Minnamurra Beach (AKA Mystics) is a spectacular beach in Minnamurra on the Kiama Coast. Despite its popularity with locals and closeness to Sydney, the beach remains a quiet natural sanctuary. With the Minnamurra River opening into the southern end of the beach, there is much coastal beauty to explore. This beauty can be enjoyed on the beach, in the river or from higher ground at the Minnamurra Headland, where you’ll find the Minnamurra Lookout. Nearby, more coastal beauty can be enjoyed from the Minnamurra Whale Watching Platform.
As you can see, there is plenty to see during a trip to Minnamurra Beach. In this guide, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about visiting this immaculate beach. This will include details about the best things to do at and near the beach, such as scoping out the Minnamurra River, Lookout and Whale Watching Platform.
Read more about the Killalea Regional Park
Table of Contents
About Minnamurra Beach
Minnamurra Beach is one of the best beaches on the South Coast near Wollongong and Sydney. Forming part of the National Surfing Reserve in the Killalea Regional Park (AKA Killalea State Park), the roughly 1.5km beach and the surrounding area remain protected. This means the beach has a stunning natural setting and truly untouched ambience.
Minnamurra Beach stretches from a rocky headland in the north to Minnamurra Headland (AKA Minnamurra Point) and a volcanic outcrop called Stack Island (AKA Rangoon Island) in the south. The beach is backed by a low densely vegetated bushland area, that separates it from the Minnamurra River.
Apart from the Minnamurra Headland and the stunning Stack Island, the southern end of the beach is where you’ll find the mouth of the Minnamurra River. The river permanently opens out into Minnamurra Beach, creating an amazing convergence of water and a point over shallow sand that’s aesthetically pleasing.
The Minnamurra River prevents access to the beach from the town of Minnamurra. So, direct Minnamurra Beach access is from a car park at the northern end of the beach. To get to this Minnamurra Beach parking area, you’ll need to enter the Killalea Regional Park and drive to the end of Killalea Drive.
Otherwise, you can park at James Oates Reserve on the banks of the Minnamurra River and swim over to the beach. Of course, the presence of potential rips and currents makes this a less desirable and logical option for accessing the beach. Alternatively, if you just want to visit and explore the river, parking at James Oates Reserve is a great idea.
FYI – Minnamurra Beach is referred to as Mystics by the locals.
Location: Killalea Regional Park
Minnamurra Beach is located in the southern part of the Killalea Regional Park in Minnamurra. The beach is positioned between Kiama and Shell Cove on the South Coast of New South Wales.
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Best Things to Do at Minnamurra Beach
There are many great things to do at the beach. Of course, you can’t skip the basics – surfing, swimming and fishing. So, we’ll provide details about those three activities. But, we’ll go beyond the usual beach activities and talk about all of the best places to visit near the beach. As mentioned, this will include information about visiting the Minnamurra River, Lookout and Whale Watching Platform.
1. Surfing
Forming part of a National Surfing Reserve, it comes as no surprise that surfing is one of the main things to do at the beach. Admittedly, the surf conditions are usually better at the neighbouring Killalea Beach (AKA The Farm). But, there can still be some decent surfing conditions at Minnamurra Beach, which is why you’ll still see plenty of surfers there.
For the best surf, you’ll want to head to either end of the beach, where you can find good left breaks.
2. Swimming
Swimming is another obvious activity to enjoy at the beach. Although, the beach isn’t patrolled. So, only strong swimmers should go for a dip. On top of that, we don’t recommend the little ones go for a swim here. The northern end of the beach is prone to rips, while the river mouth is also potentially hazardous given tidal flows and currents.
If you’re a strong swimmer, the best place to swim is at the southern end of the beach, but away from the mouth of Minnamurra River.
3. Fishing
Fishing at Minnamurra Beach is another activity to enjoy at the beach. The best fishing is at the mouth of Minnamurra River and around Stack Island. To ensure your safety, check the Minnamurra Beach tides and swell before you go fishing.
So, that’s some of the best things to do at Minnamurra Beach. Of course, there are so many other fun things you can do at the beach. Perhaps, you’ll be lounging around on your towel, reading a book and taking in some Vitamin D! At the end of the day, you’ll know how to best enjoy the beach.
Anyway, if you’ve spent enough time at the beach and want to explore further afield, there are many other nearby attractions.
One obvious place to check out is Minnamurra River. You can explore the river by heading to the southern end of the beach. Otherwise, you can head to James Oates Reserve to access the river from the opposite side. Before doing that though, we recommend checking out the other beautiful beach in the Killalea Regional Park – Killalea Beach.
4. Walk to The Farm (Killalea Beach)
From the car park at Minnamurra Beach, you can drive to a car park at Killalea Beach. Otherwise, you can walk from Minnamurra Beach to Killalea Beach via a walking track. From Minnamurra Beach, you’ll walk around 2km, along a lovely coastal trail to reach Killalea Beach.
Regardless of how you get there, Killalea Beach is definitely another stunning beach you’ll want to visit.
Read more: The Farm (Killalea Beach) – The Complete Visitor’s Guide
5. Visit James Oates Reserve
After exploring both beaches in the Killalea Regional Park, it’s time to head to James Oates Reserve to enjoy the other nearby attractions. From James Oates Reserve, you can easily access the Minnamurra River, where it opens into the beach. This is a great place for a paddle but not too close to the mouth where strong tidal flows can be hazardous. Beck and I really enjoyed going for a swim in the river from the reserve.
Other than being a convenient place to access Minnamurra River, James Oates Reserve is an excellent place for a picnic or a BBQ. The reserve features small areas of vegetation as well as a large grassy area, so it has a lovely natural setting.
FYI – alongside James Oates Reserve, it’s possible to access the Minnamurra River from many other reserves along Charles Avenue in Minnamurra, such as the Rangoon Reserve.
6. Explore Minnamurra River
There are many other ways to explore the river other than going for a paddle! Snorkelling, kayaking, canoeing and fishing are all popular things to do in the river too.
7. Minnamurra Lookout (Minnamurra Headland)
It’s time to enjoy some great views of both Minnamurra Beach and River. From James Oates Reserve, you can follow a small section of the Kiama Coastal Walk to access the Minnamurra Headland. Near the edge of the headland, you’ll enjoy sweeping views of the beach and river as well as Stack Island.
Set back from the edge of the headland, you’ll find Minnamurra Lookout. To reach the Minnamurra Lookout, you can follow a faint grassy trail away from the northern edge of the headland. Otherwise, there is a paved track from the town to the lookout. Either way, you’ll enjoy stellar views from Minnamurra Lookout.
8. Minnamurra Whale Watching Platform
Near Minnamurra Lookout, you’ll find another popular viewpoint. Further south along the headland, you’ll find a fenced lookout called the Minnamurra Whale Watching Platform. Opening in 2016, the wooden platform provides an excellent vantage point for whale watching as well as other wildlife observation. From the Minnamurra Whale Watching Platform, you’ll also enjoy great views of Jones Beach.
From the Minnamurra Lookout, you can follow a paved trail to reach the Minnamurra Whale Watching Platform. Otherwise, it’s possible to reach the viewing area from another paved trail from town.
9. Minnamurra Cafe
Other than exploring nature, one of the best things to do in the area is visit the Minnamurra General Store and Cafe (AKA Minnamurra Cafe). After all, you would have stirred up an appetite after exploring the area. The cafe is renowned for having friendly staff, delicious coffee and tasty pastries.
10. Visit Other Beaches Nearby
In addition to Minnamurra Beach, there are plenty of other fantastic beaches nearby. We already mentioned Killalea Beach and Jones Beach, but there are many other beaches not far from the Killalea Regional Park, in Kiama, Gerringong and Gerroa, which are certainly worth visiting. So, if you’re keen to beach hop along the South Coast, here are some other fantastic stretches of sand to explore near Minnamurra.
Read more: 10 Epic Kiama Beaches (With Parking, Surfing & Patrol Details)
So, that’s all the best things to do during a visit to Minnamurra Beach. Below, we’ll cover some other useful information to help plan your trip or holiday.
Minnamurra Accommodation
Why not spend your holiday or a weekend in Minnamurra? You’ll be on the doorstep of both Minnamurra Beach and the river, making it super easy and convenient to explore these natural delights.
Below, we’ve listed the best accommodation in Minnamurra. If you want to find out more details about these options, read some reviews, look at more photos and suss out prices, head straight to Booking.com.
Best Minnamurra Accommodation
Truth be told, the most popular accommodation in this area of the South Coast is in Kiama and Gerringong. You’ll also find more accommodation types, rather than just holiday houses and apartments, such as hotels and motels. Read our Kiama Accommodation, Kiama Holiday Park and Gerroa Holiday Park guides for more information about the best accommodation along the Kiama Coast.
Stay at the Killalea Campground
Another great place to spend the night is at the Killalea Campground. Located just a stone’s throw away from Minnamurra Beach, the Killalea camping area is a great choice for nature lovers.
To make a booking, either head to the NSW National Parks website or give them a call.
Read more: Killalea Campground – 23 Essential Things to Know
Camping Gear
How to Get to Minnamurra Beach
There is no public transport that goes to Killalea Regional Park. With this in mind, driving to the beach’s parking area is the only way to get direct access to Minnamurra Beach. If you don’t have a car, we recommend hiring one for your trip to Minnamurra, especially if you intend to explore further down the South Coast of New South Wales.
Car Hire
If you don’t have your own car, you should hire one using Discover Cars. Personally, we use Discover Cars and highly recommend them for finding your ideal car hire at an affordable price. Booking online is super easy and the free cancellation policy is great.
To find out more about renting a car with Discover Cars, read our Discover Cars review and Discover Cars Insurance review.
Minnamurra Beach Facilities
The beach is a genuine natural haven so you won’t find much in the way of facilities. Basically, there is just a car park and a walking track (AKA the Mystics Walking Track) to the beach. There are toilets at the nearby Killalea Campground as well as at The Farm Kiosk.
Minnamurra Beach Accessibility
Unfortunately, the beach doesn’t feature wheelchair-friendly infrastructure. At the Killalea Campground, the disability access level is rated ‘hard’.
Minnamurra Weather
Head to BOM or Weatherzone for the latest Minnamurra weather forecast. Indeed, we think it’s a great idea to check out the Minnamurra weather forecast before heading there. To maximise your experience, you’ll want to visit the area when it’s warm and sunny.
Minnamurra Beach FAQs
Below, you’ll find the most frequently asked questions about the beach.
Can You Swim at Minnamurra?
Yes, it’s possible to swim on the beach or in the river. Of course, caution must be taken as the beach isn’t patrolled and the mouth of the river often has strong tidal flows.
Where Is Minnamurra Beach?
It’s located in the Killalea Regional Park on the South Coast of New South Wales.
What Fish Are in Minnamurra River?
There are many types of fish in the river with the most common being Dusky Flathead, White Trevally, Yellowfin Bream and Australian Bass.
Where Is Minnamurra River Located?
It’s located in the South Coast region of New South Wales and opens into the Pacific Ocean in Minnamurra.
Is Minnamurra Beach Dog Friendly?
No, dogs aren’t allowed at Minnamurra Beach as it falls in an NPWS-managed Regional Park.
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We acknowledge and respect the First Nations people as the Traditional Custodians of the land/water that we visited and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.
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