North Wollongong Beach: Surf lessons, swimming & accommodation
At North Wollongong Beach, you can enjoy picnics in Stuart Park, stay at the Novotel hotel, take a beginner’s surf lesson and even finish a skydive.
North Wollongong Beach is the most popular beach in Wollongong, NSW. It’s also the only one that’s patrolled by lifeguards year-round. Not that many people are brave enough to go swimming here during the winter months, of course.
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.
Why visit North Wollongong Beach?
North Wollongong Beach is a great all-rounder. Most visitors will get something out of it, whether surfers, families or people watchers.
There are also plenty of places to eat and shop just behind the beach, which means you can make a day of it at this Illawarra Beach.
Families will enjoy Stuart Park, which has plenty of shaded picnic boots and a children’s playground.
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.
Swimming at North Wollongong Beach
This Wollongong Beach isn’t the greatest swimming beach in the world, but neither is it outright dangerous. Stay between the flags near the Surf Club and you should be just fine. There are rips on North Wollongong Beach, but none of them are particularly big ones.
There are also a series of rock pools just past the southern end of the beach, culminating in the enormous Continental Pool. For children, these pools are the safest place to get in the water.
Swimming in Puckeys Lagoon at the northern end of the beach is discouraged due to underwater hazards and currents.
North Wollongong Beach surfing lessons
There is usually good but not excellent surf at North Wollongong Beach, and it’s generally a pretty good spot for learners. The Pines Surfing Academy offers lessons for beginners.
If that’s insufficiently adrenalin-packed for you, then you can always go skydiving and land on the beach. These beach skydives cost from $457 and can be booked online.
North Wollongong Beach restaurants and accommodation
Places to eat at North Wollongong Beach include Lagoon Seafood overlooking Puckeys Lagoon. There’s also the Northbeach Pavilion right next to the beach and the Mangotree Indian restaurant.
The main North Wollongong Beach accommodation option is the Novotel Wollongong Northbeach hotel. This 4.5 star joint has five restaurants and bars, plus a rather splendid outdoor pool.
Other Wollongong beaches in the Australian Beaches Guide include Stanwell Park Beach, Corrimal Beach, Thirroul Beach, Austinmer Beach and Windang Beach.
