Coogee Beach has reopened for swimming after a decomposing juvenile whale carcass found along the rocky coastline at Lurline Bay prompted a precautionary closure, with the remains subsequently washing ashore at Malabar.
The whale was discovered at Lurline Bay on Thursday, 22 October, leading Randwick City Council to close both Coogee and Maroubra beaches over concerns that the carcass could attract sharks. Lifeguards reopened Coogee the following day, advising swimmers to remain between the flags. The decision came after overnight high tides failed to dislodge the whale, which remained trapped among rocks some distance from the swimming beaches.
A Difficult Recovery Along The Cliffs
The whale’s location presented an unusual challenge for authorities. Surrounded by steep cliffs and rocky ledges, the carcass was difficult to reach with machinery, while its advanced state of decomposition further complicated recovery efforts. Although Coogee reopened, the immediate area around Lurline Bay remained barricaded. Beachgoers were advised to avoid the rocks and surrounding waters while authorities considered how to manage the remains.
Randwick City Council worked with Gamay Rangers, the La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council and NSW government authorities to assess the available options. The response also involved cultural considerations. The whale is an important totem animal for the local Bidjigal people, and authorities sought an approach that respected its cultural significance while addressing public safety.
Senior Gamay Ranger Robert Cooley initially favoured allowing the carcass to decompose naturally because of the difficulty retrieving it from the rocky shoreline. Rope found around one of the whale’s pectoral fins was traced to an earlier attempt to tow the remains out to sea. The carcass had previously been discovered off Sydney’s northern beaches before reaching Lurline Bay.
Strong Currents Bring A Change Of Location
The whale remained lodged along the coastline until Monday, 26 October, when strong currents carried it south towards Malabar Beach. Lifeguards closed Malabar after the decomposing remains washed ashore, placing barriers around the affected area to prevent public access.
By Tuesday morning, at least two large sections of the whale were visible near the shoreline. Council workers used machinery to move the remains further up the beach while arrangements were made for specialist contractors to collect and dispose of them. A cultural adviser from Gamay Rangers attended the operation. The carcass was reportedly too decomposed for a cultural burial.
Dr Clare Willington urged people to stay away from Malabar while crews managed the remaining sections. Coogee Beach remained open in Randwick City Council’s latest lifeguard report on Wednesday, 28 October. The report recorded 0.5-metre waves and a water temperature of 17 degrees Celsius, with swimmers still advised to follow lifeguard directions. The latest whale-related notice, issued on 27 October, stated that Malabar Beach would remain closed until further notice.
Published 23-October-2026
Updated 27-October-2026
