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Being beside the seaside: Beach use and preferences among coastal residents of south-eastern Australia
Maguire, G.S.; Miller, K.K.; Weston, M.A.; Young, K. (2011). Being beside the seaside: Beach use and preferences among coastal residents of south-eastern Australia. Ocean Coast. Manag. 54(10): 781-788. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2011.07.012
In: Ocean & Coastal Management. Elsevier Science: Barking. ISSN 0964-5691; e-ISSN 1873-524X
Peer reviewed article  
Available in
    VLIZ: Non-open access 322916 [ request ]
Authors 
  • Maguire, G.S.
  • Miller, K.K.
  • Weston, M.A.
  • Young, K.
Abstract
    Beaches are the most popular recreational destinations in Australia yet how they are visited and valued by Australians is poorly known. We surveyed 385 people (13.8% of 2800 coastal residents) from southeastern Australia to examine their use of beaches and the features that are important in their choice and enjoyment of a beach destination. Most respondents (90.3%) nominated beaches as one of their top three most valued natural recreational environments. Thirty-four recreational activities occurred at the beach (8.6 ? 0.3 [mean ? SE] activities per respondent), mostly walking (91.4%) and swimming (78.9%). Factor analyses revealed respondents valued clean, uncrowded beaches with opportunities to view wildlife (n ¼ 338) but also desired facilities (e.g. toilets, shade, life savers, food outlets; n ¼ 331). Difficult access and intrusive recreation activities (e.g. vehicles on beaches) detracted from people0s enjoyment. We describe a distinct dichotomy in use of ‘local’ versus ‘non-local’ beaches, where local beaches are visited more frequently, throughout more of the year, outside working hours and by smaller groups of people, compared with ‘non-local’ beaches. Coastal planners and managers not only face the challenge of increasing visitation to beaches but also the need to manage for somewhat conflicting values among beach-goers.
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