Beaches on the Coast

    The area in Australia that I live in is called the Central Coast. It is all of the small towns in between Sydney and Newcastle. It is a beautiful area, where there are many types of birds that stay there or migrate through. There are many hiking trails too, but the most fun thing in the area is the beaches.

Umina beach with Lyra in the foreground

Umina- The beach that is the closest to my house is called Umina beach. There is a playground there with a kiosk where I can sometimes get ice cream. I have been there many times. At any one day, the waves can be from tiny and breaking only at the shore to 2 meters high and sending up a huge spray of foam when they break. At the Southern half of the beach is an area where dogs are allowed. Lyra is walked there sometimes. At the South end there is a small rocky path that goes to Pearl beach.

Me, my brothers, and a friend
viewing Pearl Beach

Pearl- Pearl beach has the same waves all of the time- big, but they only break right on top of the shore. They seem to go farther in certain places, so the shoreline is kind of wiggly. It is not such a good place to swim because it is too dangerous, however a walk along the beach can be nice.

Ocean- Ocean beach is technically the Northern half of Umina beach. North of it lies Ettalong beach. All three are in a bay, which is why they have calmer waves than Terrigal and Avoca.

Terrigal- This beach has huge, dramatic waves. At my best guess they can be up to 4 meters high! Because of this, it is my favourite beach.

Avoca- Avoca beach is very big and long. Its waves are almost as big as the ones at Terrigal, but they can be powerful too. They can also be hard to catch in body surfing.

    I love doing water activities at these beaches. It has been a great hobby ever since I moved to Australia.