Just five kilometres from Wollongong’s CBD is where you’ll find the family-favourite Towradgi Beach. Here’s what you need to know before you go, thanks to Towradgi Surf Life Saving Club President Paul Lumby.
Towradgi SLSC believes the suburb’s name is derived from the Dharawal word ‘Kow-radgi’, meaning ‘Guardian of the Sacred Stones’, which is thought to refer to the large black stones that surround Towradgi rock pool.
Popular with families, Towradgi Beach has everything needed for a full day out by the surf. With barbecues, a playground, a 50-metre saltwater rock pool and toddler pool, a beachside cafe and nearby watering holes to choose from, Towradgi Beach is popular year-round.
President of Towradgi SLSC, Paul Lumby, says Towradgi Beach has something for everyone, and is particularly popular with surfers.
“Surfers find Towradgi Beach as a good, safe spot,” Paul said.
“Normally, we get a sand bank just to the south of the rocks, and a lot of [surfers] go for the waves that come off that, and then they go down to the second bank, [and] that's why you always see surfers that are on two banks.
“Some of [the surfers], they'll go to the third bank, usually if it's crowded.
“We've had a fair bit of surf that's coming off the back of the rocks where the current's going through, and there's a bit of sandbar there almost behind the rocks where the surfers have been hanging lately, and they're making good use of that.”
The same rocks that supposedly gave Towradgi its name and created a popular break for surfers are also more exposed and are posing more of a hazard compared to previous summers, Paul said, as unusual surf patterns have changed the sand formation along the beachfront.
“We have seen a surf pattern that we haven't seen for about 20 years,” Paul said.
“Whether or not that comes from the east coast lows that we had last year, but our sand formation along the beachfront hasn't been the same for months and months, and what that's caused is rips that we don’t normally see on Towradgi.”
The changing locations of usual rip currents has created significant challenges for Towradgi lifeguards and volunteer lifesavers, requiring more rescues than usual, Paul said.
“We have a channel that's been running along the face and parallel to the shore all this year, particularly well-before Christmas… and it sort of hasn't gone away yet, and it's causing problems for the lifeguards and the lifesavers when we're doing patrol,” he said.
“This is the reason why the lifeguards, they'll move the flag sometimes 100 to 200 metres down the beach [and] that doesn't suit a lot of people, but sometimes that's the only option that you've got.
“On Towradgi, we were lucky to do one or two [rescues] last year because Towradgi is usually a very, very safe beach [as we've normally] got distinct patterns, sandbars, the rips, [and] the only time that really changes is when you get some really big seas.”
Rogue waves and rapidly changing tides are also a hazard that Towradgi lifeguards and lifesavers are grappling with so far this year.
“As you stand on the beach, you’ll look at a safe spot and it will change with a set of waves,” Paul said.
“One minute you've got a safe area and all of a sudden, next minute, you'll get what they call a rogue wave, [and] as waves come in sets… that's one particular thing that everyone should look at when going to the beach.
“When these waves come, they just lift you up [and] you can't touch the bottom, and with the large volume of water, it just takes you back outwards.
“People don't often look at the tide, when the tide's coming in or going out, but the tide changes is a significant thing for members of the public to take note of.”
With Wollongong City Council lifeguards on patrol weekdays and Saturdays from 10am to 5pm (with the beach sometimes dual-patrolled by lifeguards and lifesavers on Saturdays), and Towradgi SLSC volunteer lifesavers patrolling Sundays and public holidays, swimming between the flags during patrol hours is always the safest way to enjoy the water.
During the surf lifesaving season, Towradgi Surf Club holds their weekly Nippers program for children aged five to 13 on Sundays, and a Sunday Sippers social event on the last Sunday of each month (weather dependent). Run by volunteers, Sunday Sippers helps to raise money for Towradgi Surf Club and is open to members of the general public keen for a drink overlooking the coastline.
Towradgi Beach is also great for:
Dogs
Towradgi Beach is orange-zoned, meaning dogs can visit the beach on-lead during set hours that vary over the surf lifesaving season and colder months. For more information, visit Council’s website.
Picnics
You can't look past Towradgi Beach for a picnic. It also has the beachside cafe Towradgi Beach Eatery located at the surf club, a playground, park and barbecues next to the beach. Plus, the club is open for drinks once a month for Sunday Sippers.