Illuka Beach (NSW 40) is a straight 2.5 km long beach located between Iluka Bluff and the northern Clarence River entrance wall. The wall was initially constructed in 1901 and extended in 1965. Access is provided from the northern Iluka Bluff car park and the southern car park that runs out from Iluka township to the beach and entrance wall. This is a moderately hazardous beach and fortunately not as popular as some of its northern neighbours, except with surfers who enjoy the break along the entrance wall. The beach is well exposed to the southeast waves, which generate a double bar system. The usually attached inner bar is cut by two permanent rips against the bluff and the wall, while up to ten rips form along the beach (Fig. 4.28). A deep trough and rip dominated offshore bar lie further seaward. The Iluka Nature Reserve backs the northern half of the beach. Just inside the northern Clarence River training wall is a 200 m long pocket of sand (NSW 40S), bordered at its western end by the tip of Moriarty’s Wall, a rocky training wall. This is a relatively low wave reflective beach, usually containing a steep cusped beach face. However it does face into the deep water and strong tidal currents of the river mouth, so be careful if swimming off the beach. read more

Beach Length: 2.6km