The Fraternity Club
When you are exploring the Illawarra region with children, finding a welcoming place to settle down for a quality meal where the kids can play safely makes all the difference. The Fraternity Club, affectionately known to locals as ‘The Frat’, has been a cornerstone of the Wollongong community since it was founded by Italian migrants in 1952. Originally opened to provide a space for families to socialise and enjoy good food, the venue has grown into one of the premier clubs in the area, maintaining its strong tradition of warm hospitality.
Located at 11 Bourke Street in Fairy Meadow, the club is exceptionally easy to visit. It features a massive carpark with over 400 parking spaces, removing the usual stress of finding a spot when travelling with a family. The club operates with extended opening hours, running from 10:00 am to 2:00 am Sunday to Thursday, and from 10:00 am to 3:00 am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Frat Club Fairy Meadow
The venue is intentionally designed to be a family-friendly space, offering an array of amenities that keep younger guests entertained. Inside, children can explore a dedicated arcade area or pick up sweet treats at the indoor gelato bar. The club also schedules specialised entertainment and activity line-ups throughout the school holidays to keep little ones engaged.
For dining, families often head to La Trattoria, an expansive restaurant space that comfortably seats more than 300 people. The restaurant serves a cosmopolitan menu featuring authentic Italian flavours, steaming bowls of pasta, succulent seafood dishes, and everyday club classics. It has earned a reputation across the Illawarra for serving large portion sizes of quality food at highly affordable prices, including regular weekday lunch specials from Monday to Friday.
One of the highlights for parents is the beautiful alfresco dining area. It features a mix of sun and shaded spaces, allowing adults to enjoy a relaxed outdoor restaurant experience with a cold drink while keeping a close eye on the kids playing inside the adjacent, fully enclosed outdoor playground. La Trattoria is open daily for lunch from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm. Dinner is served from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm Sunday to Wednesday, and extends until 9:00 pm from Thursday to Saturday.
Wollongong Pizza
If your family loves a traditional pizza night, the club houses Il Bene, a specialised dining space that brings the atmosphere of a traditional pizza restaurant into a modern club environment. Operating under the expert guidance of Italian pizza chefs, Il Bene focuses on authentic, hand-made wood-fired pizza created completely from scratch using high-quality ingredients.
The main Il Bene area is open daily from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm, while the wood-fired pizza kitchen specifically fires up from 5:00 pm until late from Monday to Friday, and opens for lunch and dinner from 12:00 pm to 12:00 am on Saturdays and Sundays. On Fridays, a dedicated lunch session also runs from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm. For families staying locally who prefer a quiet evening in, takeaway pizza and pasta ordering is available from Sunday to Friday starting at 5:00 pm, making it a highly convenient option after a busy day of coastal sightseeing.
