newy.com.au – The Hunter’s One Mile Beach has shared NSW’s highest water quality rankings with seven other coastal beaches in the 2026 State of the Beaches report, which shows improved results across the state.
Ocean beaches recorded the strongest results, with 97 per cent rated Good or Very Good. Across all monitored swimming sites, including estuaries, lakes and lagoons, 79 per cent achieved those ratings, meaning they were considered suitable for swimming almost all the time.
On the Central Coast, Birdie, Forresters and Frazer beaches also shared the highest rankings. The remaining top-ranked locations were Avalon Beach in Sydney, Warrain Beach in the Shoalhaven, Shellharbour Beach and Wollongong City Beach.
The NSW Government attributed much of the statewide improvement to drier weather during the reporting period. Less rainfall generally meant less stormwater runoff carrying pollution into waterways.
Results also improved at estuarine swimming sites, where the proportion rated Good or Very Good rose from 63 per cent to 69 per cent. Those waterways typically perform less strongly than ocean beaches because slower water exchange means pollution can take longer to disperse after rain. Lakes and lagoons face similar limitations.
Sydney’s ocean beaches recorded a substantial improvement, with the proportion in the top two categories rising from 87 per cent to 97 per cent. Sydney Harbour’s result increased from 78 per cent to 81 per cent.
The annual grades, assigned under national health guidelines, describe a site’s general suitability for swimming rather than guaranteeing conditions on any particular day. Despite the improved results, swimmers are advised to check current pollution updates before entering the water.
Beachwatch provides water quality information from 245 monitored swimming locations across NSW. Swimmers can check current pollution updates or read the full 2026 State of the Beaches report online.
