Wongawilli is a southern suburb of Wollongong, Australia at the foot hills of the Illawarra escarpment. The word 'Wonga' is a native aboriginal word meaning native pigeon.[2]

Wongawilli Wollongong, New South Wales
Wongawilli
Coordinates	34°28.5′S 150°45.5′E
Population	141 (2016 census)[1]
Postcode(s)	2530
Elevation	24 m (79 ft)
LGA(s)	City of Wollongong
State electorate(s)	Shellharbour
Federal division(s)	Whitlam
Suburbs around Wongawilli: Avon Dombarton Kembla Grange Avon Wongawilli Brownsville Huntley Huntley Horsley

It contains a mixture of small rural properties and family homes. It has a New South Wales Rural Fire Service station and a small community hall where the Wongawilli colonial dance club meets regularly.[3] The community has had a long history with coal mining, with the Wongawilli colliery opening in 1916 by the Hoskins Brothers,[4] and later being taken over by BHP.[5] Since this time the mine has expanded and has had multiple owners, and is currently owned and operated by the Indian company Jindal Steel & Power.[6]

Notable residents

• Actor John Jarratt, born 1952
• Australian Rugby League Player Robert Smithies, born 1948

References