BOLD & BEAUTIFUL IS NOT CURRENTLY RUNNING DUE TO THE IMPORTANCE OF SOCIAL DISTANCING. (COVID-19)
The wait is nearly over, so pack your bag peeps and get excited. Apart from our pretty cool corner of the globe, CTB, today’s blog takes us to some of the most beautiful swimming and diving locations in Australia.
Seeing as the rest of the world is off limits at the moment, with no intention of opening up soon, it makes perfect sense to drive, fly or perhaps swim if you’re so inclined, to spectacular destinations, right here...in our own backyard.
I know what you’re thinking, “1/2 of Australia is still in lock down” but it won’t be long until we can get amongst it all...the Wows said so...and yes we are ‘women of the wall’ ..but we are also ‘women of the world’ and we know all kinds of stuff ( just ask our kids!) , including our top “Aussie” recommendations for your next long awaited holiday.
So “where the bloody hell are you?” And “throw another shrimp on the barbie” have never been more significant, especially to the local traveller and our very own tourism and hospitality industry.
It’s for this reason today’s blog is the Aussie travel edit! Let’s begin.
New South Wales
My top suggestion is Byron Bay!
There is something spiritual in the air and in the waters around Australia’s most Eastern point. Only recently returned, I swam in crystal clear warm waters near The Pass, dodging turtles ( there were many) and sand whiting, also many! If you’re brave enough the swim from Wategos beach to Main beach is pretty dynamic. The coast line, surrounded by cliffs and mountains, looks spectacular from the water! And you’re bound to bump into the local dolphin pods who take up residence there, and maybe a small white pointer....😬.
Anne suggests Long Reef Beach! She’s always wanted to swim more there. And it’s not very far either. Often a good alternative in a NE wind since it’s tucked away at the base of the headland.
Lord Howe Island ( yes it's actually in NSW) is Helen’s fave, in particular, Ned’s Beach with a #takemeback...take us all back!
Byron Bay
Long Reef Beach
The fishes of Lord Howe
Queensland
There are so many beautiful places here. It’s hard to know where to begin. Let’s start with the Great Barrier Reef.
Anne, Carolyn and Cath all reminisced about glorious swims on the outer reef, from Port Douglas, this swim was literally like swimming in a tropical aquarium. The girls aren’t too sure if it still as pristine. We hope so though. I’m happy to volunteer and do the “research”.
Alison hails Butterfly Bay on the Hook Islands in the Whitsundays. She’s a sailor of the seas, so listen up! You can snorkel just off the beach or swim to the centre of the bay to the best of the bommies.
Butterfly Bay, Hook Islands
Still in QL...Lady Elliot Island eco resort was a popular choice. Sooze and Edwina rated this as the place to go.Home of the Manta Rays and turtles galore, it’s situated in a highly protected green zone. The coral cay is a sanctuary for over 1200 species of marine life. Bliss. So much so that Sooze said she “became so overwhelmed, she cried in her snorkel !” I think there’s a song title in that!!
You cannot have a list of beautiful swimming spots without Whitehaven Beach. Lucy travelled there and remembers the waters as “beautifully clear with the whitest sand”. She also remembers looking like a tele tubby in a stinger suit...there was no accompanying pic unfortunately, so we still settle for this!
Tinky Winky aka...Lucy.
The islands around North Queensland continue to be popular.
Amongst them;
Di loved Heron island. Popular for its turtle hatchlings and rays, and cocktails! Who would argue?
Jacs loves Magnetic Island’s, Horseshoe Bay, not just for the amazing beach but she vists her friend here and she misses seeing her and her children, that’s what real holidays are about.
Heron Island: Di and Johnny
Snorkelling off Lady Elliot Island
Whitehaven Beach
Jacs special place. Magnetic Island
Western Australia
There’s a clear favourite here. The Ningaloo Reef. Talked a lot about down on the wall, many of our swimmers have been lucky enough to have swum here or like me, planning to as soon as I can.
The crystalline waters harbour the world’s largest fringing reef and home to the elusive Whale Sharks. Nowhere in the world do these majestic creatures congregate is such large numbers as here. ( A bit like the bnbers in CTB)
And if that doesn’t convince you to head West, just ask Sooze, when she saw the Whale Sharks she was so overwhelmed, you guessed it, she cried in her snorkel! Using a tissue at under water would be most problematic!
The last place on the travel edit list is not the most spectacular Carolyn has been too but lots of fun. It’s under the pier at Busselton in WA. It’s stretches 1.841 km and also home to lots of fish, coral reef and the humpback whales visit here too.
Busselton Pier WA
Thank you WOW’s for all your shared travel tips.
Feel free to add any other suggestions in the comments.
It’s important to note that there were many beautiful international destinations recommended as well. I will save those for the aptly named, International travel edit. But more important, is that we live on an absolutely stunning island. And we are so blessed to not only have our daily dose of vitamin sea at our disposal but in a few hours we can be experiencing what the rest of the world can only dream of. I still call Australia home...and just ask any Aussie, I bet they would too.
Now to todays action shots! The gorgeous Lainey took these photos of our very own swim this morning. It is clear and clean this morning with loads of fish. I will leave you with these images and a word from our sponsor. Thank you Lainey.
Have a great day and if you need a travel buddy, pick me ;)
Fin Yoga x
Caps and Badges
On Saturday 20th June, your B&B volunteer helpers will be at the benches (100 m north of the surf club, weather permitting) from 8-30 am until 9 am with the following items:
- summer badges (triple, 6 km, 10 km), distance badges (500 km, 1000 km, 2000 km) and last year's winter badges - $10 each (cash only please bring the correct money)
- silicone swimming caps ready for winter - $15 each (cash only please bring the correct money)
- latex caps (free) if you have broken/lost yours or have friends/family who have just started swimming
- sign-up sheet for anyone who wants to sign up and start logging their swims.
Swim Anywhere, Any time to qualify for your 2020 Once Off - Unique - Covid Winter Challenge
Due to Covid-19 and the current government guidelines limiting the number of people allowed to be in a group, Bold & Beautiful is still currently suspended.
But we recognise many of our swimmers are still swimming at various times and locations, and it is more important than ever to remain fit, healthy and connected.
As such, B&B is offering this unique, one off, Covid 2020 Winter Challenge Badge, kindly designed by our amazingly creative swimmer, Linda from Manly Mac Art.
To qualify for your Covid Winter Challenge Badge you need to swim 20 times across 7 different weeks of winter, between 1st June - 31st August.
If you are swimming at Manly, any time of the day, please continue to log your swim as Manly - Shelly Swim, this swim will not only count towards your Covid Winter Challenge Badge, it will also continue to count towards the Pacific Challenge.
If you are swimming in any other location, anywhere in the world, please tick your swim as 'Covid Swim', this will give you a special 19m on the Pacific Challenge and will count towards your Covid Winter Challenge.
Log your 20 (or more) swims without a wetsuit and you will be eligible for the special 2020 ICC (Ice Cold Corona) badge.
YOU MUST LOG YOUR SWIMS IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE YOUR COVID BADGE(S)
A message from Ema Grose
Hey friends,
This year, I’ve decided to sign up again for Dry July. We know 2020 has been a year of challenges, which makes the challenge all the more difficult!
Going dry won’t just benefit my own health, but it’s all for a great cause. I’m raising funds for Dry July Foundation to help support people affected by cancer, who need our help now more than ever.
Any donation you can give would be greatly appreciated, even if it’s what you’d save on your daily coffee or commute! You can make a donation here: www.dryjuly.com/users/emma-grose.
Thanks in advance for your donation!
(A non-alcoholic) Cheers,
Emma
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