Kathy posted a photo of the spider on Instagram. She said she had never seen a spider like it and wondered what it was doing on the beach. 

A spokesperson from the Australian Museum said the spider pictured was a type of water spider from the family Pisauridae.

“They are also known as fishing spiders, rafter spiders and nursery web spiders,” he said. 

“It is probably a genus of Dolomedes but could be a young Megadolomedes.”

The spokesperson said the spiders were not rare but not seen often because people aren't looking for them.

The type of spiders are not known for being dangerous.

“They may bite if hassled which could be painful but no worse than a bee sting,” the spokesperson said. 

Water spiders can walk on water using special hairs on their toes. They can also swim underwater carrying air in the hairs on their body.

They can catch small fish, tadpoles and aquatic insect larvae.