Sawtell Village
Only six hours north of Sydney & five hours south of Brisbane makes Sunny Sawtell the perfect getaway! Lying between Boambee and Bonville Creeks, Sawtell is popular for its beaches, fishing, golfing, swimming, surfing & boating. Sawtell is bounded by safe surf beaches to the east, unspoilt waterways and Bongil Bongil National Park north and south with scenic mountain ranges in the west. This unique geographic location makes Sawtell a special town for locals and visitors. Sawtell is a peaceful coastal holiday destination on the mid north coast of NSW.
SAWTELL BEACHES
Boambee Beach and Estuary
Boambee Beach extends from Corambirra Point (near the Jetty Boat Ramp) to Boambee Creek (north of Sawtell). The beach is not patrolled though popular with fishermen, horse trainers, joggers, jet-ski riders, four wheel drive enthusiasts, and dogs are allowed on the beach off the leash.
Boambee Creek Reserve
Boambee Creek Reserve, at the southern end of Boambee beach, (access via Sawtell Road), is a popular area for locals with younger children. The reserve offers crystal clear shallow water for smaller children and playground facilities. It is perfect for picnics as there are barbeques, shelters and takeaway food. The reserve also has beach showers and toilet facilities. The reserve charges a nominal fee for car parking in the reserve. There is also a pedestrian bridge under the rail bridge which provides keen fishermen and walkers access to the southern end of Boambee beach. Boambee Headland is also the perfect location for whale watching during winter and spring.
Murrays Beach
Situated between the Northern Sawtell Headland and the rocks that divide the beach, is Murray’s Beach. The beach is unpatrolled and allows dogs to be walked on the lead. Very popular with early morning walkers.
Sawtell Main Beach
Sawtell Main Beach is home to The Sawtell Surf Club. The Beach is patrolled daily during most of the summer, and is a popular surf, swimming and fishing beach. There is a wooden viewing platform and grassed area ideal for picnics and enjoying the sunshine. The Sawtell Surf Club houses The Kiosk café and also provides shower and toilet facilities.
Sawtell Island and Bay
Situated at the southern end of Sawtell Beach, the Island is a popular surfing and swimming spot. The Bay is located just south of the island and is ideal for families with calm shallow waters. It is also a very popular snorkeling location ideal for beginners to advanced. With an abundance of shallow rock pools, beginners can work their way through the rock pools in safety, whilst the more advanced can venture out around the island. Sawtell Island and Bay are not patrolled, however there is parking and shower facilities.
Southside and
Sawtell Rock Pool
Sited on the south side of the Bonville Headland, the Sawtell Memorial Rock Pool is unique to the Coffs Harbour area. It is the only ocean pool in the region and it offers a family friendly, protected swimming facility for the community and visitors alike. The pool is protected from the strong permanent rip that runs out past the pool and is ideal for summer bathing as it is during this time that the north easterly wind is an ever present element for beach goers. The pool was first unofficially used for the first time in the summer of 1962, however it was in 1963 that the pool was officially dedicated as a war memorial pool. In 2000 the pool was finally listed on the Coffs Harbour Local Environmental Plan (LEP) as a heritage item.
Today, the Sawtell Memorial Rock Pool is utilised by a wide variety of people within the community. There is ample parking and a new amenities block, which has been decorated with a fascinating mural, reflecting the natural elements surrounding the area. The headland boasts the most spectacular views and is the perfect place for a sunset picnic with plenty of grassed areas for the family. Whether you are a daily swimmer after a pool to do laps in, or a family, looking for some safe, recreational fun, the Sawtell Memorial Rock pool is definitely worth the visit.
SURF BREAKS
SouthSide Sawtell
Locally known as ‘Southies’ this break is essentially a headland with a creek outlet – depending on banks, tides, and swell, it can produce either point-break style waves, peaky beachies, or a heavily sucking wedge. One of the few spots in the area protected from Northerlies, Southies is pretty popular in Summer. As with a lot of the area, the jump-off rocks are sharp, vertically aligned strata – watch your step!
Best conditions:
N/Ne winds
Swell size 2 to 11 ft
Low to Mid Tide
Amenities:
Showers,
Toilets,
Parking
Sawtell Island
One of the best spots when the wind is Southerly and there’s a heavy South swell running – hence it’s usually best in Winter. Generally a longer point-style wave, Island sometimes produces a few wrapping sections to launch off. Usually easiest to paddle out right near the island.
Best conditions:
s/sw winds
Swell size 2 to 11 ft
Low to Mid Tide
Amenities:
Showers,
Toilets,
Parking
Sawtell Main
Sawtell Main is pretty versatile, working in most conditions as long as the wind isn’t too strong. It produces everything from long barrelling sections to short peaks, depending on banks and swell direction.
Best conditions:
s/sw winds
Swell size 2 to 11 ft
Low to Mid Tide
Amenities:
Showers, Toilets,
Parking, Patrolled BEach
Trapdoors
Pretty fickle, but when it’s on, it’s on! Needing a good South swell and S-SW winds to fire, Trapdoors is basically a barrelling point-break, similar to Burleigh, Lennox, etc. Tricky rock hop to jump off.
Best conditions:
s/sw winds
Swell size 2 to 11 ft
Low to Mid Tide
Amenities:
Parking
EATING OUT
Cafés
Sawtell has a great selection of cafes to choose from! Start your day with a great coffee, great food & friendly locals!
Pictured: Split Espresso
Restaurants
After a day of enjoying all that Sawtell offers, walk down the street & enjoy a fantastic meal & maybe a drink or 2! Whether it’s a delicious Mexican meal or a great Pub meal you will be spoilt for choice!
Pictured: Lime Mexican Burrito Bar & Taqueria
Takeaway
Feel like staying in? Or eating on the beach? No worries! You will love the quality of takeaway options in Sawtell! From Sea Salt Fish & Chips to great burgers from Village takeaway you can’t go wrong!
Pictured: Village Takeaway
Fun fact
Sawtell beach is bordered by 60 m high Boambee Headland in the north and 15 m high Bonville Headland to the south, together with two rock reefs called Sawtell Island extending 600 m offshore.