Thirroul Beach (NSW 363) became a popular beach at the turn of the 20th century. Alarmed at the increasing number of rescues being performed, the locals formed one of the first surf clubs outside of Sydney in 1908. The next year the first surf carnival on the south coast attracted 2000 people. Today Thirroul can cater to large crowds. The entire beach is backed by a wide, grassed reserve offering parking, parks, playgrounds and picnic areas. A large park also surrounds the now drained lagoon behind the northern end of the beach. The Thirroul SLSC occupies the centre, with dressing sheds and a full size Olympic pool and wading pool next door. The beach is 1 km long and faces the east-southeast. In the north low headlands fronted by wide rock platforms separate it from Austinmer, while in the south a pipeline and a few rocks at the base of low bluffs divide it from South Thirroul. Waves average 1-1.5 m usually maintaining a single bar cut by six rips, including permanent rips against the boundary rocks (Fig. 4.285 & 4.286). The bar detaches during and following high waves to form a continuous trough whose currents feed the rips. read more

Beach Length: 1km