Freshwater

Freshwater Beach

Freshwater NSW

The Beach and Surrounding Areas:

Freshie is a great beach with an interesting history, but the major reason I chose to review this beach is because it is one of the best beaches to learn to swim and surf at. Possibly named due to a fresh water creek that used to run into the ocean in this bay, Freshwater had a contentious history in it's name and was officially called Harbord from 1923 to 2008, whereupon it regained it's former name due to popular demand. Another interesting facet of Freshwaters history is that in 1914 Duke Kahanamoku visited this beach and introduced surfing to Australia. The local Surf Life Saving Club regularly patrols the beach and is home to a fantastic community of people. 

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Transport:

Getting into this area is easiest by bus or car, with no train service in the vicinity. As it is a very short distance from Manly, many people simply walk to experience the spectacular sea views. 

Shops:

Only a few hundred meters away from the beach is a strip of shops including cafes, restaurants, general stores, pharmacists, fast food stores and many more. If you can't find what you need here then you can just head into Manly or Brookvale where you can find almost anything to suit your needs.

Nightlife:

There are two places that you have to check out if you like bevvie or two, one is the Harbord Diggers Club, with on of the most spectacular outlooks of any club I have ever been too, it is a must. The other is the Harbord Beach Hotel, which almost looks like a castle and their main function area is set up to look very Roman-esque. If you want something a little more fast paced you can head around the corner into main Manly where you'll find pubs and clubs galore.

What Else:

Along with a fantastic beach that is one of the easiest places to swim, there is also a tidal pool for those a little less keen on any waves. If you're looking for somewhere to stay then there are many places in Manly, Curl-Curl and Queenscliff or there is accomodation available at the Harbord Beach Hotel. 

Conclusion:

This beach is an all time favourite of mine, with a great swell and an awesome vibe, with a history to match, this beach is epic. Simply epic, five stars!

Pat

Cronulla Beach

  

Cronulla Beach

Cronulla, NSW 

Beach and Surrounding areas:

Located South of Sydney in Bates Bay, Cronulla is home to many of those in which participated in the Surf life saving championships. This patrolled beach enures the safety of locals and tourists as they have the largest surf life saving movement in the world, with over 1200 participants. The waves at Cronulla gives quite a surf, however does not compare to many others. Behind Cronulla Beach is Cronulla park, this park is ideal for the perfect picnic down by the beach, or just even that even stroll through the park while the sun beautifully sets.

Nightlife and Entertainment:

Having a large variety of nightclubs, pubs, restaurants and bars, Cronulla truely bring out a night of entertainment and fun. With the latest music found a Fusion bar which closes at 3 : 00 am, entertainment is just around the corner. More information is found here, regarding nightlife.

Transport:
Located 55 minutes train ride away from the City CBD, Cronulla can be quite time consuming to get to. If you do decide to drive there just keep on driving past the airport and the sign which directs you through to Botany Bay. More information is available on this site. Parking is free at Cronulla, however in some places, a small fee may apply.

Conclusion:

Overall Cronulla is a good place for an evening strol around the park, However it does not present a strong attribute found in other Sydney Beaches. I give this beach a 2 and half star rating.

Wilson L.

Hyams Beach

 

 Hyams Beach

Shores of Jervis Bay, NSW 

The Beach and surrounding areas:

Located 1 hours and 47 minutes away from Sydney, Hyams beach is truly a remarkable place to visit. The beach faces out towards the rears of the pacific oceans, displaying a fantastic view of the sea and it's exotic bush lands. Tides are not as strong as the previous beaches mentioned, however with it's stunning white sand beach, this itself will win you over. Hyams Beach is currently listed in the Guinness book of records for having the whitest sand in the world. Hyams beach is a perfect place fora quiet getaway just for the couple, or even the family.  

Transport:

There a numerous ways to get to Hyams beach and all this information can be found on this link.

Shops and Entertainment:

With a recorded population of up to 76 people in 2006, the location wise of Hyams beach and it's surrounding area does not revolve much around technological culture. Its difference is defined by the special attributes which surround the Beach. From the North side of the beach, it is surrounded by natural wildlife found within Jervis Bay National Park, where travelers can go hiking across the mountain ranges. The south side of the each displays a magnificent collection of wildlife animals, native Australian fauna and flora found within the Botanic Gardens and Booderee National park. Overall Hyams Beach may not contain much of a nightlife or entertainment, However the stunning views and bays especially with the white sand beach could win anyone over if they're expecting a peaceful getaway.

Other Recreational Activities:

There are many other recreational activities for the family not inside Hyams beach itself but the surrounding beaches including stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, bush walking, and many more.  

A good 4 and a half stars!

Wilson L

Salamander Bay

 

Salamander Bay

Port Stephens- NSW

The beach & Surrounding Areas:
Salamander Bay is a beautiful place which offers its own charming and unique attractions to visitors and local.The area itself has many holiday resorts, caravan parks and apartments which can be enjoyed by young couples, retirees and large families. The bay is patrolled during busy summer months and school holidays to ensure all tourists and locals are safe in the beautiful ocean.


Transport: 

There are no train lines up to Salamander Bay, however there are buses and coaches frequently traveling up to Port Stephens. If holidaying up as Salamander Bay for a week or so, there are many places that you can hire cars to drive for the week. In addition, taxi's drive all around the bay, local buses and bike hire is also possible. Overall though, most facilities and entertainment are located in the central area of Salamander Bay; therefore walking is always a fun and healthy option!

What else: 
Salamander Bay is the perfect place for families and friends to enjoy a holiday away! There is Salamander Bay shopping centre in the heart of the town and many restaurant and cafe's to visit for a breakfast, lunch and dinner! A day trip up to the Bay is made perfect and easy as there are shops all around for any occasion or entertainment need. 


Overall, Salamander Bay is a perfect place for families to enjoy time away from their busy schedules.  The accommodation in the area is of high standards with many relaxing facilities to enjoy. I give Salamander Bay a 4.5 star out of 5 as I've been there many times and my experience has always been highly relaxing and enjoyable!

By Natasha D.

Dicky Beach

Dicky Beach

Dicky Beach QLD

The Beach and Surrounding Areas:

The Sunshine Coast is home to many beautiful beaches with calm, warm waters. I chose to look at Dicky Beach in particular because of the iconic wreck of the SS Dicky which can be found on it's shores. The area itself is home to a large caravan park, a small strip of shops and restaurants, a skate park and the Dicky Beach Surf Life Saving Club. The beach is patrolled and the SLSC won the DHL Queensland Surf Life Saving Club of the Yeah in 2009, so you can feel safe in their hands. You can sometimes get a good swell if surfing is in your schedule, but for the general swimmer or families the waves are gentle and great to learn to swim in. An added benefit of this beach is that it is quite flat, great for those interested in some skimboarding.

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Transport:

As there is no train line going to the Sunshine Coast, this area relies mainly on buses for public transport, there are a few taxis around as well. If travelling into the area from Brisbane, the easiest way to get here is via a train to Landsborough and then catching a Sunbus to the coast. Brisbane Rails train schedule can be found here and the Sunbus timetables can be found here!

Shops:

There is a small strip of shops just up from the beach which include surf shops, cafes, restaurants, a pharmacy and a great little fish'n'chips place called The Fishmongers Wife, they do a great fish and chips for a reasonable price. 

Nightlife:

The Sunshine Coast has a few spots where the parties go well into the night, Dicky Beach, unfortunately, isn't one of them. Apart from a few restuarants, most of the area closes down as the sun goes down. If you are looking for a bit more of an exciting night, you can head down the coast about 5 minutes towards Caloundra, where you will find a number of pubs, clubs and taverns that are open 'til late. Otherwise you can head north towards Mooloolaba where at the Esplanade you can find numerous clubs, check our the Wharf Tavern if you head there, usually goes off.

What Else:

The big seller for Dicky Beach is the closeness of accommodation, with the caravan park being 500m from the beach. It makes holidaying in this area easy and comfortable, for more information about this holiday park please visit this link. One final must when visiting Dicky Beach is to visit the wreck of the SS Dicky, as sadly one day it will have completely washed away, and I know in my repeat visits to this beach I have noticed a slow reduction in size of the wreck.

Conclusion:

All in all I find this beach to be a fun, relaxing beach, with calm waters and a good feel to it. The only possible reason I can find to give it less than five stars is it's lack of nightlife, but this can be found just around the corner in other suburbs. I give Dicky Beach 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Cheers,

Pat

St Kilda Beach

St Kilda Beach

St Kilda VIC

The Beach and Surrounding Areas:

The area of St Kilda is a fascinating one, initially a place where the wealthy came to live beside the sea it gradually became home to people from many different walks of life. Described as a red light district with parallels drawn between it and Sydney's Kings Cross, this whole area has been a very happening yet dangerous scene. Moving on to the beach itself, although being one of Melbourne's most famous beaches, with the St Kilda Pier and the Sea Baths, my initial experience wasn't the most well formed. In short, be careful where you tread on this beach as it is still an area frequented by many individuals who don't seem to want to clean up after themselves. Although there is next to no surf there are still many water related activities such as jet-skiing, windsurfing, sailing and kite-surfing along with many areas to swim.  

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Transport:

Melbourne is the home of public transport, in my opinion at least. With trams, buses, trains, ferries and taxis as far as the eye can see. Getting around is incredibly easy and the tram, train or bus trip into the CBD is quick and interesting. Tickets can be bought in many locations, news agents, food stores, conveinience stores and ticket machines near the stops. 

Shops:

Shopping around St Kilda is amazing, with restaurants, cafes, bars, fast food, clothing, jewellery, thrift shops, grocery stores, almost anything you can imagine. If you can't find what you want here, Chapel Street is just a short tram ride away. 

Nightlife:

The nightlife in St Kilda is booming, being a former red light district this isn't that far fetched an idea. With many small pubs, clubs and bars along with restaurants, almost all of which are licensed, this area provides a fantastic place in which one can go out on the town. A few places to look out for in particular are The Prince, located on Fitzroy Street, just opposite Cleve Gardens, a place where you can find many interesting people and some great live and local bands, The Esplanade Hotel is also just around the corner and is a great hangout for many music lovers, further along The Esplanade you will find the Vineyard, an amazing place where you can meet some of Melbourne's elite, although it can be quite hard to get into. All in all the nightlife in St Kilda is definitely one of it's major highlights.

What Else:

A few other things are worth noting, such as the numerous places to stay in this area. There are many backpackers, hotels, inns and easy to rent apartments, accommodation for any budget. There is also Melbourne's Luna Park which is located on The Esplanade, always a fun place to take the kids or even for the big kids. A final event that must be mentioned are the St Kilda Night Markets, running over summer on every Thursday night in O'Donnell Gardens, it is a spectacular that cannot be missed.

Conclusion:

St Kilda is a fantastic area and is a must on anyone's visit to Melboure, the only let down would be the beach itself but that was only my experience, because of this I'm only giving this beach 3 out of 5 stars.

Cheers,

Pat

Byron Bay

 

 Byron Bay Beach

Byron Bay NSW

The Beach and Surrounding areas:

Byron Bay is a popular town which has many beaches which are infamously popular for surfing. The beach is also well-known for its whale watching industry which  appeals to domestic and international tourists; including backpackers. Byron Bay also lies close to gorgeous subtropical rainforests, Nightcap National Park and Minyon Falls, which are all incredibly close to the town.

Transport:

Driving to Byron Bay by car has been made easy and more enjoyable when done via the Pacific Highway. With regular rest breaks, the trip will take approximately 9 hours from Sydney, or about 2 hours from Brisbane. For those holidaying, and unable to drive a car to the beach cars are available to rent locally when staying in the area. 

Another popular way to get to Byron Bay is via a coach facility. It is not only cheaper, but quite easy to just relax on the coach and enjoy the stunning views. Most bus companies located on the east coast of Australia have regular bus/coach services which drive to Byron Bay. 

Shops & Entertainment:

There are a range of restaurants, cafe's, fish & chip shops and many more along the beach where tourists and locals enjoy the lively atmosphere. Byron Bay also offers a range of Land Based activities (nature walks, horse riding tours, day trips), Sea based activities (Kayaking, whale watching, fishing), Air based activties (Ski diving, gliding, hot-air ballooning) and Mind&Body activities (Yoga, retreats, massage and day spas). The possibilities are endless and the sky really is the limit!!

Nightlife:

At night, Byron Bay really comes alive!  There are large ranges of Bars, Pubs, Taverns, Clubs, Cafe's and Restaurants everyone can enjoy! Many pubs have live music and entertainment, dancing and karaoke nights for people of all ages to enjoy. 

Overall, Byron Bay is a beautiful, lively beach that people of all ages will enjoy! I give this beach an overall rating of 4/5 stars!

 

By Natasha D.

Palm Beach

 

Palm Beach

Sydney NSW 

The Beach and surrounding areas:

Palm beach is a beautiful, popular beach famous for its use of exterior filming on the popular soap opera Home and Away. It is located approximately 41 kilometers north of the CBD. Palm beach has a large number of beaches, parks and sporting areas which includes a part of the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. The beach encapsulates a unique environment blending breathtaking views, with beautiful fresh air and a crystal clear ocean. Palm beach is one beach that you'll definitely revisit over and over as you are guaranteed to enjoy the relaxed and casual atmosphere.   

Transport: 

Palm beach is located mess than an hour drive from the Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge and the CBD.  There is also a L90 bus which can be caught from the heart of Sydney's CBD. It is a 2 hour bus trip which is well worth the time due to the fabulous views and scenery along the way (be sure to get the window seat on the bus!!) 

Shops & Entertainment:

Palm beach has a popular golf club, sailing club, surf school and two surf lifesaving clubs for adults and children to enjoy. There are a range of popular restaurants, cafe's, gelato shops and convenience stores which can be enjoyed by couples and families with children. 

Families and young couples may also enjoy the learn to surf classes which are provided on the beach 7 days a week. Surf boards and wetsuits are provided and all ages and abilities are welcomed.

 

Nightlife:  

At night there are a range of restaurants, seafood bars, night clubs and bard to be enjoyed by young groups and couples. There are many lively bars which offer a great place to enjoy live music and cocktails at any time of the night. 

Overall, Palm Beach definitely offers many different entertainment facilities and fun for the family. I give this beach a high rating of 4.5 stars!!

 

By Natasha D.

Shoal Bay

 Shoal Bay
Port Stephens NSW

The beach & Surrounding Areas: 

Shoal bay is a relaxing, family friendly beach which is located 2.5 hours north of Sydney. The beach is not patrolled, however the water is always calm with no waves which makes it idea for all swimmers, especially children. There are many forms of accommodation along the beach shore including a holiday park, caravan park and Shoal Bay Resort and Spa just to same a few. 

There are also many restaurants, cafe's and small shops located across the road from the beach. There is a holiday park across from the bat where you can hire paddle boats, surf skis, canoes and water-scooters on the beach in the summer months. There are also game-fishing clubs which can be pursued and competitions in the southern hemisphere each February. 

Transport: 

The trip to Shoal Bay takes approximately 2.5 hours from Sydney driving by car. The beach itself is easily accessed by car as there are many parking spots around the beach and down quiet side streets. A daily bus/coach service runs from Central station to shoal bay. The Trip takes approximately 3.5-4 hours and costs $44 for a return trip.

Shops/attractions:

There are a variety of shops and restaurants around Shoal Bay, which makes the beach an ideal holiday destination for young couples and families looking for a relaxing and peaceful environment. One of the most popular holiday attractions of Shoal Bay is Tomaree Head. A short steep bush walk up to the top will will take your breath way once you find yourself enjoying some of the magnificent views over Port Stephens. You can often see Dolphins swimming in the area, as well as migrating humpback whales. 

Close to Shoal Bay is the town of Nelson Bay, with a range of exciting shops, seafood restaurants and bars. Other exciting towns around the bay include Anna Bay and Lemon Tree Passage.

Nightlife: 

Shoal Bay really does shine during the day, nightlife is not overly exciting.. However there are a range of restaurants and bistro's, pubs and small clubs which can be enjoyed by everyone. Perhaps a relaxing or romantic walk along the beach will appeal to young couples and families.










Overall, Shoal bay is the perfect destination to relax and unwind on a beautiful long weekend or during school holidays! I give the bay a rating of 3.5 stars!

By Natasha D.

Bondi Beach

Bondi Beach

Sydney NSW

The Beach and surrounding area:

A wonderful beach located just a short drive of seven kilometers away from Central, Bondi Beach is remarkably one of Sydney's great features. Finding itself listed on the Australian Heritage list in 2008. Stretching a bit beyond one kilometer of its sandy shore Bondi Beach enables the fun in the sun criterion for all ages. Surfers tend to find themselves located   on  the  Southern  end  of  the  beach,  while many swimmers splash around on the  northern  side  with  calm gentle  waters  and the  security  of  a  patrolled  beach. The Beach is securely patrolled by the  Bondi  Lifeguards (found on Bondi rescue TV show) where swimmers are encouraged  to  swim  safely between  the  red  and  yellow  flags.

Transport:

Due to the large demand for parking at Bondi beach, the general transportation used are the bus services caught from the Bondi junction interchange. For more ways to get there or any other information regarding transport, please click here.

Shops and the Culture:

Bondi Beach has a large variety of surfwear, beachwear and equipments for all ages. For your convenience, a bank is situated on the south side of the beach. Different attires for the different occasions, Bondi has hosted many events including the New Years Eve party, Cocacola promotions and home to many living surf legends. These events infuse fun an excitement for everyone. Restaurants range from fancy cuisines to fast food outlets. For more information on dining please click here.

Nightlife:

Besides the great surf or easy going fun in the sun, Bondi beach also offers a unique nightlife experience. Don't you worry about the variety of drinks found at Bondi as they  Range from over 10 different bars and pubs, in which many to choose from. Top bars listed are found on this website.

Conclusion:

Bondi Beach is an excellent place to enjoy to all ages, however their culture and nightlife visage may conflict with those wanting a relaxing vacation.

Wilson L