20ten Beaches

1. ISLAND BEACH, SA

Recognised as Australia’s best beach a claim that could be at least in part to do with its isolation. Tourists are not going to stumble across this beach by accident. A 90 minutes drive from Adelaide followed by a 45 minutes ferry across one of the Australia’s most treacherous stretches of water, then a 40 minute drive and a quick walk.

So why go, fine white sands, unbeatable views, isolation and an piece of coastland that it yet to be ruined by “well meaning” people.

Getting there

Catch the Sealink Ferry from Jervis Bay to Penneshaw from $82 return www.sealink.com.au or fly from Adelaide airport from $75 return www.rex.com.au

2. SCARBOROUGH BEACH, WA

Here you get one of the best picture-postcard sunsets on a daily basis, and one of the last Australian sunsets every day of the year. Just a 13 minute drive north-west from Perth CDB.

A visually spectacular as Scarborough Beach is it also have waves suitable for windsurfing and kite surfing. It also plays host to surf lifesaving competitions and numerous community events.

Getting there
Catch the 400 bus from Perth train station, or simply catch a taxi or drive from Perth., for around $5 per trip.

3. BELLS BEACH, VIC
Bells is arguably Australia’s most famous surfing beach. Approximately 90minutes drive south west from Melbourne it is also home to one of the Rip Curl Pro. Because of its surfing fame it has become somewhat of a tourist attraction and prices for food, retail and accommodation may reflect this so shop around.

Beautiful beaches surrounded by picturesque cliffs. This is definitely a beach for the waves bikinis and board shorts, ending the day with an out of tune guitar with a few newly founds mates. Gnarly dude!

Getting there
Easiest way is to hire a car or Train Melbourne to Geelong (Warrnambool Line) from $12.80 return THEN Get on bus 74 to Jan Juc from $3.40 return

4. DUNDEE BEACH, NT
120 kilometres south west of Darwin this beach prides itself on being both an idyllic fishing spot and the perfect weekend getaway. Dotted with beach shacks for Darwin residents to escape from they consider to be hustle and bustle of city life. It .s location means it is secluded.

Getting there
Get your hands on a 4wheel-drve and a map.

5. SUMMERLAND BEACH, VIC
Despite the promise of its name, you are not going to surf or swim at Summerland Beach. You are not even going to get to feel the sand between your toes. But this is not why you would make the 90 minutes journey south of Melbourne. Summerland is the home of the daily Penguin Parade.

The Little Penguins - formerly Fairy Penguins (names have been changed to protect the homosexuals) – emerge from the ocean after a day’s fishing to waddle across the beach into the dunes to their burrows. Be warned photography is not allowed in the National Park.

Getting there
You can drive from Melbourne and it will cost you from $20.60 to enter the park and view the penguins. The other alternative is to join a bus tour with many companies offering day and overnight trips. Day trips will cost around $120 www.penguin.org.au

6. PALM COVE, QLD
In northern Queensland this beach has been awarded Australia’s cleanest beach. It is in close proximity of the Great Barrier Reef hence this tropical paradise has sacrificed some of its tranquillity as it transformed into a resort area.

There is plenty of space to go walking along the fine white sand. If you want to get your designer swimwear wet you can of course go swimming or you can join in the numerous water sports – for a fee. Hone your snorkelling skills before heading out on a tour to explore one of the natural wonders of the world while it is still alive.

Getting there
Cairns is a two hour 30 minute flight from Brisbane. Once in Cairns jump on the Sunbus for the hour-long drive along route 1N, 1X, 2 or 2A for less than $5.Cars, motorbikes, scooters and bicycles are also available for hire.

7. TALLOW BEACH, NSW
A great surfing beach at Byron Bay, Tallow Beach is also a great beach for letting your canine friends to enjoy the sun and surf. On the southern side of the headland it offers seven kilometres of uninterrupted white sand.

To protect your pooch from the territorial warfare that can come with encroaching on surfers turf dogs are restricted to an 1.5-2km stretch of beach stretching from Jarman Street Suffolk Park to Arakwal National Park.

Getting there
A 90minute flight from Sydney, you will then need to hire a vehicle of your choice to get to Tallow Beach, take Lennox Head Road and follow the signs.

8. WINEGLASS BAY, TAS
A protected bay creating an almost lagoon-style beach the trouble with Wineglass Bay is finding weather warm enough to warrant going for a swim. (maximum temperature only gets to mid twenties). Keeping your clothes on there is plenty of activity options to keep everyone busy, cruises, kayaking, rock climbing, bushwalking and wildlife spotting (in and out of the water).

This is the perfect beach for taking perfect scenic photographs for uploading to your Facebook page to show off to all of your friends. A few community events are also organised between October and March each year. Definitely the best time of the year to head south.

Getting there
Make your way to Tasmania either by air or sea. The bus from Hobart or Launceston to Bechino will cost around $75, from there take the Coles Bay connecting bus which will take another 35minutes and cost $30 return. Of course if you get the ferry to Tasmania you could also bring your car and just drive.

9. LAKE BURLEY GRIFFIN, ACT
Ok so it is more of a bank than a beach as its name suggests it is a lake not a sea or ocean, and not even a natural lake at that. As artificial as everything else in Canberra, it does offer a lot for the tourist looking for somewhere to go for water-based activities.

Windsurfing, cruises, fishing or ride the water jet on the lake named after Walter Burley Griffin the overseeing architect for the construction of Canberra. Fitness freaks can walk run, cycle or skate along the kilometres of pathways that snake along the edge of the lake. Surprisingly the lake is not as round as the endless round-a-bouts that control traffic in the Australian capital.

Getting there
From Canberra Airport get on bus #10 to the City Bus Interchange for $7.40 then it is just a quick walk.

10. MASLIN BEACH, SA
This is proudly Australia’s first legal clothing optional (nude) beach in Australia, having been declared so by Premier Don Dunston on 15 February 1975. Any coincidence that officials waited until after Valentine’s Day?

The beach is 3km long in total, the southern end is where a man may stop smuggling his budgie and let it fly free for a while. Remember to obey the rules which include “be nude, not lewd”.

For information about legal “free” beaches around Australia visit www.freebeach.com.au.

Getting there
From Adelaide travel approximately 45km south along Main South Road turning right onto Sandpits Road. Follow the signs to the clothing optional area.