Bulli shows fresh face through retail boost, nature upgrade
The Bulli district is reintroducing itself to the Illawarra this summer, unveiling a new program of community initiatives to revive the historic coastal town as a vibrant cultural attraction
The Bulli district is reintroducing itself to the Illawarra this summer, unveiling a new program of community initiatives to revive the historic coastal town as a vibrant cultural attraction.
The object is to revitalise districts for people going out and pulling together business communities to have a collective voice saying ''we’re from Bulli, this is what Bulli has to offer, come down and visit us'', says coordinator Baluun '‘Bal'’ Jones.
Under the NSW Government’s Uptown Program, the Bulli District initiative brings together a diverse group of makers, bakers, brewers and artists with community leaders such as Bal. The Uptown Program brought positive economic and social results across King’s Cross, Newtown and Paddington/Haymarket last year, and groups have begun to form in Bulli and Thirroul to advocate for the potential of those areas.
"It's quite a progressive program," Bal says. ''Coming out of COVID and the economic situation, they were finding that a lot of people just weren’t going out. The fact they’ve rolled it out around Wollongong and the South Coast is super-interesting for those local communities to help give them a bit of a voice to get noticed.''
Yours and Owls co-founder Bal Jones is coordinating the new Bulli District initiative as part of the NSW Government’s Uptown Program. Photo: Tyneesha Williams
Bal is one of a trio of UOW graduates who founded Yours and Owls. He grew up in Thirroul but was drawn to Bulli, going surfing at Sandon Point and to gigs at the Heritage Hotel, and today he says the district's shops are 'underrated'.
Promoting Bulli is separate from his music festival work, but there's some crossover. In the suburb next door, fellow Y&O founder Adam Smith is leading another new local collective, Thirroul Arts and Entertainment District, which also received state funding as part of the Uptown program. "It is likely that Bulli and Thirroul districts will collaborate on something bigger at some point," Bal said.
This summer Bulli visitors and residents will enjoy a sunny program including community-led events in collaboration with the small-business scene, from new evening dining at Park Road Garage to golden-hour DJ sets soundtracking Saturdays at the Fitz rooftop. Resin Brewing promises to continue their heritage-inspired creations, and Millers Bakehouse will remain a summer picnic staple.
“Working with all of the great businesses in Bulli has been fantastic… I’m super-excited about this project and being able to invite tourists and the community down to get involved and see this take shape over time," Bal says.
The return of the Bulli Christmas Market bolstered local makers and regular Bulli markets will continue on the second Sunday of each month.
Bulli is also levelling up through a long-term ecotourism plan, starting at Mailbag Hollow, where a new Urban Bushcare site is set to launch this year.
"We're hoping to have it as a bit of a demonstration site where people from around the area can come and go, 'Well, that’s that particular plant when it’s one year old,' or 'This is what it’s like when it’s growing out and getting bigger,' so they can choose what plants to choose for their own home," Bal says.
The efforts at Mailbag Hollow aim to join the Urban Ecology Trail, providing a natural pathway from Bulli train station through to the showground and Grevillea Park. The trail will provide a simple route for visitors and residents to experience the full breadth of heritage, storytelling, nature and business that Bulli has to offer.
A new Urban Bushcare site is set to launch at Mailbag Hollow. Photo supplied
"There is a way we can connect everything up and create an attraction which takes the focus away from the main road, allowing people to go from the train station or the shops down to the markets or events and back up again," Bal says.
"We’re really excited about this project here at Mailbag Hollow. I think people don’t realise that Bulli actually has quite a unique, diverse collection of shops.”
The Bushcare group will restore part of the endangered Illawarra Lowland Red Gum Grassy Forest, and invites locals and visitors to get hands-on with native planting and habitat creation every second Saturday. Participants will earn a $20 voucher to spend at any Bulli district business.
Visit the Bulli District website for more information.
