Bells Beach is the best beach

BELLS Beach on the Surf Coast already has a worldwide reputation as an iconic surf break, but the beach’s reputation has been cemented further by global travel brand Lonely Planet.

In their latest book Best Beaches: 100 of the World’s Most Incredible Beaches, to be released this month, Lonely Planet included Bells Beach in the list, citing its “red-clay cliffs” and the area’s “natural amphitheatre”.

Located in Wadawurrung Country, Bells Beach is also known as Djarrak.

The reserve is named after the family of John Calvert Bell, who purchased the neighbouring property in 1905.

Surfing came to Bells Beach in the 1940s, but surfers were few until the access track was widened in 1960.

The first formal surfing competition at Bellls Beach was held over Easter in 1962 and has continued every year since, now known as the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach and part of the World Surfing League Championship Tour.

Other Australian beaches in the Lonely Planet book are Byron Bay’s The Pass, Cable Beach in Broome and Wineglass Bay in Tasmania.

Best Beaches: 100 of the World’s Most Incredible Beaches features beaches from Oceania, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas, and also has several “top five” lists, including best family-friendly beaches, best beaches to snorkel, most remote beaches, most unexpected best beaches, beaches worth the crowd, and best beaches to see nature.