Nan Tien Temple is the largest Buddhist temple in the Southern Hemisphere, a striking complex of traditional Chinese architecture set on a hillside in Berkeley, about 10 kilometres south of the Wollongong city centre. The temple was consecrated in 1995 by the Fo Guang Shan order, which runs Buddhist institutions across Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
The main hall contains a 17-metre gilded Buddha, and the grounds include a pagoda, meditation gardens, a heritage museum, and a tea room where you can take traditional Chinese tea. Vegetarian meals are served in the temple restaurant. The surrounding gardens are beautifully maintained and good for a quiet walk regardless of your interest in Buddhism. Admission to the grounds is free; there are charges for some activities and the museum.