The 20 best beaches in Australia

When you think of Australia’s best spots for sun, surf and sand, our cold and rugged island state probably isn’t the first place that comes to mind. But Tasmania has just taken the crown, with the breathtaking Bay of Fires named Australia’s best beach for 2025, chosen by Tourism Australia's official beach ambassador (what a cool job), Brad Farmer. Okay, they're slightly cheating here, because the Bay of Fires is actually a string of beaches stretching 50km from Binalong Bay in the south all the way up to Eddystone Point in the north. But why visit one beach when you can visit a bunch? It's most famous for its impossibly azure waters, bleached-white sand and orange lichen-covered boulders, and these beaches will be some of the most picturesque you’ve ever set foot on. Despite their popularity, you’ll still find a secluded spot to spend your day, whether it’s at The Gardens, Seaton Cove, Jeanneret Beach or a tiny secluded bay. 

How to get there: 2.5-hour drive from Launceston

Facilities: walking trails, campgrounds dotted throughout

Good for: swimming in protected bays, beach walks, hikes, fishing, camping

📍 Discover the best beaches in Tasmania

If Australia's 12,000 beaches had one reigning star, it would probably be Whitehaven in the shimmering, azure waters of the Whitsundays. The traditional lands of the Ngaro people, Whitehaven is set within a World Heritage-listed national park, and regularly features at number one on 'best beach in the world' lists – and for good reason. This pristine paradise has sand that's 98 per cent silica (which means that it's whiter and softer than pretty much anywhere in the world), the warm turquoise waters of the Coral Sea, and a general kind of stunning beauty that normally isn't seen outside of postcards.

How to get there: 30-60 minute boat ride from Airlie Beach

Facilities: toilets at Hill Inlet Lookout, plus picnic tables and more toilets near South Whitehaven Beach campground

Good for: kids, swimming in crystal clear water, exploring rainforest bush paths, snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef

📍 Discover the best things to do in the Whitsundays

Whether you love Cott for its legendary fish and chips, racing your mates out to the pylon and back, or sneaking in a cheeky skinny dip after a Sunday session at the Ocean Beach Hotel, there’s genuinely something for everyone at this Perth icon. The golden sands stretch endlessly under a sky that always seems impossibly blue, while the turquoise waters are perfect for a swim, paddleboard or just dipping your toes in. Come early and watch the surfers carve up the waves, or linger late to catch one of WA’s famously breathtaking sunsets lighting up the Indian Ocean.

How to get there: 25-minute drive from Perth CBD

Facilities: toilets, showers, change rooms, cafés, restaurants

Good for: swimming, surfing, snorkelling, picnics, watching the sunset, Sculptures by the Sea

📍 Discover the best beaches in Perth

Hyams Beach is kind of a big deal. It claimed the 2018 Guinness World Record for the 'world's whitest sand', and regularly pops up on 'world's best beaches' lists every year. Located just over two hours from Sydney's CBD, Hyam's is an incredibly special cove with crazy clear water, an abundance of dolphins and (as you may have gathered) the whitest sand you've ever seen. Add in playful pods of dolphins often spotted from the shore, gentle waves perfect for paddling, and a backdrop of lush bushland, and it’s easy to see why Hyams Beach deserves a spot on this list.

How to get there: 2.5-hour drive from Sydney

Facilities: toilets, playground, café, limited parking

Good for: sunbathing, exploring beautiful bush trails, snorkelling, swimming, eating an ice cream from the nearby general store

📍 Discover the best things to do in Jervis Bay

If you're looking for maximum-level Australia, here it is. This remote South Australian bit of coast took out Tourism Australia's award for best beach in Australia in 2023, and we are still fully behind this decision. Home to hundreds of diverse Aussie wildlife species (yes, you will probably see kangaroos on the beach), Stokes Bay is family-friendly, stunningly beautiful and free from crowds, so you can enjoy a swim in peace.

How to get there: 40-minute drive from Kingscote on Kangaroo Island. You must crawl through a maze of caves to reach the beach.

Facilities: barbecues, shaded picnic tables, toilets at carpark

Good for: wading, swimming, snorkelling, strolling, seeing native Aussie animals in the wild

📍 Discover the best things to do on Kangaroo Island

Lucky Bay was named the best beach on Earth a few years back, and for good reason. Known for its blindingly white sand and bright turquoise water, this tiny slice of paradisal coastline is tucked away in the Cape Le Grand National Park on the south coast of Western Australia's coastline. But Lucky Bay isn’t just about looks — it’s a wildlife haven, with kangaroos often lounging right on the sand and a variety of birdlife flitting through the dunes. You'll be lucky to have the beach all to yourself! 

How to get there: 50-minute drive from Esperance 

Facilities: toilets, picnic area, parking, campground

Good for: snorkelling, swimming, getting away from it all 

📍 Discover the best things to do in Esperance

The crown jewel of Wilsons Promontory National Park, Squeaky Beach is a picturesque coastal spot located about a three-hour drive from Melbourne's CBD. Surrounded by mountains, the beach's 700-metre shoreline boasts crashing waves, crystal clear waters and colourful granite boulders. But most notably, it has a unique element that draws visitors to experience for themselves – the sand is, well, squeaky. This Victorian gem was recently named the second-best beach in Australia for 2025, chosen by Lonely Planet.

How to get there: 3-hour drive from Melbourne

Facilities: toilets, carpark

Good for: surfing, swimming, playing music with your toes

📍 Discover the best beaches in Melbourne

Often dubbed the 'most beautiful beach in Australia', Flaherty's routinely ranks high on 'best Aussie beach' lists – and for good reason. Seven kilometres long, this huge expanse of bright white sand on South Australia's Yorke Peninsula is pure magic, with two huge sandbanks creating a natural shelter from the open sea. You can expect to paddle in gentle, crystal-clear waters warmed by the sun and have hundreds of metres of empty space to yourself. Just be warned: if you're into waves, this ain't the place for you.

How to get there: 2.5-hour drive from Adelaide

Facilities: toilets, picnic area, carpark

Good for: calm waters, endless white sand, wildlife spotting, scenic views

📍 Discover the best beaches in Adelaide

You have to walk for a bit to get to this remote beach tucked away in the Tasmanian wilderness, but take it from us – it's worth it. Considered one of the world's best beaches, this curvy cove is the ancient land of the Pydairrerme people, who lived here for thousands of years. Boasting vibrant blue water, secluded serenity and soft white sand, Wineglass Bay is surrounded by protected wilderness and bursting with incredibly diverse wildlife, including sea eagles, dolphins and whales. Once you see this place, you'll find it hard to forget. 

How to get there: 45-minute walk from Wineglass Bay Lookout Point in Freycinet National Park

Facilities: toilets and picnic tables at the carpark and visitor centre

Good for: hiking, strolling, wading, swimming (but be wary, this one's unpatrolled), sea kayaking, contemplating the universe

📍 Discover the best beaches in Tasmania

As a Sydneysider, Shelly Beach is my sunny-day happy place. Just a short stroll from the Manly shops and ferry wharf, it feels like a secluded island in comparison to the huge stretch of sand that is Manly Beach. Shelly is perfect for a lazy morning swim (when snagging a park isn’t a battle), a snorkel to spot the famous blue gropers, or just stretching out on the sand with a book and a coffee from The Boathouse café. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can walk from Shelly Beach to North Head (nine kilometres one-way), or even swim the 750 metres back to Manly.

How to get there: 30-minute ferry from Circular Quay to Manly, then 15-minute walk to Shelly Beach

Facilities: barbecues, toilets, showers, café, carpark

Good for: coastal walks, swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving

📍 Discover the best things to do in Manly

Not to be dramatic, but Rottnest Island may be one of the most beautiful places on Earth. This tiny island, an hour off Perth, is home to a bunch of fluffy, legitimately smiling marsupials called quokkas (who aren't found anywhere else in the world), pure white sand and numerous tiny, perfect beaches that you can bike ride between in one day. The Basin is the most popular beach, and we've popped it on here because you can walk there pretty quickly from the main port once you arrive. It's got some of the clearest water we've ever seen, and is near food. What more can you ask for? 

How to get there: 10-minute walk or short bike ride from the main settlement

Facilities: toilets, outdoor showers, picnic area, barbecues

Good for: sunbathing, swimming, snorkelling, seeing quokkas

📍 Discover the best things to do on Rottnest Island

Tucked away in the rather terrifyingly named Coffin Bay National Park on the tip of South Australia's Eyre Peninsula, Almonta is one of those spectacular, life-altering beaches that'll stay with you for a very long time. It costs $11 to enter from the National Parks and Wildlife Services (your money goes to wildlife conservation, FYI), but unlike many other remote beaches in SA, you don't need a 4WD to get to this sparkly jewel of a beach. Once you get there, expect untouched wilderness, pristine water and blindingly white sand (you can also expect very little shade, so come prepared). 

How to get there: one-hour drive from Port Lincoln

Facilities: toilets, parking

Good for: stunning coastal scenery, absolutely azure waters

Lord Howe Island is a tiny, incredibly beautiful island off the coast of NSW. A protected wilderness area, Lord Howe only allows 400 visitors on the island at a time – so if you get in, you know you're going to treasure it. Ned's Beach is just one of the magnificent beachy spots in a place National Geographic has called one of the world's best – but Ned's is special. This family-friendly cove has golden sand, crystalline waters, and hundreds of tropical fish that you can wade in and feed by hand. Just note, this isn't an accessible beach for people with accessibility needs.

How to get there: 5-minute ride or 20-minute walk from Lord Howe Island town centre

Facilities: toilets, change rooms, barbecues, fish food dispenser, snorkel and wetsuit hire

Good for: people who like being surrounded by hundreds of shimmering rainbow fish

Located a scenic 20-minute ferry ride across the Coral Sea from Townsville, Magnetic Island is one of Australia’s most accessible island escapes. Of its 23 palm-fringed beaches, Alma Bay is our favourite. Don’t expect to go for a romantic stroll along the sand –this tiny cove is just 150 metres wide, framed by two prominent granite headlands that extend 300 metres on either side. The calm waters are perfect for swimming year-round – and with Queensland boasting 320 days of sunshine per year, you’ll want to. Bring a snorkel too – Alma Bay is located within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, so there are plenty of happy fish living in the fringing reefs near the rocks on either side of the bay.

How to get there: Catch the 250 public bus from Nelly Bay Ferry Terminal to Arcadia, and walk two minutes to the beach

Facilities: barbecues, picnic tables, playground, toilets, carpark, shops/cafés a short walk away

Good for: warm waters, snorkelling with fish, relaxing under the sun

📍 Discover the best things to do on Magnetic Island

Named the 'best surf beach in Australia' by Lonely Planet in 2024, Bells Beach is a mecca of Aussie surf history. Tucked away between natural red clay cliffs off the long, winding wonders of the Great Ocean Road, Bells is a special, historical break that's just 90 minutes away from Melbourne. A cold water spot that pumps with the power of the Southern Ocean, Bells is known by surfers worldwide for offering up huge waves, occasionally very tough conditions, and a kind of explosively powerful break that takes a lot of your strength to ride – but if you do, you'll have the time of your life. 

How to get there: 40-minute drive from Lorne along the Great Ocean Road

Facilities: toilets, picnic tables, bike paths, walking trails, carpark

Good for: massive waves, watching surfers, stunning sunsets, cliff top walk

📍 Discover the best beaches in Melbourne

It’s quite likely that you’ll let out an audible gasp after catching your first glimpse of Cable Beach in Broome. This sparkly 22km white sand beach earned bragging rights as the third best in the world, according to TripAdvisor’s 2023 Travellers’ Choice Awards. Rise early and hike the 7.7 kilometres from Cable Beach up to Gantheaume Point, where you can take in the most spectacular vistas in Broome. However, a camel ride or cocktail on the beach does the trick too.

How to get there: 5-minute drive or 30-minute walk from Broome town centre

Facilities: toilets, picnic area, café, carpark

Good for: sunsets, camel rides, seclusion

📍 Discover the best things to do in Broome

Four kilometres (yep, not miles) of golden sands and swaying palm trees await at this much-loved yet underrated Port Douglas beach. It’s actually a challenge to visit this tropical town without setting foot on Four Mile Beach. You can relax under the shade of the swaying palm trees, take to the sands by bicycle, watch the sunrise from Flagstaff Hill Lookout, go kitesurfing in the afternoon, and of course, take plenty of blissful dips in the Coral Sea. We recommend hiking to the top of Flagstaff Hill to take in views of Australia's most viral skyline, including Four Mile Beach.

How to get there: short walk from Macrossan Street in the heart of Port Douglas

Facilities: toilets, showers, beach equipment hire, beach matting (for wheelchair access), cafés, parking

Good for: swimming, walking, jogging, sunrise spotting, easy access

📍 Discover the best things to do in Port Douglas

There was a time when The Farm on NSW's South Coast felt like a well-kept Shell Cove secret; a long, secluded pocket of sand and surf ninety minutes south of Sydney, home to a reliable break and a grassy headland looking out across the waves. Those days, it seems, are over. In 2024, Tourism Australia crowned this sandy stretch the second-best beach in the country, and the crowds will no doubt ensue. Best of all, it's just a 20-minute drive to Kiama or 30 minutes to Wollongong, where you'll find plenty more beautiful beaches and coastal walks.

How to get there: 1.5-hour drive south of Sydney

Facilities: toilets, outdoor shower, barbecues, picnic shelters, café, kiosk, carpark

Good for: surfing, swimming, fishing, bushwalking, camping