1  Thirroul Beach

Only an hour from Sydney and at the northern hub of the Illawarra, Thirroul Beach is a great place to learn to surf, especially in small conditions and on a low to mid tide. Patrolled between September and April and with cafes a plenty, it’s the perfect place to set-up and surf all day. It is also the ideal place to book the kids into a surf lesson, while you sit at the Thirroul Beach Pavilion, enjoy a coffee and watch the kids surf.

2  The Farm, Shellharbour

With long rolling waves and protection from the summer north-easterly wind, The Farm is an amazing location to begin your surfing experience. Although the southern corner of The Farm can get very busy, there is plenty of space to escape the crowd and catch a bunch of your own waves.

3  Gerroa Beach

Gerroa or Seven Mile Beach is the home of pro surfer Sally Fitzgibbons. The northern end of Gerroa Beach is protected from the summer north-easterly winds, which makes it the perfect place to enjoy the sun. The sandbanks are consistently shallow and gradual, which makes it one of the best locations to get a long rolling whitewash wave, ideal for beginners.

4  Narrawallee Beach, Ulladulla

Moving further south, Narrawallee Beach in Ulladulla offers protection from both the summer north-easterly winds, as well as the southerly busters. It has the amazing South Coast feel, and you’ll always find a user-friendly sandbank and some protection from the wind at Narrawallee. Don’t forget to stop at the Famous Hayden’s Pies and or Pilgrims Cafe when visiting Ulladulla!

5  Merry Beach, Kiola

Once down at Merry Beach, you’ll never regret your decision to escape to the South Coast. When you’re in the surf and you look around and see the trees and nature, it’s mesmerising. When you get up for the early surf, you’re guaranteed to be met by the local kangaroos grazing on grass. The beach itself is only small in width, however, it offers fantastic rolling waves on shallow sandbanks ideal for kids and beginners.

About the author

Nic Squiers is a two-time Australian Champion, WSL QS Surfer. In his career as a professional surfer he has won multiple WSL QS events, represented Australia twice at the ISA World Games while also establishing Illawarra Surf Academy as one of the region’s most trusted and reputable learn to surf and surf coaching businesses. Nic is passionate about introducing kids and adults to surfing, inspiring and coaching the next generation and promoting an active and healthy lifestyle.

For more information and to book surf lessons, call 0409 111 665, visit illawarrasurfacademy.com.au

This feature is an extract from our South Coaster book. The ultimate guide to the bush, the beach and the villages in between, it’s action-packed with local knowledge and all proceeds go towards keeping local news alive in the Illawarra! $19.99 at Collins Booksellers, Thirroul & Austinmer Newsagencies or www.southcoaster.com.au