Omari Gates
Australia is an urban coastal nation, with over 22 million people living on the coast as of 2019. There are many reasons why people are drawn to coastal life in Australia. The country has a rich maritime history, and its coastal areas are a hub for tourism, recreation, and sports, with over 500 million individual visitations by adults in 2019-2020. The climate is also a factor, with the centre of the country being dry and unable to support large populations. Coastal areas offer more rainfall and a milder climate.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of population living within 50 km of the coast | 85% in 2001, 87% in 2019 |
| Number of Australians living on the coast | Over 22 million |
| Tourist attractions | Beaches, the Great Barrier Reef |
| Coastal tourism visitation by adults over 16 years | 500 million in 2019-20 |
| Coastal development | Concentrated in urban centres, now spreading to townships and villages |
| Population growth | Caused by migration from cities due to COVID-19 |
| Environmental impacts | Trampling, pollution, habitat loss, erosion, wildlife disturbance, increased demands on resources |
| Coastal dangers | Shark bites, coastal drowning |
| Inland living conditions | Lack of rain, high temperatures |
| Historical reasons | Arrival by boat, town spacing for horse travel |
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What You'll Learn
Climate: The coast is less arid than inland Australia
Australia is an island continent, so it's no surprise that its coasts are the focus of much of the country's tourism. The coastal climate is less arid than inland Australia, which is often referred to as a barren, dry, and hot "outback". The coast is more habitable and can support larger populations. People living just a few hundred kilometres from the coast may not have seen rain in years.
Historically, Australia's coastal population grew due to its ports, which were the main entry points for people and goods arriving by boat. Today, over 22 million Australians (87% of the population) live within 50 kilometres of the coast. This number has risen due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused migration out of the cities and towards regional coastal townships and villages.
Coastal population growth has led to environmental pressures, including light pollution, tourism, recreation, recreational fishing, and littering. These human activities have caused trampling, pollution, degradation, natural habitat loss, erosion, and disturbance of wildlife.
Coastal environments near major Australian cities are particularly affected by light pollution, with artificial lighting commonplace along beaches, coastal streets, and within harbours and marinas.
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History: Most people and goods historically arrived by boat
Australia is an island continent, and historically, most people and goods arrived by boat. This is one of the main reasons why the majority of Australians live by the coast. The Great Dividing Range served as a natural barrier on the east coast, and so most people settled where their boats arrived, by the coast.
The centre of Australia is arid and unable to support large populations. People living just a few hundred kilometres from the coast may not have seen rain in years. The coast, on the other hand, is lush and has many beaches. It is no surprise, then, that coastal locations are the focus of Australian tourism, with beaches and the Great Barrier Reef identified as the most attractive destinations.
The coastal population of Australia has been steadily growing. In 2001, 85% of Australians lived within 50 kilometres of the coast, and by 2019, this number had risen to 87%. That is over 22 million people calling the coast home. This growth has been driven by the appeal of coastal living, with its associated recreational activities and tourism opportunities.
The COVID-19 pandemic may have also played a role in the recent increase in coastal population. As people migrated out of the cities, regional coastal areas became more attractive, with their promise of space and access to the sea. The growth of coastal townships and villages is a testament to this trend.
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Amenities: Access to beaches and the Great Barrier Reef
Australia's coasts are a major tourism hotspot, with the country's iconic beaches and the Great Barrier Reef being the most attractive destinations for tourists and locals alike. In 2019-20, over 500 million visits were made by adults to coastal areas for domestic recreation and sports. The appeal of these areas is understandable, given the diverse aquatic and coastal experiences on offer, from swimming and sunbathing to exploring the unique marine life of the Great Barrier Reef.
The Great Barrier Reef, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, stretches over 2,300 kilometres along the Queensland coast and is the world's largest coral reef system. It is a haven for divers and snorkelers, who come to witness the vibrant corals, tropical fish, and other marine life up close. The reef also supports a significant tourism industry, with reef-related tourism contributing billions of dollars to the Australian economy each year.
The beaches along Australia's coastline offer a range of amenities and activities for visitors and locals to enjoy. Many beaches provide easy access to the water for swimming, surfing, and other water sports, with some beaches known for their world-class waves. Beachgoers can also enjoy sunbathing, beach walks, and a range of social activities, such as beach volleyball and other sports.
The coastal lifestyle is an attractive prospect for many Australians, with the promise of a laid-back, outdoor lifestyle and a strong connection to nature. The mild climate in coastal regions also makes outdoor activities enjoyable year-round. As a result, it is not surprising that so many Australians choose to live near the coast, with over 22 million people, or 87% of the population, residing within 50 kilometres of the coast in 2019.
However, the popularity of coastal living and tourism has led to environmental concerns. The increase in visitor numbers has resulted in negative impacts, including trampling, pollution, natural habitat loss, erosion, and disturbance of wildlife. Light pollution from coastal developments and tourism infrastructure has also affected marine environments, with artificial lighting disrupting the ecosystems of intertidal and shallow subtidal habitats.
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Safety: The risk of shark bites is low
Australia has a low risk of shark bites. In 2024, there were 9 unprovoked shark incidents in the country, which is lower than the five-year annual average of 15 incidents. This number represents only 20% of the worldwide total.
While the total number of shark attacks in Australia has increased in recent years, this trend becomes much less severe when adjusted for population growth. In fact, the rate of shark attacks per person is quite small, especially when considering only fatal attacks.
Surfing generally accounts for the highest number of shark attacks in Australia, followed by swimming. However, the risk of shark bites while participating in these activities is still low, and there are resources available to reduce this risk further.
The low risk of shark bites in Australia is evident when compared to other countries. For example, the United States recorded 28 confirmed cases of unprovoked shark bites in 2024, with Florida contributing 14 of those cases. These numbers represent a higher proportion of global shark bites than Australia's.
In summary, the risk of shark bites in Australia is low, and the country has a lower number of incidents compared to other regions. While shark attacks can be alarming, the probability of an individual encountering a shark is small, and there are measures in place to mitigate this risk.
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Population: The coast can support larger populations
Australia is an island continent, so it's no surprise that its coasts are the focus of much of the country's tourism. In 2019, over 22 million Australians, or 87% of the population, lived within 50 kilometres of the coast. This is a significant increase from 2001, when the figure was 85%. The growth in coastal population is spreading from urban centres to townships and villages, a trend that may be exacerbated by people moving away from cities due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Australian coast has long been a popular place to live. In the past, when most people and goods arrived by boat, the majority of the population lived near the coast. The Great Dividing Range also served as a natural barrier on the east coast, further concentrating populations in certain areas.
The Australian coast is also a popular tourist destination, particularly beaches and the Great Barrier Reef. In 2019-20, there were over 500 million individual visitations by adults to coastal areas. This tourism can have negative environmental impacts, including trampling, pollution, habitat loss, erosion, and increased demands on local resources.
The centre of Australia is very sparsely populated due to its arid climate. People living just a few hundred kilometres from the coast may not have seen rain in years. The coast, on the other hand, receives more rainfall and can support a larger population.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia is an island continent, so it's no surprise that coastal tourism is a big part of the country's tourism market. The beaches and the Great Barrier Reef are some of the most attractive destinations for tourists and locals.
The centre of Australia is very dry and cannot support large populations. People who live a few hundred kilometres from the coast may not have seen rain in years.
Yes, in 2001, 85% of Australia’s population lived within 50 kilometres (km) of the coast, and by 2019, that number rose to 87%.
