Smiths Beach

VIC

14 Oct

Written By Bern Walker

Today at Smiths Beach

SMITHS BEACH WEATHER

About the beach

Smith’s Beach on Phillip Island is a great option for visitors looking for an accessible beach experience. The foreshore provides two accessible parking bays, trestle tables and bench seating, a wheelchair-friendly beach with an access ramp and a Changing Places facility, with water wheelchairs (Mobi Wheelchair Model) and portable beach matting available for free hire from Phillip Island Information and Visitor centre or Berninneit in Cowes.

At low tide, the beach is best for exploring the shoreline, beach walks and rock pools. Smiths Beach is also a well-known surfing spot, with consistent waves attracting everyone from beginners through to more experienced surfers. As with any surf beach, conditions can change quickly and strong rips and currents are possible, so visitors should always check conditions and swim between the flags when the beach is patrolled. Bass Coast Shire Council encourages visitors and locals use the Beach Safe App to check conditions prior to their visit.

The ramp access from the beach car park to the shore, gives users the options to view the sea from higher up or access the water. There is a smooth and wide path to transition from the parking bay to the toilets and the toilets are in clear sight from the road entering the carpark.

Just a short distance (150m) from the carpark is the Smiths Beach General Store, the local general store, providing food, drinks and coffee with a sloped access for wheelchair, walker or pram users. Smith’s Beach is also an important location for inclusive surfing. The Disabled Surfers Association of Australia runs annual accessible surfing events at the beach, providing opportunities for people with disability to get out on the water with support from volunteers. With accessible beach infrastructure, local amenities and inclusive surfing programs, Smiths Beach is one of Phillip Island's more accessible options for enjoying the coast.