That’s a big ask! First we need to define what constitutes a beach that can be considered for this list. I am not talking about the longest or widest or most sandy etc, etc. By the way, the longest beach probably is the Coorong from Kingston to the Murray River mouth in SA. It is over 150km long. I did that with the boys some 15 years ago in my great GQ Nissan Patrol. That was a decent trip.

I would say that some of the defining criteria for the top 5 might be: (I would love to hear from readers what some of the other defining criteria might be).

• At least 1km long with a sandy beach of decent width at low-tide,
• Not dangerous to human life; ie no crocodiles, blue ring octopus, Box Jelly fish,
• Attractive natural setting ie defining natural beauty or pleasing features,
• Definitely not overdeveloped or overrun by human beings,

Top 5:

(Edited 2/12/16: I have now been on the 5th best beach in Australia. On a recent trip to Port Stephens and the Myall Lakes I have come across a glorious beach located on the north of Nelson Bay. Port Stephens is on the Southern part of Nelson Bay. The northern beach runs from the mouth of the bay and inland  for a few kilometers. It is called ‘Jimmy’s Beach. See pictures on list below.)

(26/10/2015) I cannot name 5 beaches that deserve to be in this list. I have not seen 5 such beaches. However I have been on one beach that definitely fits the bill.

So my first beach would be Cable Beach in Broome WA. I have been there several times.

Then I have three more beaches that might make the list.

The first could be the beach at Woodgate Qld. between the Theodolite creek and the Barrum river.  It is just sensational, stunning and has a chill factor when you are there.

The other beach is in Tasmania.  I think Wineglass Beach would have to rate!

The Whitsundays have:   Whitehaven Beach

I wonder what other readers may think.

So…….I  can propose only these:

1. Cable Beach, Broome, WA

2. Wood gate Beach  Qld

3. Wineglass Beach Tasmania

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=wineglass+beach+tasmania&biw=1366&bih=639&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0CEMQsARqFQoTCOK3hM–38gCFQblpgodRzMKdg

  Pic credit:  Touchdowndownunder.wordpress.com

4.  Whitehaven Beach Whitsundays

5. Jimmy’s Beach @ Hawks Nest,  Nelson Bay NSW

We have been knocking around the neighborhood the last few days. That includes one or two beach walks a day. Last night we sat on the beach just before sunset and had a few frosties as the sun went down. Very relaxing.

The day before I was at Yeppoon harbor and took this interesting picture of the harbor at lowtide. It looked very funny with all the boats resting on the mud bank of the creek at lowtide. Turns out that the harbor is made up by a small creek. Turns out that the general water depth is pretty shallow all along this coast. The tidal differences are large.

Once the tide comes along again everything looks normal. You’d never guess that  the water was so shallow.

To the north of Yeppoon the main beach becomes the Farnborough Beach which continues on for 20km and terminates at a natural bay where the Fishing creek runs into the sea. There is a beach access where we got onto the beach and drove to Corio Bay. Just great to have a decent drive on a beach again; makes you feel so good and free.

Ex-Turtle

There was a bush fire burning vigorously which cast a pall of smoke over the coast.

Woodgate beach at sunrise

Canoe, watermelon, just can’t find the darn paddles.

Good work, don’t you think???

We stayed at the Woodgate Beach caravan park, The first impression of the caravan park is of the plants/foliage. It is lush and green with many tropical plants abounding. The park is across the road from the beach and what a beach!

It must be one of the top beaches near a caravan park in this country. The park is dog friendly and that suits us as we travel with our dog Lexie. The owners are relaxed and leave visitors alone. The park is very organized and professional. It has many really attractive and clean cabins. The park is large, but visitors do not sit on top of each other as the sites are spacious.

After a few long walks on the beach we went to the mouth of the Theodelite  River which is just 2km north of Woodgate..  A number of people were fishing, but I did not see anyone catch a fish.T he beaches grow a coastal pine tree that offers shade and protection from the wind. So it is possible to soak up some sun in a quiet spot.

Just to the south of the village there is access to the beach. This is great as the beach is wide and flat with hard sand to drive on most of the time. This allows one to get away from the crowds and have some solitude. Above the high water mark is the Burrum Coast national park so there is no traffic from there. The area is dog friendly and it takes about 10km until one comes to Walkers point and the adjacent Burrum river. It is a tranquil large estuary with the village of Burrum Heads on the opposite side of the river. Tucked away behind the national park, in the estuary, is the sleepy village of Walker’s Point. As one gets out the car the peace just enfolds one… and you relax as you walk along on the sands at low tide.

As for looking after the body beautiful, there is a Hotel that serves a good fare and cold refreshments. I could not resist the hamburger and chips. The hotel includes a bottle shop so there is no excuse for running dry. Down the road is the local Bowls club. They are set up very well with superb greens and a very active membership. The facilities are well maintained and have a great restaurant that serves really great food. Needless to say the bar supports the food offering. We have been there a few times already.

The other day we came back from an excursion and nearly ran into a mob of kangaroos that were lounging around the neighborhood spilling onto the street from the nature strips. All this in the middle of Woodgate. We slowed down and stopped so as not to run over the little ones.

On Monday 13/July the trusty Navara is having its 40k service in Bundaberg;  gee its come around quick!

Walking the Caravan

We booked in at the Southend Caravan Park where we had been for a week 18 months before. Everything is very dry at this time of the year. There were only a handful of travellers when we booked in, so we got to pick the best spot in the park. We positioned ourselves behind a dune on the other side of the beach. The spot is protected by a few trees and the wind just bounces over the top. At night the waves sing you to sleep. It is very relaxing.

The ‘Engel’ car fridge/freezer

Our Camp

The next day we went to Millicent to get some supplies. This is a lovely town in the east of South Australia. The people are friendly and there are some shady and grassy places in the parks. We had some coffee at the ‘Java Café’ and noticed this great idea printed on a poster on the front of the shop. In a gesture of cheer and goodwill the Uniting church has started the concept of a ‘Kind coffee’. Patrons of the Café or members of the community or parishioners are able to donate money for providing members of the community, who were doing it hard, with a hot coffee for free. These are people who could not afford the spare $5. See pics.

The next morning we decided to go to Beachport for a coffee. So instead of travelling the normal route, I deflated the tyres to 20 pounds/sq.inch and we drove the 20 kilometers along the beach. There were a few patches of porridge (soft wet sand), but the rest was easy. After the coffee we returned by the same way to Southend.

In the afternoon we walked along the cliff tops and got to a secluded beach where we had to clamber down rocks. We spent a good hour playing on the beach before we returned. On the path back I saw evidence of shell deposits in the bank along the path. Only problem was that we were walking on a path six meters above the sea. The sea level must have been much higher a few thousand years ago.

Seashells 6 meters above sea level?

Commercial fishermen returning their catch

Secluded cove

When we were walking on the beach at Southport it suddenly hit me that the one thing missing here were signs of investment in infrastructure. This is the first place we have come across that has not had any work done to improve or preserve infrastructure. In fact since our last visit the seaward face of the dunes had been eroded and swept away by rough spring tides. Like at Byron Bay and Norah Heads we have here evidence of rising sea levels and coastal erosion. Unless local or State government do something about this a number of properties will disappear over the next few years. Here at the caravan park the owner had to sell a number of buildings before they disappeared into the sea, see pics.

The road south was interesting as it travels along the Coorong which is an inland lake system that exists parallel with the dunes and the sea from Kingston to the Murray river mouth, around 150 km. There are scenic spots that overlook the lakes in a number of places. Years ago I took my sons camping and fishing along this stretch of coast.

Closer to Robe the countryside looked even better with forests and wineries lining the highway. Every now and then there were grain fields and paddocks growing hay. It’s very agricultural down here.

Part of Robe, nestled into the hillside

Decided to buy this one — only kidding!

Robe is a picturesque seaside tourist resort with a long beach northwards that gets you to Cape Jaffa at the low tide. During summer the population swells from a few thousand to 10,000 people. It used to have a Hippie feel about it years ago. These days there has been a lot of development and it sports a harbour for recreational and commercial fishing craft. There has been new development all over the place.

New Age lighthouse at Robe

We booked in at the Sea Vu caravan park. This park certainly lives up to its name. It is situated on a small hill close to town and offers views, of the Robe bay all the way to Cape Jaffa, from most of the sites. In fact the views must be some of the best sea views from any caravan park in Australia.

Sea Vu Caravan park from the Marina

4/11

Today the wind blew up a storm. So we did some sightseeing. Travelling around Robe we came across the Marina and at the point of the bay we saw a beautiful Nature sculpture called ‘Doorway Rock’ where wind and water had eroded a passage through the sandstone to create the illusion of a door.

Doorway rock

The Robe Marina

The new and modern lighthouse is fully automated and even looks good. We found a way onto the beach at Long beach where one can drive on sand, next to the ocean for 30+ kilometres. As the bay is shallow it provides safe swimming most of the time. Here Dawn and the dogs had a run around in the strong wind and driving sand, crazy.

Navara, 10km up the beach at Robe

Family having fun

Commercial Fisherman returning with day’s catch

When we returned to Robe we visited the ‘Wild Mulberry’ Café. The name is derived from the mulberries that grow around the building. We had some really good coffee and a ‘Doorstop’ bacon and egg sandwich with relish and melted cheese. Yum that was good. The toasted bread was thick and marbled. Yum again! Tonight we will go out to the local hotel once more for some good food and a glass of wine.