But rather than entering the Matrix, or the damage that jumps to mind when thinking of hacking, these software coders and engineers are all about creation.

The weekend hackathon competition is all about teams of designers, developers, tinkerers and thinkers getting together to build something from start to finish in a single weekend.

“It’s about creativity with technology – whether that be computers, robotics, software in some capacity,” one of the organisers Mike Riethmuller said.

“If you put data in the hands of a software engineer it can be really interesting.” 

The hackathon – to be held in the University of Wollongong Bega campus computer lab – will have a social side as well.

For a small entry fee, participants will be well fed with barbecue lunches, snacks and pizza – and as much coffee as needed to get through the intensive weekend!

Software developer Carsten Ecklemann said even if people didn’t get their own project completed on the weekend, there was a great opportunity to look around to see what other teams were working on.

“Where else can you see software engineers in action,” he said.

Also behind the Hackathon is Liam O’Duibhir from Bega-based 2pi Software.

He said hackathons could be everything from kids involved in simple game creation, through building a webpage and beyond.

“If someone is able to express themselves creatively and design something with tech it’s fantastic,” Mr O’Duibhir said.

The Bega Hackathon will start at 9am on November 29 and finish 5pm November 30.

Teams who complete their project will be judged with  cash prizes on offer.

Interested people can sign up for the Bega Hackathon at http://southcoasthack2014.eventbrite.com.au or get more details at www.intoitsapphirecoast.com.