Austinmer is a northern suburb of Wollongong sitting in the northern Illawara region on the south coast of New South Wales, Australia. The region is south of Stanwell Park and immediately north of Thirroul. Austinmer Beach is one of Wollongong’s most popular beaches and has been a much visited holiday destination since the 1900’s. Austinmer Beach is right next to Lawrence Hargreaves Drive with shops on the western side and a large car park and leisure park between the beach and the Drive and is well geared to cater to crowds. As Austinmer accommodation is varied, properties similar to Emerald + Aqua Holiday Homes provide for great options that are complete with modern amenities and facilities, where Beach House On The Headland would be a convenient accommodation option for travellers to Austinmer Beach.
The beach is relatively small, being just 250 meters long and is wedged between two low headlands which have extensive rock platforms. The waves maintain an average of 1.4 meters in height and maintain two strong rips against the rocks at each end. Usually an attached bar is at the center of the surf but higher waves can cut a rip through this bar creating a trough along the base of the sloping rock face. Swimmers are advised two stay between the two flags. For surfers, a right break runs off the southern rock into the rip with the central break dependent on bar conditions. The southern rock platform has two rock pools and the southern end of the beach houses the Surf club and other facilities. Norfolk Island Pines back the length of Austinmer Beach.
Fishing is also a popular pastime at Austinmer Beach. Austinmer Beach is patrolled while two small, unpatrolled beaches directly north of Austinmer Beach are known as “Little Austinmer” by the local people. Austinmer Beach is not dog-friendly but Little Austinmer is off lead dog-friendly. Austinmer got its name officially in 1895 with the opening of the North Illawarra Coal Company’s mine and the name is linked to Henry Austin, a Director of the Company.
