Austinmer Beach is a compact Illawarra surf beach with two rock pools and a children’s playground. It is a short walk from the train station, but swimmers must stay between the flags.
How to get to Austinmer Beach from Austinmer Station
Austinmer Beach, NSW, is one of the most popular beaches in Wollongong. This is partly because it’s a relatively short walk away from a mainline train station.
From Austinmer Station, the beach is only around 550 metres away.
Driving to Austinmer Beach on the Illawarra coast
It’s also next to Lawrence Hargrave Drive. You can stop by on the drive along the Illawarra coast from Sydney.
Other stops on the way include Stanwell Park Beach, the Sea Cliff Bridge lookout and the Scarborough Hotel.
Surfing at Austinmer Beach
Austinmer Beach is a small beach, about 250 metres long, but a surprisingly fierce one. For surfers, there’s a good right-hand break off the rocks at the southern end.
Is it safe to swim at Austinmer Beach?
Swimmers, however, need to be very wary of the rips. The beach is patrolled by surf lifesavers from 9am to 6pm daily in peak season, with reduced hours at other times.
They get plenty of work from swimmers who have misjudged the rips and found themselves in trouble. The advice of staying between the red and yellow flags applies to all Australian beaches, but it is particularly the case at Austinmer.
Austinmer Beach rock pools
What Austinmer Beach does offer, however, is an alternative swimming option. There are two ocean pools dug out of the rock at the southern end of the beach.
The Austinmer Beach rock pools offer spectacular views and calm waters.
Austinmer Beach car park, cafés and facilities
The beach has a large car park, and there are plenty of shops along Lawrence Hargrave Drive. The Austi Beach Café is good for drinks, snacks and light meals, while Shells Diner does fish and chips.
The Surf Club is at the southern end of the beach, next to the public toilets and shower facilities.
Knox Park playground near Austinmer Beach
If you’ve got kids in tow, the Knox Park Playground behind the middle of the beach might be more of interest.
Austinmer Beach: key visitor information
Always check the Council website for current hours before you swim.
| Question | Information |
|---|---|
| What are the Austinmer Beach lifeguard patrol hours? | Council lifeguards patrol Monday to Saturday. Austinmer Surf Life Saving Club volunteers patrol on Sundays and public holidays. In the 2025/26 peak season (22 December to 30 January), patrols ran from 9am to 6pm daily. Shoulder-season patrols ran from 9am to 5pm. Hours change through the swim season. |
| How much does it cost to visit Austinmer Beach? | There’s no admission fee for either the beach or the pools. |
| Is there parking at Austinmer Beach? | Yes. The beach car park is on Lawrence Hargrave Drive. Parking is free, but a four-hour limit applies. Check the signs, as Council enforces the limit. |
| Is the Austinmer Beach car park busy? | Yes. Parking around the beach fills up quickly in summer. |
| Is there accessible parking at Austinmer Beach? | Yes. The car park has two accessible bays, with access from Lawrence Hargrave Drive. |
| How far is Austinmer Station from the beach? | Council gives about 600 metres, or an eight-minute walk. A bus stop is also on Lawrence Hargrave Drive. |
| How long is Austinmer Beach? | About 250 metres. BeachSafe gives the beach a general hazard rating of 7 out of 10. |
| Can I swim in the Austinmer Beach rock pools at any time? | Not always. The two pools are tidal, and Council notes they may be difficult to use at high tide. No lifeguard service covers Wollongong’s rock pools. |
| What toilet and shower facilities are at Austinmer Beach? | The Austinmer Beach Pavilion at the southern end has accessible facilities, open 24 hours. They include a shower, a toilet, an adult change table and a hoist. The hoist needs an MLAK key. |
| Is Austinmer Beach wheelchair accessible? | Yes. Free beach wheelchairs can be booked for use during patrol hours. Beach matting runs from the concourse to the waterline during patrol hours. Matting may be unavailable in extreme weather. |
| Are there picnic facilities at Austinmer Beach? | Yes. There are picnic tables and bench seats shaded by trees, plus a children’s playground. |
Things to do near Austinmer Beach
Stanwell Park Beach – North along Lawrence Hargrave Drive, this Council-patrolled beach has accessible parking and a large grassed park with picnic and shade facilities.
Sea Cliff Bridge – Opened in December 2005, this road bridge links Coalcliff and Clifton and has a pedestrian walkway beside the traffic lanes.
Scarborough Hotel – This clifftop pub dates from 1886 and is known for a beer garden with uninterrupted ocean views.
Bald Hill Lookout, Stanwell Tops – This lookout offers wide views of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea Cliff Bridge, and hang-gliders launch from its edge.
Thirroul Beach – South along Lawrence Hargrave Drive, this Council-patrolled beach offers free beach wheelchairs during patrol hours.
More New South Wales travel
Other New South Wales travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- How to visit Fitzroy Falls in the Southern Highlands.
- Explore the history of cricket at the Bradman Museum in Bowral.
- Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk: How to get there, how much it costs and how to book.
- First time visitors’ guide to Symbio Wildlife Park near Wollongong.
- Why Bushrangers Bay in Shellharbour is great for snorkelling.
