Thirroul Beach sits within a pleasure playground for young and old. With shops, cafes, boutiques on one side, a kids playground and Art Deco Ocean pool in the middle the long expanse of beach tops of what is a heavenly holiday spot.
I have collected my most frequently asked questions about Thirroul Beach and answered them below;
1. How do I get to Thirroul Beach?
Best to take the M1 and then turn off at Bulli Pass, after it winds down just turn left and head into Thirroul on Lawrence Hargrave Drive. Turn right onto the McCauley Street and then left into Bath Street. Follow this all the way down and you will see the kids park – the beach is just behind it.
By Car to Thirroul Beach Sydney to Thirroul is 1 hour and 43 minutes Parramatta to Thirroul is 1 hour and 21 minutes Campbelltown to Thirroul is 39 minutes North Sydney to Thirroul is 1 hours and 49 minutes
2. Is there parking and how much does it cost?
There is a small car park behind the kids playground, otherwise the parking is entirely street parking which is un-timed. There is also a larger car park to the right hand side of the playground. It can get very busy on the weekends so be patient. None of the car parks have fees.
3. Is Thirroul Beach patrolled?
Thirroul beach is patrolled daily from 9am – 6pm during the peak times (November-March). In the shoulder periods (late September-November & March-late April) the beach is patrolled from 9am-5pm. There are no life guards from late April through the winter to late September.
4. Are there public toilets, showers and a bubbler at Thirroul Beach?
The original pool Art Deco bathrooms and showers have been restored and offer toilets, showers and a change room. There is a bubbler in the kids playground.
5. Is there shade or under cover picnic tables at Thirroul Beach?
The park is surround by beautiful Norfolk pine trees and offers lots of grass and some shaded tables in front of the pool. But your best bet is to bring a picnic blanket and take advantage of the park and spots under the trees.
6. Is Thirroul Beach good for surfing?
Thirroul is a popular surfers beach – best to check out Surf-forcast.com for accurate and up to date information.
7. Is there an ocean pool at Thirroul Beach?
There is an ocean fed pool at Thirroul that is free and open to the public. It has marked lanes, life guards, showers and change rooms. The pool gets cleaned very regularly but be warned the water can a bit nippy as a result. There is also an undercover toddler pool.
8. Is Thirroul Beach a good place for kids?
Thirroul Beach offers a safe and undercover toddlers pool, a fantastic playground, showers, change rooms, bubblers and lots of shade and space to play in the park and a expanse of beach to build sand castles and dip their toes in the waves. It is a fantastic beach for kids that also caters well for their parents with shops, coffee and great food nearby.
9. Is there good coffee nearby?
You can grab a coffee without having to get into the car at the Thirroul Beach Pavilion which is off the beach. If you feel like wandering a bit further then Finbox, Honest Dons and Buck Hamlin offer great coffee.
10. Is Thirroul Beach dog friendly?
Thirroul Beach has timed access Via Jones St, Henley Road , Mary Street and Cliff Parade. However further south McCauley’s Beach offers Off-leash access via Corbett Avenue.
11. Are there public BBQ’s at Thirroul Beach?
There are public BBQ’s in the park off Thirroul Beach. These can get very busy in Summertime but are generally clean and in good working order.
12. Can you recommend a place for lunch nearby?
You can’t beat the Thirroul Beach Pavilion for convenience and the fish and chips are fantastic. Or Bergies Fish Shop is a few minutes away and boasts having the best fish and chips in town. Walk down Bath Street and you will see Honest Don’s if you are after something a little less deep fried or go to Saffron’s Milk Bar for a decently priced sandwich and a milkshake.
13. Does Thirroul host any events?
Thirroul’s main streets, beach and parks host the annual Thirroul Seaside Arts Festival every year in March or April. It is a community event that is run by the Lions Club and features art, music, market stalls and lots of food.
Thirroul beach and village are one of the most vibrant on the South Coast and offer so much more than just sand and surf so be sure to pack a picnic, bring some ball games, have an appetite and be prepared for a whole day or weekends worth of fun.
Thirroul is where the taste makers, hipsters, artisans and cool folk of the coast gather. The escarpment makes its presence felt on one side and Thirroul beach provides a lovely breeze on the other. The main vein of Thirroul is a strip along Lawrence Hargrave Drive. It starts at George Street and goes all the way up to Bergie’s Fish Shop. The buzz of Thirroul was what attracted us to move here from Sydney. It offered a little urban vibe with a peaceful beach and a friendly feel.
Thirroul Accommodation: Where to Stay
There are three main options in terms of Thirroul accommodation;
Thirroul Beach Motel: Is famously where artist Brett Whitley met his demise. The traditional old red brick roadside motel on the outside, inside the rooms have been renovated and are comfortable.
Ryan’s Pub: Offers affordable, simple rooms above the pub that will put you in the centre of town. You will be within walking distance of everything you need.
Thirroul Holiday Homes: you can of course check out Emerald + Aqua, Airbnb or Stayz which have a great range of holiday homes. The bonus of holiday homes that are private and offer the chance to experience life like a local.
Thirroul Accommodation: What to Bring
Coastal Cool: Thirroul has a certain distinctive style and you will want to dress your best. The locals boast an effortless coastal cool style.
Sunglasses and sunblock: Always a must as you are likely to spend the whole day out and about in the sun.
Large brimmed hat: Don’t end the day with a red face and painful sunburn.
Water bottle: Reduce plastic and be prepared for where ever the day takes you.
Beach Towels: You often can’t take towels from hotels or holiday homes to the beach so it’s best to bring your own.
Camera: I know every ones uses their phones now. But the beach and coastline are breathtaking so take some shots you might actually want to frame. Otherwise Instagram the hell out of everything.
Comfortable shoes: Include a cool pair of sandals for wandering around, thongs for the beach, hiking boots and runners. A thigh busting run along the coast will earn you all the cake you want to eat.
Swimsuits galore: more than one pair so you can shake it up a bit and let them dry out between swims.
Beach toys: Thirroul beach has a wide expanse of sand for the kids to build a whole fort if they want to.
Books: There isn’t a book shop in sight until you hit Wollongong so bring your own. There is a newsagent in Thirroul that has a great selection of magazines.
Thirroul Accommodation: Getting Around
By car from Sydney CBD it will take you about 1 hour and 20 minutes. From Parramatta about 1 hour and 18 minutes. On the train from Sydney Central you are looking about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Thirroul train station is in the centre of town and once you are here walking is the best way to get around. On weekends the one road leading in and out of Thirroul – Lawrence Hargrave Drive gets packed and parking can be an issue. You can’t hire bikes in Thirroul but you can contact South Coast Bike Hire and rent some for the day. They will bring the bikes to you (if you hire two bikes the cost is about $45.00 each). But realistically if you are getting out of Sydney then the traffic and parking is probably a dream in comparison.
Thirroul Accommodation: Where to Eat
Coffee: For the caffeine fiends Thirroul offers no end of opportunities to tank up and taste coffee from every corner of the globe and made in every new fashion. The team at E+A rate Finbox, Honest Dons, Buck Hamblin and Bread and Espresso and the best in town.
Breakfast: For pure indulgence on holidays nothing beats a warm almond croissant from Bread and Espresso with a long black. Get in early though they sell out quickly.
If healthy and hearty are more your speed then smashed avocado, spicy beans and whole grains can be had at Honest Dons.
Lunch: Cucina offers a great range of salads, pasta, savory tarts and pies all made at the premises.
But if you are on a budget I would hit Saffron’ s milk bar where you can get a sandwich, hot chips and a milkshake and still have change left over.
The IGA at Thirroul also has a great fresh food, deli and cheese section as does the Thirroul Fruit Barn.
Dinner: If you are feeding a family then Ryan’s Pub, The Deck and Beaches offer huge meals and reasonable prices at a good standard.
Asian fare can be found at Arawan Thai which is next to Anita’s theatre however Dragon Bay offers a trip around Asia with their menu.
Looking for a water view? Then the newly refurbished Thirroul Pavilion offers good food with a fantastic view.
And new comer Jose Jones offers a cool bar, modern menu complete with Buddha bowls.
For the best fish and chips in town head to Bergie’s plan to eat in side garden where they have live music on the weekend or head across the road and watch the waves.
Thirroul Accommodation: Where to Shop
Thirroul Accommodation: Fashion
Plume:Offers a curated selection of brands that are on trend but timeless. The space is open and bright and lovely to shop in.
Babes 2:Began as an off shoot of its popular Wollongong store but is now so popular it stands on its own. Savvy buying means the store is an eclectic mix of Australian and international brands, quirky finds and budget pieces to top up your wardrobe.
fabrik: This pop store offers ethical fashion with natural fibre’s such as linen, cotton and silk. Catering for women from new born upwards and even has products for the home.
SALLT Collective: If you want to blow into town and immediately get that coastal cool look then pop into SALLT Collective directly from the train station. Stock up on a few items and you will look like a Thirroul local in no time.
Thirroul Accommodation: Home
Nest Emporium:The original home wares mecca is still the best – always a little ahead of trend and full of interesting pieces this small space has everything from furniture to kids clothes and gifts.
Cocoon Trading: Has a huge collection of global art works, furniture, decorative pieces, and beautiful handmade soaps. Give yourself time to really look around and find that special piece for your home.
Fundamentals for Living:While plush cushions might be all the rage, I would highly recommend checking out this kitchen accessories and cookware store. The owner sources products that are of the highest quality to make your kitchen more elegant and your cooking more enjoyable.
Thirroul Accommodation: Gifts
Oat and Honey: Packed from top to bottom with clothes, shoes, bags, jewellery, candles, fragrances, journals and just about everything in between. You will be hard pressed to leave this shop without a few items in hand.
The Living Hearth: Offers beautiful French linen bedding in a range of colours and finishes as well as linen clothes, hand made blankets, quirky gifts, objects, home wares, art and jewellery.
Thirroul Accommodation: Something Special
Egg & Dart: Is a framing gallery which showcases some of the best art on the coast. This is a place to pick up something completely unique and special.
Retro Wombat: Is a vintage store with a wild and varied collection of Bric-a-Brac as well as mid-centre modern furniture and art.
Thirroul Accommodation: What to Do
Walk, run or ride the coastal track; going South you can go all the way to Wollongong or going north all the way to Coalcliff.
Go for a swim at the Art Deco ocean pool and earn yourself an extra slice of cake.
Book a show at Anita’s theatre – not only is a live show great fun but the theatre is a beautiful old building that has been restored.
Have a massage at the Touch of Thai for a little bit of a tropical feel while on a coastal holiday.
Take the bike path to the edge of Austinmer and head to Bread and Espresso for a coffee and croissant
Spend the morning browsing through the shops and stop for lunch at Cucina.
Enjoy a quick dip in the ocean before heading to Touch of Thai for a massage.
Walk off the calories by walking to Sandon Point for a breathtaking view of the coast line.
Have a sun downer at Beaches before heading to a show at Anita’s theatre.
Austinmer Accommodation: Things to Know
The Thirroul Local List
Supermarket: IGA or Coles in Thirroul – Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Thirroul. Butcher: Pure Bred Meats Thirroul – Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Thirroul. Chemist: Barry Navins Pharmacy – Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Thirroul. Newsagency: Thirroul Railway Stationers & Newsagency is on the southern side of the train tracks or Thirroul Newsagent is in Thirroul Plaza.
Pizza Delivery:Crust Pizza – Lawrence Hargrave Drive (they get very busy so order early). Medical Centre:Thirroul Medical Centre – Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Thirroul.
