7 Fantastic South Coast Beaches in NSW Australia

You don’t have to travel far from Sydney to find some of Australia’s most beautiful beaches. Head south, and you’ll discover gorgeous stretches of sand, rugged coastline, and seaside towns that are well worth a stop.

And then there are the kangaroos. Where else might you spot one lounging near the beach?

Some of these spots are popular with surfers, while others are perfect for a lazy afternoon by the water. Here are seven of the best beaches along the NSW South Coast, plus a few places worth exploring along the way.

Best beaches along the NSW South Coast

The South Coast of New South Wales (NSW) has some gorgeous beaches, but they’re not all alike. Some are great for surfing, others are ideal for a lazy afternoon, and there’s one where you might even share the sand with a kangaroo.

The beaches are spread along the coast, so a car makes it easier to visit several of them. You can rent a car in Sydney and make a road trip of it, with plenty of stops along the way.

Here’s my list of the seven best South Coast beaches in NSW worth checking out.

1. Killalea Beach

Killalea beach is the perfect spot for a weekend getaway. Coined by locals as ‘The Farm’, this beach is popular with surfers and swimmers alike. The clean picnic areas, barbeques, and camping areas offer a nice spot to unwind, and relax. There is also a bunkhouse within the campgrounds which offers backpacker-style accommodation for the less prepared traveller.

With other beaches like Minnamurra close by, you’ll have multiple choices on where to swim and stay. Pop into the Park Kiosk on the way for a snack between beaches.

2. Minnamurra Beach

Minnamurra Beach stuns all. Rocky headlands, volcanic islands, and blue water. This beach is a hit with locals, also known as ‘The Mystics’, Minnamurra boasts some of the best surfing on the South Coast.

Grab your favourite book, sit on the grassy headland and watch the tide pull into shore. Like many small beaches on the coast Minnamurra isn’t patrolled so take care swimming, and make sure to listen to locals and surfers, as they know the waters well.

3. Tathra Beach

This beach offers something for everyone. Surrounded by both the Bournda National Park and the Mimosa Rocks National Park, Tathra is the perfect place to explore.

Take any one of the scenic bush walks and spot an abundance of flora and fauna. If you are lucky you might spot a Little Tern, one of the parks endangered seabirds. The northern end of the beach offers a sheltered swim area, but if you don’t feel like swimming, hire a boat and go fishing.

Tathra has a local vibe, beautiful scenery and epic wildlife, and is thus never short of amazing.

4. Kiama

If you still haven’t got enough of the NSW South Coast, check out Kiama. With jaw dropping cliffs, rock formations and blowholes, you will definitely get your coastal fix. Take the 22-km coastal walk along the headlands to find smaller beaches to snorkel.

Highlights of the walk—if you finish it—are the Werri Lagoon and Kiama Lighthouse. Established in the late 1800’s, the Lighthouse holds an interesting history, including being damaged by vandals. Make sure to drop inside, as it now houses a quaint museum.

Kiama is a nice spot to break up your trip. With lots of cafes and shops, it offers a little luxury after beach campy and sandy tents. We recommend dropping into The Hungry Monkey; the Belgian waffles may not be life-changing, but they sure do hit the spot.

One thing I should mention is that because the surrounds of Kiama are so beautiful, this town can be overrun by tourists during the holidays. Make sure to account for this before your travels.

ⓘ TIP: For a good day trip from Sydney, this organized excursion includes a guided tour of the park, BBQ meal, a stop at the Kiama Blowhole, and a visit to a remote sandy beach to view aboriginal engravings.

5. Seven Mile Beach

Tucked between Kiama and Nowra, Seven Mile Beach National Park is a great place for a family day out. With so many outdoor activities, from fishing and swimming to walking and picnicking, this small coastal park is packed with enough to keep everyone happy.

Beach Road picnic area is an ideal spot for a family barbecue and a game of beach cricket. But there are plenty of more secluded spots for a lazy afternoon with someone special.

Seven Mile Beach has a Sand Track that showcases the coast’s unique coastal environment. Walk through the forest, then kick off your shoes and let the waves caress your toes as you stroll back along the beach.

6. Pebbly Beach

Pebbly Beach on the South Coast is one of the few beaches in the country where travelers will have competition in the waves with none other than Australia’s most adorable native wildlife, the wallaby.

Located in the Murramarang National Park, Pebbly is a great place to spend the night. With an abundance of camping and furry animals bouncing around, you won’t ever want to leave. Close by is the equally stunning Depot Beach: Grab your hat and take the bushwalk to the surrounding areas. You will not be disappointed.

ⓘ TIP: It takes nearly 2 hours to drive from Seven Mile Beach to Pebbly Beach. In case you want a break, we’ve been told that Ulladulla makes for a nice stop.

7. Bittangabee Bay

This beach is unforgettable because it is quite literally a slice of paradise: crystal clear waters, soft yellow sand, swimming, snorkeling and fishing. Make sure to take your binoculars as whales can be spotted from the bay during the annual migration season.

Located in Beowa National Park (formerly Ben Boyd National Park), Bittangabee Bay offers beautiful, nearly untouched coastal scenery without being difficult to reach. Elsewhere in the park, you can take the short Boyds Tower walking track to historic Boyds Tower and enjoy splendid views of Twofold Bay and the Pacific Ocean.

If you have more energy and time, you can also take the more challenging Light to Light walk, a three-day trek through beautiful parklands. We didn’t take this walk due to time constraints, but adventurers coming back raved about its views, animal sightings and coastal heritage spots.

Things to do beyond the beaches in NSW

There’s more to the NSW South Coast than beautiful beaches, although you could easily spend your entire trip on the sand. Swimming, surfing, and fishing are popular throughout the region, and it’s a perfect place to try something new. If you’ve never camped near the beach, you could cross that experience off your bucket list here, too.

Beyond the sand, the landscape offers a striking contrast to Australia’s North Coast. Spend a lazy afternoon by the water, or explore one of the national parks for a bushwalk through coastal forests and rugged scenery.

To see more of the region, consider a road trip along the South Coast. The spectacular 140-kilometer Grand Pacific Drive starts in Royal National Park and passes through Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama, and the Shoalhaven. Its most famous landmark is the Sea Cliff Bridge, which curves above the ocean with sweeping views of the coastline.

Wollongong deserves more than a quick stop, with its rock pools, scenic lookouts, beaches, and lively waterfront. These 20 things to do in Wollongong might even persuade you to spend the night.

For more ideas beyond these coastal highlights, Lonely Planet’s East Coast Australia guide covers the NSW South Coast, with suggested itineraries, maps, and local tips to help you discover other worthwhile stops along the way.

Our favorite South Coast beaches

Minnamurra Beach was ultimately our favorite destination, with epic rock formations that made this place feel truly mystical. Kiama offered a challenging yet equally as beautiful walk, finishing with the best meal of the trip. Pebbly Beach was the most comical, with Kangaroos hopping around, Pebbly made for a good laugh and a great start to our trip.

The South Coast is an amazingly unspoiled destination, I cannot recommend visiting this stretch of land enough!

Planning resources

Here are some useful links to help you plan your own trip.

AUSTRALIA TRAVEL PLANNING ESSENTIALS

✔ Tourism authority: Australia’s tourism website has plenty of useful trip-planning resources. ✔ Travel Guide: This Australia travel guide can help you plan your itinerary and discover places worth visiting. ✔ Flights: Sydney (SYD) is Australia’s busiest international airport. Check flight prices. ✔ Accommodation: Compare hotels & vacation rentals across Australia to find a place that suits your budget and travel style. ✔ Visas: Check Australia’s visa requirements and apply here if you need a visa ✔ Travel insurance: Policies can help cover medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and lost or delayed luggage. Learn more. ✔ Airport transfer: Taxis, rideshares, and airport shuttles are available at major Australian airports. You can also book an airport shuttle in advance. ✔ Getting around: A rental car gives you freedom to explore. Or use Omio to compare available train, bus, and flight routes. ✔ Tickets & organized tours: Find sightseeing trips, attractions, and local activities on GetYourGuide and Viator. ✔ International eSIM: Yesim offers mobile data plans for Australia, without the need for a physical SIM card. ✔ Currency: This free app calculates exact currency exchange values.