An isolated island beach that 99 per cent of Australians have never heard of has been named after Australia’s Governor-General and won the title of our nation’s best beach.
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A small strip of sand on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Western Australia has been freshly minted ‘Cossies Beach’ in honour of Sir Peter Cosgrove.
According to experts, Cossies is “as near to perfect as a beach can be” and tops the authoritative list for Australia’s Best Beaches. While Cossies happens to be our nation’s remotest beach, it does have WiFi.”
While not in the top 20, Merimbula-Pambula Beach (Main Beach) and Boydtown at Twofold Bay in Eden both made an extended Top 101 Australian Beaches in the recent announcement.
Beach Ambassador Brad Farmer was joined by the Minster for Regional Development and Territories Senator Fiona Nash to officially announce the best Australian beaches on the weekend, which also included Dolly Beach on Christmas Island, which came in at number seven.
Minister Nash has federal responsibility over both these Australian island territories which have received little publicity for their exotic beaches, world class rainforests, spectacular diving and as a future international eco-tourism destination.
Commenting on Cocos (Keeling) Islands grabbing the top spot Mr Farmer said, “I named this little slice of paradise after Sir Peter Cosgrove, who like me – and even naturalist Charles Darwin – was impressed by its absolute natural beauty”.
Charles Darwin who examined the beach in 1836 said: “I can hardly explain the reason, but there is to my mind much grandeur in the view of the outer shores of these lagoon-islands.”
“We can boast 11,761 beaches and 8,222 islands over a vast and amazing 59,736km of diverse coast,” said Mr Farmer, who wants to position Australia as having the worlds’ best beaches.
Minister Nash said “Two of our top 10 beaches are territories and 17 of our top 20 Australian beaches are regional. The inclusion of Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands are deserving as unique and beautiful locations.”
The key decision maker among a raft of independent and scientific criteria in selecting best beaches in consultation with Professor Andy Short OAM, was that the location had to possess ‘authentic and compelling’ attributes along with a beach ‘one would recommend to a friend’.
Beaches are the number one attraction for international visitors to Australia and the pride of every Australian.
Mr Farmer’s passion for beaches is supported by John O’Sullivan, Managing Director of Tourism Australia.
“Australia’s extensive coastline means we are literally spoilt for choice when it comes to nominating the best beaches and we know that 70 per cent of our international visitors enjoy an aquatic or coastal experience as part of their trip to Australia,” Mr O’Sullivan said.
“In fact, as part of our latest global campaign push we are telling the world why ‘There’s nothing like Australia’ for the breadth, depth and quality of aquatic and coastal experiences our country has to offer – and 101 Best Beaches is another way for us to share these experiences in a very authentic and compelling way.”
Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove said from Canberra that he was “very honoured” to have such an outstanding beach site named after him. It is believed to be the first naming of an Australian beach for some years.
“With Australia’s tourism industry growing three times faster than the Australian economy, all beaches play a vital role,” Mr Farmer said.
Brad Farmer concluded by saying that it was “incontestable” that Australia had the world best beaches are has challenged any country to contest his claim.
THE ‘TOP 10’ BEST AUSTRALIAN BEACHES 2017
#1 Cossies Beach, Cocos (Keeling) Islands INDIAN OCEAN
#2 Nudey Beach, Fitzroy Island, FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND
#3 Moonee Beach, Coffs Coast NEW SOUTH WALES
#4 Turquoise Bay, Coral Coast, WESTERN AUSTRALIA
#5 Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast, QUEENSLAND
#6 Maslin Beach, Adelaide, SOUTH AUSTRALIA
#7 Dolly Beach, Christmas Island, INDIAN OCEAN
#8 Shelly Beach, Nambucca Coast, NEW SOUTH WALES
#9 Boat Harbour Beach, North West Coast, TASMANIA
#10 Apollo Bay, Great Ocean Road, VICTORIA
THE TOP 20 #11-20:
#11 Horseshoe Bay Beach, Capricorn Coast, QUEENSLAND
#12 Garie Beach, Royal National Park, Sydney, NEW SOUTH WALES
#13 Merewether Beach, Newcastle, NEW SOUTH WALES
#14 Long Beach, Great Keppel Island, Capricorn Coast, QUEENSLAND
#15 Hawks Nest Beach, Myall Coast, NEW SOUTH WALES
#16 Camp Cove, Sydney, NEW SOUTH WALES
#17 Broken Head Beach, Byron Coast, NEW SOUTH WALES
#18 Narrawallee Beach, Shoalhaven Coast, NEW SOUTH WALES
#19 Dynamite Bay, Coral Coast, WESTERN AUSTRALIA
#20 Ellis Beach, FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND
Snapshot of Australian Beaches:
- 10,654 mainland beaches, 11,761 in total (including 30 large islands of a total of 8,222 Australian various islands/cays and isles).
- Only 16% of Australian beaches are accessible by conventional road, a further 12% are accessible via unsealed roads, 29% by 4WD and 43% are inaccessible (Source: Prof. A. D. Short OAM).
- Australians are the foremost beach going nation in the world.
- Australia has the third largest marine zone in the world.
- Australia has the most varied and diverse coastline in the world.
- Beaches are a major economic driver for the Australian economy, second only to mining.
- Australians began ‘sea bathing’ in 1906.
- For international and domestic travellers alike, world class coastlines, beaches and marine wildlife rank within the top five emotive factors when choosing a destination.
- Australia is ranked at #1 for aquatic wildlife, remote coastal beaches and aquatic locations, and developed coastal and beach locations on average across all markets, including Australian consumers.
- The greatest drivers of international visitor demand specifically to Australia are coastal (including beaches) and aquatic.
- Australia’s beaches are ranked first as the most appealing Australian attraction among international consumers. The Great Barrier Reef, unspoilt natural wilderness, Australian coastal lifestyle and island experiences also comprise the top ten.
- For Australians, the most important elements of aquatic and coastal experiences encompass tropical islands, followed by remote coastal, beach and aquatic locations, tied with beaches right near cities, and trailed by marine wildlife.
