About Wollongong Surf Travel
Wollongong is one of the those quintessential Aussie surf towns where life is centered around what’s happening at the beach. Situated about an hour’s drive south of Sydney in New South Wales, it’s holding some quality surf when the conditions align. And if the surf’s not firing there’s a lot of other stuff to do in the area. To the north of Wollongong is the Royal National Park to the north, while Lake Illawarra sits to the south of town. With a population of 200,000-plus people, Wollongong is the ninth biggest city in Australia, meaning you probably won’t be getting any nearby lineups to yourself, but you’ll also have access to all the shops, pubs and amenities in the surrounding area, which is great if you’re traveling with a large group that may have competing interests.
Sandon Point:
You want a perfect right point, one that barrels and walls and winds down the line and just doesn’t stop? This is your spot. Sandon is one of the best right-hand points in NSW, a long powerful wave that works well at three feet, is even better at six feet, and is down-right superb at 10 feet and more! Some may recall Occy’s superb display at Sandon point several years ago in the Superskins tournament. He surfed right through the day, undefeated, in classic Sandon point conditions.
Sandon looks incredibly inviting from land, and it is, but make sure you don’t overstay your welcome, because the power of Sandon is well known for snapping boards and long hold-downs (even drownings). The wave breaks over a nasty uneven, weed covered reef. Show respect to the wave, and to the locals, who have a fierce reputation.
Another benefit of the wave is that it can handle a southerly wind. When the swell gets some east in it, it will peel all the way through to the beach, jacking, ledging and throwing out as it goes. And all this for a distance of up to 400 metres – outrageous!
Windang Island:
You’ll find Windang Island guarding the entrance to Lake Illawarra, just south of Port Kembla. A sensational left-hander wraps round the point of this tombolo (a tombolo is an island connected to land for those who didn’t pass high school geography) and serves as one of the South Coast’s premier big-wave locations.
The wave itself jacks quickly on the take-off, real close to a nasty ledge – no room for mistakes, and not designed for the light-hearted. You won’t be surprised when you hear that Mick Lowe cut his teeth on the big swells that regularly pump into this coastline. Survive the drop, and you’re in for a treat as the wave wraps, bends and peels down the line, all the way to Warilla beach on a good day.
Windang can handle serious swell, locals calling the biggest days they’ve seen 15 feet and then some on the bombs. And that’s not a tame 15 feet, we’re talking power and size to intimidate those not skilled and committed enough to launch over the ledge.
Not too sure? Check out Sharkies on the northern side of the tombolo (remember?). It offers lefts and rights and provides variety in conditions that aren’t as favorable to Windang.
Surf Hazards
Currents and rips formed by big swells and tide swings is the primary concern around Wollongong. In the summer, crowds and surf schools can also make for some congestion in the lineup. Be careful not to run anyone over.
Surf Pollution
The waters around Wollongong are relatively clean. They’re monitored and tested regularly and warnings are posted should bacteria counts climb above safe levels. Like so many spots around the world, avoiding creeks, river mouths and other outflow points for 72 hours after periods of heavy rain is advisable.
Best Surf Seasons In Wollongong
1) Winter
(June-August) winter is the most dependable time of year for surfing around Wollongong on the New South Wales coast as low pressure systems in the Tasman Sea can generate solid swells. The winds this time of year are also favorable, blowing offshore from the southwest.
2) Spring
(September-November) Wollongong in the springtime can be challenging. Erratic winds and limited groundswell make it hard to really score epic surf around Wollongong in the spring.
3) Summer
(December-February) a slow time of year for groundswells, as the Tasman Sea goes to sleep for the summer so does the prospect of scoring epic surf. That doesn’t mean wind swell and random storm patterns can’t occasionally turn the area on, but it’s considerably less dependable.
4) Fall
(March-May) fall around Wollongong means the potential for some early winter groundswell. After a summer of inconsistent, wind waves, autumn bring hope for bigger, more powerful surf and more favorable wind conditions.
Directions to the Wollongong
If you’re driving down from Sydney and want to enjoy some classic Aussie scenery, take the Grand Pacific Drive and experience coastal rainforests and the expansive Sea Cliff Bridge. If you just want to get there, jump on the M1 Motorway from Sydney and you’ll be there in 80 minutes.