Austinmer, New South Wales

Austinmer Wollongong, New South Wales
Lookout from the Illawarra Escarpment above Wombarra over the northern Illawarra plain viewing Austinmer in the foreground, Thirroul, Bulli, Wollongong up to Port Kembla in the far distance.
Population:	2,211
Postcode:	2515
Coordinates:	34°18′S 150°56′E
LGA:	City of Wollongong
State District:	Heathcote
Federal Division:	Cunningham
Suburbs around Austinmer: Coledale Austinmer Thirroul

Austinmer is a northern suburb of Wollongong on the south coast of New South Wales, Australia. It sits in the northern Illawarra region, south of Stanwell Park and immediately north of Thirroul.

The town's main beach is Austinmer Beach, a patrolled surf beach and a popular tourist beach. A second smaller and unpatrolled beach lies directly to the north of Austinmer beach, and is known locally as "Little Austi".

The main road through the town is Lawrence Hargrave Drive, which connects with the Princes Highway at Bulli Pass. Moore Street connects Austinmer railway station to Lawrence Hargrave Drive, and, along with a short stretch along Lawrence Hargrave Drive, constitutes Austinmer's commercial presence, as well as a police station, churches, and veterinary clinic.

The Headland Hotel to the north of Austinmer Beach was featured in the 2005/2006 Television series headLand.

It is served by Austinmer railway station, on the South Coast railway line which runs electric double deck train services to Sydney and Wollongong.

The area was originally called Sidmouth, but by the 1860s was called Bulli North. The name changed to Austinmere (later dropping the final "e", but still pronounced "ere") with the opening of the North Illawarra Coal Company's mine around 1887.