I think most Australians are by nature slight beach snobs. When I am travelling overseas, the locals proudly show off their beaches and there is always a little part of me that thinks "It's OK, but only OK" or even sometimes "You call that a beach". There are always a few exceptions. The Italian Riviera was pretty gorgeous in places and I did find some of the beaches in West Ireland beautiful. I have never been to Greece or the Caribbean and they look fabulous. I am sure there are other spots that hopefully I will discover some time. Largely though, I haven't found anything better than Australia.
I wonder if it is simply because we have so much beach. We are the world's largest island with a relatively small population, and so that leaves a lot of coastline to be enjoyed. Except for a few of the iconic beaches like Bondi you never jostle for towel space.
Or is it because our coastline is so varied? We have coral islands, granite cliffs, warm water, cold water, no waves and world class surf all in the one country.
Australia also has accessible beaches. You do not have to be rich and famous to holiday by the sea. There are still camping grounds where you can pitch a tent with a world class view.
My favourite beaches in the world are still on the southern coast of Western Australia. They have granite rocks and silvery sand so fine it resembles talculm powder.
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| A Beach, Somewhere In Australia |
21 comments:
I agree... I think Australia has some gorgeous beaches but I have yet to sample the ones on the Western coast - will have to very soon I think. I was lucky enough to spend 10 days in Antigua a few years ago and the beaches there were lovely but for sheer size and remoteness I think Australia wins hands down. x
I'm with you, and the best beaches in Aus are in WA.
Years ago I was in a town on the west coast of Scotland. The people I was staying with wanted to show me the beach, so we walked to this place where the land met the sea... and we kept walking. So I thought we were still walking to the beach, and made the mistake of asking, "Where's the beach?"
"We're at the beach."
"Oh! It's really... ummm... nice."
You should try Finnish beaches. I'd call them piles of pebbles but that's just me. Or maybe I am a beach snob lol.
Semi Expat - I think Australia is, as you say, ahead in size and remoteness. There is a beach in the Northwest of WA called Eighty Mile Beach because that is roughly how long it is...
This Mid 30s Life - It's an easy mistake to make! I think it is the lack of anything resembling sand that causes confusion!
Tas - I think we are all a bit beach snobbish. I did see some nice beaches in Denmark (have not been to Finland) but nothing super spectacular. I think the problem is I have been spoilt. Thanks for your comment.
I think I'm a beach snob but actually all my Aussie friends make me laugh their favourite expression ref any beach in the UK is - 'call that a beach1'
Just a quick comment before I go pack my bags and make travel arrangements to Australia....
I live within walking distance of the beach and while I love my beach, I frequently think of beaches I'd rather be at. The beaches I grew up with, along the Florida Gulf coast are truly stunning. It's because of the whiter than white sand. It feels like powder too.
I also love the beaches in the Bahamas. The last time we went we rented a boat and would stop in shallow water and unload our gear at tiny little beaches that we had all to ourselves.
What we do not have along the south east coast of Florida are deserted beaches. It is crowded here and I would love to go to beaches like yours for some alone time!
Make Do Style - I am obviously not the only Australian with a superiority complex about beaches then!
Julia - Your beaches do sound gorgeous. I think the isolation factor does help a great deal in Australia some times (and not others obviously)
I'm not a beach person. I realize that is tantamount to saying "I'm un-Australian" but it's the truth. If there is a cafe I'll sit and watch the waves for ages but just don't make me go near the sand.
Glowless - Not completely un-Australian. I have friends like that. Some people just prefer "by the beach" to "on the beach".
You're not alone with your beach snobbery. I've seen some nice ones. But none nicer.
Thanks for Rewinding at the Fibro! :-)
We have the best beaches here in Australia. Beach snobbery is good - we have a reason to be. I liken walking along the beach to "walking on the edge of the world. It's my favourite place.
I would have to wholeheartedly concur.
We live in Noosa which has a lovely calm bay which is overlooked by a hill of natural vegetation. Our sand is of the golden variety and although it's a popular tourist destination you can ALWAYS find yourself a spot to lay back in the water without any jostling and allow the water to soothe you.
One of the wonderful little bonuses at our beach are the Whiting which swim around your feet which are easily visible see in the crystal clear water. We sometimes take little rusks of bread to feed them which is a delight for the kids.
Anyhoo, I think I've made my point, I'm a biased beach snob.
I've travelled through Asia and some parts of the Americas and although the beaches I've visited were nice, they weren't spectacular.
We truly are blessed.
Here's to a wonderful weekend ahead, I'm hoping to get to the beach!
Felicity x
Yeah, born and bred on the Gold Coast, I find it tough to go to a crap beach. We once went to a tropical island and the sand was coral. Horrible. Oooh, listen to me, total beach snob. xx
Personally, having seen a lot of the competition, I think we have every right to be beach snobs! Mind you, the word 'Beach House' conjures up a certain longing in me. I would love to be THAT kind of beach snob!! x
Yup, I'm a TOTAL beach snob!!! (rewinding) x
We love our "Jersey Shore", but I don't think it compares to what you've got......out sharks are smaller too.
Cranky Old Man
but you can't build proper sandcastles on that WA sand and when the wind comes it can become a sandblast. So as perfect as it looks it's never quite perfect but I agree, nothing compares.
I am totally a beach snob! I live on the Central QLD coast. Near the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef. Whilst we don't have any of Australia's Greatest Beaches we sure do have some gorgeous spots.
Having seen beaches on a few Pacific Islands, Asia and UK and France. I believe Australia wins, worlds best beaches hands down. The shear size of them surely is enough to bring us over the line.
I remember this one! Am still a beach snob.
Visiting via the Rewind.
Great post! How can you not be a bit snobby when we are surrounded by the beauty you have captured in that photo? I have searched far and wide, but have never seen a beach as nice as ours. Thanks for Rewinding (and bringing out the snob in so many of us!) x
Our beach is one of the best beaches in Victoria. And it's about 500 metres from home. Why would we go overseas?
Beach snob? Me? Yep.
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