Garie Beach

How far from the beach is considered close in Australia?

Lots of Australians say that in general, they are a nation of beach-goers, most likely due to the weather allowing it the majoirty of the time. However, for the purpose of advertising or buying a house in Australia, how far away would be considered coastal, or at least, near the cost enough to put the cost up? Is 1-2 hours drive from the coast considered near, or is that far enough away for it to not be coastal? Thanks

Public Comments

1. A 1-2 hour drive to the coast is far too long to be considered 'coastal'. For me personally, unless the town itself is actually on the coast, then it's not coastal.
2. The vast majority of Australians live on or by the coast that is why they say they are a nation of beach goers. I guess if you are in the outback you are not in a coastal region.
3. If it is a pleasant walk to the beach I would say that I lived near the beach. If you have to get in the car you do not live near the beach
4. 90% of Australians live within 40mins of the beach. Out of big cities - the furthest point away from the coast in a coastal town would be 10min. I would say that being close to the beach is within 10km or 10min of the beach
5. I live aboust 10 or 15 minutes away from the beach, and I'd say thats anywhere within 20 minutes from the beach would be considered close. :]
6. I consider that the town must be on the coast. If the town isn't on the coast then it is not considered to be close.
7. 1 - 2 hours from the beach is considered to be practically in the outback! That's a bit of an exaggeration, but it would be beyond what's considered even the coastal hinterland and is much too far to be called coastal in even a real estate agent's vivid imagination. 10 -15 minutes drive from the beach is probably close enough for some, but walking distance is what's meant if you're looking at paying (or charging) for the amenity of being near the beach. Not to contradict the above, we're a nation of beach goers because our population is concentrated along the coastal strip (within 50 k or so of the coast) and we don't mind driving. Australians think nothing of driving 50 or even 100 k or more for a picnic or a swim.
8. 1-2 hours is ageesss from the beach! i live in a biig town and everyboddy is max 10 minutes away.
9. Australia is a large country (in size) meaning that at times we need to travel distances a lot of australians consider it normal to travel 2 or 3 hours to get to work. I know of people who live 1 and a half hours from the beach, and go just about every weekend (when they can). Distance and time is more about what you as a person or family is willing to travel. Sometimes to australians we don't feel we are travelling those great distances. There are of course people who travel up to 3 or 4 hours to go shopping.