IMAGES: GETTY; ALAMY


AUSTRALIA


coastal


AUSTRALIA’S BEST BEACHES


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BEST FOR SURFING BELLS BEACH Every Easter, the top surfers in the


world converge on Bells Beach near


Torquay, Victoria for the Rip Curl Pro Surfing Competition. The beach is set in a natural amphitheatre flanked by rocky cliffs, with powerful waves propelled towards the sands by an exposed offshore reef. The best breaks are found in autumn and winter. Challenging conditions make this an advanced surfing spot, but less experienced surfers can ride their boards at nearby Anglesea.


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BEST FOR PEACE VIVONNE BAY BEACH The remote location of this stunning


3.5mile-long arc of immaculate white


sand in South Australia means you won’t have to share it with too many people. Tucked into Kangaroo Island’s wild underbelly, its sheltered location makes it ideal for swimming, surfing and fishing. If too much sunbathing makes you restless, the beach also adjoins the island’s ‘Little Sahara’, undulating natural sand dunes where you can practise sandboarding and tobogganing.


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BEST FOR CAMPING LUCKY BAY Don’t mind the neighbours when you pull


up at Lucky Bay in Cape Le Grand National


Park, Western Australia. The brilliant turquoise waters attract kangaroos who like to lounge on the white sand and watch visitors roll in. When you’re done setting up camp, there’s little to do but unwind, soak up the serene surroundings and enjoy a bushwalk up Frenchman Peak for spectacular views over the national park. Plots at Lucky Bay’s campground go quick — book in advance. exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au


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BEST URBAN SAND COOGEE BEACH A 30-minute bus ride from Sydney’s


Central Business District, Coogee Beach is


a more relaxed affair than neighbouring Bondi Beach, offering a wide sandy beachfront, three historic ocean pools and green lawns on which to laze. It’s also the start or end point of the four-mile-long Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk, which meanders along sandstone cliffs. After dark, catch live music at Coogee Bay Hotel or Coogee Pavilion, just back from the beach.


A sunrise surfer in action at Bells Beach, near Torquay in Victoria Above: Coogee Beach in southeast Sydney is great for an urban dip


NOVEMBER 2024 83


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