THIRROUL BEACH
Thirroul Beach became a popular beach at the turn of the 20th century. Alarmed at the increasing number of rescues being performed, the locals formed one of the first surf clubs outside of Sydney in 1908. The next year the first surf carnival on the south coast attracted 2000 people. Today Thirroul can cater to large crowds. The entire beach is backed by a wide, grassed reserve offering parking, parks, playgrounds and picnic areas. A large park also surrounds the now drained lagoon behind the northern end of the beach. The Thirroul SLSC occupies the centre, with dressing sheds and a full size Olympic pool and wading pool next door. The beach is 1 km long and faces the east-southeast. In the north low headlands fronted by wide rock platforms separate it from Austinmer, while in the south a pipeline and a few rocks at the base of low bluffs divide it from South Thirroul. Waves average 1-1.5 m usually maintaining a single bar cut by six rips, including permanent rips against the boundary rocks (Fig. 4.285 & 4.286). The bar detaches during and following high waves to form a continuous trough whose currents feed the rips.

SWIMMING
Thirroul is a popular but potentially hazardous beach owing to the prevalence of rips. Stay on the bars, between the flags and to the centre of the beach and if you are at all unsure then use the pools. The south beach is unpatrolled, less popular and also rip-dominated so use care.

SURFING
Both beaches have beach breaks with the quality depending on bar and wave conditions. The southern Sandon Point one of the best rights on the coast holding to 4 m.

FISHING
The wide rock platforms between Austinmer and Thirroul and in the south offer good gutters and deep water. Shifting gutters also occur along the beach and against the southern rocks.

PARKING
Type: Formal parking area
Surface: Sealed
Spaces: 50
 
Information supplied by:
 
SLSA provides this information as a guide only. Surf conditions are variable and therefore this information should not be relied upon as a substitute for observation of local conditions and an understanding of your abilities in the surf. SLSA reminds you to always swim between the red and yellow flags and never swim at unpatrolled beaches. SLSA takes all care and responsibility for any translation but it cannot guarantee that all translations will be accurate.