With more than 10,000 beaches, Australia is at the top when it comes to sand, surf, and sun. Surrounded entirely by water, it is no secret that Australia is one of the best beach destinations and has some of the best beaches in the world. As beach culture and surf culture is in abundance here, beaches hold an important place in every Australian’s life. They are considered a part of Australia’s cultural identity.
It’s hard to narrow down the list of best beaches in Australia to a few as Australia has been blessed with incredible beaches in every state. This article breaks down the list of best Australian beaches state by state.
Best Beaches in Western Australia
Western Australia is the largest state in Australia and has an alluring stretch of coastline. Many of the best Western Australian beaches are found far away from the capital city of Perth but that doesn’t mean there is any shortage of best beaches in Perth.
1. Hellfire Bay, Esperance
Best known for soft white squeaky sand and pristine blue water
Recommended by Suvarna from Suvarna Arora
Situated within Cape Le Grand National Park, Hellfire Bay is a gem in west coast Australia that deserves to be on the list of best beaches in Australia. Named after St Elmo’s fire, Hellfire Bay is a beautiful secluded bay that extends for 600 m, nestled between giant granite stones and its scenic beauty speaks for itself.
The soft white sand squeaks as you walk on it and the clear turquoise water looks very inviting making it a perfect place to bask on the shore or take a dip in calm conditions. A wide range of different activities like swimming, snorkeling, rock fishing can be done here. The facilities include toilets and a barbecue with a large picnic shelter with several tables.
2. Wharton Beach, Esperance
Best known for surfing and clear blue water with white sand
Recommended by Suvarna from Suvarna Arora
Further out of town, located between the Cape Le Grand and Cape Arid National Park, and 2 km west of Duke of Orleans Bay is a beautiful and most popular beach in that area, Wharton Beach. It is one of the best beaches in Esperance that curves round in a semi-circle for 4.5 km and is known for the continuous rolling surf waves making it an excellent surf beach.
4WD can access the beach and there is enough parking space for 2WD. For staying close to the beach and have easy access, Duke of Orleans Bay caravan park is the best place to stay. Wharton Beach is wide enough that even with 4WD on the beach, you have enough space of your own. It is an ideal family beach with beautiful scenery around.
3. The Basin, Rottnest Island
Best known for crystal clear water and natural pools
Recommended by Suvarna from Suvarna Arora
Located in Rottnest Island, 18 km west of Fremantle, the Basin is a popular swimming spot close to the main settlement and a must-see during a trip to Rottnest Island. Surrounded by pine trees, Basin is a natural swimming hole with crystal clear water and shallow colorful reef making it a perfect place for snorkeling. You can bring your own snorkel kit or hire one from the island.
The beach is safe from strong currents as it’s protected by the reef and also there are lifeguards on duty. The shallow protected waters make it an ideal beach for families with kids. Toilet and shower facilities are provided here which is uncommon for beaches at Rottnest Island. Basin also has a shelter to save you from the strong sun and various picnic spots can be found around the beach.
To reach Rottnest Island, take a ferry from Fremantle that takes 30 mins or Hillarys that takes 45 mins. Reaching Basin is easy by bike or on foot as it’s located 10 mins away from the main settlement where the ferry will drop you.
4. Turquoise Bay, Exmouth
Best known for white sand, clear turquoise water, and drift snorkel
Recommended by Rachel from Average Lives
Turquoise Bay is a pristine paradise and undoubtedly one of the best beaches in WA that can be seen consistently amongst the top 10 beaches in Australia. It’s ranked at 6th position in 2021 Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Awards for Beaches.
The clue to why it has been so popular is in its name. Turquoise Bay is around 60 km north-west of Exmouth in the Cape Range National Park and can be reached by road with your vehicle, or you can fly 90 minutes from Perth to Exmouth and then drive into the park.
The water at the beach is clean, and the sand is pure white and soft making it the perfect place to relax (bring a parasol as there isn’t any shade). The most impressive aspect of the beach is its close proximity (only a few meters) from the outstanding Ningaloo Reef which is full of turtles, stingrays, colorful fishes, and exceptional coral.
Turquoise Bay is popular for drift snorkel and you should snorkel at high tide. Enter the water at the southern end of the beach and get out at the northern end before the sand bar because of the current. It is a truly exceptional experience, and you cannot find anything like it in Australia.
5. Cable Beach, Broome
Best known for sunset camel rides along the beach
Recommended by Tess from Tessomewhere
Cable Beach is a Western Australian icon and one of the best beaches in Broome, most known for sunset camel rides along the beach. It is 22km long and stretches down the coastline of Broome. The main area for visitors is located near the acclaimed Cable Beach Club Resort. Unless you are staying close by, most visitors will need to drive to the beach and park in the car park near Zanders Cafe.
There are a variety of things to do along the flat sandy beach and near it. During the day, umbrellas and sun loungers can be hired for a fee, down at the beach. Stand-up paddleboards are also available to hire for the more adventurous.
Head to Zanders Café or the Sunset Bar & Grill, both located near the car park, for a cocktail and delicious meal. For a more casual option, takeaway fish and chips are available next to Zanders Café with a large grassed area nearby where you can eat your dinner and watch the sun sink below the water’s edge.
Near sunset, convoys of 4wd’s head down the path to the beach – north of the rocks is where 4wds are allowed on the sand. Head this way (by 4wd or on foot), to get a first-hand view of the camels walking along the beach as the sun sets over the Indian Ocean and recreate the iconic photo. While you are at Cable beach, don’t forget to visit a pearl farm nearby.
Best Beaches in Queensland
Situated in Northeastern Australia, Queensland is the second-largest state. Famous for its pristine beaches and tropical islands, Queensland has over 200 National Parks and 5 of the 11 Australia’s world heritage areas including Fraser Island and the Great Barrier Reef.
6. Whitehaven Beach, The Whitsundays
Best Known for bright white sands and Australia’s Top Beach
Recommended by Amanda from Bucket List Seekers
If there is one beach in Australia that consistently makes it onto ‘top 10 best beaches in the world lists’, and is undoubtedly one of the best beaches in Australia, it’s Whitehaven Beach! The allure of pure white silica sands, pristine turquoise waters, and an almost completely deserted beach are just a few of the things that make this World Heritage-listed gem so special.
Located in the Whitsundays region, Whitehaven Beach is a must-visit on anyone’s Australia Bucket List. But getting there is half the challenge/fun. Whitehaven Beach is situated on Whitsunday Island, which is a designated National Park so you can’t actually stay at the island as there are no accommodations available.
The only way to reach Whitehaven Beach is via boat, seaplane, or helicopter from either Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island. The most cost-effective way to visit Whitehaven Beach is a day cruise.
A full-day tour usually includes a visit to the iconic Great Barrier Reef as well. There are plenty of cruise operators with fast catamarans that depart from Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island. For a slower placed option that involves more time spent on Whitehaven Beach, you could opt for an overnight sailing experience.
Hamilton Island is a great place to base yourself for an excursion to Whitehaven Beach. From here you can take a scenic helicopter flight over the Great Barrier Reef with a landing on Whitehaven Beach with Hamilton Island Air.
Seeing the beauty of Whitehaven Beach from the air as your helicopter pilot descends over Hill Inlet coming to land on the 7 km long stretch of white sand is an experience of a lifetime. After a one-hour champagne picnic on the beach, you’ll be whisked away back to Hamilton Island with memories (and plenty of photos) to last a lifetime.
7. Nudey Beach, Fitzroy Island
Best known for being the most photographed beach
Recommended by Sophie and Adam from We Dream of Travel
Located on a small tropical island off the coast of Far North Queensland, Nudey Beach offers pristine white coral sand against vibrant azure waters and lush vegetation. Don’t go by its name, there is no need to be in your birthday suit here as it’s not a nudist beach.
Just a short 45-minute ferry ride from Cairns, a day trip to this postcard-perfect paradise is one of the best things to do in Cairns. For those with more time, it’s well worth considering spending the night on Fitzroy Island to explore all this beautiful island has to offer.
Due to its year-round tropical weather and its location off the mainland, Nudey Beach is the ideal place to soak up some sun and relax on the beach without the crowds. As part of the Great Barrier Reef, one of the best things to do on Fitzroy Island is to explore the vibrant underwater world surrounding it. The coral reef off of Nudey Beach is shallow and easy to reach, making it perfect for children or those new to snorkeling.
If you want a break from the beach, you can explore one of the many walking tracks through the tropical rainforest. In fact, 97% of the island is a national park. Here you can spot some of the island’s unique wildlife including skinks, goannas, and ospreys.
8. Cape Hillsborough Beach, Mackay
Best known for watching Kangaroo on the beach during sunrise
Recommended by Greta from Gretas Travels
If you’re looking for a gorgeous Aussie beach, where you can live a truly unique experience beyond tanning and surfing, Cape Hillsborough Beach is the perfect place for you! It’s one of the most popular stops on any Australian east coast road trip, and it’s easy to see why.
Cape Hillsborough Beach is just 1-hour drive away from Airlie Beach, the popular backpacker destination and gateway to the Whitsunday Islands, so it’s easy to incorporate a visit to it in your Australia itinerary.
What makes it special isn’t just the beautiful beach and the lush green surroundings, but the fact that every day kangaroos and wallabies come to the beach at sunrise. There is a camping area just by the beach, and the owner puts food out for the kangaroos every day at sunrise.
Despite the human presence, the kangaroos and wallabies are wild. At Cape Hillsborough Beach you will be able to see wild kangaroos up close, as well as a gorgeous sunrise over the ocean.
9. Sunshine Beach, Noosa
Recommended by Ella from Many More Maps
The Sunshine Coast of Southern Queensland has a lot to offer other than the Noosa main beach. Sunshine beach, part of a 15km stretch of sand, is hugely popular with surfers, who travel from all over Australia and further afield to surf here.
For non-surfers, Sunshine beach is still a lovely family-friendly place to hang out and enjoy the sun. As lifeguards patrol the beach every day, you can go swimming or surfing without having to worry about safety here.
Sunshine Beach is totally free to visit and, since it’s away from central Noosa, is normally very quiet and relaxed. It’s also the starting point for the 5.4km Noosa National Park coastal walk. This walk is one of the best things to do in Noosa and is the most beautiful way to get to know Noosa National Park.
Taking a bus, either the 620 or the 627 is also an option if you don’t want to walk and the journey takes around 10 minutes. To round off your visit to Sunshine Beach, consider stopping at one of the many cafes and restaurants nearby. The restaurant Sum Yung Guys is a local’s favorite for mouth-watering Asian food, and FOMO is the best place to head for a post-surf beer.
10. Four Mile Beach, Port Douglas
Best known for Kite surfing
Recommended by Tracy from Tracy’s Travels in Time
Four Mile beach is located in the tropical paradise town of Port Douglas in Far North Queensland and is acclaimed for kite surfing. Although the name Four Mile Beach suggests that this is the length of the beach, it was actually named after a local family called Fourmile. The beach is actually 4 kilometers long and stretches from Island Point to the mangroves of the Mowbray River.
This beautiful flat beach of soft, white sand is accessible on foot from the town of Port Douglas. Paths and walkways provide easy access to the beach and parking is available if you are not staying within walking distance. Hire a sun lounger and umbrella or bring your own and enjoy a relaxing day at the beach.
There are a number of safety considerations to bear in mind at Four Mile Beach – stingers and crocodiles! Stinger nets are set up to ensure that you can safely swim without fear of the deadly jellyfish that can be found in these tropical waters particularly between the months of October and May. It is also worth noting that there are warning signs for another resident of these waters – the saltwater crocodile!
Between the months of April and October is the best time of year to visit Four Mile Beach when the weather is warm and less humid than in the wetter summer months.
I recommend walking up to the lookout point at Flagstaff Hill for fantastic views over the entire beach and the Coral Sea. Sunset and sunrise are particularly noteworthy.
11. Agnes Water Beach
Best known for Surfing but good for stand-up paddleboarding & kayaking too
Recommended by Victoria from Guide your travel
Agnes Water Beach is a large beach located in the tiny holiday town of Agnes Water and is very popular among tourists as well as backpackers. The town is usually quiet but during the Australian summer, it transforms into a bustling summer retreat.
Agnes Water Beach is perfect for surfing, especially for beginners. The beach is home to Australia’s cheapest surf course which only costs 17$. The surf school guarantees that you’ll be able to stand up on the surfboard during your first lesson and even throws in complementary pictures.
If surfing is not your thing you’ll still enjoy Agnes Water Beach. You’ll find affordable campsites nearby as well as picnic tables and free barbecue sites. Of course, there are public showers and restrooms. Although Agnes Water is a surf beach, it’s also a great swimming spot, especially during low tide.
Along the beach natural pools come up and you can relax and enjoy the sunny weather. With plenty of shade, this beach is never too busy.
Best Beaches in NSW
12. Zenith Beach, Port Stephens
Recommended by Margarita from The Wildlife Diaries
Of all the 26 beaches in Port Stephens, Zenith beach is easily the prettiest. The secret of Zenith beach’s beauty is in its secluded location. It lies within a 10-minute walk from the bustling town of Nelson Bay but on the other side of the bay, away from the main tourist hotspots.
Tucked away in Tomaree National Park, the beach is located between two headlands: 160-meter high Tomaree to the north and 140-meter Stephens Peak to the south. The white sand of the beach is framed by a high foredune covered by native bushland. It is a tranquil and picturesque setting – no buildings, no cars, no noise, just the whisper of the surf.
Sheltered by the headlands, Zenith beach has gentle waves, which makes it a great spot for swimming. To get to the beach, take the Zenith beach loop road off Nelson Bay Road and park at the top. It is a short walk down to the beach via a beautiful lookout.
And if you don’t mind a bit of a steep climb, you can enjoy a jaw-dropping view of Zenith beach from the top of Tomaree Headland. Once you see this stunning beach from a birds-eye-view perspective, you won’t be able to resist the temptation of walking on its white sand and going for a dip in its calm, crystal-clear waters.
13. Bondi Beach, Sydney
Best known for Surfing
Recommended by Suvarna from Suvarna Arora
Bondi Beach is arguably one of the most popular and amongst the best beaches in Sydney because of its wide stretch of sand and epic waves due to which it gets too crowded. Because of its famous reputation, it gets more than one million international visitors per year.
Bondi beach is located at Queen Elizabeth drive and there are multiple transportation options available to get there. You can take a train to the nearest train station – Bondi Junction, though the station is still 3km away from the beach itself so take a bus from the station to the beach. You will see buses towards Bondi with people in swimwear and bikinis.
At the southern end of the beach is the iconic Bondi Icebergs. Bondi Iceberg pool is situated halfway into the ocean and you can enjoy it as the waves hit the walls of the iceberg pool. It costs $8 to use the pool, but you can walk in and see the views for free.
On Sundays, Bondi Beach public school hosts the Bondi Markets, a pop-up of tents selling handmade jewelry to candles to clothes. Bondi is also the starting point for one of Sydney’s best coastal walks, the Bondi to Coogee Walk. Follow this scenic coastal path as its winds its way around beaches, cliffs, and rockpools.
Best Beaches in South Australia
Brimming with natural beauty, Opal Mining, and most famous for its wine, South Australia boasts kilometers of jaw-dropping coast that can’t be missed.
14. Vivonne Bay, Kangaroo Island
Recommended by Pauline from BeeLoved City
If you are heading to South Australia, visiting Kangaroo Island is a must! This beautiful island is home to fantastic natural landmarks and stunning beaches. Although all of them deserve to be mentioned, Vivonne Bay is the most beautiful one.
It’s situated in the southern part of the island. It takes about 1 hour to get there from the ferry terminal and 45 minutes from Kingscote (the main town on KI).
As you’re driving on the South Coast Road, you will see some signs indicating Vivonne Bay. Follow them. You will have to drive on a dirt road until you reach the car park. You do not need a 4WD for this part however, make sure to drive carefully as there can be some potholes.
Once you’ve parked, there is a small path leading to the beach. Vivonne Bay is known for its crystal clear water and soft white sand. A variety of species of fishes can be found in the water so snorkeling gear is a must for this beach. But since locals often take their boats to Vivonne Bay to go fishing, keep an eye on your surroundings and be safe.
If you love unspoiled environments, you will be in for a treat here! However, it’s important to note that there are no amenities so you need to ensure you bring enough food and water for the day.
Bonus Entry
15. Wineglass Bay, Tasmania
Recommended by Suvarna from Suvarna Arora
Tucked away in Freycinet National Park, Wineglass Bay is massive with crystal clear water and white sands. It is the most photographed beach in Tasmania both from the aerial view and from the ground but reaching there is a challenge. Due to not-so-easy access, it is still a pristine place away from the crowds. There are multiple ways to reach Wineglass Bay- walking, cruising, flying, or taking a water taxi. Purchase the entry ticket from the visitor center and continue to drive till you reach the car park for Wineglass Bay.
The walk to Wineglass Bay takes 2 hrs return without any breaks and is the easiest day hike option amongst the 3 hikes available in Freycinet National Park. The first section of the walk that leads to the lookout is relatively easy (steep in some parts) and from the lookout, you have to climb down 1000 stairs to reach the beach. Keep in mind that you have to climb those stairs back up to reach the car park.
If you are not fond of walking then opt for a half-day, full-day, or overnight eco cruises departing from Hobart or Coles Bay. A range of scenic flights and helicopter tours like Freycinet Air charter flights and Par Avion Airlines will take you over the Peninsula and other parts of the east coast giving you the experience of a lifetime.
Until the next post.
Looking for more Australian Travel Tips and Guides? Check out these posts:
- 3 Days Sydney Itinerary – How to Spend 3 Epic Days
- Perth to Kalbarri – Ultimate 4 day Itinerary and Guide
- How to Plan a Perfect Day trip to Rottnest Island
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While I’m a bit biased and think Western Australia has the best beaches, this article has me itching to jump on a plane and head over to the east coast! The Whitsundays and Fitzroy Island look especially incredible!
The coral reef at The Basin looks perfect for snorkeling! I would love it there!
Wow! The beaches in Australia are absolutely beautiful! I love how blue the water is and that sand is powdery white. You definitely helped me add all of these beaches to my bucket list. 🙂
I enjoyed this! Australia does have some amazing beaches!
Wow, some amazing beaches. I want to visit them all.
Australia has such beautiful beaches, and I love how clear the water is at all of them. Thanks for the great tips on which ones to visit!
Wow thats amazing list! I have to go (finally!) to Australia and enjoy that unique place 😀 Putting that on top of my list !
Oh my gosh, all of these are so beautiful!!!! How do you choose which one to visit?! I’d want to visit them all!
Australia is such a dream destination, especially when it comes to beaches. Hope to be able to visit some day and dive into the underwater world.