Waves at some beaches are forecast to reach five metres in height.
Share this @internewscast.com

Several beaches along the New South Wales coastline have been shut down due to the impact of massive waves, as the state grapples with rainy weather and dangerous surf alerts this weekend.

Following a scorching heatwave last weekend, Sydney is now preparing for what could be the rainiest weekend of the summer, with surf conditions becoming increasingly perilous.

Reports indicate that waves at certain beaches, such as Sydney’s Curl Curl Beach, are reaching heights of up to five meters today.

The tumultuous sea state has led to the closure of numerous beaches along the NSW coast, including Newcastle, Bronte, Tamarama, Coogee, Cronulla, and Maroubra, as noted by Surf Life Saving Australia’s Beachsafe website.

“We haven’t dared to enter the water today. It’s incredibly rough,” a beach visitor shared with Today this morning.

READ MORE: Sydney anticipates its stormiest summer weekend yet as a powerful storm system heads north

Waves at some beaches are forecast to reach five metres in height.Weather. Mikey and Patch May check out the wild surf conditions from the Cronulla rock pool. Saturday 17th January 2026. Photo: Sitthixay Ditthavong

"People have gone in, they're mad. They're crazy.

"It's rough."

People are being urged to stay out of the water over the weekend after a hazardous surf warning was issued for large parts of the NSW coast yesterday.

READ MORE: 'No idea what's left': Holidaymakers left in limbo as Wye River flood clean-up begins

Sunrise on Cronulla Beach as waves continue to rise throughout the day.People flock to a waterfront cafe as wild seas pound Cronulla esplanade on Saturday morning.

The Bureau of Meteorology urged people to remain vigilant, warning that surf and swell conditions are expected to be a hazard for coastal activities, including rock fishing, boating, and swimming

The conditions have hit the NSW south coast and will continue to move up north, with swells expected from Batemans Bay to Newcastle and are expected to last all weekend.

Campers in low-lying areas have been told to evacuate because of the powerful weather and tides expected to roll in.

DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
How much video gaming is too much? Study pinpoints health limit

Study Identifies Optimal Video Gaming Duration for Health Benefits

Video games might not rot your brain – but new evidence suggests…

Aussie Adventurer Embarks on Bold Gaza Voyage with Global Sumud Flotilla

An Australian woman is one of thousands of people planning to sail…
People are seen braving the rain and fog at Mrs Macquaries Chair this morning, Friday, 22 August 2025. After weeks of persistent rain, parts of the NSW coast have now recorded their wettest August in 126 years. Photo: Sam Mooy / The Sydney Morning Herald

Super Storm Approaches: Sydney Prepares for Intense Weather Impact

Following a heatwave that gripped Sydney last weekend, the city is now…
Hundreds turned out as the Sunshine Coast community hosted the lookalike contest.

Local Resident Wins Robert Irwin Lookalike Contest, Lives Steps Away from Wildlife Celebrity

Robert Irwin’s return to Australia has been celebrated with a lookalike search…
Cars were swept away when the Cumberland River flooded near the Great Ocean Road in Victoria.

Unpredictable Forces: Understanding the Challenges of Forecasting Flash Floods in Victoria

The unpredictable nature of this weather phenomenon posed significant challenges for forecasters.…
Tyler Robinson has been identified as the gunman in the Charlie Kirk shooting.

Defendant in Charlie Kirk Case Requests Judge to Remove Prosecutors

Tyler Robinson is charged with aggravated murder in Kirk’s September 10 shooting…
Debris balls have washed up on several NSW beaches again, but authorities are unsure whether they are related to the ones that were previously found along dozens of Sydney beaches.

Sydney’s Battle Against Beach Debris: Multi-Billion Dollar Effort to Keep Shores Pristine

Sydney’s wastewater system will be upgraded under a $3 billion plan following…

Melbourne Baker Offers Refuge Amidst Devastating Fires

Chris Mansour knows what it means to depend on the kindness of…
Iranian worshippers walk past a mural showing the late revolutionary founder Ayatollah Khomeini, right, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, left, and Basij paramilitary force, as they hold a poster of Ayatollah Khomeini and Iranian and Palestinian flags in an anti-Israeli gathering after their Friday prayer in Tehran, Iran, Friday, April 19, 2024.

Tensions Rise in Iran as Hard-line Cleric Demands Executions Amid Quiet Streets

As Iran returned to uneasy calm after a wave of protests that…
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt lashed out at a journalist on Thursday (US time).

White House Official’s Explosive Rant: Inside the Fiery Clash with a Journalist

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has launched a tirade at a…

Discover the Fascinating World of Two Australians and Their Passion for Pigeons

They might have a reputation as “rats with wings”, but to some,…

Newcastle Woman Faces Charges in Stabbing Incident

A woman is scheduled to appear in court today on charges related…