With more than 11,000 beaches on offer, Australia is the ultimate spot for a seaside getaway. It’s diverse too – whether you’re looking for surf breaks, rugged dunes or remote rocky hideaways, over here, you’ll find every sort of beach under the sun. Sara Bunny looks at a few unmissable
Australia’s best beaches to add to your sun-seeking hot list
Subscribe to listen
Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber? Sign in here
Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
With sheltered coves and crumbling shipwrecks, Rottnest Island is a beach-lovers' paradise. Photo / Tourism Western Australia
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Plenty of beaches claim the best sand, but Hyams has the official stamp of approval. This spectacular spot just under three hours’ drive from Sydney holds the Guinness World Record for the whitest sand on the planet. The beach’s incredible shores are lined with tiny quartz particles, which not only give it the spectacular colour, but also a powdery feel underfoot. A nearby marine reserve means the snorkelling here is top rate, and there is also the adjacent Booderee National Park for cooling walks among the trees.
Shelly Beach, Sydney, New South Wales
A cute, golden cove beloved by the locals, Shelly Beach is right around the corner from its bigger and bolder cousin, Manly Beach. While it might not be as well known, Shelly Beach has all sun seekers covered with its safe patrolled waters, picnic areas, caravan parks, dog-friendly spaces and pillowy dunes. There’s even an adjacent golf course if you feel like swapping paddling for putting.
Cable Beach, Broome, Western Australia
Whether you come for the stellar sunsets, gin-clear waters, uncrowded sands or camel rides along the shore, Cable Beach ticks all the boxes. Sitting pretty on the edge of the Indian Ocean, it’s popular with everyone from water sports fans to caravan adventurers, but for a beach day with a difference, book a ride on a camel tour and see the sights from a whole new angle.
Rottnest Island, Western Australia
As well as cute quokkas and tonnes of history, Wadjemup/Rottnest Island boasts beaches and secluded bays galore, as well as 13 nearby shipwrecks to explore. Here, the soft sands are perfect for picnics and sunbathing, while the rocky shorelines mean glassy-clear water and plenty of marine life that’s easy to spot when snorkelling in the shallows. Top island beaches include Little Armstrong Bay, The Basin, and Little Parakeet Bay, which is ideal for young kids.
Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Islands, Queensland
Breathtakingly beautiful Whitehaven has had plenty of time in the spotlight, but you just can’t beat a classic. This jewel of a spot features impossibly blue water and bright white sand, often interspersed in scenic swirls across the vast stretch of beach. Located in the stunning Whitsunday Islands, you’ll need to jump on a boat cruise from Queensland’s Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island to get there, but Whitehaven is always well worth the trip.
Noosa Heads, Noosa, Queensland
Another Queensland hotspot, Noosa Heads should be on every beach-lovers list. Stretching languidly along the coast, Noosa Main Beach is made for relaxed sandy strolls, sunbathing, people-watching, picnicking and paddling, and it’s also ideal for beginner surfers. Start at the Main Beach and follow the path along the Noosa Coastal Walk, or head over to The Point to watch the local surfies in action. Away from the shore, Noosa’s boutiques and restaurants are ideal for relaxed browsing and tasty bites.
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Bells Beach, Torquay, Victoria
One of the many drawcards along the Great Ocean Road, Bells Beach is known for its golden sand, dramatic cliffs, and epic swells. As the home of the Rip Curl Pro Surfing competition, it attracts board-riders from around the world, and only the most skilful among them can tackle the huge waves that roar in straight from the Southern Ocean. The steep cliffs surrounding the beach create a scenic natural amphitheatre for the on-water action, as well as providing a range of vantage points for awe-struck spectators.
Wineglass Bay, Freycinet National Park, Tasmania
This picture-perfect patch of curving coastline is one of Tassie’s most photographed spots, and with looks like that, it’s easy to see why. The bluest-of-blue waters beckon for a dip, but if you’d rather stay dry, take in the sights on a boat tour around the bay. Either way, be sure to make the 1.3km walk through leafy Freycinet National Park up to Wineglass Bay Lookout, for the best elevated views of the famous arc.
Mindil Beach, Darwin, Northern Territory
No trip to Darwin is complete without a visit to lively local favourite, Mindil Beach. Here, there’s always something going on, from festivals and fun runs, to the ever-popular Mindil Beach Sunset Markets. On a warm NT evening, browse the huge array of market stalls and food vendors, then find yourself a spot on the sand to enjoy your feast and watch nature’s show as the sun slips below the horizon.
Tourism Australia’s Best Beaches 2023
Each year, Tourism Australia reveals the country’s top 10 seaside spots. For the first time, South Australia has claimed the coveted ‘Best Australian Beach’ title, with Stokes Bay on Kangaroo Island judged the overall winner for 2023. The sandy stretch took the honours for its calm, family-friendly waters and crystal-blue tidal pool perfect for paddling and snorkelling. See the full list below.
1. Stokes Bay, Kangaroo Island, SA
2. Boomerang Beach, Mid North Coast, NSW
3. Rainbow Beach, Cooloola Coast, QLD
4. Apollo Bay, Great Ocean Road, VIC
5. Adventure Bay, Bruny Island, TAS
6. Hamelin Bay, South-West, WA
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
7. Little Bondi Beach, East Arnhem Land, NT
8. British Admiralty Beach, King Island, TAS
9. Flying Fish Cove, Christmas Island
10. Balmoral Beach, Sydney Harbour, NSW
For more holiday inspiration, visit australia.com
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
