Beaches

Lynch's Beach at Alva, just a 20-minute drive from Ayr, offers wide, peaceful shores and plenty to explore at your own pace. At low tide, the beach makes for excellent exploring with hundreds of solider crabs, endless shells and an abundance of birdlife. The outer sandbars create a natural inshore lagoon, making it a favourite weekend spot for kitesurfers and paddle boarders. The beach is well-known for its great fishing, with many anglers landing impressive catches. Four-wheel drive vehicles are permitted on the beach with access points at the causeway and down Yongala Drive. Suitable vehicles can also launch their boats from the beach while larger boats require tractors for launching which is a unique sight to see. 

 

On weekends during the summer months, the beach is patrolled by volunteers of the Ayr Surf Lifesaving Club at the beach access in front of the Ayr Surf Lifesaving Club. Care needs to be taken if swimming due to changeable conditions, marine stringers and other marine life. If you are unsure on where to swim at the beach or the conditions, please approach the patrolling lifeguards before going in the water. 

 

If you're spending the day at Alva, bring a picnic or barbecue lunch to enjoy at the numerous picnic shelters and barbecue areas. Kids will love the half basketball court and playground at Alva Park, and the photo frame at the Alva Lookout, perfect for an unforgettable photo.

For those wanting to experience a truly secluded beach, Wunjunga Beach (Beachmount) is an absolute must. Wunjunga features 14km of coastline and a small community of permanent residents, holiday homes and beach huts. Located 35km south of Home Hill, Wunjunga is accessed by a bitumen and dirt road which travels through a cattle property and is a haven for local wildlife. Wunjunga is perfect for four-wheel driving, picnics, fishing and walks along the beach. 

 

The best way to enjoy all that Wunjunga has to offer is by setting up a tent or caravan at Funny Dunny Park camping grounds. The small camping ground offers limited short-stay caming for self-contained vehicles for $5 per night per site. 

 

Three Aboriginal middens are located at Wunjunga and can be observed from afar. They are a protected site significant to the region's traditional owners. 

 

It is not recommended to swim at this beach due to marine stingers and other marine life. 

Cape Upstart, located 30km south of Home Hill in the Whitsunday region, is a secluded national park accessible only by boat. Crystal clear waters, running freshwater streams and waterfalls from the mountain tops contribute to the serenity of the area which is dotted with holiday homes.

There are numerous middens in the sand dunes of Cape Upstart which demonstrates the connection of the Juru people to the area. There are also several sacred sites, like the women’s area at Worrungu Bay and the stone arrangements near Mine Island. Cape Upstart is home to over 100 species of birds including black swans, lorikeets, jabirus and brolgas. Bush camping is permitted at Coconut Beach, permits and fees apply.