5 fantastic Wollongong beaches – with PHOTOS

There are great Wollongong beaches for surfers, swimmers, families and even hang-gliders. Here are five of the greatest beaches in Wollongong, with photos to help you decide.

The best Wollongong beaches

The third largest city in New South Wales, Wollongong, tends to be overlooked by visitors. This is a real shame, as the Wollongong beaches are hugely inviting for surfers and families alike.

Australia Travel Questions has picked out five of the best beaches in Wollongong – not an easy task given the competition. And, for each one, we’ve picked a reason you might want to visit.

Top Wollongong beaches: North Wollongong Beach

North Wollongong Beach is the great all-rounder, and the only beach in the city that is patrolled by surf lifesavers year-round. The Continental Pool is a fantastic place for swimming if you don’t fancy your chances between the flags.

There’s plenty of action – skydivers land here (book that online) and the Pines Surfing Academy runs beginner lessons. And, for something more chilled out, you can have a picnic in neighbouring Stuart Park.

The Novotel Wollongong Northbeach offers the opportunity to stay here overnight.

North Wollongong Beach in Wollongong, NSW. Photo courtesy of Destination NSW.

Best Wollongong beaches: Corrimal Beach

The dune-backed Corrimal Beach is about 1.4km long. It’s a popular spot for surfers, but the aspect that marks it out for families is the placid Bellambi Lagoon at the northern end. This is an excellent spot to take a toddler for a safe paddle.

You can stay here, too, with pitches and cabins available at the Corrimal Beach Tourist Park.

Corrimal Beach, Wollongong. Photo courtesy of Destination NSW.

Best Wollongong beaches: Austinmer Beach

Austinmer Beach is one of the smaller Wollongong beaches, but it has the bonus of being fairly easily accessible from Sydney. Austinmer Station is a 550 metre walk away – perfect if you want to come down by train for the day.

The other hugely appealing factor about Austinmer Beach is the ocean pools carved into the rocks at the southern end.

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

Great Wollongong Beaches: Stanwell Park Beach

Stanwell Park Beach has a scenic spot at the far north of the Illawarra region, and it’s a good surf spot. What makes it particularly engaging, however, are the hang-gliders drifting down from Bald Hill at the northern end.

If you’d prefer to do it rather than watch it, tandem hang-gliding adventures can be booked through Viator.

Stanwell Park Beach near Wollongong, New South Wales. Photo courtesy of Destination NSW.

Top Wollongong Beaches: Windang Beach

Most of the best beaches in Wollongong are to the north of the city, but Windang Beach is an exception. Curving round beautifully to Windang Island at the entrance to Lake Illawarra, this beach is beloved by surfers. If you want consistent beach breaks, Windang Beach is a time-honoured winner.

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.

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.