Wollongong's Best Beaches And Swimming Spots

There are a lot of great places to swim in Wollongong, making it one of NSW’s greatest seaside cities

From sun-drenched sea pools to long, sandy beaches where you can surf or swim under a wide-open sky, here is the ultimate guide to the best beaches and swimming spots in Wollongong and the Illawarra.

In short

Choose Windang Beach for the win if you are in Wollongong with the family. Set at the entrance to Lake Illawarra, this gentle curve of sand is backed by a large grassy foreshore with playgrounds, barbecues and shaded picnic areas. Families can also pitch their tent at Windang Beach Tourist Park, one of the best places to camp in Wollongong.

Austinmer Beach

Best for: Families looking for patrolled beaches and dog owners drawn to the off-leash Little Austinmer Beach

This compact stretch of sand is bracketed between two headlands, giving it a sheltered, village-like feel. The beach is patrolled during summer, and there are two rock pools for those looking for a chill swim. When you’re done, wander up to the Headlands Austinmer Beach hotel for a well-earned brew with a view. It’s a great local pub and one we’ve featured in our best bars and pubs in Wollongong guide.

Coledale Beach

Best for: Families who want the option to pull the pin if things go pear-shaped

Patrolled year-round, Coledale Beach ranks as one of the most versatile Wollongong swim spots. Families set up here to play Frisbee and French cricket. The small campground at the southern end of the beach has views of the crashing waves, which adds to the holiday feel. The beach is a popular spot for surfers as it offers consistent right and left-hand breaks. It’s also home to Rosie’s one of the best places for fish and chips in Australia.

Thirroul Beach

surfing at Thirroul — Hit the waves at Thirroul Beach. (Credit: Destination NSW)

Best for: Surfers, lap swimmers and holidaymakers flitting between the beach and the local cafes

The wind-whipped one-kilometre-long Thirroul Beach picks up swell from most directions. It’s a popular spot for surfers and day-trippers from Sydney who set up camp near the sandy seafront and make the most of a day dipping in and out of the sea. Swimmers gravitate to the Art Deco Olympic Pool, built in the 1930s, where backstroke laps come with uninterrupted views of the Illawarra Escarpment.

Windang Beach

Best for: Young families and picnickers

Windang Beach is where Lake Illawarra meets the sea. This gentle curve of sand at the entrance to Lake Illawarra, some 15 kilometres south of Wollongong’s CBD, is a popular spot with families. There is a large foreshore park with a playground, barbecues, and covered picnic areas. The beach also has great views over the famous Five Islands off the Wollongong coastline. It’s one of the best places to swim in Wollongong on a sunny day.

Stanwell Park Beach

Best for: Families who want space and seasoned surfers

Stanwell Tops is well known as a place for hang-gliding and paragliding. Take in the views from Lawrence Hargrave Lookout, which offers panoramic views of the coastline, before corkscrewing down to the base of the cliffs. That’s where you will find Stanwell Park Beach , a sheltered cove popular with families who cluster near the barbecues in the park. The scenic Wollongong swim spot is also popular with surfers due to the shifting beach break that works best in an east or northeast swell.

Sandon Point

Best for:  Surfers – both first-timers learning to surf and experienced swell chasers

Sandon Point is an exposed point break prized for its clean, consistent waves, particularly through winter. When the swell eases, micro grommets beeline into the shallows at Sandon, often guided onto their first waves by the instructors at Happy Days Surf School or Pines Surfing Academy . It’s one of the best things to do in Wollongong. The beach sweeps for 900 metres between Bulli and Waniora points, so there’s plenty of space for swimmers to spread out on busy days.

Wollongong City Beach

the Wollongong Head Flagstaff Lighthouse — The majestic Wollongong Head Flagstaff Lighthouse overlooks the Tasman Sea. (Credit: Destination NSW)

Best for: Families who want an easy day at the beach with playgrounds, rock pools and cafes close by

Wollongong City Beach is one of the city’s most popular beaches. The broad beach that fronts the city curls 3.1 kilometres from Flagstaff Point to the Port Kembla seawall. It’s the city’s most central swimming spot and it’s backed by a foreshore reserve stubbled with coastal grasses. Head to the northern end of the beach in low tide to check for treasures in the rock pools. The beach is adjacent to a park with a playground and picnic tables.

Woonona Beach

Best for: Cyclists, surfers and lap swimmers

Ride your bike along the Wollongong shared cycleway to check the surf, which works best at the northen end on a northeast swell. Woonona Beach also has a handsome 50-metre pool with diving blocks and a historic Art Deco pavilion. BYO goggles and hedge your bets between a calm lap swim or open-water adventure, before refuelling at one of the local restaurants.

Coalcliff Beach

Best for: Families and those in need of a protected swimming spot

Coalcliff Beach is another coveted spot for families. Whether you’re looking for a calm stretch of sand to build a castle or a sheltered place to swim, the small beach feels protected and intimate. The beach in the northern suburbs of Wollongong is surrounded by craggy cliffs and rock platforms, which make it a popular fishing spot. Swimmers also seek out the beautiful ocean pool tucked beneath the cliffs where dense emerald-green bushland spills down to the sea.

Port Kembla Beach

Best for: Lap swimmers and families with small children

Port Kembla Beach stretches for about 6.6 kilometres, making it popular with joggers who love to run barefoot. We love this beach for its dinky dressing sheds, which were constructed in 1912, and its Olympic-sized pool carved into the northern corner of the cliff face. All up, there are three pools: a toddler’s pool, paddling pool and slightly deeper kiddies pool.  The beach is one of the best places to swim in Wollongong with kids. it is only 11 kilometres from Wollongong’s CBD.

Bulli Rock Pool

Best for: Lap swimmers partial to a sunrise dip

Word has well and truly spread about just how good the lifestyle is in Wollongong and the Illawarra. Kick off your day with a few laps at the Bulli Rock Pool where you are bound to meet smug sea-changers. Ask them about their new lifestyle and they will happily tell you they haven’t looked back since shrugging off their big-city stresses. You will want to join them after a few lazy laps in the 50-metre pool, which dates back to the 1930s.

Bellambi Beach

Best for: Early risers and swimmers of mixed ability

Bellambi has a rock pool set into the southern rock shelf of the two-kilometre-long beach, which is a popular spot for swimming, surfing and fishing off the boat ramp. Hire a bike and cycle along the shared pathway, which makes the beach accessible from Wollongong. A small creek runs along the back of the beach and there are a few cafes nearby. Come to the beach early when there is zero swell to see the sunrise and start the day with a refreshing dip.

Newcastle’s vibrant creativity is evident everywhere, from a thriving live arts scene to an ever-growing offering for gourmands. Those with a hunger for new and exciting experiences should put Newcastle on their radar.

When it comes to consuming the culture of a city, digesting it (in the literal sense) is an appropriate place to start. But it’s not just a world-class wining and dining scene that’s on the menu (not to mention all the new restaurants in Newcastle ). Newcastle – just two hours north of Sydney – offers the perfect blend of arts, culture and culinary experiences that make it a prime destination for an extended escape. The city’s creative future looks even brighter with the reopening of the highly anticipated Newcastle Art Gallery on the horizon.

aerial of Nobbys beach in newcastle nsw — Newcastle offers the perfect coastal setting for the arts and delicious eats. (Image: City of Newcastle)

Given Newcastle’s compact size – many venues are within easy walking distance or a quick drive away – you can immerse yourself fully. From decadent patisseries to fine diners and casual coastal eats, here’s a fresh taste of Newcastle: where to eat, drink and soak up the coastal city’s good vibes.

1. Pastry cafes in Newcastle

pastries next to a pastry box from crumb cafe in newcastle — Lean into Newcastle’s pastry renaissance at Crumb. (Image: Jemma Donkin)

Pastry is having a moment, with a quietly booming scene led by CRUMB, the brand-new pastry cafe in Lambton led by legendary Gareth Williams (of Covered in Crumbs, EXP) and Ben Richardson (Autumn Rooms). Gareth describes his style of food as ‘creative chaos’. Enjoy that abstract artisanal approach over a savoury chorizo, bechamel, cheddar and poppy pastry, or a layered mortadella and pesto mayo croissant sandwich.

Meanwhile, Leibe European Pastries, Pekárna, Union St Pastry and Praise Joe also have their own flair and loyal followings. While Liebe European Pastries is famed for layered German pastries such as Franzbrötchen, Pekárna’s signatures (like cardamom pastries) are tethered to Czech traditions.

Head a few blocks west to Wickham, where Union St Pastry is the pinnacle for lovers of European-style viennoiseries, such as croissants and Danishes. A getaway to Newcastle also looks pretty fabulous with a mega brownie or chicken little toastie from Praise Joe .

2. Destination dining

Blanca resuarant in newcastle nsw — Step inside Mediterranean-inspired eatery, Blanca. (Image: Destination NSW)

Life looks pretty peachy from a table at the breezy Mediterranean-inspired eatery Blanca , which would not be out of place in Mykonos – when it swooped into the Honeysuckle Precinct a few years ago, it caused heads to swivel. Say yasou to mezedes of crudo di mare and sheftalia and grilled Abrolhos Islands’ octopus.

One may also fantasise about being back in Europe – specifically the 10th arrondissement in Paris – at Frenchie , the oh-so-French bistro that offers Euro-chic elegance with an inventive Australian flair. Indulge in the Date Night set menu, available every Thursday.

Peregrin is another stand-out. Listen to the sound of the ocean from the rooftop terrace, and order a Summertime Sour during aperitivo hour. Followed by the yellowfin tuna with pickled cucumber and market fish. And brand new on the scene is Papalote – a joint venture from the incredibly talented owners of Humbug and Flotilla serving up tasty Mexican classics.

3. Casual coastal cafes and kiosks

people swimming at Newcastle Ocean Baths — Follow Newcastle’s coastline for stunning views and tasty eats. (Image: David Diehm)

What better way to soak in Newcastle’s legendary coastline and stunning beaches than by visiting its casual coastal eateries while on the Bathers Way?

Enjoy hot chips and scallops on the sand at Swell Kiosk Bar Beach . Or a housemade sausage roll after a morning surf at Newcastle Beach, thanks to Southy Canteen , which is open from 6am.

Bring your furry travel companion to Sunnyboy Kiosk for a piccolo and puppuccino with views out to Dixon Park Beach. Try light eats, like acai bowls, or more substantial meals like nasi goreng at Blue Door in Merewether. Do a few lazy laps at Merewether Ocean Baths (the largest in the southern hemisphere) before tucking into swordfish skewers and salad at Merewether Surfhouse .

You can also watch the ocean compose a bit of magic from your perch at The Kiosk Newcastle Beach , where a matcha latte looks even better with the beach fresco.

Pause between eats to take in the iconic Newcastle Ocean Baths and Bogey Hole – perfect for a digestive swim or scenic picnic spot.

4. Hatted restaurants in Newcastle

couple eating at Flotilla newcastle — Flotilla serves up delicious meals. (Image: Destination NSW)

In recent years, Newcastle’s restaurant scene has evolved to include venues that have elevated the city’s reputation for culinary excellence. In addition to its cafes and kiosks, there’s now an exciting wave of hatted favourites putting Newcastle on the map.

Humbug is the epitome of Novocastrian dining; the mafaldine with brisket and beef cheek braised in Pedro Ximenez is emblematic of what the owners aim for here. Flotilla neatly knits the Newcastle wining and dining scene together, with young gun Josh Thurston showcasing the art of cooking proteins and produce over fire.

Bistro Penny is another sophisticated, hatted dining destination in Newcastle. Order the barbecued king prawns swimming in a saffron broth and the oxheart tomato salad.

5. Newcastle nightlife

Bartholomew's small bar in newcastle nsw — Stop by Bartholomew’s for a drink. (Image: Destination NSW)

As the sun dips in the west, so the city of Newcastle’s nightlife springs to life. Maru Hi-Fi is the next-gen small bar that’s redefining a night out in Newy – the sleek space serves great cocktails and embraces Newcastle’s alt attitude. Next door, Jams Karaoke & Bar is also bringing the vibes.

If a small bar in a grand old building is more your style, check out Roxanne , Bar Mellow and Bartholomew’s .

Start planning your Newcastle culinary coastal getaway this summer at visitnewcastle.com.au.

The best beaches and swimming spots in Wollongong and the Illawarra