Laura Csortan, Channel Seven’s travel presenter, former Miss Universe Australia, travel writer for her blog lauracsortan.com and Marion Bay native knows a thing or two about navigating the beaches of Australia and around the world.
Find out this beach girls’ sand essentials, favourite summer memories and destinations.
RESCU: What are your summer beach bag essentials?
Laura Csortan: After years of working on travel shows in the elements, I’m very conscious when it comes to protecting my skin. I love the beach and keeping fit and active in the outdoors. A hat and sunblock are essential for me. I love the Ultraceuticals SPF50+ and if I’m looking for a little more coverage I’ll put on a daily face mattifying sunscreen. I also use an SPF30+ on the rest of my body. It takes the stress out of burning so I can enjoy the day.
RESCU: What’s your favourite family holiday destination?
Laura Csortan: My sister and mother moved from Adelaide to the Gold Coast a few years ago which is fantastic because now I get to visit and not only spend time with them but visit some of the most gorgeous beaches in Australia. The stunning beaches from Kirra to Byron Bay are outstanding. They are clean, un-touched, the water is divine and they’re fun for all the family.
RESCU: What’s your most memorable childhood summer memory?
Laura Csortan: We grew up with a shack on the beach at Marion Bay, York Peninsular in South Australia. My father was a mad diver and fisherman; we literally lived off what he caught daily. Fresh crayfish and whiting were on the menu most days (we didn’t know how good we had it). We cooked abalone on the barbecue and made Scallops Kilpatrick as a snack! I was even caught feeding the dog such delicacies on more than one occasion. We were such adventurous kids, I grew up diving on sunken shipwrecks, surfing at secret surf spots and discovering beaches only accessible by boat. We spent every weekend there and school holidays. We didn’t have a TV and I can’t remember ever being indoors. It was truly heaven.
RESCU: How old were you when you first realised it was time to slip, slop, slap?
Laura Csortan: At quite a young age – I have photos of myself covered in fluorescent zinc. As you can see I had a very active/outdoorsy lifestyle so to cover up was important.
RESCU: Is there a smell or moment that marks the beginning of summer for you?
Laura Csortan: Frangipanis and coconut-scented sunscreen.
RESCU: What’s your favourite Australian Beach?
Laura Csortan: Too many to list… From the rugged coast of South Australia to the glistening white sands of the Whitsunday’s…
RESCU: What’s your favourite summer drink or cocktail?
Laura Csortan: I love a Negroni cocktail.
RESCU: If you were stranded on a desert island what would be the 3 things you’d have to have to survive?
Laura Csortan: Oh goodness, really, only three? Water, lots of non-perishable foods, and flares!
Follow Laura on her blog lauracsortan.com, Twitter and Instagram.
The Beach Bag series is sponsored by Ultraceuticals SunActive SPF50+ range