On January 10, 1915, Freshwater locals witnessed Hawaiian native “Duke” Kahanamoku take to the surf on a hand-carved piece of timber. Today, that historic moment is widely believed to be the first instance of modern surfing in Australia.

Appropriately, our ongoing devotion to the sport is evident at Freshie. Surfers enjoy its consistent breaks year-round, thanks to some excellent protection from the northern headland (a life-size commemorative statue of Kahanamoku still stands there).

Freshwater Beach has no shortage of cafes and eateries, but parking can be tight. That’s not necessarily a bad thing – if you’ve parked a little ways back from the beach, you’ll find the iconic Harbord Hotel, the “original shrine by the sea.” You may as well stop by the beer garden for lunch while you’re here.