Best Beaches

Whatever your inclination, there’s a beach to suit your fancy. We bring you six of the best and what makes them sparkle

WORDS SHERIDEN RHODES

BEST ROMANCE BEACH
Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Islands, Queensland

Plenty of beaches are contenders for having an amorous allure, but Whitehaven Beach has something special. Located on the uninhabited Whitsunday Island, Whitehaven Beach is recognised as one of the world’s most beautiful beaches, in part because of its talcum-like sand, certified as 98% pure silica, and romantic seclusion.

Stretching over seven kilometres, pristine Whitehaven Beach is fantastic for a leisurely stroll hand in hand, an intimate picnic and just relaxing, taking in the spectacular panorama. Kick off your shoes and nuzzle into the powdery sand and swim with your loved one in the crystalline waters. At the northern end of Whitehaven Beach is Hill Inlet — the views of the sweeping white sands and the aqua waters of the Inlet are gorgeous.

To reach Whitsunday Island, board an ultra-fast ferry or cruising yacht for a fabulous day trip. Or for the truly romantic experience, take a seaplane or helicopter flight for an unbeatable bird’s eye view of Whitehaven Beach (Air Whitsunday, tel: +61 (7) 4946 9111, www.airwhitsunday.com; Aviation Tourism Australia, tel: +61 (7) 4948 9202; www.avta.com.au). Seaplanes offer magical scenic flights over the Whitsunday Islands, landing on the water just metres off Whitehaven Beach. Step ashore and enjoy a romantic Champagne beach picnic as your private aircraft is anchored offshore. Several sailing companies also offer overnight charters that include a visit to Whitehaven Beach, departing from either the island resorts, Shute Harbour or Airlie Beach. It’s pure paradise.

BEST SNORKELLING & DIVING BEACH Nha Trang, Vietnam

Photos: Courtesy of Rainbow Divers

Vietnam may not be the first place you think of for diving and snorkelling, but Nha Trang Bay, an hour’s flight from Ho Chi Minh City, is fast becoming Asia’s new diving mecca. Acknowledged as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Nha Trang’s islands abound with hard and soft coral and a diverse population of colourful marine life. The water is warm year-round, making it ideal for snorkelling and scuba diving — it’s also one of the most affordable places in the world to dive.

With seven kilometres of white sand, transparent emerald waters fringed by palm and casuarina trees, the colourful seaside town of Nha Trang is an ideal place for divers to base themselves. Blessed with some of the best weather in Vietnam, a rich cultural history, international and Vietnamese restaurants and cafes, bars and shopping, plus several glamorous new resorts, Nha Trang has been dubbed the “Mediterranean of Vietnam”.

For the ultimate hideaway, check-in to the magnificent Evason Hideaway at Ana Mandara (www.sixsenses.com/hideawayanamandara), only accessible by boat from Nha Trang and with its own PADI dive centre. Alternatively, book a dive with one of the operators in Nha Trang, like Rainbow Divers (www.divevietnam.com ). The majority of the dive sites are at the breathtaking islands of the Hon Mun Marine Park — arguably the best diving in the South China Sea — just an hour’s boat ride (or 15 minutes by speedboat) from Nha Trang. Some of the renowned dive spots include Rainbow Reef, with its hard and soft coral; Madonna Rock’s swim-through caves; Moray Beach, home to beautiful coral and giant morays; and the impressive Great Rock.

BEST BREAKFAST Bondi, Sydney

Work up an appetite on Bondi’s famous waves by surfing on the right side of the beach, or take a refreshing dip in the Bondi Icebergs Surf Pool
Photo: Courtesy of Tourism NSW

Sydney unquestionably has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. From Watsons Bay in the east, to gorgeous stretches like Palm Beach and secluded coves like Claireville in the north. But Bondi Beach is perhaps Sydney’s most iconic. If you want a panoramic ocean view and a chance to watch the people parade with your eggs benedict, then Bondi is your beach.

This classic stretch of surf is where visitors and Sydneysiders descend no matter what the weather is like. But be warned, when the sun’s shining you’ll be hard-pressed to find a parking spot for your car or your butt anywhere within spitting distance of the action. It’s where backpackers mingle with the beautiful, millionaires, surfers and wannabes.Stroll the promenade, walk the spectacular 4km Bronte to Bondi coastal walk, and soak up Sydney’s carefree sunny lifestyle.

To ensure brekkie tastes extra good, take a surf first on Bondi’s famous waves or a refreshing dip with the locals in the historic and perfectly safe Bondi Icebergs Surf Pool. Afterwards, recharge with coffee and a great cook-up, at the likes of Trio Café (56 Campbell Pde., tel: +61 (2) 9365 6044), Ravesi’s (corner of Campbell Pde. and Hall St., tel: +61 (2) 9365 4422) or SoBo (70 Campbell Pde., tel: +61 (2) 9300 8988). SoBo offers a breakfast tasting plate for two, as well as mouthwatering offerings such as blueberry pancakes, a full English fry-up and even a Bacon Butty, which has been dubbed the “Hangover Cure”. Ravesi’s more unusual breakfast offerings include grilled barramundi fillet with tomatoes and hash browns, and leg ham with zucchini potato hash, poached eggs and hollandaise sauce. Blue Orange (49 Hall St., tel: +61 (2) 9300 9885) is famous for its “big fat breakfast”, while the signature bean stack at Skinny Dip (97 Hall St., tel: +61 (2) 9130 4602) is legendary. For an unbeatable brunch with great views, head for Bondi Social (L1/38 Campbell Pde., tel: +61 (2) 9365 1788); or, for an eyeful of the beautiful people, don’t miss La Paris Go (38 Hall St., tel: +61 (2) 9130 6753) where the coffee and food are power-packed.

BEST SUNRISE Byron Bay, New South Wales

There are many fabulous beaches where you can catch the sun rise, but Byron Bay in northern New South Wales is the first place on the Australian continent to see the sun. Each morning before dawn, tourists make the trek to Cape Byron Lighthouse (Lighthouse Road, Byron Bay), located high on a windswept headline on the most easterly point on mainland Australia, to catch the spectacle.

Being the first to see the sun has become a rite of passage for many visitors to Byron. Sea turtles, dolphins or whales (from May-October) on their migratory journey north, can be seen frolicking in the cobalt-coloured ocean below. Surfers ride the rolling breaks either side of the cape while couples stroll hand-in-hand along Wategoes Beach as the sky over the Pacific turns wonderful shades of yellow and gold.

Byron Bay has long been a magnet for the bohemian crowd. Today it’s an eclectic mix of celebrities, new-agers, sea-changers, baby boomers, writers, painters and nomadic surfers in search of that perfect left-hand break. The captivating beauty has led to plenty of city dwellers throwing it all in and making the shift here permanently. Although surfers first put Byron Bay on the map in the sixties, today it’s an international hot spot. Take a seat at one of the outdoor cafes lining vibrant Jonson Street and watch the parade of alternative lifestylers, holidaying Sydneysiders and backpackers from around the globe. Stroll the beachfront, and have a beer at the iconic Beach Hotel (+61 (2) 6685 6402, www.beachhotel.com.au), owned by John “Strop” Cornell and wife Delvene Delaney, mates of Paul Hogan who also owns a property here. Then visit Butler Street Reserve which bustles with local artisans and producers selling homegrown and homemade wares at the famous Byron Markets on the first Sunday of each month. With its north, east and south-facing beaches, Byron is heaven for surfers. Aside from its legendary surf breaks, Byron’s beaches also offer the ultimate people-watching experience with sand sculptors, fire jugglers, drummers and performance artists. There are also countless wellness retreats and yoga studios where you can commit your stressed out body for an overhaul, or practice your sun salutation on the sand as the sun lights up the dawn sky over the Pacific Ocean.

BEST SCENIC DRIVE Great Ocean Road, Victoria

Photos: Courtesy of Visions of Victoria

Marvel at the majesty of the Twelve Apostles

The Great Ocean Road — stretching west of Geelong to the South Australian border — has been described as one of the world’s greatest ocean drives, and it certainly lives up to its name. This awe-inspiring coastal drive takes motorists on a 300km plus journey past the world-famous Twelve Apostles, the Otways rainforest and the legendary Bells Beach. Quaint seaside towns like Torquay, Lorne and Apollo Bay are found along the way, along with the major coastal city, Warrnambool, and the historic fishing villages of Queenscliff, Port Campbell, Port Fairy and Portland.

Many fabulous beaches and some of the best surfing breaks in the world line the route. Visit the seaside town of Barwon Heads, made famous by the ABC series Sea Change, have a latte at the historic township of Queenscliff and soak up its maritime history, and stop to watch the surfers ride the ocean swell at Bells Beach, home of world surfing titles.

The Great Ocean Road itself officially starts at Australia’s surfing capital, Torquay, and winds along the coast to Lorne and beyond. The Surf Coast from Geelong to Lorne offers Australia’s best surf beaches, lively resort towns, beautiful scenery, bush and coastal walks, and lush rainforest.

Learn to surf at Anglesea at the foot of the Otway Ranges, or take a detour off the coast and walk among the treetops at the Otway Fly (+61 (3) 5235 9200, www.otwayfly.com). Continue on and you’ll reach the popular holiday town of Lorne, where half of Melbourne descends come the Christmas school holidays.

The wide patrolled beach (in summer) on Loutit Bay offers gentle surf and is popular with families. Stroll the beachfront boulevard of Mountjoy Parade and stop for lunch at one of the many busy cafés. Onwards, you will pass through the town of Apollo Bay before hitting the Shipwreck Coast and the spectacular towering rock stacks of the Twelve Apostles (actually 11 since a recent collapse of one). Not far from the maritime town of Warnambool, you can discover the charming historic village of Port Fairy. Enjoy fish and chips on the Moyne River with its active fishing fleet, and walk the streets admiring the striking colonial architecture and snug whitewashed stone cottages, formerly occupied by whalers and fishermen.

BEST PARTY BEACH Patong Beach, Phuket

While Patong’s days belong to the pursuit of lolling in languid waters, beach massages and bargain hunting, its nights firmly belong to partying. This world-famous beach destination, often referred to as “Bangkok by the Sea”, has plenty of healthy fun in the heart of the island’s entertainment capital, Patong — if you steer clear of the girlie bars and raucous beer halls. With its mix of funky bars, nightclubs, restaurants and cabaret shows, Patong is a magnet for party-goers 24/7.

Come sundown, head for Patong’s night markets, a bustling hive of food vendors, restaurants and stalls plying cheap wares. Patong’s bar scene, which centres around Thanon Bang La and its four sois or side streets — Crocodile, Eric, Gonzo and Seadragon — is a colourful, loud mix of bright neon, techno music, Thai boxing, cocktail bars and beer halls. The pick of the bunch includes Margarita, corner of Soi Bangla, the Rasta Bar at the quiet end of Soi Sea Dragon for a laid-back reggae vibe, and the classic Banana Disco (near the start of Bangla Road) for a fun up-market crowd and live music. The Aussie Bar, also on Bangla Road is a favourite with Australian holidaymakers keen to TV-watch Aussie sports, while the Safari Club and Disco just out of town, is worth the trek, offering both a pub and a disco.

Club 730 (37/3-6 Soi Tiger, Bangla Rd., tel: +66 (76) 340 131) is a nice club big on hip atmosphere and good music in the vein of hip-hop, house, R&B, reggae and Latin. A huge international-style club, featuring two DJs with a playlist of funky tribal beats, is Seduction Discotheque (39/1 Bangla

Rd.). For relaxed sophistication venture to piano bar, Joe’s Downstairs (223/3 Prabaramee Rd., Kalim Beach, tel: +66 (76) 344 254/927), where you can sit at the bar or lounge and enjoy breathtaking sea views matched by international tapas. La Baia (48 Ruam Jai Rd., Patong Beach, Amphur Kathu, tel: +66 (76) 340 210-12, 344-160-9) is a cocktail bar with an up-market vibe and plenty of space to lounge around the dance floor. But the ultimate Phuket experience has to be Simon Cabaret (8 Sirirach Rd., tel: +66 (76) 342 011-5), where song, dance and cabaret merges into one glamorous sequined affair. Book to secure a seat at the 7.30pm and 9.30pm shows. Wherever you go, just remember to pack the Panadol. You’ll need them.

Jetstar flies to Whitsunday Coast, Hamilton Island, Ho Chi Minh City, Sydney, Ballina Byron, Melbourne, and Phuket, visit www.jetstar.com