Beach number: nsw040
Includes beaches: Iluka
State/Region: NSW - Iluka
Beach name: ILUKA
General Beach Hazard Rating: 6
Least hazardous: 1-3
Moderately hazardous: 4-6
Highly hazardous: 7-8
Extremely hazardous: 9-10
Hazard rating refers to physical beach and surf conditions ONLY and does not include potentially dangerous marine life.
Beach

Illuka Beach (NSW 40) is a straight 2.5 km long beach located between Iluka Bluff and the northern Clarence River entrance wall. The wall was initially constructed in 1901 and extended in 1965. Access is provided from the northern Iluka Bluff car park and the southern car park that runs out from Iluka township to the beach and entrance wall. This is a moderately hazardous beach and fortunately not as popular as some of its northern neighbours, except with surfers who enjoy the break along the entrance wall. The beach is well exposed to the southeast waves, which generate a double bar system. The usually attached inner bar is cut by two permanent rips against the bluff and the wall, while up to ten rips form along the beach (Fig. 4.28). A deep trough and rip dominated offshore bar lie further seaward. The Iluka Nature Reserve backs the northern half of the beach.

Just inside the northern Clarence River training wall is a 200 m long pocket of sand (NSW 40S), bordered at its western end by the tip of Moriarty’s Wall, a rocky training wall. This is a relatively low wave reflective beach, usually containing a steep cusped beach face. However it does face into the deep water and strong tidal currents of the river mouth, so be careful if swimming off the beach.

These six beaches range from low to moderately hazardous. If swimming head for the quieter Woody Bay and the southern end of Bluff Beach, which is patrolled during the summer holidays. Avoid swimming on the rip-dominated beaches.

Woody Bay usually has only a low shore break. Back Beach provides the largest and most consistent beach breaks in the north with the southern point providing a right hand break. Fraser Reef is only a shore break, however the southern side of the reef can produce a good wave over the reef and bars. Also reasonable reef/bar break on the north side of the Bluff during south-east waves. Iluka Beach has variable beach breaks, with potential for good waves against the northern Bluff, during north easterlies. In the south, when the bars are right, the entrance wall (North Wall) can hold reasonable waves up to 3 m during east to south-east swell conditions.

Many fishers come to camp at Woody Bay and fish the surrounding beaches and rocks for tailor, bream, flathead, snapper and jewfish, and to launch their boats to go out to the reefs. Woody Head, Second Bluff, Frazer Reef, Iluka Reef and the North Wall are all popular rock fishing spots, with permanent gutters against the rocks on most of the small beaches. Be wary if walking or fishing on the extensive shore platforms that surround each headland. Waves wash over these platforms and rising tides can trap the unwary. There is 4WD access to Iluka Beach, north of the southern access track.

The southernmost section of Bundjalung National Park, between Shark Bay and the northern Clarence River entrance wall includes six small beaches (NSW 36-40A) separated by headlands composed of 200 million year old Triassic sandstones. The park provides good access to all beaches, with a popular camping area at Woody Head, and the fishing town of Iluka providing a base for visitors.

Type: Formal parking area
Surface: Sealed
Spaces: 60