With 12,000 strips of sand embellishing Australia’s 60,000km coastline, it stands to reason that beaches are key to the country’s culture. So as the summertime fires up, here’s what to expect at the beach in Australia.

When I very first shown up in Australia, I discovered quite quickly what was typical behaviour for the beach as well as what wasn’t.

Thankfully, I discovered from watching locals as well as listening to Christina’s sage advice rather than making as well many faux pas of my own.

But going to the beach in England or mainland Europe is a totally different experience to Australia, so it’s simple to get it wrong.

At best, you just look like a tourist or embarrass yourself. At worst, there are lots of quite serious dangers right here that Poms like me wouldn’t have encountered before.

Yes, there are great deals of creatures you can discover at Australian beaches that are seemingly intent on killing you.

But there are other much more typical hazards that don’t get almost as much nor sufficient press.

1. Which beach?

The finest thing about Aussie beaches is they’re all free. almost all the shoreline around locations like Italy is privately had as well as you requirement to pay to see a beach club.

Places like the Amalfi coastline fee a ton of money for loungers – over €120 for four chairs. as well as the beaches aren’t anything like the ones here. 

Here are 3 Sydney beaches only locals understand about to provide you some inspo.

2. What to give the beach

The very first thing I noticed was exactly how bit you requirement when you go to the beach.

You can make do with just a towel – particularly if you’re going to be swimming more than lying on the sand.

In fact, top tip: get yourself a Tesalate towel such as this one that takes in a significant amount of water however is likewise sand proof.

On the other side of it, people bring tents, bags, eskies full of food as well as drink – everything depends upon exactly how long you want to be there. as well as exactly how much you want to carry around.

But most likely the most important thing to bring (other than swimwear!) is sunscreen. There’s extremely bit shade at the beach as well as the Australian sun is notoriously powerful.

3. What not to give the beach

Locals don’t usually bring a barbeque or cooking gear to the beach, as well as illumination fires on the beach is unlawful in most places. having stated that, there are commonly coin-operated public barbeques you can utilize near the beach. just keep in mind to clean up when you’re done.

Big music systems – a bit speaker if you’ve got some great tunes is okay, however the noise of the ocean’s much better.

Jewellery – Australian beaches are truly low-key, so don’t gown up. plus we’ve had a few good friends lose their wedding event rings in the surf, so be careful!

Booze – most Aussie beaches are alcohol-free zones. having stated that, if you’re discreet, a couple of beers won’t be a problem.

4. Swimming between the flags

Every patrolled beach in Australia – that means beaches with surf lifesavers manning the beach – utilizes the flag policy. The red as well as yellow flags you see at the water’s edge tell you where is risk-free to swim as well as the zone the lifeguards are patrolling.

If you swim outside the flags, you’re available to rips, sandbanks, rocks as well as surfers. The lifies will most likely get annoyed with you too, which can be rather embarrassing.

If there are no flags, either the beach is not patrolled so you’re swimming at your own risk, it’s as well late in the day as well as the patrol has gone house or conditions are as well dangerous.

The better the flags are together usually means the stronger the seas are.

5. Rips

Rips are strong currents that pull you away from the shore. They happen where waves drain back out to sea producing channels. These channels cause a great deal of water to move extremely quickly away from the beach.

If you discover yourself being pulled out to sea in a rip, don’t panic. Don’t try as well as swim directly back to shore, you’ll never make it.

You have two choices: either relax, let the present bring you up until the rip dissipates then swim back to land or swim parallel to the beach across the rip as well as then make your method back to solid ground.

If you discover yourself in a rip or in difficulty in the water, hold one hand up in the air. This is the signal for the lifies to find as well as help. Splashing around won’t get their interest as quickly.

6. dealing with huge waves

There are a great deal of huge surf beaches in Australia. For a great deal of visitors, it’s extremely confronting to have to offer with these giant waves for the very first time. getting hit by a wall of water isn’t fun, particularly if it rolls you over as well as drags you along the sand.

When you see a huge wave coming, you have three choices: over, with or under.If you believe the wave is little enough, you can dive over it.

If you time it right, you can sprint swim towards the shore, catch the wave as well as body surf. This is awesome, however takes a bit of practice.

Diving with the wave or ducking under it is your finest option. Make a shallow dive into the deal with of the wave as well as lie horizontal in the water up until you feel the wave pass over your feet, then bob as much as the surface. Easy.

Alternatively, pinch your nose as well as duck down under the breaker to prevent getting rolled.

7. Hazards

Poisonous octopus, poisonous jellyfish, poisonous snails, poisonous fish. Sharks, crocodiles, sea snakes… they all have the set to take you out, however they’re not as typical or as upset as they’re constructed out to be.

But there are dangers at the beach that are rather typical that Aussies seem to understand about innately.Things like sandbanks that type around strong currents as well as rips shift as well as move extremely quickly. prevent standing on or swimming near sandbanks. They can break up as well as leave you in deep water or strong currents.

Swimming between the flags will usually keep you safe.

For more tips on beach security as well as techniques of the trade, inspect out our interview with Harries from Bondi Rescue.

8. Leaving

When it’s time to go, make sure you take whatever with you. The beaches are public so leave your part of the beach the exact same method you left it. Please don’t leave cigarette butts in the sand. They’re gross as well as can damage sea life if they get washed into the ocean.

If the beach is busy, don’t shake your towel off as well difficult or you’ll cover people in sand. pick your towel up, fold it sandy side in then provide it a couple of cautious shakes.

The majority of Australian beaches will have either a shower or foot tap (or both) to rinse off any type of sand as well as salt. feel free to utilize them!

9. using flip-flops at the beach

This is more of a pet peeve than anything.

I comprehend that the sand can get hot. however when it’s not, please don’t wear flip-flops when you’re walking on the beach.

As you walk, you flick sand up behind you all up the backs of your legs as well as likewise around the people you’re walking past. It’s truly annoying.

Don’t wear sneakers to the beach. My sibling transferred to Queensland in 2009. I believe he still uses socks as well as fitness instructors to the beach. believe me – it looks weird. So pull off your footwear as well as get your toes in the sand.

The most important thing to keep in mind when you’re at an Australian beach is to have fun! We’re blessed with a few of the most incredible beaches in the world as well as we’re proud to be able to share them!

What are your top tips for getting in some beach time in Australia?