Alva Beach, Burdekin Shire, an hour drive south from Townsville. Yep, still North Queensland and thus potentially pestered with mozzies, midgies, stingers, crocs and other lovelies*. We haven’t had the pleasure to wrangle any but did find one heck of a kitesurfing spot.
This spot would be known to some as it hosted Australian kiteboarding nationals in 2012.
The beach is a tidal inlet that over the course of time elongated into a long channel with flat water. As the sands continue to shift the inlet might either become even longer or, as seen in Old Bar NSW, close and dry up. We shed a tear when we saw that. What a waste. But for now, this inlet is alive and kicking.
The best winds to harness here would be E to ENE, however those only come once in a blue moon. Most commonly one could get is SE therefore travelling across the channel and not along the channel. Expect short tachs and lots of them.
Those of you who favour a bit of swell can also cross the outer sandbank and have fun on the oceanside beach. We haven’t tried but the locals love it.
The downside of the channel is almost no setup space on the beach and outgoing tide can steal your board. There is a setup spot on the lawn just next to the beach entry as is parking, park, picnic area, playground and amenities. Super cool for us kite-parents.
The local crew – great guys all of them – couldn’t recall seeing any sharks, crocs, turtles nor stingrays although I can attest there are flatheads lurking about. I may have stepped on one, or two, or five. And as mentioned before, North Queensland and stingers go hand in hand so wearing long sleeves is a wise precaution.
Link to our v-log! And don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to our channel for more adventures!
https://youtu.be/5Bm6MdPnuGM
Google maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/kps45vLWosGWQHyr8
*(Aus slang: mozzie = mosquito; midgie/sandfly = nasty biting insect; stinger = jellyfish; croc = crocodiles). We have lots of slang words. These are just a tip of the iceberg. Sorry about that.
Also, the awesome areal image of the inlet is the courtesy of Budd Photography from Townsville. Check out her website here : www.buddphotography.com.au
And insta #buddphotography
#windchasers #kitesurfing #kiteboarding #beach #beachnsw #queensland #kitesuringaustralia #beachqld #buddphotography
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