Sea change
Beaut beach holidays across the Ditch
Great Beach Drive Queensland
Top of any list of ‘‘great ocean roads’’ has to be Queensland’s Great Beach Drive, a sensational 200 kilometres of wave-washed sandy highway that stretches from Noosa’s north shore (via the ferry at Tewantin) along Rainbow Beach to the northern tip of Fraser Island (via the barge at Inskip Point), where the sandy tracks that wind through the World Heritage-listed rainforest in the island’s interior are just as exciting as the 130kmlong beach track that extends almost the entire length of the island. Allow at least a week. australiasnaturecoast.com.
North Stradbroke Queensland
The world’s second largest sand island (Fraser Island is the biggest), is affectionately known as Straddie by the locals, and you can drive along the beach at the island’s northern end from Amity Point to Point Lookout, then south along Blue Lake Beach before you cut across the island to Dunwich, where the ferries from Cleveland (40 minutes drive southeast of Brisbane) dock. Camping sites are tucked behind the dunes, or rent a holiday house and venture out on day trips. Reasons to go include good surf, great fishing, dolphins, whales, and sea turtles. stradbrokeisland.com.
Moreton Island Queensland
A short ferry ride from Brisbane, Moreton Island – No 3 in the world’s largest sand islands list – is almost all national park, and a great place to go wild without clocking up the miles. From the ferry terminal near Tangalooma Resort (famous for its wild dolphins), head north along the beach to the top of the island and circle back along the eastern beaches to form a stunning 50km loop. There are half a dozen campsites along the way, or stay at the resort. Bring your own fourwheel-drive across on the ferry or hire one from the resort. visitmoretonisland.com; tangalooma.com.
Stockton Beach New South Wales
The largest mass of mobile sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere and the longest beach in New South Wales, Stockton Beach is a 32km-long sweep of undeveloped shoreline that stretches between Newcastle and Port Stephens. Mostly protected by Worimi National Park, and managed by the local Worimi Aboriginal community, there are several cultural sites in the park as well as the rusting remains of shipwrecks, World War II fortifications, and a historic squatters village – half buried in the sand – called Tin City. Four-wheel-drive and quad bike tours are available if you don’t fancy driving yourself. portstephens.org.au.
Eyre Peninsula South Australia
If you like your beaches – and beach roads – crowd free, you’ll love Coffin Bay National Park on the western side of the Eyre Peninsula, about 40km from Port Lincoln. Campsites are waterfront – more often than not you’ll be the only one there – and the only way to get to any of the ones in the northern section of the park is to drive along the beach, at low tide. Stock up on local Coffin Bay oysters before you head off. environment.sa.gov.au.
Beachport to Robe South Australia
A favourite with four-wheel-drivers, the beach run between the two historic ports of Robe and