Australia's most famous beach, Bondi, has been added to the National Heritage List.
The beach had been recognised for its role in shaping Australia's beach culture, said the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, Peter Garrett.
The listing provides protection, with criminal sanctions, for any damage to the beach under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
It means that no action can be taken that is likely to make a "significant impact on the national heritage values" of the beach without the approval of Mr Garrett.
"You can't get more Aussie than Bondi," Mr Garrett said.
"This one and a half kilometres of sand and sea is the quintessential Australian beach, a symbol of Australia around the world."
Bondi Beach joins 75 other Australian sites recognised for their heritage and cultural values, including the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the Sydney Opera House and Port Arthur in Tasmania.
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