Brown Algae (Scaberia agardhii)

This sturdy seaweed stood out amongst other leafy and filamentous sea weeds on the beach. The "green-pepper corn" studded branches looked very interesting and it took me several months to find out what it was and a little more about it.
Branches had scaly segments and a few rounded structures which are probably receptacles that house sex organs. Growth is said to be initiated by a three-sided apical cell.
This species is endemic to Southern Australia. Found in shallow sheltered and moderately exposed sea beds in temperate Australian waters.