Beaches and water safety

Stay water safe, wherever you are in the Bellingen Shire. Whether you're surfing, swimming, kayaking, or fishing across our scenic waterways and beaches, water safety is crucial. Learning about water safety will help protect yourself and others at the beach, national parks, inland waterways, and pools.

 

Beach patrols

The Bellingen Shire coastline stretches for approximately 10 kilometres and has the following patrolled beaches: 

  • North Beach at Mylestom (*September to April)  

  • Hungry Head Beach at Urunga (*September to April) 

Remember to always swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches. This is the safest place to swim because lifeguards are there to monitor beach and water conditions and maximise the safety of all beach goers.   

 

Professional Lifeguards are available during weekends and school holidays across the *September to April periods as follows: 

*During NSW gazetted school holidays (September to April): 

  • Monday – Friday, 9.00am - 5.00pm 

  • Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays, 9am -5pm 

 

Outside of these dates volunteer Surf Lifesaving Club Lifeguards are available: 

  • 9.00am to 1.00pm - Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays 

 

Surf Life Saving Clubs

Bellinger Valley- North Beach SLSC

PO Mylestom, Mylestom NSW 2454 
Ph: 6655 4449 
Email: bvnbslsc@bigpond.com 

Beachsafe North Beach

Urunga SLSC - Hungry Head Beach

PO Box 12, Urunga NSW 2455 
Ph: 6655 6869 

Web: http://www.urungaslsc.com.au/ 
Email: urungasurfclub@gmail.com

Beachsafe Hungry Head

Beach Watch Program

Council has partnered with the NSW Government's Beach Watch Program, to monitor and report recreational water quality at local swimming sites.  Water samples are collected and tested for bacteria, showing signs of faecal pollution, and whether it is safe for swimming.  The swimming sites have been determined due to the likelihood of contamination and the consequence of contamination due to the amount of use.  The current program sites include: 

  1. Never Never River - Arthur Keoghs Reserve
  2. Bellinger River - Lavenders Bridge 
  3. Bellinger River - Mylestom tidal pool 
  4. North Beach - near Surf Club 
  5. Hungry Head Beach - near Surf Club 
  6. Dalhousie Creek - near Surf Club 

To see how your local stacks up, check out the weekly star ratings via the link below.

More information

Health Advice for Swimming

Recreational water can sometimes be unsuitable for swimming, especially after rainfall when stormwater, wastewater and agricultural runoff can overflow.   

Is it safe to swim?

SharkSmart

The NSW Government has developed an evidence-based shark mitigation program, with a host of successfully trialled technologies rolled out along the NSW coastline. This includes the use of drones at Urunga and a tagged shark listening station in Mylestom.

More Information

Swimming in rivers

When enjoying inland waterways, it’s important to be aware of the risks and stay safe. Whether you’re swimming, boating, or even just relaxing on the bank, there are many hidden dangers like submerged rocks and logs that you may not be aware of.

More information

Back to top