Austinmer Beach (NSW 362) is one of the more popular beaches north of Wollongong. Its popularity dates back to the 1900s when people came by train to stay at several guesthouses. Today Austinmer is well set up to cater to large summer crowds. It lies right next to Lawrence Hargraves Drive, with shops lining the western side and a large car park and park between the beach and the drive. Norfolk Island pines back the length of the beach with the Austinmer SLSC (founded 1909) and other amenities occupying the southern half of this small beach. The 250 m long beach is wedged between two low headlands and their extensive rock platforms (Fig. 4.284). It receives waves averaging 1.4 m, which maintain two strong permanent rips against the rocks at each end. Usually an attached bar occupies the centre of the surf, however high waves can also cut a rip through this bar and generate a trough along the base of sloping beach face. Two large rock pools are located on the southern rock platform. read more

Beach Length: 0.25km