Austinmer Beach, NSW: Swimming safety and rock pools

Austinmer Beach in Wollongong, NSW, offers ocean rock pools, easy access from Austinmer Station, a large car park and a children’s playground. But watch out for the rips.

Austinmer Beach, NSW, is one of the most popular beaches in Wollongong. This is partly because it’s a relatively short walk away from a mainline train station. From Austinmer Station, the beach is only around 550 metres away.

It’s also next to Lawrence Hargrave Drive. You can stop by on the Sydney to Wollongong drive along the Illawarra coast from Sydney. Other stops on the way include Stanwell Park Beach, the Sea Cliff Bridge lookout and the Scarborough Hotel.

6 fantastic Wollongong experiences to book before you arrive

Tandem hang-gliding flight from Bald Hill – float down towards the beach.
One hour private surf lesson in Woonona – learn the basics, and get standing on your board.
Illawarra Fly ziplining course and treetop walk – test your nerves high up in the canopy.
Tandem skydive with beach landing – feel the rush of freefall.
Explore the city on a scavenger hunt – a fun way to get to know Wollongong better.
Half day deep sea fishing adventure – haul in some big boys.

Swimming at Austinmer Beach

Austinmer Beach is a small beach, about 250 metres long, but a surprisingly fierce one. For surfers, there’s a good right hand break off the rocks at the southern end. Swimmers, however, need to be very wary of the rips. The beach is patrolled by surf lifesavers from 9am to 6pm daily. They get plenty of work from swimmers who have misjudged the rips and found themselves in trouble. The advice of staying between the red and yellow flags applies to all Australian beaches, but it is particularly the case at Austinmer.

Austinmer Beach rock pools

What Austinmer Beach does offer, however, is an alternative swimming option. There are two ocean pools dug out of the rock at the southern end of the beach. The Austinmer Beach rock pools offer spectacular views, but calm waters.

The Austinmer Ocean Pools at Austinmer Beach, Wollongong, are a fabulous place to swim. Photo courtesy of Destination NSW.

The beach has a large car park, and there are plenty of shops along Lawrence Hargrave Drive. The Austi Beach Café is good for drinks, snacks and light meals, while Shells Diner does fish and chips.

Get your Aussie beach kit on the cheap
Fix up great deals on swimwear, beach towels and snorkelling gear now.
And look for discounts on sunglasses, sun cream or a really good book.

The Surf Club is at the southern end of the beach, next to the public toilets and shower facilities. If you’ve got kids in tow, the Knox Park Playground behind the middle of the beach might be more of interest.

Other Wollongong beaches in the Australian Beaches Guide include Thirroul Beach, Corrimal Beach, Stanwell Park Beach, North Wollongong Beach and Windang Beach.