Top Five Greatest Coastal Destinations to Travel to in Australia
With more than 35,000km of coastline, there is every choice of seaside destination on offer but beware, because most of the resorts are quite a long way apart. Her are some that are worth a journey all on their own.
Fremantle
‘Freo’, as everyone around Perth calls it, is a fascinating, laid-back seaside place more village than resort just a dozen kilometres from the centre of the WA capital.
Perth people refer to the ‘Fremantle Doctor’ as the pleasant westerly breeze that comes in from the coast to cool the heat of summer, and that’s the way Freo is. It’s arty and crafty, with street performers and cool clubs making music through the night.
It’s also the home of the Capuccino Strip, a series of coffee bars that echo the Italian ties the place has.
Townsville
Northern Queensland has space to spare, but Townsville packs a lot into quite a small space. It’s know as a backpacker heaven, a place to hang out and chill, but there’s more to this vacation destination. Townsville has serene palm tree-lined beaches, a rainforest backdrop and a vibrant city life buzz. The attractions are endless and the locals friendly.
Fraser Island
Still in Queensland but further south is the world’s largest sand island. Some 120km long and up to 22km wide, it is another of Australia’s World Heritage sites, with long uninterrupted white beaches leading to amazing coloured sandy cliffs. The island has more than a hundred freshwater lakes, some murky, others crystal clear. Rainforests grow in the sand; this is the only place in the world where tall rainforests can be seen growing on sand dunes.
Port Stephens
A convenient two and a half hours from Sydney by car, Port Stephens is more of a collection of beaches and small resorts than a single town. Known for its spectacular sand dunes, the area features many little islands, all of which can be visited by boat. For a change, visit the Nelson Head Heritage Lighthouse, or tour the Worimi Conservation Lands. The Great Lakes Marine Park is a fantastic place for diving, snorkelling and all kinds of water sports. This is where the forest meets the sea, so you can also take a leisurely bush walk or visit the botanical gardens.
Hobart
On Tasmania’s south side, this stunning city is often overlooked but well worth a visit. It’s filled with history founded in 1804 as a convict settlement, it’s the oldest city in Australia after Sydney. It has a lovely (but working) harbour and the views from the surrounding hills are breathtaking.