Coledale

Why visit Coledale?

Coledale has a wide, gentle beach and a camping ground right on the sand. Wake up, unzip the tent, and the ocean is there.

The beachfront camping reserve is one of the few on the coast this close to Sydney, so it books out fast for long weekends. Book months ahead if you want a site.

The ocean pool is at the south end. It is a good family beach, with a small shopping strip up on the main road for supplies.

Things to do in Coledale

1. Beach camping

   Coledale Beach Camping Reserve. Book early for long weekends.

2. Coledale ocean pool

   At the southern end of the beach, with lawns for a picnic.

3. Sunrise swim

   The beach faces east, so the sun comes straight up out of the water.

Where to swim in Coledale

Coledale Beach is wide and patrolled in season, with an ocean pool and lawns at the south end. It is a good family beach.

Ocean pool: Coledale ocean pool, at the southern end of the beach.

Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches. Ocean pools close on a roster for cleaning, so check Wollongong City Council before you plan a swim around one.

Where to stay in Coledale

Coledale Beach Camping Reserve has sites right behind the sand. It books out early for long weekends. There are also holiday rentals in the streets behind the beach.

How do you get to Coledale from Sydney?

Trains on the South Coast Line from Sydney's Central station stop at Coledale. The trip takes about 70 minutes, depending on the service. Weekend trains run less often, so check the timetable for your return.

By car, Coledale is about an hour from the Sydney CBD. Take the M1 Princes Motorway, or drive through the Royal National Park and down Lawrence Hargrave Drive for the scenic route.

Compare train, scenic drive and motorway →

Coledale at a glance