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When visitors come to Australia chasing our iconic beaches, they usually head straight for Bondi, Surfers Paradise or Whitehaven. But Tasmania’s wild and remote Bay of Fires has been getting a lot of attention lately, earning a spot on the BBC’s list of the world’s best beach escapes for 2026.
Each year, BBC editors spotlight the most unique and unexpected beach holidays they’ve discovered during their travels over the past 12 months. From a secluded inlet on Italy's volcanic coastline to a tiny Indian archipelago and an uninhabited Puerto Rican island, these beaches are perfect for travellers willing to go off the beaten path.
When you think of Australia’s best beaches, Tasmania probably isn’t the first place that springs to mind – yet it’s home to the iconic Bay of Fires. This stunning stretch of coastline was one of only eight beach escapes highlighted on the BBC’s list.
They’re not the only people taking notice: last year, Tourism Australia’s official beach ambassador, Brad Farmer AM, named this 50-kilometre string of bays along Tasmania’s north-east coast as Australia’s best beach. It was the first time a Tassie beach claimed the crown, and the only time an accolade has gone to an entire cluster of beaches rather than a single spot.
BBC editor Ellie Cobb fell in love with the Bay of Fires for its ‘edge of the world’ feeling. Here, you can hike for hours without bumping into another soul, just listening to the crash of waves from the Tasman Sea and admiring the vivid orange granite boulders set against sparkling turquoise waters. Save it for your next beach escape!
The 8 best beach escapes for 2026, according to the BBC
- The Andaman Islands, India
- Icacos, Puerto Rico
- El Nido, the Philippines
- La Baia di Ieranto, Sorrentine Peninsula, Italy
- Grand Case Beach, St Maarten
- Achmelvich Beach, Scotland
- Brighton Beach, New York
- Bay of Fires, Australia