Wollongong Beaches Guide
Stanwell Park
Placed right at the edge of the spectacular Royal National Park is Stanwell Park. Popular with locals and tourists that come from Sydney for a day trip as it’s only around 50km away from Sydney. It’s also very popular with hang gliders who have the ideal launch pad at the top of the famous Bald hill over looking the beach. The beach is enjoyed with surfers and swimmers, the beach is quit exposed so simmers need to swim between the flags for safety.
Coalcliff
Coalcliff beach is a small beach at around 500 metres long. There is a rock pool to enjoy in the Southern end, it’s also a great place to explore the interesting rocks and kids will love their playful shapes. There is also something for fishermen who can find a good fishing spot off the broad rock platforms at each end of the beach. Coalcliff has a surf life-saving club.
Scarborough Beach
A pretty beach located only 21 km from North Wollongong CBD. It’s unsheltered so it gets the full force of the open Pacific Ocean but is patrolled with trained lifesavers so is safe for kids. If offers amazing views of the stunning coastline and the formidable cliffs that stretch above. There are also park lands nearby that are ideal for picnics. Surfers take note – there are some good beach breaks can be produced when the sand bars are right.
Coledale
A 300 m long east facing beach. As with most of the stunning beaches along the Wolloongong region it is positioned between the beautiful rolling blue surf of the pacific ocean, and the green tree canopy of the steep Illawarra rock escarpment. A distinguishing feature is the Twenty tall Norfolk Island pine trees line the southern half of the beach. There is a good lifesaving presence with regular patrolled beach so swimmers to feel safe. One of the best features of Coledale beach is that it’s a lot less crowded then other beaches along the stretch of coastline. Surfers can find a good left hand break over a reef off the northern rocks called Thommos – but you might have to share the wave with the local dolphins who frequent the area.
Austinmer
A 250 m long beach known as one of the more popular beaches north of Wollongong for surfers and simmers alike. Surfers will find a good right hand wave which breaks off the southern rocks into a rip. The beaches popularity dates back to the early 1900′s when tourists came from train to enjoy the picturesque setting. The dominating feature are the Norfolk Island pines back the length of the beach. Two large rock pools lie on the southern rock platform.
Thirroul
A 1 km long total east facing beach which is another popular south coast Wollongong beach that formed one of the first surf clubs outside of Sydney in 1908, as locales were increasingly saving people from the hazardous beach rips. Visitors should always swim between the flags on this beach. One strong feature of the beach is the beach is the wide, grassed reserve offering parking, parks and even playgrounds and picnic areas. You will also find a full size Olympic pool and wading pool.
Sandon Point
A beautifully horse shoe shaped beach that offers a relatively safe place to swim, fish and surf. The rips are not as bad as some of it’s neighboring beaches such as Thirroul and Austinmer. It’s 900 metres in length and there are good access points along the beach from the road which runs the length of the beach. Famous for surfers is the northern Sandon Point which has an excellent right and break. Fishermen will enjoy the wide rock platforms at each end of the beach.
Bulli
A good beach popular with campers and caravans which you can set up nearly right on the beach. Another beach in the region that is around 1km in length. What also is another distinguishing feature is the small creek crosses south of the life saving Club house. A bike path stretches along the beach and makes for a really accessible beach. Swimmers beware the entire beach is quite exposed to large waves so stay between the flags. You will find Rock pools that are located on both rock platforms.
Woonona
Woonona is a two kilometer beach with two surf clubs at either end which patrolled the beach and keep it safe for swimmers. Bellambi Beach begins on the south side. It’s quiute popular in the summer months especially with surfers who can find both left and right hands waves down the beach. Woonoan has a rock pool which is ideal for small children to play in.
Bellambi
With two rock pools and a good sized car park it’s the ideal place for a family day out at Bellambi beach. You will also find picnic areas with BBQ facilities. Take note of the strong rip that occupies the north end of the beach which will occurs when there are north east weather conditions. Stay between the flags of the patrolled beach and you be safe. Surfers will enjoy the Bellambi Bombora when there are large swells particularly from the south. Another beach with large rock platforms that make it ideal for fishing.
Corrimal
Perfect for holiday stays is Corrimal beach which has a good size caravan park right on the beach but protected from a fenced fore dune runs the length of the beach . About one and a half kilometers in length beach Corrimal enjoys a grassed picnic area right on the beach and dressing sheds for the rock pool. Be warned that Rips dominate this beach so stay between the flags at all times. Surfers will enjoy the beach breaks where it’s worth walking up the northern end of the beach where the sand bars are best.
Towradgi
3 km in length Towradgi beach is perfect for that long beach walk where there is little development on the beach due to a former swampy area preventing built structures. Watch out swimmers for the strong rips near the northern rocks, swim between the flags to the south. Surfers will enjoy the many beach breaks along the beach and the relatively un-crowed conditions. There are some protection for the north easterly winds in the summer in the northern end but just watch out for the rips.
Fairy Meadow
A fairly longer beach being double the normal length beach in the area at 2km. With good facilities including a car park and change room facilities. There is also a nearby caravan park with good access down to the beach. The beach is quite exposed and is ranked a six out of ten for it’s 14 dangerous rips and averages 19 rescues – As long as you swim between the life guard flags you will be safe.
North Wollongong
Known as North Beach with the locals you can easily see why North Wollongong attracts the most amount of people along the coast. It has the most number of rock pools and is the best services and patrolled beach in the area. It’s also very accessible with car parks and good access tracks and bike paths. Small with only being 500 meters in length North Beach has good picnic facilities and many wading swimming pools that are ideal for smaller children the experience this stunning beach. With only 3-4 rips on the beach it’s a relatively safe beach to swim at. Surfers will enjoy waves up to 2m in height, but it will be crowded as it’s a very accessible beach and popular.
Wollongong City Beach
East facing Wollongong City Beach is a beautiful 4.2 km in length long stretch of beach with the prominent features being the local football (WIN stadium), a golf course and the lighthouse at the Northern ned of the beach. Know as Wollongongs city surf beach it is popular with locals. It has a good range of facilities including car parking, picnic facilities and walking tracks. Swimmers need to take caution – it’s a potentially hazardous beach which produce up to 20 rips along the beach.
Windang
A long three and a half kilometer curling beach dominated by consistent surf and rips. Good for surfers as it’s poor accessibility means many uncrowded surf breaks. Surfers lookout for the local surf spot known as Sharkies which offers left and right handed waves – near the north side of Windang Island. Swimmers need to take care near the Lake entrance channel as the strong currents cause deep holes. Another south coast beach with a caravan park on the northern side of the beach.You will find a Olympic pool in the north.
