Tribe

The Illuminated Illawarra

Welcome to The Illuminated Illawarra, where we explore the deep, dark, dramatic, and often downright perplexing history of Wollongong's coastal tribes—both ancient and modern. Picture this: a society that thrives on sharing overly-researched tales of convicts turning into surf lifesavers, and contested ownership of the pristine beaches—yes, we’re owning our narrative. Expect impassioned debates over who pioneered the best coffee culture before it was cool, and elaborate reenactments of the local legend of the sea monster that ‘definitely exists’ (and isn’t just a big fish). With monthly meetups at the finest cafes, we use caffeine to fuel our pursuit of truth, myth-busting, and sarcastic banter. Bring your best theories and a sense of humor; we’re diving deep into history like it’s a wave at North Beach!