Need A Beach Break On The Cheap? Here’s 5 Of The Best

Summer is coming.

Sometime your year sneaks up on you. All of sudden, it’s December and you’re just days away from the summer holiday you had the best intentions of planning. There’s no need to spend a month’s worth of mortgage on a getaway (even if you did have it handy). This country of ours is lined by some of the finest beaches, so why not make the most of your home turf?

Afterall, there’s nothing like a holiday that calls for bare feet. One where skin is salty, hair is sun-kidded and the nights are long and warm. The kind where your luggage is a near-empty duffel bag thrown in the back of the car. Two pairs of swimmers, a summer shirt (or dress) and that’s pretty much it. We’ve pulled together some of our favourite beach breaks that are fairly close to home for East Coasters and won’t cost you the earth.

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Mid north coast: Anna Bay

It’s two-and-a-half hours north of Sydney and feels like a whole other world. The town’s only pub has a sun-soaked beer garden and One Mile Beach – just off the caravan park – is a sheltered-surf ready spot where you can spend days on end. For a change of scene, head down the road – driving towards the town - to Birubi Beach where you can find more surf, plenty of sand dunes and camel rides (yes, you read that right). There are lots of little bays to spend your days in, like Boat Harbour and Kingsley Beach. Head into Nelson and try the chicken burger at The Home Interior (on Donald St) or keep driving for a cool drink at the recently renovated retro-feel Shoal Bay Country Club. For accomodation, try Airbnb or Stayz or rent a so-close-to-the-beach-you-barely-have-to-walk cabin in the local caravan park.

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Head south: Culburra Beach

Head South for crystal clear, if slightly colder waters. There are plenty of beach batches here to rent, so accomodation is a breeze. Plus, it’s super close to Jervis Bay with its white-white sand and postcard-ready aqua waters. The perfect day trip? Head out early for Honeymoon Bay, a beautiful inlet you’ll find just off the Point Perpendicular Lighthouse Road. Make camp for the morning … Just make sure you get there before the masses. While you’re down that way

While you’re there, be sure to visit Hyams Beach too. Your Instagram feed will thank you for it. All of this, just under three hours south of Sydney

Central Coast, here you come: Avoca

Head for the Central Coast and settle in at Avoca. There’s almost always surf here, plus a safe little bay for the little ones to splash around in. Rent a house and stock up on your way into town and cook up a feast. There’s great coffee at the surf club too. With an old school picture theatre, Avoca is a good time even when the sun isn’t shining.

Head north: Byron Bay

Byron is a holiday favourite for many and can lean towards the expensive side if you don’t play it right. The trick is here to stay in an apartment or rental that doesn’t cost the earth. To avoid the crowds, hang at the stretch of beach just north of The Pass (accessible by the car park just before you hit the turn-off for The Pass). It’s super quiet and, for the surfers in your crew, it’s an easy paddle out to the surf from here. Pack a picnic lunch, charge up with your favourite podcast and spend the day. If you’re looking for a change of scene, try Wategoes of a (super) early morning. The coffee from the coffee cart at the bottom of luxe hotel’s drive – Rae’s – is the go-to.

via Instagram @darciecollington

Crescent Head

This is the mid NSW north coast gem that’s not (quite) a five-hour drive from Sydney. Get those playlists ready, borrow some camping gear and plan your road trip. There a plenty of fun places to stop and stay along the way and, when you land, you’ll be greeted by long, rolling waves, plenty of places to camp, bush that calls out for your to walk it. As one of Australia’s national surfing reserves, the long, never-give-up waves are a longboarders (and beginners) dream.

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