Currumbin Beach – my cure for itchy feet

I’m itching to travel, particularly overseas and more precisely Africa. To ward off the itch in my feet I need to rub them in the white sands of Currumbin Beach.

I only have to drive 5 minutes or walk for about 45 mins to the Alley and Currumbin Beach. When I get there and I take the spectacular view in and suddenly I don’t feel a need to leave these shores. What we have here is so magical and I appreciate it and the fact I’m here every day. Particularly with what is going on all over the world today.

Currumbin beach is in my heart. It beckoned me when I was a teen to body surf, bake as I read a book, stroll through the soft sand between my toes and swim under the Queensland sun. Later, I lived a quick skip down my wonky front steps and across a road to the beach (my first flat with my future husband). It was a dodgy flat, with shortouts in the electricity and leaks in the plumbing, but it didn’t matter, when we could sleep to the sound of crashing waves and wake to the smell of a salt ocean on the breeze and sunshine through our thin curtains.

At this beach I’m at peace and I relax and renew my equilibrium. I marvel at what nature has created; a swirl of protected inlet and then surf proud beach, and I try not to take it for granted. We need to be mindful of Earth’s gift. We have a beautiful beach kissed by the ocean and winding to the estuary; uniquely accentuated by the Alley Rocks and down the southern end of the beach, the aptly named Elephant Rock, where Currumbin Vikings Surf Club sits embedded into it like a blended fabric. It is topped by lush Currumbin Hill, backed by Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and the development is still village-like enough to keep a quiet slowness that you can’t get in places like Surfers Paradise.

There’s quaint shops and cafes dotting Pacific Parade, including a newsagency that only plays Elvis Presley not matter what day or time you walk in there. They sell the usual tourist fares of sarongs, beach gear and all with a friendly smile and a chat.

The surf club dominates the middle on top of Elephant Rock and then the beach stretches further south to what the locals call Flat Rock. There’s another inlet that sometimes dries up but flows into the lake beside Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. The park is a favourite spot for barbecues and family touch football or cricket during summer, with a big expanse of sand nearby and one of the best surf breaks in the area. Shhhhhhush! That’s a local secret.

Australians all feel like part of the Currumbin community when Anzac Day is celebrated at Elephant Rock. I feel humble and proud that this beautiful place holds this sacred ceremony. With a son recently out of the Army and now another in the Air Force, just the thought of this lump-in-throat, tears-in-eyes inducing morning makes me nostalgic.

On a brighter note, just this week Currumbin Beach is host to Swell Sculpture Festival. It ends this Sunday, so hurry up and have a look at this unique event, before it’s over. But there’s not just the beach. You can walk from the beach along paths beside Currumbin Creek towards the Currumbin RSL. The tranquil estuary will often have dolphins swimming in its meandering waters. Bearded Dragons bake on the rocks in the sunshine. Dogs are walked by their owners as runners run past. Stand-up paddle boards make the most of the morning calm and the dragon boats practice their strokes. Across the bridge you’ll see the brightly painted Thrower House shed, a unique community hub with one of the nicest views in the world.

I’ve taken some photos to inspire you to visit my beach – Currumbin.

Note the many differences to beaches like Surfers Paradise. The southern Gold Coast beaches have more natural beauty, less high rise to cast shadows in the afternoon, less hustle and bustle – more perfection and beauty.

Soon I’ll post a video of the octopus. It’s a moving sculpture and looked amazing above Elephant Rock.