All around the world, Australia is renowned for its beaches, and it isn’t hard to see why: with some of the longest stretches of sand-covered coastline in the world, the beaches are not only plentiful, but also of an almost universally-high quality.
Aussies take care of – and take pride in – our beaches, keeping them generally clean and pollution-free. Here’s 10 of the Australian beaches you absolutely must see in your lifetime, in no particular order.
Sporting a long, typically uncrowded stretch of coastline that is easily reachable in a short trip from the nearby Gold Coast as well as other destinations on the Northern New South Wales coast has been a large contributing factor in the continued growth of Byron Bay’s popularity.Recent development has also seen the construction of additional beachfront esplanades and walking tracks that can take you along the beach on some pleasant walks around Byron Bay’s famous headland. Those looking to bring their pets for some exercise can visit both Belongil and Tallow Beach which are dog-friendly locations which, alongside their lovely powder-like sand make for a great day out. End your day with a stroll to the Cape Byron Lighthouse that overlooks the beach – great for stunning sunset photos.
While these are two beaches, they are clubbed together because they are walking distance from one another, yet offer completely different vibes. Manly is a beach town with an array of quality restaurants and host to the Australian Open of Surfing in February. On the other hand, Shelly Beach is less developed and part of a protected marine reserve perfect for scuba diving and snorkeling.
The iconic Bondi Beach, located in the heart of Sydney, is known for its cultural significance and atmosphere around the world. Less about the actual quality of the beach itself and more about the surroundings, atmosphere, history and people watching, Sydney’s famous stretch of sand at Bondi is a long-time fixture and also something of an icon of Aussie beach culture. Whatever happens, you can rest assured that you are in good hands at Bondi Beach, since it’s the home of the world’s first Surf Life Saving Club, founded over a hundred years ago.
Although Tasmania is known for its rugged wilderness, it’s also home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Australia. Wineglass Bay in the stunning Freycinet National Park takes the crown with its unique shoreline and sheltered landscape. The fact that the beach’s sand contrasts so strongly with the surrounding pink-granite peaks and lapping turquoise water in a location that is wonderfully sheltered goes a long way to making the beach unique. The clam-shaped shoreline on Tasmania’s east coast is relatively isolated and thus remains fairly untouched despite its growing popularity.
Mandalay Beach lies several hundred kilometres to the south of capital city Perth amongst the greenery of the Walpole-Nornalup National Park. The isolated location of the beach only helps contribute to its beauty, as the rugged, untouched nature of the so-called Rainbow Coast with its rocky headlands and untamed wilderness make for a wholly different – yet still wildly impressive – beach location.
“Postcard perfect”, “unforgettable”, “no words to describe its beauty” are just some of the terms used to describe Cable Beach by first-time visitors, and upon stepping upon its shores, it’s not hard to see why. Cable Beach puts on a stunning display of the most amazing sunsets. Unlike most beaches on this list, Cable Beach sits on the Indian Ocean and not the Pacific Ocean, which delivers majestic sunsets of bright orange and red colors. Enjoy the spectacle from the local bars or even on the back of a camel!
It comes as no surprise that Fraser Island, the World Largest Sand Island, would feature one of the most beautiful beaches in Australia. The various stretches of multi-coloured sands on this beach form a vivid mosaic of hues that range from the standard white to bright oranges to darker, ochre tones.
The Noosa Main Beach is the perfect example of beaches you would expect from the Sunshine Coast. The beach has got picture-perfect sand, pristine water, waves that are ideal for swimming, is well-patrolled, easily accessible and rich in both marine and shore-dwelling wildlife. Pods of dolphins frequent the waters just off the beach’s main strip, and whales can even be spotted during their annual migration season.
Given its nature as a beach destination, it’s only reasonable to expect the Gold Coast to have a fairly big range of contenders in the “best beach” category; however increasing “touristy” crowds have taken some of the charm away from what are otherwise beautiful beach areas. One – quite amazing – exception to this, however, is Burleigh Heads beach, which combines a stunning outlook, outstanding surf conditions and numerous winding walking tracks along great stretches of headland into a single wonderful beach package.
This stunning beach on Whitsunday Island has rightfully earned its title of ‘Most Beautiful Beach in Australia’ for many years – the sand is without a doubt the highlight here, and the stunning water and reef surroundings come a close second. At first glance upon stepping into view of Whitehaven Beach, you’d think it was something put together in a studio for a magazine shoot – it’s simply that “perfect” that it looks almost unnatural. It stretches over 7 km along the coastline of its host island, and is therefore rarely crowded enough to ruin the atmosphere. The myriad of coves, lagoons, and inlets that dot its surrounds only serve to add to the mystique and exploration options.
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