2 months ago
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My best beach
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Series
Australian summers are synonymous with beaches: places that belong to everyone, to holiday, celebrate, rejuvenate and heal. Throughout January, prominent Australians reflect on what makes their favourite beach so special.
9 stories
Invisible in the mass of humanity at the beach
Here you encounter society: walkers, surfers, the Lululemon army, homicidal e-riders. You just have to surrender to the “beachopolis”.
- Today, 5.00am
- by Malcolm Knox
I love the ocean, even as a sinking, ginger front-rower. Even if the ocean hates me
From Colombia to Portugal, Manly to Wanda - all the broken boards, disastrous first dates and near-drownings with an audience won’t keep me out of the water.
- January 7, 2026
- by Dan Walsh
Are you a freshie or a saltie? Wendy Harmer says it’s all in the gene pool
The comedian may live by the beach and be married to a “merman” but that doesn’t mean she’s a huge fan of the sand and surf.
- January 6, 2026
- by Wendy Harmer
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Rick Stein on the best fish and chips in Australia … and it’s not from his restaurants
The celebrity chef says his favourite beach sums up everything he’s come to love about Australia.
- January 5, 2026
- by Rick Stein
We go full pirate, with skull and crossbones and lots of ‘arrr, me hearties’
Ten golden, treasure-filled summers, when the kids weren’t old enough to hold us in contempt.
- January 4, 2026
- by Richard Glover
While we swelter, Olympian will be racing head-first down an icy track at more than 130km/h
Nick Timmings has spent half his life bouncing between the winters of Australia and the northern hemisphere but the pull of the beach is always there.
- January 3, 2026
- by Nick Timmings
Peter Garrett’s passionate play for power of the sea
Seven Mile is a small slice of the natural world, its healing qualities freely accessible to anyone who chooses to visit.
- January 2, 2026
- by Peter Garrett
The first place Zan Rowe goes the morning after her New Year’s Eve hosting gig
The ABC host jumps into the Bronte ocean pool, bright and early, to start the year right. The way she hopes it will continue, with grace and gratitude.
- January 1, 2026
- by Zan Rowe
Opinion
Even after suffering the worst, this beach is us at our best
The scene of unimaginable terror on December 14, Bondi is Australia’s most iconic beach. NSW Minister for Water Rose Jackson, born and bred in the eastern suburbs, reflects on why Bondi will endure as the dynamic beating heart of our city.
- December 31, 2025
- by Rose Jackson
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