Beaton Park Leisure Centre is a great alternative to a hard-sell fitness club for keeping fit and exercising when it suits you. There is a gym, a swimming pool heated to 28 degrees all year round, a spa pool and group classes of various sorts. The pool is good for lap swimming because there are plenty of times during the day when the lanes are not crowded. At $5.20 per visit it is a bit pricey when swimming laps means you're usually only there for half an hour but at the moment they have a promotion whereby you can pay $45 for unlimited use of the centre for 45 days (must start before end of March 2013). Otherwise you can buy visits in bulk which give you a small discount. Free parking is always available and the long opening hours are very user-friendly.

Approximate cost: $5.20

We went here for a Sunday lunch and had a very pleasant experience. We were running late and were advised the kitchen was soon to close when we got there (around 2.30 I think) but we managed to secure orders for garlic bread, spinach and cheese ravioli and a hamburger. All were excellent, as was the service. The only downside was the coffee which was very weak with no crema to speak of; despite a double shot being ordered it was like a weak single shot. Other than the coffee, everything was great and we would definitely come back.

I've heard a lot of bad things about this place, but given its location and being new, my husband and I thought we would see for ourselves. Both my husband and I independently received such bad service here that we didn't even get a table! I went with a friend when the place was a quarter full and we waited as the sign indicated, to be shown to a table. However, we were totally ignored by 2 staff members. One looked over at us and kept chatting to someone else, and the other, a waitress, ignored us when we asked her if we could be shown to a table. After a few minutes we left. My husband then wanted to try the place a few weeks later, thinking I'd just struck them on a bad day. He tried to book a table for 5 but was told they wouldn't book for any less than 6 people. The waitress had no interest in accommodating his request and so as a result he had no interest in eating at the restaurant.

March 2013 Postscript: We thought we'd have another try at eating here. Third time lucky!! The staff were very friendly and helpful, the food (pizzas) were very good and we were seated at a great spot next to the ocean view. My only negative comment would be that the tiramisu was a bit bland and lacked any liqueur flavour but it was still quite edible. If I could give this restaurant a second rating I would up it to 4 stars.

I went to Terry for a lower back massage. It was a good firm massage but unfortunately didn't help my chronic pain. The first appointment is a bit pricey at $90 and although it is a long appointment, a sizeable chunk of the time is taken up going through your medical history which for me, wasn't really particularly relevant when I just wanted a massage. However, Terry is a very personable guy, easy to talk to and is a good masseuse. A friend of mine recommended me to him and she had a lot of benefit for her muscle injury.

Approximate cost: $90

The best place to go for cakes in the region. I like to buy the personal size cakes which come in a range of flavours - the coconut and mango one is my favourite. As well as selling takeaway cakes and pastries, Zweefers operates as a cafe 6 days a week. There are several tables and chairs or you can sit at the window bench looking out at the passers-by. We often come here to buy birthday cakes as they are so much nicer than most of the others around.

We started with the Italian bread which neither of us liked. It was rather lightweight and packed with too many conflicting flavours - rather like a Baker's Delight experiment. Still we ate it, and the olive oil was of good quality that came with it. Next we had macadamia crumbed salmon and West Australian snapper. Both were adequate, slightly over-cooked and similar to what you'd find in any reasonable bistro. Not really up to the $33 per main plus $5 for a side of vegies that was being charged. When the time came for dessert, I selected the flourless chocolate cake ($13) which turned out to be very dry indeed. My partner had the cheese platter (about $14) which presented as the highlight of the evening. It was big enough to share, which was what I wanted to do once I was over my chocolate cake but alas there was not one dessert wine available to enjoy it with - rather an oversight one would think given that the restaurant is part of a hotel with a bar downstairs. The other noticeable omission in the wine list was that when we asked for a pinot noir by the glass, we were asked "a Nottage Hill?" - not exactly known for being of premium quality. My partner then assumed this was the only pinot noir by the glass and accepted it, only to regret it. On the plus side, the waiter was very helpful and competent, returning a glass of wine without fuss when we commented it wasn't what we thought we'd ordered (my fault). We didn't have a problem getting service when we wanted it and the restaurant itself was quite a pleasant, spacious and comfortable environment to spend a leisurely dinner (albeit a bit on the cold side). We were under the misapprehension that this was a new restaurant but after talking to the waiter, we found it has been open for 2 years. There go the allowances for supposed teething problems! The restaurant has a long way to go with the quality of its food to catch up with what it is charging. We paid $150 for 2 of us and I only had one glass of wine. Neither of us are interested in going back any time soon.

Approximate cost: $33 + sides

We went here when there was a set menu for Mother's Day and were quite disappointed with the quality of the food, especially given the price. I ordered the creme brulee but when it came out, that is not what it was. There was no sugar coating on the top - instead it was more of a pannacotta. The restaurant has an extensive wine list on blackboards around the wall and a normal menu that looks more interesting than the set one we were restricted to. I would give it another go maybe during the week when they had price specials plus access to the whole menu.

My review is for the downstairs area which I went to for lunch and is cheaper than the upstairs dinner area. Mid-week the Harbourfront is a great place to go for lunch as it is often less than half full, you don't have to book, and you get a great table right at the window, or outside, overlooking the harbour. They have lunch specials which are good value such as fish of the day with chips and salad for $20. I think they have a new chef because our lunch was much better than when I came a year ago. I would advise against going to the Harbourfront on an event day such as Mothers' Day as, like nearly everywhere, there is a set menu and it is sub-standard and extortionately overpriced for what you get. Otherwise, enjoy a lunch at a fraction of the cost the rest of the time.

Approximate cost: $20 for lunch

Wollongong is lucky to have Vera's Machine Centre as it is the only place in the Illawarra where you can go for comprehensive advice on sewing machines and overlockers from truly competent, experienced staff who are not in a mad rush to get you out the door. I have bought 2 machines from them - both came with free lessons on how to use and maintain the machine. I have been in several times just for advice and had my machine fault corrected on the spot, or at another time, they assisted me with correctly putting in a stud using a pack I'd bought from Spotlight. They also sell sewing machine threads and accessories and take machines in for full servicing. It is very reassuring to have them just around the corner knowing that if my machine packs up when I'm in the middle of sewing something, that I can take the machine straight over to them for advice. Well worth buying your machine there for the excellent service and knowledge that comes with it.

I always come here for a coffee or hot chocolate when I am in Newtown - it always comes out hot and strong as requested. It's a pity the outdoor area is a smoking zone as it is too thick with smoke for a non-smoker to sit out there. Even inside smells a bit smoky. I tend not to order the friands or croissants as on 2 occasions I have got these as takeaway and they turned out to be stale. However, the toast is a good bet for an eat-in snack. You get giant slabs of toast for a reasonable price.