Australia’s Best Beaches

Everyone has heard of Bondi Beach, Coogee Bay and Byron Bay. Australia has an

abundance of beautiful beaches but not all of them are well known. Here are the 4 best

beaches only the locals know about…

The Bay of Fires“The bay was given its name in 1773 by Captain Tobias Furneaux in Adventure, who saw the

fires of Aboriginal people on the beaches”. (Sprod, 2005)

Located on the North East Coast of the Tasmanian, this area of pristine white beaches,

gorgeous blue waters and untouched wilderness make it the perfect location for everybody

wanting to getaway . Whether wanting a quiet weekend of relaxing or an outdoor adventure

The Bay of Fires can meet your tastes.

The Bay of Fires is a popular Surfing area, offering various swells depending on which of

the Beaches you Surf. For most Surfers Binalong Bay to the South offers nice waves,

while Beer Barrel Beach, Perons Beach and Dark Hollow all offer some nice left and right

beach breaks.

Scamander Rivermouth is only for "Experienced surfers" (“St Helens and Bay of Fires

surfing," 2014), the Reef in the Rivermouth creates nasty rips and Sharks are a real and

present danger. This Beach is unpatrolled by Surf Lifesaving Australia, as "this is one of

the higher energy east coast beaches” (Bay of Fires," 2014) and a well formed sandbar

creates dangerous rips.

“The Bay of Fires has been luring

holiday makers for decades.

Named by ‘Lonely Planet’ in 2009

as the world’s hottest travel

destination, the Bay of Fires has

to be included on your Tasmanian

holiday itinerary”. (The Bay of

Fires & Binalong Bay, 2014)

Whether you go on a guided walk,

scuba diving, fishing, camping,

bird watching, kayaking or just

soak up the sun. There is so

much to see on any of the

Beaches or in the Woodlands.

The adventures are as endless as

the views, this one destination you

will want to visit many times over.

BargaraBargara is a relaxed and friendly coastal town just 15 minutes from the heart of

Bundaberg famous for it's climate that is equal to Hawaii, beautiful beaches, stunning

coastline and friendly locals.

This area is fast becoming a favourite holiday destination for visitors the world over with

its family-friendly facilities and close proximity to many of the region's main attractions.

The Esplanade boasts a six kilometre waterfront walk from Kelly's Beach through to

Neilson's Beach which boasts an attractive public area for barbecues, picnics or take away

from one of the local shops

Bargaras main beach is patrolled during September through to March however risk on this

beach is minimal with the beach rarely producing dangerous rips, these usually only occur when

there is tropical lows or cyclone activity.

The beach is stunning and is lined with million dollar units and homes, it is a reasonably shallow

beach, at the northern end there is a rock pool where elderly and toddlers swim and you can

feed over sized bream and diamond scale mullet, the southern end is patrolled.

Image: "Bargara from the Hummock" by ann jenner

You can also dine waterside at the

cafes and eateries which all boast an

alfresco atmosphere.

The many parks and recreational

areas dotted from Kelly's to Neilson's

means you often find the town

brimming with locals and visitors

alike and there is a huge range of

accommodation options from beach

houses, apartments, hotels, motels

and caravan parks to luxury

waterfront accommodation.

Fishing enthusiasts are well catered

for at Bargara with an artificial reef

guaranteeing good fishing all year

round. The Woongarra Marine Park

preserves the coastline and offers

fishing and snorkelling right on the

shore. A first class golf course is

located just behind the beach and a

bowling green offers outdoor

entertainment for people of all ages.

Cottesloe BeachLocated in Perth’s western suburbs just 11kms south west of the CBD, is a stretch of golden

sand over one and a half kilometers long and is one of the more popular beaches. Crystal

clear waters and consistent waves make it a top spot for swimming, snorkeling, surfing and

glimpsing a picturesque sunset over the Indian Ocean.

“In 2009, The Lonely Planet named Cottesloe Beach the world’s second best beach for

families.” (Miral, 2009) In 1909 it became the birthplace of surfing and surf lifesaving in

Weatern Australia with the establishment of the Cottesloe Surf Life Saving Club

The summer is the time to go to Cottesloe. Averaging 29 degrees and reaching highs of 38.

Winter on the other hand is not very enjoyable. Temperatures average around 18 degrees so

be sure to pack your wetsuit. Sea temperatures peak around 23 degrees around early March

and are at their minimum on around September, at 17 degrees.

The beach itself is fairly exposed and has a reliable surf break all year round. However, for

those chasing the perfect wave, the swell is generally better in an offshore wind from the east

to southeast. The waves closer to shore tend to break both ways. For the average swimmer it

is usually crowded, with the ever-present danger of rips and of course sharks

Activities and family outings

are the thing to do at

Cottesloe. Picnics, beach

cricket, outdoor music festivals

and cycling along the ocean

way are just a few. If that isn’t

your thing then there is a

boulevard filled with

restaurants, bars and cafes

along Marine Parade just

behind the beach.

There is a fantastic nine-hole

golf course nearby and if you

are lucky enough to time it

right, the beach itself is

transformed once a year by the

free public exhibition of

Sculptures by the Sea

Kirra BeachLocated on the South East of Queensland on The Gold Coast, it’s a fast paced, active and

peaceful area.

Kirra beach is the perfect example of what the Gold Coast has to offer. There are some

fantastic views over the beach and the surrounding area. The environment is very friendly

and tourist can take a walk in the warm sand. Very quiet, relaxing and is family friendly.

Some many great things to see and do.

Autumn and winter are more preferred time of the year for waves. Wind direction is from the

south, wave just as likely from local wind swells as from distant groundswells and the ideal

swell direction is from the south east . Must watch out for any rips, sharks and rocks

.Kirra is one of the best beaches in Queensland and is well known for producing the perfect

wave and has played host to the Billabong pro surfing competition.

Kirra beach is known as a great location for

fishing, diving, and boating. It contains a

sophisticated dining precinct on the main

beach abroad. Accommodation is affordable

and you won’t be disappointed.

There are more reasons to choose this

destination, it offers fascinating places such

as the Golf courses, Market & Shopping,

Theatre restaurants, Conrad Jupiters

casino, Hinterland, Nightlife, Cavill Avenue

and so much more. The Gold Coast by-

pass road provides easy access to the

major theme parks including the Currumbin

Wildlife sanctuary which is also close by.

The Australian Coastline harbours some of the best Beaches in the world, regularly being

mentioned in ‘The Lonely Planet’ list of must see and hottest destinations. With new

Beaches being discovered each and every year.

Do yourself a favour, get out there and see them.

References

”Bay of Fires” (2014) http://beachsafe.org.au/beach/tas0051

Cottesloe Beach Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide n.d, viewed 5 September 2014, http://www.surf-

forecast.com/breaks/Cottesloe-Beach/seatemp

Cottesloe, Western Australia, Wikipedia, viewed 9 September 2014,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cottesloe,_Western_Australia

Fahmy, Miral 2009. Travel Picks: Tope 10 beach holidays for families, viewed 9 September 2014,

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2009/08/14/us-travel-picks-beaches-idUKTRE57D0HP20090814

Kirra beach, Last viewed 4/9/14 www.gold-coast-beach-escapes.com.au

Images by Google search. Last viewed 4/9/14

www.kirrabeach.com.au/images

www.tourismgoldcoast.com/attractions

Sprod, Dan (2005). "Furneaux, Tobias (1735 - 1781)". Australian Dictionary of Biography

http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/furneaux-tobias-12932

“St Helens and Bay of Fires surfing” (2014) http://www.backpackaround.com/things-to-

do/destinations/tasmania/st-helens/st-helens-surfing.html

“The Bay of Fires & Binalong Bay” (2014) http://www.visitsthelenstasmania.com.au/places/the-bay-of-fires-

binalong-bay

Wells, Bonny, 2014 Cottesloe Beach, viewed 10 September 2014, http://www.westernaustralia-

travellersguide.com/cottesloe-beach.html