More beaches in New South Wales are closed by red algal blooms along much of the coast.
Sightings have been reported as far as Bateman's Bay in the south and Newcastle in the north.
Large streaks of red algae were spotted off North Wollongong beach on Thursday and Clovelly, Bronte and Tamarama beaches were all shut.
Bilgola, Mona Vale, Palm Beach and Newport on the northern beaches of Sydney were also closed due to outbreaks.
Newcastle Surf Life Saving Club president Brad Kinniard told AAP it was the first time he had seen a red bloom, despite being in the area for more than 25 years.
AAP reports a bloom was first spotted at Bondi Beach at 6.30am (AEDT) on Tuesday, with subsequent outbreaks at Clovelly Beach and Gordons Bay.
Also called "red tide" or "fire in the sea", the algae is non-toxic, but contains high ammonia levels that can cause minor skin irritation if you swim in it.
