Jan 27 2008
Queensland Beaches
In Queensland, the tourist campaign runs on the slogan ‘beautiful one day - perfect the next’. Corny it may be, but this slogan accurately describes the wonderland State with its fossil fields, wet tropical rainforest, the Great Barrier Reef and miles and miles of beautiful golden beaches.
There’s a lot of beach in Queensland! The selection along the 7,400km (4,600 miles) coastline covers all environments from exciting large surf beaches to relaxing calm water beaches. The water temperature is comfortable, the sun shines all year, and now the beaches are smoke- free.
Queensland has four boundaries of water but the east coast has the popular beaches.
In the northwest, the Gulf of Carpentaria is in Outback country, and sparsely populated. Up to the north are the tiny Torres Strait Islands, stunningly beautiful but with limited access.
On the East is the Coral Sea. This is the tropical zone where the water is always very warm and the sun always shines. This is the place for relaxing holidays or spectacular fishing.
The mighty Pacific smashes onto the surf beaches of the south-east coasts. Beaches here are the most visited in Queensland, and honeymooners from Asia congregate in Surfers Paradise and Noosa.
While you’re on the beach please follow simple guidelines for environment protection.
Don’t collect shells.
Please don’t take the shells away. They are part of a fragile ecosystem, removing just one can harm the entire system. Beaches which are in Marine National Parks have a total removal ban - don’t take anything!
No cars please
Driving your car on the beach causes terrible damage. It’s prohibited on almost all Queensland beaches, so park your car, take a walk along the beach and scrunch the sand between your toes. You will protect the beauty of the beach, save some petrol and do wonders for your lungs. You’ll enjoy it too.
Don’t walk on the plants
. Sprawling grasses, creepers, shrubs and trees can be found on frontal dunes along the foreshore. These plants are vital to prevent erosion. Please don’t walk on the dunes and never remove a plant.
Personal Safety
. Firstly, wear a good strong sun block cream, all year round. The danger of developing skin cancer is real in Australia, wear a shirt, hat and sunglasses when you’re outside for long periods of time.
Swim on patrolled beaches
In many countries flags on the beach indicate a private area, in Australia it means the beach has a lifesaver on patrol and that you must swim between the flags. Keep an eye on your position when in the water, conditions change and the flags may be moved.
Of course, many beaches aren’t patrolled. There are miles and miles of open, empty beach and the thought of a quick dip is overwhelmingly alluring. Look carefully for signposts. They may warn of hidden dangers such as rips (underwater currents) jagged rocks or poisonous jellyfish.
If there are no warning signs please swim with a friend. Never swim in strange waters alone.
Smoking
Smoking is actively discouraged in Australia although governments, state and federal, collect huge taxes on tobacco products. Australian smokers litter about 7 billion cigarette butts per year!
Smoking is already banned in the Sydney beaches of Manly and Mosman north of the Harbour and Bondi, Bronte and Tamarama Beaches to the south. Smoking is prohibited on all international and domestic airline flights, inside all airports, on all buses, trains, trams, ferries and other forms of public transport.
You may not smoke in any cinema, theatre, gallery, government or private office building, department store or shop, in a tourist coach, taxi or rental car.
You may smoke outdoors, but not on the beach in Queensland
Like to shout me a cold beer?
