Warm weather keeps beaches open for longer

January is heating up, with the weather this Friday and over the weekend leading into Australia Day forecast to be extremely hot across Wollongong.

Due to high temperatures, we’re extending our lifeguard patrolled beach hours for Friday, Saturday and Monday. We will also be supporting Surf Life Saving Illawarra on Sunday and Tuesday (Australia Day) with roving patrols to ensure that as many people as possible have the opportunity to cool off and swim safely.

Roving patrols will be encouraging visitors to swim only at our patrolled beaches and between the red and yellow flags.

In addition to the increased temperatures, challenging sea conditions are likely, with a predicted surge in swell over the coming days. Sea conditions can change rapidly, adding further emphasis for beachgoers to only swim between the flags.

Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM encouraged the community to enjoy the warmer weather, but to do so responsibly.

“Warm weather is one of the great aspects of our region. However, this Friday and weekend is going to be particularly warm and busy leading into Australia Day, which will require everyone to use their common sense when out and about.”

“If you are going to visit our beaches or pools, always follow the directions of our Lifeguards. Do the simple things right, swim between the flags and remember to keep a towel’s length away from others.”

Council is reminding the community to always follow the instructions given by Council Lifeguards and volunteer lifesavers. They are there to assist, but rely on the community to adhere to the advice they provide in order to help the public stay safe. Additional information on beach safety can be found on Wollongong City Council’s website.

“Wollongong has a wide range of superb beaches. We have seventeen patrolled beaches from Stanwell Park in the north to Windang in the south for people to spread out across,” said Cr Bradbery.

“Regardless of which beach you visit, for your own safety, if there are no flags that means no swim. If you do have questions when visiting any of our beaches, our lifeguards and lifesavers are always happy to give advice about beach conditions.”

If a pool swim is your preference, Wollongong City Council has a pool booking system for our patrolled freshwater and saltwater pools to manage crowd numbers and keep everyone COVID-safe.

The Book My Swim initiative is a free online booking system that allows residents and visitors to make a 1-2 hour pool booking. Visit Council’s website to make a pool booking and guarantee your swim. Visitors to our pools will also need to sign in via the Service NSW QR code or supply their details to staff before entry.

Beach locations and extended patrol hours

FRIDAY, SATURDAY & MONDAY

• Stanwell Park Beach - 9am to 7pm
  Lower Coast Rd, Stanwell Park
• Coalcliff Beach - 10am to 5pm (may extend 1 hour depending on conditions)
  Lawrence Hargrave Dr, Coalcliff
• Scarborough Beach - 10am to 5pm (may extend 1 hour depending on conditions)
  Monash St, Wombarra
• Coledale Beach - 9am to 7pm
  Lawrence Hargrave Dr, Coledale
• Austinmer Beach - 9am to 7pm
  Lawrence Hargrave Dr, Austinmer
• Thirroul Beach - 9am to 7pm
  The Esplanade, Thirroul
• Sandon Point Beach - 10am to 6pm
  Point St, Bulli
• Bulli Beach - 9am to 7pm
  Farrell Rd, Bulli
• Woonona Beach - 9am to 7pm
  Kurraba Rd, Woonona
• Bellambi Beach - 9am to 6pm (may extend 1 hour depending on conditions)
  Morgan Pl, Bellambi
• Corrimal Beach - 9am to 7pm
  Lake Pde, East Corrimal
• Towradgi Beach - 9am to 7pm
  Murranar Rd, Towradgi
• Fairy Meadow Beach - 9am to 7pm
  Elliots Rd, Fairy Meadow
• North Wollongong Beach - 8am to 7pm
  Cliff Rd, North Wollongong
• Wollongong City Beach - 9am to 7pm
  Marine Dr, Wollongong
• Port Kembla Beach - 9am to 7pm with
  Olympic Blvd, Port Kembla
• Windang Beach - 9am to 7pm
  Fern St, Windang