To ensure you don’t miss a minute of the action we have set up a HUGE screen on the stage in the City Centre.

The free televised coverage will run for the entirety of the Games to cover all the live action and highlights across the 17 days of sport.

For more information on the screening and what’s on, visit us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or find out more on our website.

Pull up a seat under one of our heaters!

Enjoy!

1. The Science Centre & Planetarium has some great experiments, interactive displays and planetarium. There is plenty of things to do for the kids, and the big kid within!
2. Sleep well after a day at Hangdog Climbing Gym. Scale the walls, race your friends or challenge yourself on a range of walls that vary in difficulty. A great one for those cold rainy days!
3. Head along the Grand Pacific Drive and experience some of the most spectacular sights the Australian coastline has to offer thanks to the team at Royal Coast Walks.
4. Take the family to enjoy a feast at Bon Aroma Pizza. Last year the family owned and operated Bulli Restaurant was named as Australia’s best Pizza Restaurant. Once you taste their food, you will know why!
5. Grab yourself a copy of We Love the Gong: EAT from one of our Information Centres or participating restaurants and map yourself a food trail of the Gong to try – OR – find an excuse to invite your friends and family over and whip up one of the delicious recipes yourself.
6. Treat yourself to one of the amazing packages available at L’amour Day Spa – the perfect way to revitalise and add vitality back into the dry wind blown skin!
7. Enjoy the views, food and locally brewed beer of the Illawarra Brewing Company. Their award winning drop, which is locally brewed in Wollongong, is a treat not to be missed.
8. Grab your friends and family and take the Kids to Little Stompers or Zoom Fun Centre for hours of fun and games.
9. Visit the The Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk and check out their jam packed school holiday activity guide including one of the most real dinosaur attractions you will ever experience!
10. Experience the food and spectacular views on offer at Altitude 1148 and the Southern Gateway Centre.
11. Can’t be in Wollongong this weekend? Take some time to browse through our Winter deals online to start planning an upcoming escape!
12. Enjoy an Italian feast at Centro cbd Restaurant and Function Centre. Offering high quality Italian Cuisine, Centro cbd offers a venue to suit large bookings or enjoy a meal for two. See their menu here and book a table today.  Be sure to also check out their upcoming events for artist such as Diesel, Mark Seymour and Rick Price!
13. Enjoy the best views of Wollongong harbour from the warmth of Bombora Seafood – great views and the freshest of fresh seafood to boot! Touché!
14. Grab yourself a coffee at Chedo’s Restaurant and Café, located just a stones throw from the Sea Cliff Bridge, Chedo’s is guaranteed to tantalise your taste buds while you enjoy the beautiful views of the escarpment and ocean.

For more information on what’s on, check out our events calendar, visit our website or find us on Facebook.

I do envy those who can skateboard though. They sail past, wind flowing through their Justin Bieber style hair, not a worry in the world. I love seeing more girls are getting into it too; if I was to skate, it would be on one of those funky little fluro boards.

And just when I thought skateboarding couldn’t get anymore ‘gnarly’, enter the Downhill Skateboarding World Cup series heading to the Gong on April 20 – 22.

Mt. Keira will be brought to life when it kicks off the 2012 World Cup Series with three days of action packed racing.

Featuring a $10,000 prize purse, this is the first time a World Cup race has been organised at Mt Keira and it promises to be a tremendous weekend of fast and exciting downhill skateboarding.

The Mt. Keira Downhill Challenge is presented by the Australian Skateboard Racing Association (ASRA) and sanctioned by the International Gravity Sports Association (IGSA) – it does say gravity, not gravel!

Mt. Keira is synonymous with steep descents and big turns promising an action packed three days of racing that will include 150 registered competitors from around the world.  With its many corners, the track offers ample passing opportunities and will require strong drafting skills that will test the all-around capabilities of all the top racers.

It will quickly sort out the field that includes the top ranked rider in the world, along with local boy, Tim Day who will be out to prove his worth on the World stage.

Competitors include:

- Patrick Switzer (Vancouver, CANADA): Ranked 1st in the world, Patrick will be back in Australia and keen to podium.

- Douglas “Dalua” Silva (BRAZIL):  Ranked 2nd in the world, Dalua is a powerhouse skater. His unique ‘Brazilian’ style and fearless riding will be great to watch

- Ben Hay (Central Coast, AUSTRALIA):  Currently ranked 1^st in the Australian Downhill rankings, Ben will look to continue his current domination of the national downhill scene.

-  Cam Kite (Sydney, AUSTRALIA):  Mt Keira is Cam’s second home and there is no one more familiar with the race track.  Ranked 5^th in Australia Cam’s chances of doing well are strong.

-  Tim Day (Wollongong, AUSTRALIA):  Tim’s laid-back approach belies a very competent racer.  Currently ranked 14^th in the country, Tim will be looking to make his presence felt at this World Cup race on his local hill.

If you do one thing this April – get to Mt Keira to check this out! Event directors are encouraging spectators to park at the bottom of Mt Keira Road, where they will be picked up by a complimentary event bus and transported to the event area.

To kick it all off, we have given away a ‘We Love the Gong’ shirt to the first 30 people who contacted us with their upcoming travel plans – it didn’t matter if they were heading down the coast, up the coast or across the equator! Want to get involved? Send us your itinerary and dates of travel (must be before April 30) and we can arrange some ‘We Love the Gong’ stickers to take on your travels!

BUT WAIT….there’s more! To celebrate, we are giving away the ultimate Wollongong prize pack to one lucky winner who sends us their pic wearing their We Love the Gong tee on their vacation! It’s the easiest competition in the world to enter…you just gotta be in it, to win it!

One lucky winner and a friend will experience the Grand Pacific Drive in style with a Harley ride with Just Cruisin’ Motorcycle Tours, take a walk on the wild side with Symbio Wildlife Park, enjoy a long lunch at Levendi and the sights of Wollongong from the most iconic vantage point there is – The Illawarra Fly!

For those that have already submitted their picture, it should already appear on the map, if you can’t see it there, simply resubmit and we will ensure you in the draw!!

HOW TO ENTER:  Submit your photo here or visit our Facebook page. Simply enter your details in the required fields and upload your photo (as a jpg. or png. file) – that’s all it takes!

Please leave up to 48 hours for your picture to appear on the map. Once it appears on the map, you are in the draw