A great beach day is all about the prep. Forget one thing – shade, water, a way to keep the drinks cold – and you're packing up by lunchtime. Here's our no-fuss checklist for a full day at an Australian beach, from the car park to sunset.
1. Sun protection (non-negotiable)
The Australian UV index regularly hits "extreme" in summer, even on cloudy days. Pack more protection than you think you need:
- Shade – a pop-up UPF 50+ beach shelter or a beach umbrella with a proper sand anchor so it doesn't take off in the afternoon sea breeze.
- SPF 50+ sunscreen – reapply every two hours and after swimming.
- Hat, sunnies and a long-sleeve rashie for the kids.
2. Somewhere to sit that isn't full of sand
Standard towels are sand magnets. A sand-free beach blanket lets sand fall straight through and packs down to the size of a water bottle. Add a couple of oversized microfibre or Turkish towels – they dry fast and shake clean.
3. Keep food and drinks cold
A good insulated cooler bag or cooler backpack keeps drinks cold for hours and is much easier to carry across soft sand than a hard esky. Freeze a few water bottles the night before – they double as ice bricks and cold drinks later.
4. Protect your phone and valuables
- A floating waterproof phone pouch so you can take photos in the water.
- A waterproof dry bag for keys, wallets and spare clothes.
5. Fun for the kids (and big kids)
Sand toy sets, collapsible buckets, pool floats and a snorkel set for calm, patrolled swimming areas will keep everyone busy for hours.
6. Getting it all there
If you're hauling gear for the whole family, a collapsible beach wagon with all-terrain wheels saves several trips from the car park.
Quick safety reminders
- Always swim between the red and yellow flags.
- Drink water regularly – more than you think.
- Check the tide times and weather before you go.
Everything on this list is in our Beach Essentials collection – with free delivery on orders over $100, shipped from within Australia.