With a pool, pavilion and plenty of history, Woonona Beach is a popular spot. Here’s what you need to know before you go, thanks to Woonona Surf Life Saving Club president Kevin Crick.
South of Woonona’s 50m rockpool, complete with an historic pavilion, diving blocks and a viewing platform, is Woonona Beach. Extending to Bellambi Beach to the south and with views of Bulli Beach to the north, Woonona Beach is a long stretch of sand that attracts visitors and locals.
Woonona SLSC president Kevin Crick’s key message is that, despite numerous places to swim on the beach, the safest place to enjoy the water is always between the flags.
“Woonona Beach is always a safe beach for the bathing public,” Kevin said, with council lifeguards on patrol weekdays and Saturdays and Woonona SLSC lifesavers patrolling Sundays and public holidays from 9am to 6pm during the swim season.
“It has a permanent rip running either side of the rock platform on the northern corner.
“The rock platform is good for fishing – weather permitting.
“The only drawback is the lack of public change rooms and toilet facilities for the public.”
While the beach doesn't have these facilities, Woonona rockpool and pavilion does have toilets, changerooms and showers open to the general public.
Built in 1928 by volunteers and originally longer than the Olympic-size 50m swimming pool it is today, Woonona rockpool is the perfect spot for a swim, with the tide rarely affecting the water's depth and quality. The rockpool is more than 1.5 metres deep at its shallow end and becomes deeper as you head further in. It is unpatrolled so children must be monitored at all times.
Woonona SLSC was formed in 1913, disbanded during World War I, and re-formed in early 1920. In more than 100 years of serving the community, Woonona SLSC has never lost a life while patrolling the beach, and that statistic makes club members proud.
During the surf lifesaving season, Woonona SLSC holds fortnightly Sunday Nippers for children aged five to 13 years, with a much-anticipated and well-earned barbecue to follow.
Woonona Beach is also good for:
Dogs
Woonona 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.
Fishing
Woonona SLSC president Kevin Crick says Woonona Beach and its rock platforms provide a great spot for fishing in appropriate weather conditions. The rock platforms are wide and offer easy access, with the best gutter found at the northern platform.
Surfing
With an exposed beach break receiving a mix of ground swells and wind swells, Woonona Beach can offer both lefts and rights and is popular location for surfers – particularly during the summer months when wind conditions are favourable.
