Wamberal-Terrigal beach (NSW 285) is a 2.8 km long stretch of sand that trends southwest from the rocks on the north side of Wamberal Lagoon entrance south to Terrigal Lagoon entrance where the beach begins to curve round to the southeast to terminate at the rocks on the southern end of Terrigal Beach, in lee of Broken Head (Fig. 4.170). The beach blocks the entrances to two drowned valleys, now occupied by Wamberal and Terrigal lagoons, which only open during heavy rain. The beach and its lagoons have long been popular holiday destinations for Sydneysiders, with increasing residential development since the 1960s. The northern 1.5 km of Wamberal Beach (NSW 285a) lies in the Wamberal Lagoon Nature Reserve, with the Wamberal SLSC (formed in 1950) located on the south side of the lagoon entrance. The 1 km long 20 m high foredune, between Wamberal and Terrigal lagoons, has been developed for beachfront housing. The beach is readily accessible at the surf club where there is a large car park, in addition to several tracks that lead over the high foredune, and in the south by Terrigal Lagoon. South of the lagoon mouth, rocky bluffs then a low dune back the 700 m long Terrigal Beach (NSW 285b). A foreshore reserve lies between the road and the beach and contains Terrigal SLSC (formed in 1924), car parking and a park. The shopping centre and a large resort backs the southern half of the beach. Terrigal in particular has long been a popular destination for holidaymakers and fishermen. The northern Wamberal Beach is well exposed with waves averaging 1.5 m and up to 15 rips dominating the surf zone. As wave height drops to the south the rips decrease in size, with often a continuous bar along Terrigal Beach (Fig. 4.171). read more

Beach Length: 1km