🌊 Discover the South Coast: The Ultimate 100 Beach Challenge
If you love sun, sand, sea breezes, and coastal adventure, the 100 Beach Challenge on the South Coast of New South Wales should be on your bucket list. Stretching across the stunning Shoalhaven coastline, this adventure invites locals and visitors alike to explore 100 spectacular beaches — from iconic white sands to hidden coves — and fall in love with the diversity of Australia’s south-east shoreline. (bayandbush.com.au)
🏖️ What Is the 100 Beach Challenge?
The 100 Beach Challenge, launched by the Shoalhaven City Council in 2017, is a creative tourism initiative designed to encourage people to discover lesser-known beaches along the South Coast, not just the usual favourites like Hyams or Mollymook. (shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au)
You can approach the challenge however you like:
- Tick off beaches over a long summer road trip
- Make it a weekend adventure with friends
- Turn it into a family scavenger hunt
- Or take it slowly with mindful beach walks and picnics
There’s no time limit — whether you complete it in days, weeks or over a lifetime is entirely up to you. (Sydney Weekender)
📍 The Coastline You’ll Explore
The challenge covers more than 170 km of pristine coastline, from Seven Mile Beach in the north to North Durras Beach in the south. That’s a huge variety of coastal experiences — from long, surf-washed beaches to sheltered bays and secret rock-framed coves. (Sydney Weekender)
Each beach offers something unique:
- 📸 Best Instagram Spots – for capturing those perfect coastal snaps
- 🏄 Surfing Beaches – from mellow breaks to adrenaline-pumping waves
- 👨👩👧👦 Family-Friendly Sheltered Bays – perfect for kids and picnics
- 🐾 Pet-Friendly Shores – where your four-legged friend can roam
- 🌲 Hidden Gems & Bush to Beach Walks – for nature lovers and hikers
- 🔥 24-Hour Access & Beach Camping Spots – for night-time beach vibes (bayandbush.com.au)
🧭 How It Works
While there’s a full list of beaches and an interactive guide online, the fun part is making it your own. Options include:
✔️ Offline tick-off with a beach list and map
✔️ Interactive online version with GPS tracking and progress updates
✔️ Sharing your journey on social with the hashtag #100BeachChallenge (auzzi.com.au)
The digital experience can even show your progress in real time and help you plan your next coastal destination. (OSKY)
💡 Find Your Perfect Beach
To make the challenge even more personalised, there’s a 100 Beach Challenge quiz that helps you discover your “beach personality” — whether you’re an adventurous surfer, a chilled nature lover, a family picnicker, or someone chasing the most Instagram-worthy white sand spots. Based on your type, it suggests beaches you’ll most enjoy and can help you plan your itinerary. (shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au)
🏆 Why the Challenge Matters
This isn’t just a fun game — it’s a tourism success story. The campaign won Gold in the NSW Tourism Awards in 2018 (and Silver at the national level), recognising how it highlights the region’s incredible natural assets while spreading visitor numbers across a range of beautiful but lesser-visited beaches. (shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au)
By encouraging people to explore beyond the usual hotspots, the challenge supports local businesses, reduces overcrowding, and invites deeper engagement with the coast’s natural beauty.
🌅 Tips for Your Adventure
- 📅 Plan ahead — some spots are more remote or require beach-friendly vehicles.
- 🌞 Mix active and relaxed days — combine beach walks with cafés, wineries and national parks nearby.
- 📸 Bring a camera — every beach has a story worth capturing.
📍 Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a local Sydneysider looking for weekend inspiration or a traveller chasing Australia’s most beautiful coastal experiences, the 100 Beach Challenge is a must-do. It’s an invitation to slow down, explore widely, and soak up every kind of beach experience the South Coast has to offer. Start ticking them off — you never know which one will become your new favourite. 🌊✈️