Feb. 8, 2015, 9:13 p.m.

Many tourist parks in the Illawarra are too close to hazardous beaches, putting visitors at risk, study says.

An aerial view of Corrimal Beach and Corrimal Caravan Park shows its proximity to the beach. Picture: SYLVIA LIBER

The warning signs at the entrance to Corrimal Beach Tourist Park, owned and operated by Wollongong council. Picture: ANDY ZAKELI

Many tourist parks in the Illawarra and other areas on the South Coast are too close to hazardous beaches, putting visitors at risk, a university study has found.

The study by academics at the University of New South Wales' School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences found 91 per cent of tourist parks in NSW were "closest to surf beaches rated as hazardous to swimmers".

"These stark statistics should be of concern to tourist park operators, beach users and local governments," said study author, Associate Professor Rob Brander.

A hazard rating was given to each beach, based on a formula in the Surf Life Saving Australia, Australian Beach Safety and Management Program, with one being the least hazardous and 10 the most.

The study also found 35 per cent of these beaches were unpatrolled and 61 per cent only partially patrolled.

According to the study, the beaches on the southern NSW coast posed more of a threat than those to the north.

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Beaches pose danger near tourist parks