There are an awful lot of beaches in Australia and most of them are deserted. Australia boasts some of the best beaches on the planet and the huge coastline stretches for nearly 37,000 km, which includes 11,011 beaches, more than any other nation. Most of Australia’s cities and towns are situated on the coast, within a few kilometers of the ocean, which amounts to 12 million people, or 85% of Australia’s population living within one hour’s drive of the coastline. The following are just some of Australia’s best beaches:
Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island, Whitsunday Islands
Whitehaven Beach is a 4.5 mile stretch along Whitsunday Island, Australia. The island is accessible by boat from the mainland tourist ports of Airlie Beach and Shute Harbor, as well as Hamilton Island. It lies across from Chalkies Beach on Haslewood Island. The sand on Whitehaven Beach is among the whitest anywhere on earth. Composed of 98 per cent silica, the sand on Whitehaven doesn’t retain heat and has a fine, powder-like consistency. This means that even in the hottest part of the day, visitors can comfortably walk along its 4.5 miles of sand beside the crystal clear Coral Sea. This sand is also very fine, and can damage electronic equipment such as telephones and cameras, although it is good at polishing up jewelry. The beach was awarded Queensland’s Cleanest Beach in Keep Australia Beautiful 2008 Clean Beach Challenge State Awards. In July 2010, Whitehaven Beach was named the top Eco Friendly Beach in the world by CNN.com. Best time to go: Year-round Vacationing to the Whitsunday Islands? Head to our Whitsunday Islands Australia Travel Guide
Whitehaven Beach
Manly Beach, Sydney, Australia
A visit to Manly by ferry provides you with the quintessential Sydney experience. The thirty-minute cruise across Sydney Harbor puts you in a relaxed mood to enjoy this easy-going and cosmopolitan suburb. With the famous surf beach on the Pacific Ocean side and a serene inner harbor beach on the other, Manly has the best of both waterfront worlds and is a popular place to swim, windsurf, parasail, snorkel, kayak, surf and scuba dive. The palm-tree lined Corso leads you onto the promenade, where you can take a bike ride or roller-blade along the front or relax and enjoy the sea breeze in one of the many cafes and restaurants. Best time to go: Year-round Visit our Sydney Australia Travel Guide to start planning your Sydney vacation.
Manly Beach
Surfer’s Paradise Beach, Surfer’s Paradise, Australia
Every year millions of visitors flock from all over the globe to this Gold Coast beach to surf, swim and party. Surfers Paradise is full of fun and entertainment all day long. During the day, you can either head to the beach, shop, or attend one of the numerous theme parks and attractions such as Sea World, Movie World, bungee jumping, etc. At night, Surfers Paradise keeps jumping with various clubs, bars and the famous Conrad Jupiters Casino. Surfers Paradise is just one of the many great surfing areas on the eastern coast of Australia. You don’t have to be able to show off Hawaii Five-O style to try it out. There are plenty of rental shops and instructional camps for all levels. Alternatively, you can use a boogie board or just plain body surf. The best surfing is beyond the sandbar a short swim from the beach; keep in mind that the swim back to shore can be difficult, especially after an active day of surfing. Visit our Surfers Paradise Gold Coast Australia guide for more information on Surfers Paradise. Best time to go: October – May
Surfers Paradise
Turquoise Bay Exmouth , Exmouth, Australia
Turquoise Bay is located approximately 63 kilometers from Exmouth. Dive into the pristine waters of the aptly named Turquoise Bay near the town of Exmouth and you’re swimming within a few meters of Ningaloo Reef. Turquoise Bay is known as one of Australia’s best beaches, and amongst the top twenty beaches in the world, Turquoise Bay is the perfect spot to spend an afternoon relaxing, swimming and snorkeling. Try your hand at the popular drift snorkel by swimming out to the reef on the southern end of the beach, then letting the current wash you north to the sand bar. You’ll see colorful coral and plenty of fish – more than 500 fish species reflecting every color of the rainbow live in and around the reef. Respect for the environment is the key to keeping the coral in pristine condition. Best time to go: May – October Visiting Exmouth Australia? Visit our Exmouth Australia Guide here.
Turquoise Bay Exmouth
Shelly Beach, Sydney, Australia
Shelly Beach is located in Manly and forms part of Cabbage Tree Bay, a protected marine reserve which lies adjacent to North Head and Fairy Bower. With a maximum depth of approximately 12 meters, Shelly Beach has become popular with Scuba Divers and Snorkelers alike with a large variety of marine life which can viewed in relatively shallow water. Take a walk around the bush track which hugs the headland offering spectacular views of North Head and the Northern Beaches. Shelly Beach has showers, toilets and a kiosk along with two free electric barbeques, perfect for that family picnic. For a more formal dining option, there is a restaurant on the beach named Le Kiosk. Best time to go: Year-round Visit our Sydney Australia Travel Guide to start planning your Sydney vacation.
Shelly Beach
Burleigh Heads Beach, Burleigh Heads, Australia
With its clean beaches lined by scenic parkland, Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast, is an idyllic place for a holiday. The Burleigh Heads surf is renowned for being one of the best on the Gold Coast, making it a popular haven for local surfersand visitors alike and the venue of choice for some international surfing championships. But surfing isn’t the only great thing about Burleigh Heads beach. For kite surfing, Burleigh Heads is ideal with its wide open beach. The unspoiled beauty of the National Park surrounds Burleigh beach. Take a stroll through the walking tracks along this beautiful headland and admire some of the best views of Surfers Paradise and the Gold Coast. If you don’t want a picnic or barbeque, there are some fantastic Burleigh Heads hotels and cafes nearby. Sample some home-made fare at the fabulous Burleigh Heads weekend markets. Best time to go: Year-round Start planning today, visit our Burleigh Heads Australia Guide.
Burleigh Heads Beach
Cable Beach, Broome, Australia
Cable Beach, at Broome in Western Australia’s Kimberley region, is a 14 mile stretch of pure white sand, set against a backdrop of red ochre cliffs and fringed by the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Ride a camel along the beach at sunrise or sunset. Just a short trip from Broome, immerse yourself in the town’s romantic pearling history and multicultural society. Shop for precious South Sea pearls. Marvel at the natural phenomenon of the Staircase to the Moon. Learn about one of the oldest cultures on Earth from the local Aboriginal community. From pearl diving to dinosaur footprints, Broome’s history is captivating. Broome’s Cable Beach is known around the world for its 14 miles of sun-kissed white sand, turquoise water, rich red soil and spectacular Indian Ocean sunsets. Cable Beach is a long, flat beach, with gentle rolling waves perfect for swimming, sunbathing and beachcombing. Best time to go: Year-round Vacationing to Broome? Visit our Broome Australia Travel Guide and plan your Broome Vacation today.
Cable Beach
Noosa Main Beach, Noosa, Australia
Get back to nature while enjoying jet-set elegance. With a laidback vibe and no buildings higher than the trees, the sub-tropical paradise of Noosa is a place where you can really relax. But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do here. Noosa brings international resort glamour to its pristine beaches, national park and lush hinterland. Wherever you stay in Noosa – just 90 minutes drive north of Brisbane on the Sunshine Coast – you’ll be close to nature. See koalas and exotic birdlife in the trees near your accommodation, fish from the beaches, rivers and canals or swim, surf and hike in Noosa National Park, the most visited in Queensland. Its many walking trails wind through the bush and along the coast, offering breathtaking views. Best time to go: October – May
Noosa Main Beach
Four Mile Beach, Port Douglas, Australia
This is the premier beach of Port Douglas. From the main Port Douglas district, you can walk to the beach in under 5 minutes and then continue to walk along the sandy beach for hours under the tropical sun. 4-Mile Beach begins at the northern rocky headland – great for kids to explore and play with the small crabs that make the beach their home. Then the 4 miles of beach unfold in a gentle curve that continues as far as the eye can see, without a hint of development. In fact, the accommodation and houses are neatly hidden behind the swaying palms. Note: This beach has a stinger net during the stinger season. When the stinger net is in place, please only swim inside its protective barriers. Swimming outside the nets exposes you to unnecessary dangers. Best time to go: Year-round
Four Mile Beach
Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia
Bondi Beach is one of Australia’s most famous beaches and well-known worldwide. It has probably featured on more postcards and more television shows and films than any other in Australia. Each year tens of thousands of people, from backpackers to billionaires, take to the golden sands of this wide, more than half mile long city beach expanse to walk, jog, or just soak up the sun. Being only 6 miles from the city center, Bondi Beach is one of Sydney’s busiest beaches. There’s a host of events held here all year round from community art shows to city to surf running marathons. Bondi Beach is one of Sydney’s most visited beaches. Best time to go: Year-round Visit our Sydney Australia Travel Guide to start planning your Sydney vacation.
Bondi Beach
Wow, what lovely beaches. I want to visit Austrailia again (last time I visited just to see my daughter who had been air flighted out of Papua New Guinea very ill – so I didn’t do any tourism stuff). I want to go back and see some of these beautiful beaches one day when we can meet my missionary daughter’s famiily on vacation there. Which beach is less busy? – shirley
Hi Shirley and thank you for visiting the Top Beaches in Australia. When I think of the least busiest beaches, I would have to say the more secluded, the less busy. A few that come to mind are Bailey Beach in Perth, Shark Beach in Sydney, Kitty Miller Beach in Phillip Island, and Friendly Beaches of Tasmania. Hope this helps and thanks again for stopping by.
Funny thing is I was thinking about planning a vacation to Australia one day and I happen upon this post lol. I honestly couldn’t pick a favorite because they all look incredibly beautiful. I had no idea Australia had that many beaches though. Is the water really that blue? Because that’s incredible!
Yes, Jasmere, the water is that blue. It is amazing and the Top beaches in Australia is just a sampling of all the wonderful beaches there. You would really have a wonderful time. Thanks for visiting BeachTravelDestinations.com
Your review has brought back so many wonderful memories. I have lived most of my life in Australia and seen nearly all of these beaches and you have represented them beautifully.
I don’t know if you have covered Mission Beach near Dunk island. It is magic.
Thank you so much Coucka, I will take a look at Mission Beach and add it to the list! You are one lucky person to live in such a beautiful country 🙂
I really want to go see these beaches. I recently went to the Bahamas and it was amazing!! But Australia will probably be my next destination. I have had it on my bucket list, and you just put it at the top for me!
You will find Patrick, that the hotel and other expenses are going to be somewhat more reasonable than the Bahamas. I believe that it is just as beautiful and sooo many beaches and places to choose from. Makes for a hard decision. Thanks for visit the top beaches in Australia.
Beautiful photographs of beaches in Autsralia, I never realized the beaches in Austrailia were so beautiful until now. My dream vacation is to visit a place with beautiful beaches one day, I will keep Austrailia in mind when the time comes I can make my dream come true.
So many beaches to choose from, if you was going to these beaches which one would you recommend to visit first?
Great! You won’t be disappointed 🙂
I am all about travel, and nothing beats laying out in the sun at a warm beach and listening to the ocean waves. I have always wanted to go to Australia, so I was glad to come across your post about the top beaches in Australia. Whitehaven beach seems to have a Destin or Ft. Lauderdale type Vibe with the Hotel lined beaches. The fact that is boasts having some of the whitest sands on earth makes it even more appealing.If I ever get the chance to go to Australia I will be seeking out Whitehaven. Thanks for sharing.
You are welcome Ciandress. Yes, you are right about that beach, and Destin and Ft. Lauderdale, being similar are wonderful too!
Wow, the facts in the beginning of your text were definitely interesting. I didn’t know that there are over 11 thousand beaches in Australia and the huge number of the population is living on the coast.
Here in Finland, on the other side of the world, there are some beaches but not so much as in Australia. I believe that visiting in Australia would be fun. But I have heard that Australia is as expensive as Europe. So, the other countries in Asia would be much cheaper to visit. What do you think?
Yes, you are right…Australia, along with New Zealand are expensive places to travel to and everything while you are there. I guess that is the only downside. Thanks for visiting!
Those photos make me want to hop on a plane! I have been to New Zealand but not Australia and would love to go one day. My husband is a huge fan of the beach and would love to go also. If only tickets were not so expensive coming from the US! One day we will get there though! Thank you for providing this cool information!
You are welcome Ilyssa 🙂 Hope you can make it one day, and yes seems tickets anywhere anymore are expensive!
Hi Leahrae, I am from Australia and quite partial to a good beach as we have so many here, as you know!
I am glad you included Turquoise Bay in this list as these remote beaches often get overlooked in favour of the city beaches. I much prefer the remote. I live pretty close to Whitehaven Beach actually so I get to go there fairly often and it is a very special place indeed.
Great list, Kris
I’m glad you approve Kris and the remote beaches are ALWAYS better 🙂 Thanks for visiting my site!
Your site’s starting to make me really jealous of the fact that you live in Australia! It looks awesome. Couldn’t imagine more beautiful beaches anywhere in the world.
I’ve always wanted to learn to surf. Do you know of any really good surfing instructors once I am able to make my way down there?
Personally I don’t, but you will find them in abundance. I am doing a post next for the surfers or, those who want to learn 🙂 Thanks for looking Alec!
Wow, looking at all these photos of beautiful beaches, makes me dream of just swimming in the sea again. The beaches here, where I come from, have really rough sand and salty water.
If I am traveling to Australia from south East Asia, which beach do you recommend me going to? I am considering the travel distance, and travel costs. Wouldn’t want to travel a great distance from the airport to the beach, after a long flight.
Thanks!
Most of Australia’s cities and towns are situated on the coast, within a few kilometers of the ocean so you will not have to travel far from the city to get to the beach. And they have over 11,000 beaches! More than anywhere. I would probably head to Sydney…lost of choices and lots of things to do 🙂
Can you help me locate which beach would be the best for a charter fishing trip? I’m hoping to book a trip in the next couple of weeks and am having trouble deciding on which company to go through. They all look good on their websites ya know. Thanks for the help.
Where will you be going? If you can tell me the city or area, I would be glad to help! You can drop me an email, or reply to this comment. Thank you 🙂
I have always wanted to travel to Australia. I mainly want to go to Sydney and see some kangaroos in the wild. White haven beach sounds like an amazing place though. I am so used to nasty lake water in ky I wouldn’t know what to do with crystal clear ocean water.
Nothing better than crystal clear blue/green water! Especially when it’s in Australia. I think anyone going for the first time should start out with Sydney. Thanks for ready Kevin!
Awww makes me want to go on holiday, it’s a 24-hour flight for me puts me off a little but i dream of Australia.
I like really fine sand beaches with really calm waves, what do you think would be the best place to visit once I pluck the courage (and finance)
What’s your favourite beach
I would probably go to Sydney and head to Shelly or Manly beach 🙂 Sydney also has a lot to offer with loads of things to do and see. Thanks for visiting Steven!