When does Wollongong need sun protection?

Whenever the UV index is 3 or above. In Wollongong that is typically from September through April, and any other day UV reaches 3. SunSmart and ARPANSA use the same rule Australia-wide.

Does Wollongong need sun protection in winter?

Not every day. Midwinter middays in Wollongong often sit below UV 3, but clear late-winter days (from August in much of New South Wales) cross the threshold before the weather feels like spring. Check the live index.

Does the water make UV worse in Wollongong?

It can. Sand and water reflect ultraviolet, so skin that is not covered (including under the chin and on the tops of feet) picks up extra dose on top of the direct sun. The live UV index on this page is the sky reading; reflection is on top of that.

UV index in Wollongong today

Squeezed between the escarpment and seventeen patrolled beaches, Wollongong lives outdoors: surf clubs, the Blue Mile, and weekend rides down Sea Cliff Bridge. Its UV tracks Sydney's closely, extreme summer middays, and burn-capable levels from the first warm days of spring.

Live reading · data by Open-Meteo · reference monitoring by ARPANSA

Today and tomorrow in Wollongong

Peak UV, temperature and conditions for Wollongong. Tomorrow’s peak is the number to plan around if you’re heading out in the middle of the day.

Weather conditions right now

Cloud and rain cut heat more than they cut UV. A partly cloudy beach day in Wollongong can still sit at protection levels. Why you burn on cloudy days.

When Wollongong needs sun protection

Sun protection is typically needed from September through April, and on any day the UV index reaches 3, which around midday can include clear winter days.

The threshold, per SunSmart and ARPANSA: whenever UV reaches 3 or above, Slip on covering clothing, Slop on SPF 50+ sunscreen, Slap on a hat, Seek shade and Slide on sunglasses. Read the full sun safety guide.

Where the UV adds up in Wollongong

Long, happy hours outdoors are where exposure quietly accumulates. Local favourites where the five S’s earn their keep:

North Wollongong Beach and the Blue Mile seafront
Sea Cliff Bridge and the Grand Pacific Drive lookouts
Wollongong Botanic Garden
The Illawarra escarpment walking tracks

The UV scale at a glance

0–2Low
3–5Moderate
6–7High
8–10Very high
11+Extreme

Local support in New South Wales

Cancer Council NSW: Sun-safety programs and skin-cancer support across New South Wales.

Frequently asked questions

When does Wollongong need sun protection?: Whenever the UV index is 3 or above. In Wollongong that is typically from September through April, and any other day UV reaches 3. SunSmart and ARPANSA use the same rule Australia-wide.
Does Wollongong need sun protection in winter?: Not every day. Midwinter middays in Wollongong often sit below UV 3, but clear late-winter days (from August in much of New South Wales) cross the threshold before the weather feels like spring. Check the live index.
Does the water make UV worse in Wollongong?: It can. Sand and water reflect ultraviolet, so skin that is not covered (including under the chin and on the tops of feet) picks up extra dose on top of the direct sun. The live UV index on this page is the sky reading; reflection is on top of that.