Australia is the quintessential home of beach culture, with the nation’s beaches ranging from sweeping crescents with rolling waves to tiny, secluded coves. Almost all Australians live within a two-hour drive of the coast, and during the hot summers it is almost second nature to make for the water to cool off. The clichéd image of the sun-bronzed Australian is no longer the reality it once was, but popular beaches are still packed with tanned bodies basking on golden sands or frolicking in deep blue waves. Fines levied for inappropriate behaviour mean that the atmosphere is calm and safe at all times. Surfing has always been a national sport, with regular carnivals and competitions held on the coastline. There are also opportunities for beginners to try their hand at this daring sport.

Baked-brown bodies and sun-bleached hair were once the epitome of beach culture.

Surf carnivals attract thousands of spectators, who thrill to races, “iron man” competitions, dummy rescues and spectacular lifeboat displays.

Where To Surf

The best surfing to be found in Australia is on the New South Wales coast, the southern Queensland coast, especially the aptly named Surfer’s Paradise and the Sunshine Coast and the southern coastline of Western Australia. Tasmania also has some fine surfing beaches on its northwestern tip. Despite superb north Queensland beaches, the Great Barrier Reef stops the waves well before they reach the mainland. In summer, deadly marine stingers (jellyfish) here make surf swimming impossible in many areas, unless there is a stinger-proof enclosure.

Beach Activities

Australian beaches are not only the preserve of surfers. Winter temperatures are mild in most coastal areas, so many beach activities are enjoyed all year. Weekends see thousands of pleasure boats, from small runabouts to luxury yachts, competing in races or just out for a picnic in some sheltered cove. The sails of windsurfers create swirls of colour on gusty days. Kite-flying has become an art form, with the Festival of the Winds a September highlight at Sydney’s Bondi Beach.

Beach volleyball, once a knockabout game, is now an Olympic sport.

Surf lifesaving is an integral part of the Australian beach scene. Trained volunteer lifesavers, easily recognized by their red and yellow swimming caps, ensure that swimmers stay within flag-defined safe areas and are ready to spring into action if someone is in trouble.

Takeaway snack food at the beach is an Australian tradition, since many sun lovers spend entire days by the ocean. Fish and chips, kebabs and burgers are on sale at beach cafés.

The Australian crawl revolutionized swimming throughout the world in the 1880s. For most Australians, swimming is an everyday sport, learned at a very early age.

Safety

Beaches are safe provided you follow a few guidelines:

• Always swim “between the flags”.

• Don’t swim alone.

• Note signs warning of strong currents, blue bottles or stingers.

• If you get into difficulty, do not wave but signal for help by raising one arm straight in the air.

• Use Factor 30+ sunscreen and wear a shirt and hat.