Travel Destinations

Australia’s Gold Coast is not only known for it’s beautiful white sand beaches but for it’s many dangers as well. Because of this the Gold Coast is home to Australia’s largest surf life saving service.

One service is the Queensland Shark Control Program (SCP). There have been no fatal shark attacks since the late 1950, on the protected ocean beaches, however there have been two fatal attacks in inland lakes areas since 2002. The SCP uses nets and baited drumlins to catch the sharks off of the major swimming beached, although they do get within range of the patrolled beaches.

The two fatalities were both male, who were swimming in the morning. These men wear attached by a bull shark, also known as the whaler shark. Bull sharks are common, worldwide, along warm coastal waters and in rivers. It is also known for its predictable and aggressive behaviors. At the first sight of a shark the life guards will immediately call for everyone to evacuate the waters.

All Gold Coast Beaches are free and the life guards are paid for by the council, the life savers are volunteers. Do not believe some unscrupulous tour guides if they say that there are charges associated with the beach. There are no charges and if you want to give you money away, then donate it to the Surf Life Saving Association.

There are flags on each patrolled beach that relate to the area you are in. Below is a guide for you to follow on your next visit.

Red and Yellow flag: indicated that this is the safest swimming area and are the most common flag you will see. On popular beaches they are usually only a few hundred metres apart so you can always swim on a patrolled beach.

Solid Yellow Flag: This flag is cautioning you against potential dangers. Check with the beach patrol to see how long the danger will be present.

Solid Red Flag: This means that the beach is closed for swimming as there is a definite danger present. you should not enter the water no matter what the circumstance is.

Red and White Checkered Flag: This flag indicates that there has been a shark sighting in the water. Shark patrol will chase the shark well away to ensure there is no more danger before reopening the beach.

Blue flag with surfer person on: indicates that this is a board riding area for surfers and a safe area to ride your surfboard.

There are various surfers paradise accommodation for you choose from for your upcoming vacation. To find gold coast hotels that are suitable for your stay log onto www.goldcoastinformation.com.au.