Don't go looking for good surf pics in 101 Best Australian Beaches 'cos you won't find them. Trust me, I've leafed every page and scanned every photo in this delightful doorstop of a book and there's nary a wave to be found. Although it didn't turn up any classic waves the search was worth it; I mean, who knew how interesting our beaches are, and that they offer much more than just surf? Not I...

101 Best Australian Beaches was written by Andy Short and Brad Farmer, an academic and an activist, and the duo best known as the driving forces behind the National Surfing Reserves movement. The two are well credentialed to talk about Aussie beaches; Short has reportedly visited every beach in Australia during his research while Farmer did his first lap of the continent 25 years ago co-authoring a similar book with Nat Young, The Surfing and Sailboarding Guide to Australia.

If once the Australian character was defined by the bush and the people that inhabited it our national character is now defined by the coast and those who dwell there. Short and Farmer foresaw the change in focus and the concomitant environmental pressures creating National Surfing Reserve's as a mechanism to protect the coastline. Like the establishment of National Park's 150 years earlier theirs is a vision to protect, respect and care for our coast.

In 101 Best Australian Beaches Short and Farmer have utilised their acquired coastal knowledge to create a beautiful and thoroughly interesting book - and one that mustn't be confused with a mere travel title. Professor Short provides the scientific detail to the selection, particularly geological histories and peculiarities of the chosen beaches, while Farmer – ever the aesthete – offers the experiential input.

Together they provide intellect and indulgence, and 101 great reasons to get out and explore the Australian coastline - even the parts where there aren't great waves. If you've got grey nomad parents, off on their 'adventure before dementia' gig, then this is the perfect Christmas present.

101 Best Australian Beaches is published by New South Books and available at all good book stores for $39.99 (RRP)