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DVD: Australia (2 discs, 4 shows) $29.95 buy now
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Best Beaches In and Around Sydney |
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The beach vibe is an integral part of the Sydney culture,
providing the perfect antidote to the hectic inner-city lifestyle.
With 37 beaches in the city of Sydney and an amazing 169 beaches
in Greater Sydney, there's just no escaping the sun, sand
and sea. Indeed, why would you want to?
Each sandy stretch is unique, and whether you're interested
in surfing, swimming, scuba diving, jet boating, BBQs, peace
and quiet, talent-spotting or simply soaking up the sun, there
is a perfect beach for you in Sydney. |
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Justine Shapiro takes a moonlit boat trip
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Bondi Beach
Arguably the most famous beach in Sydney, Bondi is also one
of the most popular with Sydneysiders and tourists alike.
Located in the eastern suburbs of the city, the surfing breaks
are legendary, and people travel from miles around to surf,
swim or stretch out on the beach and watch the action.
Nearby, Campbell Parade offers a wide range of cafes,
bars and boutiques for your entertainment, should you get
bored of sunbathing! The coastal walk from Bondi to
Waverley Cemetary is highly recommended, passing through
a range of beaches and providing some stunning views. Amazing
how many Sydneysiders have learnt to take those views for
granted, taking their morning and evening runs along this
track without pausing, and often at breakneck speeds! s
Manly Beach
With over 18 beaches on the Manly peninsula, residents and
visitors are spoilt for choice. Manly Beach is one of the
most popular, and is certainly the place to be if you fancy
a spot of volleyball! The Corso Plaza next to the beach
again provides alternative entertainment for the beachgoers,
while an Outdoor Arts & Crafts Market is set up every
weekend and public holiday on the beach front, selling a whole
host of local handicrafts.
Palm Beach
Famous for its starring role as Summer Bay in the Aussie
soap "Home & Away", Palm Beach is a long and
beautiful stretch of sand, stretching out along a peninsular
to Barrenjoey Head. Situated at the far end of North
Sydney, there are several activities on offer here. Surfing,
windsurfing, scuba diving and swimming are the most popular,
or see if you can spot some filming going on!
Station Beach
Situated on the opposite side of the Barrenjoey Head from
Palm Beach, the sheltered Station Beach by Pittswater Bay
provides a peaceful retreat perfect for those who just want
to relax. The water is generally very calm here, so surfers
and boogie-boarders must look elsewhere for entertainment.
Tamarama
The next beach up from Bondi is known as "Glamourama"
to the locals, courtesy of the beautiful "Martini-esque"
crowd it draws. Sunbathing and swimming are the main sports
here, as this is the place to see and be seen.
Bronte Beach
Another popular beach, the emphasis here is on family days
out, with fun and games galore. Often rather crowded, there
is nonetheless a great atmosphere here, and it is possible
to rent out public BBQs for 15 minutes at a time for your
very own barby on the beach!
Obelisk
North of the Harbour Bridge lies Obelisk Beach. Small
and well-hidden, the beach is popular with nudists and topless
sunbathers. Join them if you dare!
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| The Sydney Surfing Scene
Is surfing the national sport in Australia? Sydneysiders
certainly believe it is. Surfers from all over the world come
to enjoy the East Coast breaks, but if you want to join them
there are certain rules you must be aware of. Surfing can
be dangerous if you don't know what you're doing, and sometimes
even if you do. In the 2001-2 swimming season 64 people died
in Australian waters and over 11,000 rescues were made by
the Australian Surf Rescue Patrol.
- Be aware of the risks of getting caught in a rip current,
which is a large amount of water at the shoreline that rushes
back to the open sea in a narrow path, taking with it anything
that happens to get caught up in it. If you do get caught
in one, don't panic! Wave your arm above your head and yell
to grab the attention of the Surf Rescue patrol on the beach.
Armed with surf rescue boards, and with a range of rescue
equipment at their disposal, including inflatable rescue boats,
firs aid kits, jet boats, oxygen resuscitation units and even
helicopters, the Surf Rescue volunteers are trained to the
highest degree to ensure Aussie beaches are safe places to
be. |
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- Always check the flags on the beach to see where the safest
places to swim or surf are. The safest place to swim is always
between the red and yellow flags, marked out every morning
by the Surf Rescue Patrol and checked throughout the day.
Outside this boundary you run the risk of being hit on the
head by a surf board, as surfers have to keep to the other
side of the flag.
If you would like to learn to surf there are plenty of companies
in and around Sydney who will teach you the basics and get
you out there practicing. Some companies organise surfing
trips which include camping experiences, beach BBQ parties
and a whole host of other experiences for a set fee. Such
trips welcome rookies and hardened surfies alike - all you
need is a passion for surfing, a hundred or so Aussie dollars,
and you're there. |
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By Rowena Forbes
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