Public Toilets in Sawtell, NSW
4 toilet locations in Sawtell — the retro beach village south of Coffs Harbour where First Avenue has no chain stores, the art deco cinema still shows films, and the whole place feels like a coastal time capsule. Population 5,000, zero pretension, one really good rock pool. Here's where to find a dunny.
Interactive Toilet Map
4 facilities available in Sawtell
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Where Are You?
Sawtell is small enough to walk end to end in 15 minutes. The beach, the main street, and the creek are all close together. Here's the closest dunny.
At the beach / rock pool
Sawtell Beach
Southern end near the rock pool and surf club. Showers for rinsing sand. Open 24 hours.
Sawtell Beach is a beautiful crescent with a rock pool at the southern end and the headland walk starting nearby. The toilet block has cold showers, which is handy for washing off salt and sand. Surf club right next door if you need more facilities.
Shopping on First Avenue
First Avenue
Heritage main street — all independent shops. Toilet block near the central car park.
First Avenue is Sawtell's pride — a heritage-protected street with zero chain stores. Every shop is independent: butcher, greengrocer, bookshop, cafes, art deco cinema. The public toilet is centrally located near the car park. Most cafes also have customer facilities.
Going to the cinema
First Avenue (or cinema facilities)
The Sawtell Cinema has its own facilities for ticket holders. Public toilets also on First Ave.
Sawtell Cinema is an art deco gem — one of the oldest continuously operating cinemas in Australia. It has its own toilets for patrons. If you're just browsing First Avenue without a ticket, use the public facilities near the car park.
Bonville Creek walk
Bonville Creek
Shady creek walk on the western edge of town. Playground, picnic area, basic toilet block.
Bonville Creek is the quiet side of Sawtell — a shady walking path along the creek with a playground and picnic facilities. The toilet block is basic but serviceable. Popular with families in the morning. Daylight hours only.
Headland walk
Sawtell Beach (start/finish)
Walk around the headland from Sawtell Beach. No toilets on the walk — use the beach block.
The Sawtell headland walk starts from the southern end of the beach. It's a 30-minute loop with ocean views, whale watching in season (June-November), and no toilets along the way. Use the beach facilities before setting off.
Sunday coffee ritual
First Avenue
Sawtell's cafe culture is legendary. Sunday morning is the busiest — locals queue for coffee.
Sunday morning in Sawtell is an institution — locals walk down for coffee, papers, and pastries on First Avenue. The public toilets get busy 9-11am on weekends. Most cafes have customer facilities if you're buying — the Sawtell Curry Bowl and Loft are popular choices.
First Avenue — Heritage Main Street
Sawtell's First Avenue is what every Australian beach town main street used to look like — and what most have lost to chain stores. Heritage-protected, independent-only, and fiercely local.
What You'll Find
- Art deco Sawtell Cinema (still showing films daily)
- Independent cafes, restaurants, and bars
- Local butcher, greengrocer, and bakery
- Bookshop, galleries, and surf shops
- Public toilet with accessible cubicle + baby change
- No chain stores — heritage overlay prohibits them
The Vibe
- Feels like a coastal town from the 1980s (in the best way)
- Locals know each other — genuine community
- Sunday morning is the busiest time (coffee ritual)
- 10 minutes from Coffs but a world away in character
- Monthly First Avenue markets add extra buzz
- Free angle parking along the street
Things to Do in Sawtell
A retro beach village of ~5,000 people just south of Coffs Harbour. Preserved heritage main street, excellent beach, and a community that genuinely values what they have.
Sawtell Beach & Rock Pool
Protected beach with a tidal rock pool at the southern end. Safe swimming, good surf on the right day. Headland backdrop. One of the best beaches on the mid-north coast.
First Avenue Shopping
Heritage main street with all-independent shops. Art deco cinema, cafes, bookshop, butcher, galleries. No chains. Walk end to end in 5 minutes.
Sawtell Cinema (Art Deco)
One of Australia's oldest continuously operating cinemas. Art deco facade, modern sound. Mainstream and art-house films. A local institution since the 1930s.
Headland Walk
30-minute loop walk around the headland from the southern beach. Ocean views, whale watching (June-Nov), and a memorial at the top. Start near the rock pool.
Bonville Creek Walk
Shady walking path along Bonville Creek. Flat, easy, good for kids. Playground at the reserve end. Birdlife in the morning.
Sawtell Chilli Festival
Annual festival celebrating all things chilli. First Avenue closes to traffic. Food, live music, competitions. A uniquely Sawtell event.
Bongil Bongil National Park
Just south of Sawtell — coastal rainforest meets beach. Walking tracks, empty beaches, and prolific birdlife. Free entry. 5-minute drive.
Sunday Coffee Ritual
The unofficial Sawtell tradition. Sunday morning on First Avenue for coffee and pastries. Half the town turns up. Dog-friendly outdoor seating.
Where to Stay in Sawtell
Limited accommodation in Sawtell itself — most visitors stay in Coffs Harbour (10min away) or rent holiday houses. What exists is charming.
Holiday Houses
Several Airbnb and holiday rentals in Sawtell village. Beach houses and cottages within walking distance of First Avenue and the beach. $150-350/night.
Nearest dunny: Sawtell Beach (3min walk) or First Avenue (5min walk).
Sawtell Beach Caravan Park
Beachfront caravan park with powered sites and cabins. Walking distance to everything. Popular — book well ahead for school holidays.
Nearest dunny: Park amenity block + Sawtell Beach (2min walk).
Coffs Harbour (10min)
Much more accommodation choice in Coffs — motels, resorts, and apartments. Sawtell is just a 10-minute drive or easy cycle on the coastal path.
Nearest dunny: Coffs Harbour facilities.
Getting to Sawtell
Drive
10 minutes south of Coffs Harbour. Turn off the Pacific Highway at the Sawtell Road exit — it's clearly signed.
From Sydney: 5 hours. From Brisbane: 4.5 hours. Quick detour off the highway for a beach break or coffee stop.
Cycle Path
A dedicated cycling and walking path connects Sawtell to Coffs Harbour along the coast. Flat, sealed, and scenic. About 30 minutes by bike. Great alternative to driving if you're staying in Coffs.
Pacific Highway Toilet Stop
Quick stop: Sawtell is only a 5-minute detour from the Pacific Highway. Turn off at Sawtell Road, drive to First Avenue for toilets, coffee, and a stretch.
Better than a servo: Instead of a highway rest stop, detour to Sawtell for proper toilets, real coffee, and a beach view. Back on the highway in 20 minutes.
Beach & Coastal Facilities
Sawtell's beach is the main attraction — protected by the headland, with a rock pool for safe swimming. Here's what you'll find at the beach end of town.
| Facility | Toilets | Showers | Accessible | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sawtell Beach (south end) | Yes | Cold | Yes | Main beach toilet block. 24hr. Near rock pool and surf club. |
| Sawtell Surf Club | Members/events | Yes | Yes | Surf club facilities during patrol hours and functions. |
| Rock Pool | Yes (beach block) | Cold | Yes | Tidal rock pool. Same toilet block serves pool and beach users. |
| Headland walk (start) | Yes (beach block) | — | — | Walk starts near the rock pool. No facilities on the headland loop. |
| Bongil Bongil NP (5min drive) | No | No | No | No facilities. Use Sawtell before driving south to the national park. |
Sawtell Beach is patrolled by surf lifesavers on weekends and school holidays (September-April). The rock pool is always available regardless of conditions. Whale watching from the headland June-November.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there public toilets at Sawtell Beach?
Yes. There is a public toilet block at the southern end of Sawtell Beach near the rock pool and surf club. The facilities are open 24 hours, have cold showers for rinsing off sand, and are maintained by Coffs Harbour City Council.
Is there a toilet on First Avenue Sawtell?
Yes. There is a public toilet on First Avenue (the main shopping street). It's located near the central car park area, within walking distance of all shops, cafes, and the art deco cinema. Open during business hours.
Is there a wheelchair accessible toilet in Sawtell?
Sawtell Beach has an accessible cubicle near the surf club. First Avenue also has an accessible facility. Both locations have flat or ramped access suitable for wheelchair users.
Are there toilets at Bonville Creek Sawtell?
Yes. Bonville Creek reserve on the western side of Sawtell has a basic toilet block near the picnic area. It's popular with families using the playground and people walking the creek path. Open daylight hours.
How far is Sawtell from Coffs Harbour?
Sawtell is just 10km south of Coffs Harbour CBD — about 10 minutes by car. It's technically part of the Coffs Harbour local government area but has maintained its own distinct village identity with independent shops and no chain stores on First Avenue.
What makes Sawtell different from Coffs Harbour?
Sawtell is a deliberately preserved beach village. First Avenue has a heritage overlay that prevents chain stores — every shop is independent. The art deco Sawtell Cinema is one of the oldest continuously operating cinemas in Australia. It feels like stepping back 40 years compared to Coffs Harbour.
Nearby Areas
Sawtell is a heritage beach village of ~5,000 people, 10km south of Coffs Harbour on the NSW mid-north coast. Known for First Avenue (heritage-protected, chain-store-free main street), art deco cinema, and excellent beach. Part of the Coffs Harbour LGA. Gumbaynggirr country.
Local Tips — Sawtell
Best Coffee
Locals rate the Sawtell Curry Bowl for coffee (yes, really), Loft on First for brunch, and the new places change often — ask anyone on the street. All independent.
Whale Watching (June-Nov)
Walk the headland track from the southern beach. Humpback whales migrate past June-November. The headland is one of the best vantage points between Coffs and Nambucca.
Highway Detour Hack
Sawtell is a 5-minute detour off the Pacific Highway. Way better than a rest stop — proper toilets, real coffee, beach view, and you're back on the road in 20 minutes.