Page 45 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Australia

A POR TR AIT OF A USTR ALIA  43

Beach Activities
Australian beaches are not only the preserve
of surfers. Winter temperatures are mild in
most coastal areas, so many beach activities
are enjoyed all year. Weekends see pleasure
boats of all sizes competing in races or just
out for a picnic in some sheltered cove. The
sails of windsurfers create swirls of colour on
gusty days. Kite-
flying has become
an art form, with
Surf lifesaving is an integral part of the Australian the Festival of the
beach scene. Trained volunteer lifesavers, easily Winds a Septem-
recognized by their red and yellow swimming ber highlight at
caps, ensure that swimmers stay within flag-defined Sydney’s Bondi
safe areas and are ready to spring into action if Beach (see p44).
someone is in trouble. Arts-focused
Sculptures by the
Sea exhibitions
are popular at
Cottesloe, WA,
and on the Bondi-
to-Bronte coast
walk in Sydney.
Festival of the Winds

Takeaway snack food at the beach is an
Australian tradition, since many sunlovers spend
entire days by the ocean. Fish and chips, kebabs
and burgers are on sale at beach cafés.

Surfboards, once made out of wood, are now
built of light fibreglass, often in bright colours,
improving speed and visibility.

Safety
Beaches are safe provided you
follow a few guidelines:
• Always swim “between the flags”.
• Don’t swim alone.
• Note signs warning of strong
currents, blue bottles or stingers.
• If you get into difficulty, do not
wave but signal for help by
raising one arm straight in the air.
The Australian crawl revolutionized swimming throughout • Use factor 50+ sunscreen and
the world in the 1880s. For most Australians, swimming is an wear a shirt and hat.
everyday sport, learned at a very early age.