Austinmer Beach
About the Beach
Austinmer's a compact 250-metre beach wedged between two headlands with golden sands and rock formations at each end. The real highlight is the twin ocean pools on the southern headland. You'll find them popular year-round, calmer than the main beach, and teeming with marine life at low tide, where locals spot octopuses in the rocks.
The main beach has strong, permanent rips at both ends, so always swim between the flags when lifeguards patrol (September to April). Don't let that scare you. The rock pools are brilliant for families and less confident swimmers. Just wear sturdy shoes, the stairs are mossy and slippery after rain.
Head straight across the road and you've got cafes, shops, and the beachfront hotel. You're 20-25 minutes north of Wollongong, roughly an hour from Sydney. Summer weekends get packed, so get there early or come on a weekday. Surfers dig the beginner-friendly beach break, best in east swell and low tide.
Conditions at 7:32 pm
Glassy conditions with barely a breath of north-easterly wind around 3km/h with a large 1.7m swell from the east. A cool 19°C in the air with cool 20°C in the water, and a rising tide. Cloudy skies with a minimal UV index of 0.
Includes weather data from Google
Getting There
Austinmer, 2515, NSW
You're 20-25 minutes north of Wollongong, roughly an hour from Sydney by car or train. There's plenty of parking, though summer weekends get busy, so arrive early. Cafes and shops are right across the road.
Parking available nearby