Macauley's

Macauley’s is a well-known surf break on the Coal Coast of New South Wales, Australia, in the Wollongong/Illawarra region. It’s a reef-and-point style wave that can deliver fast, clean, hollow right-handers when the swell and wind line up.

What it’s like

• Type: Reef/point break
• Wave direction: Mostly a right-hand wave
• Best conditions: Swell from the south to southeast, with light offshore winds (typically west/northwest)
• Character: Can be punchy, powerful, and sectiony, often with a sharp takeoff and a steep face
• Skill level: Better suited to intermediate to advanced surfers, especially when it’s bigger

Why surfers like it

• It can offer long, quality walls and occasional barrel sections
• Handles surf from smaller fun waves to solid winter swells
• When working properly, it’s one of the more reliable quality breaks on the Coal Coast

Things to know

• Can be heavy at size due to the reef and wave power
• Tide sensitivity: Often changes a lot with tide, so checking local knowledge is important
• Crowds: Can get busy when conditions are good
• Entry/exit: Reef and rocks can make paddling out and coming in tricky

Best time to go

• Autumn and winter often bring the most consistent swells
• Early morning or late afternoon can be best for clean wind conditions