Beach Number:

nsw348

Includes Beaches:

Burning Palms

State/Region:

NSW - Lilyvale

Post Code:

2508

General Beach Hazard Rating:

7/10 (Highly hazardous)

Beach

One kilometre south of Era is an open, 500 m wide steep sided valley drained by four small creeks. Running along the base of the slopes is Burning Palms Beach (NSW 348), a relative straight southeast-facing sand beach, with a backing boulder beach towards the southern end and some rocks in the surf. It receives waves averaging 1.5 m, which maintain three rips, two against the northern headland and southern rocks, and a shifting, but strong central rip (Fig. 4.274). The bars between the rips are often separated from the beach by a continuous trough. During big seas waves strip most of the sand off the beach leaving bare rock. The beach is patrolled by the Burning Palms SLSC (founded in 1939). It is only accessible on foot from the 200 m high Garawarra car park, 1 km to the west. About 20 shacks occupy the northern slope and bush camping is permitted.

Swimming

Burning Palms is a potentially hazardous beach. If unpatrolled be very careful and stay on or behind the bars and away from the rips.

Surfing

This is a relatively popular surfing beach. The wide bars, rips and persistent waves can combine to produce good beach breaks.

Fishing

Good gutters against the rocks at each end as well as along the beach.