The best secret beaches in and around Brisbane

North Stradbroke Island, also known as Minjerribah, is home to some of the best beaches in the world, and luckily for us, it is only a 50-minute ferry ride away from Brisbane. Crowds flock to Cylinder and Main Beach year-round, but there are plenty of other options worth checking out on the island. Local secret Adder Rock boasts some of the best sunset views on the island – grab some fish and chips, scramble up the rock and settle in for an evening show as the last of the sun’s rays light up the long stretch of beach. On the other side of the rock, Home Beach is a dog-friendly delight, as well as being the access point for diving trips (see the nearby Manta Lodge for details). During whale-watching season (May-Nov), walk up to the highest point of the rocky outcrop (to the left of the small car park near the entrance to the campground) for unrivalled views of whales and dolphins. If you feel like staying the night there are plenty of nearby accommodation options, including Adder Rock campground.

For postcard-level perfection, this secret Gold Coast cove takes some beating. Just 90km south of Brisbane, this secluded beach boasts calm, turquoise waters surrounded by subtropical rainforest. To find Echo Beach, head to the southern end of Burleigh Heads National Park near Tallebudgera Creek, and you’ll find a 300m walkway leading straight to paradise. Tallebudgera itself is hugely popular – it’s not hard to see why – but Echo Beach is relatively quiet compared to Palm Beach on the southern side of the creek. To complete your trip to the beach, check out the nearby Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre, the region’s only dedicated Aboriginal cultural centre fully owned and operated by the local Aboriginal community. 

Chilled-out Woorim Beach is the closest patrolled surf beach to Brisbane and has the added bonus of being less busy than beaches of the Sunny and Gold Coasts. Connected to the mainland by bridge, Bribie is an excellent choice for a day trip, and Woorim has something for everyone: an endless stretch of white sand, warm water year-round, plenty of dining options, barbecue and picnic areas, a playground and even a skate park. The calm waves are also an ideal place to learn to surf – check out Bribie Island Surf School for more info. A whopping 80 per cent of the island is made of National Park, meaning that beaches like Woorim remain pristine and unspoilt.

Nestled between Gold Coast surf favourites Point Danger and Snapper Rocks, Froggies Beach is a secret slice of paradise. And while the beach may be small in comparison to its well-known neighbours, Froggies makes up for it with secluded rock pools, stunning views and crystal-clear water fringed by pandanus palms. Spread out your towel and take in the scenery, and don’t forget to snap some photos worthy of the ’Gram. During the annual whale migration season it is another prime crowd-free location for land-based whale spotting. Coming in at just over 100km from Brisbane, a trip to Froggies is well worth the drive.  

The Sunshine Coast has some of the most popular beaches in Queensland, but it's still possible to find a few hidden gems. Just one hour north of Brisbane, Currimundi Lake Conservation Park combines coastal heathland with gentle lagoons and prime surf beach. The tracks leading through the park are accessible and offer up the chance to spot plenty of unique flora and fauna. Currimundi Lake itself is the perfect spot for families, with plenty of calm, shallow water for paddling. Hire kayaks and stand-up paddle boards from the nearby surf shop, or take a picnic to enjoy in the shade of the trees. Just beyond the sand dunes, you’ll find Currimundi Surf Beach, which can get some pretty decent surf breaks and is patrolled on weekends and school holidays.  

So secret that it is only accessible during low tide, King Island, or Yerra-bin, offers one of Brisbane’s most unique beach experiences. Head to the bayside suburb of Wellington Point, also known as Cullen Cullen, making sure to time your visit to the start at low tide so that you can walk across the natural sand causeway to the uninhabited King Island. The return walk is 2km, and along the way, you can paddle in the bay and spot local wildlife. Sunrise and sunset are particularly beautiful times to visit, providing lots of opportunities for stunning photos. When you make it back to the mainland, Welly Point offers up plenty of options for fish and chips or ice cream.