"What is there to do in Australia?" can be distilled into an even simpler question: "what is there to do at the beach?" Whether you like swimming or surfing, examining marine life or simply jumping off of things, there will always be some kind of beach activity to take your fancy. Something sandy, sunny or wet is constantly on offer, which is no surprise in a culture built around boardies and barbies. But no matter how much you pride yourself on being a beach-loving Aussie, there's always something new to try. Here are 10 ideas to get you started:
Learning to surf is the first and most obvious choice for the beach-loving Aussie, but sadly we're not all born with a wetsuit on and a leash round our ankle. Luckily, the kilometres of shoreline around the country harbour many easy beaches for the learning surfer.
Surf schools are always just around the corner, and once you familiarise yourself with surfing's ‘courtesy rules’, it will be all about you and learning to brave the blue.
If you’re a thrillseeker, try
hang-gliding. Bald Hill in Stanwell Park, near Helensburgh, NSW is one launch spot that will send you flying into the air. It sits a mere 180 metres above sea level, but it can send you soaring in excess of 450 metres. The glide lasts for more than 20 minutes and the view of the surrounding area is breathtaking.
Rather than complaining when the wind whips sand into your icecream, why not take advantage of Australia's many blowy beaches and take up
kite surfing? This high adrenaline sport involves using a kite to pull a small surfboard or wakeboard through the water, scudding over the waves and perhaps, if you get really good, trying some freestyle jumps and flips too. And when summer comes to an end, the skills you pick up will come in handy for the snowboard holiday too…
Scuba Diving at Julian Rocks is an excellent way to pass time at Byron Bay. Named by Captain Cook in the 18th century, this large rock is home to an abundance of rays, sharks, tortoises and fish. When diving into this underwater world it’s easy to forget that you're just two and a half kilometres from the Byron Bay coast.
Crab fishing along the Tweed River, NSW, is a fun and safe activity for anyone who enjoys a leisurely two-and-a-half-hour boat ride, calm waters and the sun. There are not only crabs to be caught along this eco-adventure, but also pelicans to feed and some wonderful natural scenery to gaze upon.
There is so much to do at
Hamilton Island, Qld that it deserves its own top 10 list, but then it's also worth remembering that beaches are for relaxing – the best thing to do is often nothing at all. Once on the island you’ll find that the sun, the tropical waters and the upbeat vibe provide more than enough ways to while away the hours.
A Tasmanian
penguin tour gives you the opportunity to meet and greet these cute little critters in their natural environment. This trip is ideal for the family as the experienced guides make education fun and enjoyable. These affordable tours run year-round at dusk.
Sport-fishing in the Northern Territory’s Arnhem Land is another exhilarating escapade that offers a chance to catch some critters for yourself. But it's fit for only experienced fishermen and their rods, as some of Australia’s most aggressive underwater life lives here. It's easy enough to book yourself on to a chartered fishing boat and tour the region but it's far harder to catch the mackerel, trevally or queenfish as they fight for survival.
Swimming with the dolphins at Monkey Mia , WA, is truly a remarkable experience. The shallow waters, where humans have been bathing for years, are also inviting for the dolphins, which have been visiting daily since the early 1960s. These intelligent mammals of the sea come looking for human interaction, which is why in these waters the humans and dolphins have a symbiotic relationship – they entertain each other.
Admittedly nudist beaches aren’t for everyone but if you're in the area and not afraid to bare all, take yourself and your birthday suit down to Maslin Beach, SA, Australia's first ever nudist beach. If this isn't your idea of beach activity, bring along the frisbee for some more everyday entertainment.
