BULLI Bulli is the northern and historic community that forms an element of the greater Wollongong area. Bulli in its own right is quite a nice ‘town’. The first place encountered when heading south from Sydney, and after descending the famous Bulli Pass. A nice beach, parks and the provision of all services are at Bulli. European wood cutters worked in the area from about 1815. The area was once abundant in Red Cedars; these are now still seen but thinly. The first permanent European settler was Cornelius O'Brien, who established a farm in 1823 and whose name was given in the pass at O’Brien’s Road south at Figtree. Bulli was the scene of one of Australia’s earliest mining disasters. A monument to the dead is located just near Bulli Railway Station. On March 23, 1887 a gas explosion in the mine killed 81 men and boys, leaving 50 women widows and 150 children without fathers. There was one survivor, a 17 year old boy who became known as "Boy Cope". The mine reopened later in the year. With the exception of the Catholic Church the Bulli Churches are century plus buildings. The Bulli Museum is next to the Bulli Railway Station and has a rail related offering. The United Church was built in 1860 The Bulli Family Hotel is an historic classic pub. A magnificent building this is. When visiting Wollongong, Bulli is a base camp that can be recommended. Heritage diary