This weekend is a big one for North Wollongong Beach with the start of the summer swim season and an exciting free beachside concert.
To coincide with the UCI Road World Championships, Wollongong City Council is opening 9 of our 17 patrolled beaches a week early.
The start is to support those keen swimmers who want to enjoy our beaches during the UCI event.
"We're anticipating some 300,000 people across the nine days of the event to come to Wollongong to enjoy the race, but also the city's other attractions,'' Wollongong City Council General Manager Greg Doyle said.
"We know for many visitors, particularly those from overseas, our beaches are a major drawcard so we have opened our beach season early to provide safe swimming opportunities at Stanwell Park, Austinmer, Thirroul, Bulli, Corrimal, Fairy Meadow, North Wollongong, Wollongong City and Port Kembla beaches. The Continental Pool will also be open from 6am-6pm on Saturday 17 September.
"I ask people to be careful, to know their swimming skill level and to only swim at beaches with the red-and-yellow flags and lifeguards on duty. Our beaches can have challenging conditions and these conditions can change quickly. It's important swimmers are watched over by experienced and knowledgeable lifeguards.''
Read up on beach safety tips.
Read up on our pools and opening days and times.
This weekend, North Wollongong beach will be a hive of activity with the Spin Fest Beach Party event starting from 5pm. The free, community event is proudly presented by Council and features Electric Fields, Caravãna Sun, Emily Wurramara and True Vibenation.
The stage will be set up on the grass between Diggies and the Bather's Pavilion facing the ocean. There will be plenty of space to spread out on the sand, relax or stand up and dance. This is an alcohol-free event and there will be food trucks available and access to neighbouring cafes, restaurants and eateries.
"This is such a beautiful spot for a concert, and I think it's going to be a really popular event for those looking for a lovely way to spend their Saturday afternoon, into evening,'' Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery said.
"We're recommending that people use public transport to get to the event as there will be a range of daytime and evening road closures and on-street parking will be further away from the beachfront than usual due to the event road closures.
"It's a free event and attendee numbers are limited. People will be admitted on a first-in basis, but people can also leave to get food from the food truck area or neighbouring cafes and restaurants, and come back in provided numbers are not at capacity.''
