Australia, as you're probably aware, is an island, surrounded by water on all sides.
To the east lies the South Pacific Ocean; to the west the Indian Ocean; to the north the Timor, Arafura and Coral Seas; to the south the Southern Ocean and Tasman Sea, and Tasmania is separated from the mainland by The Bass Strait.
Here you'll find some of the best beaches on the planet.
The huge mainland coastline stretches for nearly 37,000 km and includes 11,011 beaches and with the addition of all the coastal islands this amounts to more than 47,000 km, more than any other nation.
(By the way, a beach is defined as a stretch of sand longer than 20 metres and remaining dry at high tide.)
With so many incredible beaches it's impossible for me to even list them all here so I've picked my favourites, beaches that I and my family have visited, walked on, swam on and just generally enjoyed.
Most of Australia's cities and towns are situated on the coast, within a few kilometres of the ocean, this makes beach access very easy for the visitor and the resident alike.
That's some 15 million people, or about 75 of these people live in a 50 km wide coastal strip that runs from Cairns to Adelaide.
Australia's coastline extends through a wide range of climates from the tropical areas in the north to temperate areas in the south and coastal environments include areas of rainforest, mangroves, estuaries, rocky and sandy shores, cliffs, islands, towns, cities and coastal communities.
With most of Australia's population living so close to the coastline the beach has long occupied a special place in the Australian identity.
The Australian beach is also a place where people from all over the world meet, mix and have fun together.
The recorded history of people in their interaction with the beaches of Australia is peppered with disaster, tragedy, discovery and delight.
Over the past several hundred years, visitors as far away as China, Portugal, Spain and Holland visited Australian beaches.
These days people from all over the world come to Australia for their vacations and most of these spend at least some of their time on one, or more, of our beautiful Australian beaches.
Some people go to the beach simply for the sun and surf while others go to sail, parasail, fish, snorkel, scuba dive and comb the beach for lost 'treasure'.
Coastal sight-seeing is also a very popular pursuit for Australians and international tourists alike as there are many scenic coastal drives with well appointed lookouts.
The world famous Great Barrier Reef, which is the largest reef on earth, extends over 2000km along the Queensland coast and is made up of about 3000 individual reefs.
The Great Barrier Reef has been designated a World Heritage Area and contains over 700 tropical islands many of which have wonderful beaches.
Another World Heritage site is Fraser Island, which is the largest sand island in the world and has some amazing beaches.
The island stretches approximately 144km along the Queensland coastline at Hervey Bay and is between 25 and 50km wide with sandhills rising to almost 240m in places.
It's accessible by barge from Hervey Bay and is well worth the visit but you'll need a four wheel drive vehicle if you want to explore, there are no roads on Frazer Island.
There are numerous freshwater lakes on the island, some more than 60m deep, and parts of the island are covered by dense rainforest.
Beaches all around the country attract large crowds for celebrations such as New Year's Eve and Australia Day.
City beaches such as Manly in Sydney, Glenelg in Adelaide and even Breaka beach in the heart of Brisbane provide entertainment and fireworks on New Year's Eve, and on Australia Day many beaches host citizenship ceremonies and provide family entertainment.
It has become traditional for international visitors who are in Sydney at Christmas time to go to Bondi Beach where up to 40,000 people congregate on Christmas Day.
So where are all the best Australian beaches?
I live in Queensland so my favourites would have to be in that state.
If you are looking for a safe family beach that's close to Brisbane then head towards Bribie Island, about an hour's drive north of the city.
Bribie has lovely surf beaches on the ocean side as well as calm water beaches on the mainland side of the island and, although it's a genuine pacific island, you can get there by car, just drive across the bridge...
Closer still is Coochiemudlo Island, just across the water from Victoria Point.
The ferry ride across to the island takes about ten minutes, you can walk around the entire island in less than an hour and the beaches are great for the littlies.
And, right in the heart of Brisbane at the Southbank Parklands, is Breaka Beach, a man made lagoon complete with lifesavers and barbeques, great for a day out with the kids when the temperature starts to rise.
Of course we mustn't leave out the more famous of our Queensland beaches.
On The Gold Coast there's the world famous Surfers Paradise beach.
Actually, all 35 of the beaches on the 30km (19-mile) Gold Coast strip in south Queensland are worthy of inclusion here.
Every one has sand so clean it squeaks when you walk on it, great surf, and fresh breezes, just ignore the tacky high-rise buildings.
If you head north from Brisbane you'll come to the Sunshine Coast.
About an hour's drive away, the Sunshine Coast comprises some fifty kilometres of the most wonderful beaches in Australia.
Everyone's a pearl; if you really want to spend some time on a great Australian beach you must go there....
Four Mile Beach at Port Douglas in North Queensland is a place where the sea is turquoise, the sun is warm, the palms sway, and the low-rise hotels starting to line this country beach can't spoil the feeling that it is a million miles from anywhere.
But isn't there always a serpent in paradise? In this case the "serpents" are north Queensland's seasonal, and potentially deadly, marine stingers.
Come from June through September to avoid them, or confine your swimming to the stinger net the rest of the year.
Mission Beach, also in Queensland, has brilliant blue water with islands dotting the horizon and white sand edged by vine forests.
This beach is a real winner with the bonus that hardly anyone comes here.
Cassowaries (giant emu like birds) hide in the rainforest, and the tiny town of Mission Beach makes itself invisible behind the leaves.
Again, visit from June through September to avoid marine stingers.
Whitehaven Beach is not a surf beach, but this 6km stretch of white silica sand on uninhabited Whitsunday Island is pristine and peaceful and extremely beautiful.
Of course not everyone will want to come to Queensland just to lie on a beach and get a great tan and with over 11,000 beaches around the nation you'll find several to suit you wherever you are.
In New South Wales, Palm Beach is at the end of a string of beaches stretching north from Sydney.
Palm Beach is long and white, with good surfing and a golf course, (what else ? )
Hyams Beach, at Jervis Bay in New South Wales, is said to be the whitest beach in the world.
As with all Australian beaches you need to wear sunblock if you decide to stroll along it, because the reflection from the sun, even on a cloudy day, can give you a nasty sunburn.
It's also a very good idea to wear some footwear.
There's not much worse than going to the beach early in the day and then finding the sand too hot to walk on when you want to leave.
In the summer, especially in the northern areas, this is very true, you'll burn your feet badly if you try to walk on the sand without footwear.
Bondi Beach, Australia's most famous beach, is located in the suburb of Bondi just seven kilometres from the centre of Sydney.
Bondi is believed to be an Aboriginal word meaning the sound of breaking waves.
There are Aboriginal Rock carvings on the northern end of the beach at Ben Buckler and south of Bondi Beach near McKenzies Beach on the coastal walk.
Bondi Beach is approximately one kilometre long and is about 50m wide at the north end, widening out to 100m at the south end and it's the widest beach in the Sydney region.
New South Wales also has some wonderful beaches in the north of the state at places like Byron Bay.
10 hours north of Sydney or 5 south of Brisbane, Byron Bay is a unique haven of stylish, relaxed, low-key living in a stunningly beautiful area, with superb beaches to match.
Locals, though different in many ways, are united in their liberal, 'alternative', anti-establishment view of the world and the town is all the better for that attitude.
The Bay beach is scenic and big enough for swimmers, early surfers and those with a little more surfing skill to each find the kind of water they need while white-water rafting, mountain bike riding, horse riding and skydiving are among other alternatives are also on offer.
Wherever you go along the coast in New South Wales you'll find lovely stretches of sand that will take your breath away.
If you're heading to Victoria be sure to check out the beaches at Frankston.
These long, wide, safe sandy bay beaches are ideal for swimming, snorkelling and diving,
With excellent launch facilities, they are also popular for boating, while foreshore reserves are great for picnics and barbecues.
There are a number of lovely small, sandy bay beaches between Mount Eliza and Mornington including Daveys Bay, Canadian and Half Moon bays, Ranelagh and Sunnyside beaches and there are also a number of safe, sandy swimming beaches around the picturesque bay harbour of Mornington and surrounding areas.
These include Mills, Scout, Shire Hall, Mothers, Royal and Fishermans beaches.
One of my very favourites is Cosmopolitan St Kilda Beach, one of Melbourne's most popular attractions.
During the summer months it's the venue for many events including volleyball, triathlons, outdoor promotions, cycling and in-line skating.
St Kilda beach is home to the famous St Kilda Pier, and is close to many cafes, restaurant, specialty shops, and of course Luna Park.
Home of the renowned Brighton bathing boxes, Brighton is one of Melbourne's safest and sandiest swimming beaches.
Stroll along Middle Brighton Pier, relax in beautiful historic gardens or soak up magnificent city views.
Nearby, visit the historic Middle Brighton Sea Baths and many galleries, antique shops, and exquisite seaside restaurants and cafes for a visit to the beach with a difference.
While we're in Victoria we mustn't forget the world famous Bells Beach, the Victorians would never forgive us...
One of Australia's most famous surfing beaches Bells Beach is known for its world-renowned Easter Surfing Classic and is located near Torquay on the southern coast of Victoria, 71 km south-west of Melbourne.
If you like to surf then this Aussie icon is a must visit.
In South Australia be sure to check out the beaches at Frankston while Semaphore, Henley Beach, Glenelg and Port Noarlunga are top spots to watch the kids build sandcastles, venture onto playgrounds, or slurp an ice cream.
All are situated in, or close to Adelaide.
Glenelg, one of South Australia's favourite seaside playgrounds, has a beautifully landscaped foreshore and reserve areas, cafes and restaurants and beach leisure activities.
It's also home to the Beach-house, a fantastic amusement complex with waterslides, dodgem cars and more.
Adelaide Shores is ideal for families. The 153 hectare reserve is close to shops, restaurants and transport and has great recreation facilities.
This holiday spot has every amenity imaginable for the perfect seaside retreat.
Emu Bay, on Kangaroo Island is a beautiful, four-kilometre long, safe beach with vehicle access onto the hard sand.
Penneshaw beach is clean, offers safe conditions for swimming and spectacular views across Backstairs Passage to the mainland.
The beach area in front of the Ozone Hotel is a popular family picnic spot with elevated grass banks, while Little Brownlow Beach, in front of the Yacht Club, is also a pleasant area providing shallow swimming and wading.
My kids loved it there when we spent a short break in the region some time ago.
Things will have changed since then but the beach will still be the same.
You'll also find calm swimming beaches with sheltered bays for families to enjoy at Yorke Peninsula.
And there are also plenty of beaches to choose from on the Eyre Peninsula.
With 2000 kilometres of coastline to explore you're sure to find a wonderful beach that's just what you're looking for.
Like Queensland, beautiful beaches abound in Western Australia,
where the Indian Ocean gleams like a sparkling sapphire under a warm southern sun.
One of the most famous is Broome's Cable Beach.
Hailed as possibly the most beautiful stretch of beach on earth, Cable Beach is blessed with beautiful turquoise waters bounded by 22 kilometres of pristine white sands.
The spectacular fiery Broome sunsets will take your breath away.
At Monkey Mia in Denham, squeaky-clean beach sand surrounds still, aquamarine waters, where wild bottlenose dolphins regularly come ashore to say g'day and snare a feed of fish.
Ningaloo Reef is a must see if you're in the west.
This 260 kilometre spectacle of colour and diversity 's home to emerald lagoons teeming with brilliant coral and vibrant tropical fish, and is one of the few places on earth you can swim alongside whale sharks.
South of the State, at Middleton Beach in Albany, rugged rocky outcrops shelter a calm, vibrant-blue bay which is just right for a lazy day in the sun..
Then there's Surfer's Point in Margaret River where the surf is consistently spectacular.
Home to the Margaret River Pro and a firm favourite with the world's elite pro-surfers, it's teeming with powerful ground swells and first-class waves.
The turquoise waters of Lucky Bay in Esperance are famous for its sunbathing kangaroos, which often lounge on the snow-white shores.
Closer to Perth, The Basin at Rottnest Island is a sheltered lagoon flush with colourful schools of fish.
It's an ideal spot for a snorkel and swim and at Cottesloe Beach, towering Norfolk pines line a boulevard alive with cafes and pubs.
Yes, there are so many great beaches around Australia that I can't possibly mention them all here and you won't have time to visit them all, but whichever ones you do visit I know you'll enjoy.
