Having scoured the best beaches in New Zealand for SUP, I now hop over the Tasman to a country which is also a continent – Australia. The Trans-Tasman neighbors do share a common love for two things – beaches and water sports. If the twin islands of New Zealand are blessed with gorgeous water bodies, so too is Australia. At last count, there were close to 11,000 beaches that dotted the country/continent.
Beaches, Beaches, And More Beaches
If there is one place in the world where a beach bum will feel at ease, it has to be Australia. And the best part is that there are a wide variety of beautiful, sandy shores where one can spend hours and hours on end. There are popular spots like Bondi at Sydney, Cottesloe at Perth, and St Kilda at Melbourne. Then there is the entire stretch of the Gold Coast featuring Cable Beach and Wineglass Bay.
The Path Less Trodden
Instead of presenting you with the same old, same old, I’m taking a slightly different approach. Most of us are aware of the touristy spots mentioned above. What I have is a selection of hidden gems that are as far away from the tourist trail as the United States is from Australia.
The 5 Best SUP Beaches
Rather, I should say the five unique spots in Australia that you must visit with your paddle board. Why? Because these beaches are blessed with spotless sand, crystal clear waters and loads of sunshine. And you will hardly find a tourist in sight. Here’s’ presenting the very best of Australia:
Point Sir Isaac, Eyre Peninsula, South Australia
The fact that it is located in a peninsula already makes it a tough spot to reach. Add to that, the shore gets covered with the rising waves during high tide. But this just adds to the beauty and charm of Point Sir Isaac. Once you get there, you may find that you are the only person on the beach. Not necessarily a bad thing: You will feel like the king of the beach. On a more serious note, this remote spot offers a breath-taking panoramic view of the ocean when you glide on its smooth waters.
Getting There: Point Sir Isaac is located in the Coffin Bay National Park, on the western side of the peninsula. The shortest way to get to the park is via ferry from Wallaroo to Cowell. Once you get to the park, only a 4WD can take you to the beach. It will take around an hour to get there, but trust me, it is well worth the trip.
Other Things To Do: Nothing much, except catching fish and a lot of warm sunshine. You could take your partner there and get a bit naughty.
Bremer Bay, Western Australia (WA)
As we rode along the southern coast of WA, I could not help but be overwhelmed by the sheer number of gorgeous water bodies that my eyes came across. Each deserves mention, but the Bremer Bay is probably the most special. You may be surprised to know it has a living population of around 250 people. And yet, it remains one of the most secluded and exotic beaches that the country offers. Two things: snow white sand and teal blue waters. Need I say more?
Getting There: You will need a drive, for sure. The bay is located 180 km east of Albany. Best to go with a camping van or camping gear. The coastal town has holiday homes as well.
Other Things To Do: The remote nature of Bremer Bay makes it an ideal spot for fishing. Nature lovers can set their sights on wildflowers and banksia that flower during spring. During winter, the Southern Right whales dock on the bay to birth their calves, who then loll around the calm waters. This can be viewed from the shore.
Alexandria Bay, Sunshine Coast, Queensland
I must warn you that the unique location of the bay (you need to hike to get there) has made it a favorite for those who wanna go skinny dipping. As long as you don’t stare at them, you should do just fine. Located in sun-kissed Queensland, the bay is on the eastern edge of the Noosa National Park. Once you get there, you will be greeted with a long stretch of golden sand and clear, blue waters.
Getting There: This is the tricky part. There is a bit of a hike involved from the park. You can either take the steep, hard route or go around on a scenic route that will take 90 minutes. Transporting the paddleboard may be an issue, but I’m sure you will think of something.
Other Things To Do: Skinny dipping, if you’re into that sorta thing. Or you can head back to the park and camp out.
Yuraygir National Park, New South Wales (NSW)
Difficult to pronounce (you-ra-gear), but an absolute dream to paddle board on. Now the coastline of NSW is a renowned tourist spot; however, there are a few gems hidden away behind the façade of national parks. The sandy shores on the edge of the Yuraygir National Park is probably the crowning jewel of the NSW coastline. There is a 65 km coastal track, running from Angourie to Red Rock, that you can explore. I would like to warn you that this is not as remote as the other beach destinations on the list. You will find traces of humanity here. That’s where the long coastal expanse comes in handy. You are sure to find a secluded spot or two.
Getting There: Coffs Harbour presents the most straightforward route to the national park. All you gotta do is drive north on the Pacific Highway for around 50 km and then take a right onto McPhillips Road. It’s a 12 km ride after the turn.
Other Things To Do: There are a few coastal towns in proximity to the Yuraygir National Park. You should definitely check out Grafton, which is steeped in history and culture.
Sawyers Beach, Flinders Island, Tasmania
I have saved the best for the last. Flinders Island is an assortment of water bodies and sandy shores. The solitude of this spot is so legendary that the locals seek out their own private beach, sometimes even without a single footprint!
Sawyer’s Beach is my pick among the pristine collection. Everything about it is a picture postcard – white sand, clear waters, and boulders for a bit of rugged nature. The beach is an ideal location to SUP throughout the year.
Getting There: Sawyer’s Beach is just a ten-minute drive from the main town on the island, Whitemark. You can get to Flinders Island by flight from Melbourne, or via ferry from Bridport in Tasmania.
Other Things To Do: You can go snorkeling on the crystal clear waters of the beach. If you are in the mood for more fun, check out the island for a host of activities. You should definitely try the Bushwalking.
SupBoardGuide Editorial Team
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