Austinmer: Beach, Architecture and Local History

Austinmer brings together coastal attractions and a local history shaped by the railway station, coal industry and residential architecture. There are rock pools at the beach, the remains of a former colliery dam are still visible in a public park, and the Sublime Point Walking Track descends to Austinmer via ladders and a large staircase. When searching for a holiday rental, it may help to decide in advance what you’d like to focus on: the coast, local history or a day of walking.

Beach, rock pools and playground

At the southern end of Austinmer Beach is Austinmer Rock Pool, with two separate pools. As tidal pools, they can be difficult to use at high tide. Water levels are therefore an important factor when planning a visit to the rock pool. The rocks at both ends of the beach also require care: strong, permanent rip currents occur there. Conditions can vary, so keep them in mind when planning time in the water.

Austinmer Beach Playground is right by the beach. This makes the playground one of the specific local features that families can take into account when planning. The combination of rock pools and a playground gives this stretch of beach more than one point of interest for a visit by the water.

Railway station and architectural history

Austinmer railway station opened in 1887. In 1915, as part of the duplication of the railway line, a second platform was added, with a wooden platform building and a corrugated iron roof. Historically and socially, the station was closely connected with the development of the town, as well as tourism and the coal industry. Austinmer Beach Playground is about 600 metres, or an eight-minute walk, from the station; walking conditions can vary.

The residential architecture also offers specific details. Heritage House at 1 Headlands Avenue is a 1920s California bungalow. Built of brick, it has a corrugated iron roof, a symmetrical façade and leadlight bay windows. The privately owned house “Cintra” at 15 Wigram Road is a rare example of Inter-War Functionalist residential architecture. The building is characterised by rendered brickwork and curved forms highlighted with dark paint. The emphasis differs between the two: symmetry and bay windows define the description of Heritage House, while Cintra is distinguished by its curved forms highlighted in dark colours.

Parkland and the route to Austinmer

Glastonbury Gardens is a public park on Lawrence Hargrave Drive. The remains of a former colliery dam are still visible there. The coal industry is therefore also reflected in the parkland: its connection to the town appears here as a visible former landscape feature, not only in the history of the railway station.

The Sublime Point Walking Track descends to Austinmer via several ladders and a large staircase. These sections make the track a very different option from visiting the beach or exploring the town’s history and architecture. When searching for a holiday rental, your different interests can help guide your choice: would you like to spend most of your time at the beach, explore the town’s historic details or include the walking track in your plans?

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Stanwell Park, Bulli, Helensburgh.

See the main travel overview: Wollongong City Council.