Wollongong, NEW SOUTH WALES
Airing Date: Aug 22nd, 2005
Tom visits the largest Buddhist temple in the Southern Hemisphere for a beginner's guide to Buddhism. Tom then jumps on the latest big 'little' craze - pocket bikes. The challenge for Tom is trying to fit on one! He then visits the Five Island Microbrewery where he samples some of the ten homebrews. .
This week, Tom looked at what to do in Wollongong when there was no surf. Wollongong, 81km south of Sydney, has a population of more than 250,000, making it the third-largest city in NSW and the tenth-largest in Australia.
The Nan Tien Temple near Wollongong is the largest.Buddhist temple in the southern hemisphere. It features rose gardens, a beautiful pagoda, two enormous shrines, a museum auditorium, 100-room accommodation and conference facilities. Since it opened in 1995, the temple has become popular with local and international tourists and has helped bridge cultures in the region. .
The temple was built as a place for people to practise and understand the Dharma (Buddha's teachings). Visitors can meditate, pray and pay their respect to the Buddha at the main shrine.
Also in Wollongong is the Grange Park Kart Raceway, which has offered kart hire and racing for about 20 years. Riding of pocket bikes (or mini moto), like those on which current Moto GP superstar Valentino Rossi had his start, is also offered in 10 minute rotations. Equipment supplied includes a one-piece protective suit, a full face helmet with visor, a hair net and a pair of leather rigger's gloves.
The Five Island Brewing Company was established in 2001 and named after the five islands just off the coast of Wollongong. Metres from the beach, the Brewery features a huge outside terrace with barbecue, an 80 seat restaurant and bar food at the Sixth Island Bar. It brews local beers called Dapto Draught, Bulli Black, Rust and Longboard. The beers are free of chemicals and preservatives and contain no added sugar.
Further information:
Every Tuesday night, Grange Park opens for small bikes at $25 per person, plus $10 per additional rider. Bike hire is $100, plus $25 gear hire Phone Kembla Grange: (02) 4261 2060.
Rooms at the Novotel Northbeach start from $160 per double. Breakfast for two is included (conditions apply). This offer is valid for the first 200 callers before 30/9/05. Phone Novotel Northbeach (02) 4224 3111.
Prices correct at 22/08/05
A Fly/Drive package to Sydney starts from $269 ex-Brisbane, $270 ex-Melbourne , $372 ex-Adelaide and $572 ex-Perth. Two days' car hire is included. Pricing is based on two passengers and includes surcharges, fees and taxes. Conditions apply. Book by 27/11/05 and travel by 30/11/05. Phone Qantas Holidays on 13 14 15.
Prices correct at 13/7/05
