Surf culture has been an important part of the Australian identity for over a century.

From national surf carnivals and cultural events to family holidays by the sea, Australians love spending time at the beach.

An early silent documentary showing the attractions of Bondi Beach and the surrounding Waverley area. Beaches include Bondi, Bronte and Tamarama.

From lifesaving to 'soul surfing’: Paul Byrnes tracks the history of surfing and surf movies in Australia.

This clip documents the spectacle of a large surf carnival on Bondi Beach in approximately 1929. The surf clubs march on the sand and lifesavers give a resuscitation demonstration.

Surfing may well be a quintessential Aussie pastime but who introduced us to the modern-day art of boardriding?

This clip from Australian Diary No.

Queensland Playground is a comprehensive look at the Gold Coast during the late 1950s.

'A quaint distinction of manner and a seductive voice … ' is how the Richmond River Herald described Charlotte Francis in 1936.

This home movie footage features Leo Jensen, an Australian heavy weight wrestling champion based in Newcastle, NSW.