Windang Beach in Wollongong: Is it better for swimming or surfing?

Windang Beach at the entrance to Lake Illawarra in Wollongong has strong rips. Swimmers should stay between the flags, but there are good beach breaks for surfers.

Windang Beach lies around 15km to the south of central Wollongong, at the entrance to Lake Illawarra. This Wollongong beach tends to be quieter than others closer to the city, largely because it takes longer to get there.

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 Windang Beach

Despite being patrolled by lifeguards, Windang Beach is by no means the best beach in Australia for swimming. The beach is long, and there are strong rips along much of the length. If you’re going to swim at Windang Beach, do so between the flags. Waves tend to be a little smaller towards the southern end of the beach near Windang Surf Lifesaving Club. Don’t, however, attempt to swim near the entrance to Lake Illawarra, which is subject to strong tidal currents.

Surfers are likely to enjoy Windang Beach a little more than swimmers. The beach faces east to south-east and catches the south-easterly swells. This leads to fairly reliable and sizable beach breaks. If you want warmer water, the Wollongong weather is hotter in the summer months.

Get your Aussie beach kit on the cheap
Fix up great deals on swimwear, beach towels and snorkelling gear now.
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Windang Beach accommodation

Perhaps the strangest aspect of Windang is that there is life there – it’s just not at the beach. Accommodation options such as the Windang Beach Tourist Park congregate on the lake side of the suburb. The Windang Foreshore Park is also set next to the lake entrance rather than the beach. Windang Beach itself is backed by bushland and feels either left wild or just ignored, depending on your perspective.

Windang Island in New South Wales — Windang Island lies on the opposite side of the Lake Illawarra entrance to Windang Beach. Photo courtesy of Destination NSW.

Other Wollongong beaches are a little more exciting. You can skydive onto North Wollongong Beach, for example… Meanwhile, Towradgi Beach offers a superb ocean pool and the Towradgi Beach Hotel.

Wollongong accommodation choices include the apartment-focused Adina, the massive Novotel Northbeach and the golf-centric Best Western City Sands.