20 Best Beaches in Australia

Witnessing the sandy stretches of Australia while experiencing world-class surfing, seeing striking ocean pools and experiencing an unbeatable beach culture has remained on many of our bucket lists.

This piece on the best beaches in Australia will help you decide your destination for an offbeat getaway.

Here is a list of the best beaches in Australia, which will surely leave you mesmerised with their amazing scenic beauty.

1. Whitehaven Beach, Queensland

One of Australia's most stunning and unspoiled beaches is Whitehaven Beach. The 7 km long sea stretch has been named one of the world's cleanest and greenest beaches.

Whitehaven, a town in Queensland's Whitsunday Islands, has a number of inlets where tourists may take in the natural scenery. Its 98% white silica content gives it a shimmering, almost glowing colour.

Best Time to Visit: September

Famous for:

• Sailing
• Snorkelling
• Parasailing

2. Turquoise Bay, Cape Range National Park

Turquoise Bay, one of the most famous beaches in Australia, is the ideal location for a family holiday and picnic. As a section of Cape Range National Park, Turquoise Bay offers tourists the chance to explore the forest’s fauna and see kangaroos bouncing around.

Best Time to Visit: April to October

Famous for:

• Snorkelling
• Swimming

3. Wineglass Bay, Tasmania

This is one of Australia's best beaches and is famous for its red and pink granite formations. The Freycinet National Park, which is a popular tourist attraction, is located along the route that leads to the shore of Wineglass Bay.

Best Time to Visit: December to February

Famous for: Restaurants and cafes which serve delicious food

4. Noosa Main Beach, Queensland

Noosa Main Beach is one of the few beaches that face north, and it is situated near Queensland's Noosa Heads. Noosa Beach is particularly well-known for its erratic ocean currents, which should be avoided at all costs.

Otherwise, it is a safe spot to stroll along the golden sands. It boasts some of the busiest beach shacks and eateries where you may sample regional cuisine.

Best Time to Visit: December to February

Famous for:

• Swimming
• Fishing
• Surfing

5. Cable Beach, West Australia

One of the most beautiful beaches in Australia, Cable Beach, is located northwest of Broome. The ochre cliffs, sand dunes, and blue ocean make up a remarkable portion of this lovely coastline. The beach mostly remains uncrowded, which is why it creates the ideal environment for unwinding.

The beach also provides a breathtaking view of the sun setting and rising. Here, you can rent amenities for relaxation and recreation, including bicycles, seats, and paddleboards.

Best Time to Visit: June-August

Famous for: Iconic camel rides

6. Bells Beach, Victoria

Bells Shore derives its name from the first family to engage in pastoral work. It is a cosy bay with vintage cottages strewn all along the length of the beach. It is one of the top surf beaches in Australia, and you can even attempt fishing here during low tide.

Bells Beach has historically hosted several world championships; as a result, professional surfers frequently compete there. You can best experience the town's festive atmosphere during the Easter holidays, and you can also take in the annual surfing tournament, which lasts for nine days in this area.

Best Time to Visit: December to March, April to May

Famous for: Surfing

7. 75 Mile Beach, Queensland

The 75 Mile Beach is a part of Fraser Island, thus named for the length of its sandy expanse, which is 75 miles. You may drive along the beach while taking in the breathtaking scenery and cool wind on the highway that runs alongside the 75 Mile Beach.

The highway will finally take you to Fraser Island, which has a lush rainforest and about 100 freshwater lakes. Due to the choppy waves and large shark population, the beach is not suitable for swimming; however, it is an excellent location for fishing.

Best Time to Visit: December to February 

Famous for: Adrenaline-pumping 4WD adventures

8. Bondi Beach, New South Wales

Bondi Beach is renowned for its spotless sands, glittering ocean, and laid-back coastal lifestyle. It is accessible all year long. Bondi Beach is the busiest beach in Sydney due to the wide range of activities it provides and the excellent year-round weather.

A 1.5 km stretch of Bondi Beach is surrounded by numerous well-regarded eateries that provide a panoramic view of the ocean. A surfing school is available for those who want to learn how to surf, and visitors may also delight in whale watching or enjoy the seductive sunset over here.

Best Time to Visit: December to February

Famous for:

• Surfing
• Swimming

9. Manly Beach, Sydney

One of Australia's most well-known surfing beaches is Manly Beach. This beach is a popular destination for adventure seekers because it hosts the Australian Open of Surfing each year. The most popular activities at this beach include biking and snorkelling, which Manly cycle tours and National Surfing Reserve both organise.

Visitors may observe the entire Sydney Harbor from the seashore's busy cafes surrounded by trees. The most popular food at the beach shacks in this area is fish and chips.

Best Time to Visit: Spring and autumn

Famous for: Surfing

10. Lizard Island, Queensland

The Lizard Island is located about 17 miles off Queensland's northern coast. Due to its two World Heritage Sites, the Great Barrier Reef and the age-old Daintree Rainforest, the location is quite well recognised.

Mangroves and lovely beaches surround it, providing visitors with a breathtaking vista. You can visit The Lizard Island Resort, a five-star hotel that manages the majority of the island's activities and is very famous here.

Best Time to Visit: May to November

Famous for:

• Scuba diving
• Snorkelling

11. Byron Beach, New South Wales

Mangrove swamps and palm trees surround this beachfront town, and it provides Australia's most magnificent sunset view. This is especially true for Byron Bay since it is situated in Australia's easternmost part, where the sun sets early, creating a variety of orange, pink, and purple hues.

In Byron Bay, food plays a big role in the tourism industry, and many local eateries serve authentic regional fares like fish and spiced lamb. The beach shacks in this area serve the best drinks as well.

Best Time to Visit: September to November

Famous for: Surfing

12. Mandalay Beach, Western Australia

One of the nicest beaches in Australia, Mandalay Beach features white sand and a breathtaking view of Chatham Island. The beach's beautiful rock formations make it a popular spot for photo shoots and beach weddings.

The granite cliffs that make up the beach's stunning landscape are located on the section of the beach that is further to the north. The Banksia Camp campground is located near the beginning of Mandalay Beach Road.

Best Time to Visit: October to January

Famous for:

• Bonfires
• Barbeque
• Dance and music

13. Four-mile Beach

This is one of the most famous beaches in Australia, which is well-known for its stunning beaches, with golden sand and azure sea that reaches as far as the eye can see. The mangroves and reefs of the mouth of the Mowbray River are accessible from this beach's southern end.

This beach's northern end has a very easy entry point. You can witness the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets from this beach.

Best Time to Visit: April to October 

Famous for: Kite surfing

14. Mooloolaba Beach

The Sunshine Coast's Mooloolaba Beach, with its golden sand and crystal-clear sea, is the most picturesque location. It is the ultimate family vacation destination. Due to its sheer beauty and a never-ending view of nature, it has been ranked as Australia's sixth-best beach.

Additionally, it is one of the safest swimming beaches with the highest level of security as guards continuously monitor it. The Boathouse restaurants nearby serve absolutely mouth-watering seafood and provide picturesque views. So, you must try them.

Best Time to Visit: July to November

Famous for:

• Swimming
• Local cuisine

15. Burleigh Heads

On the Gold Coast, Burleigh Heads is a beach in Australia with fragrant pine trees lining the shore. It provides a wealth of opportunities for travellers to have a wonderful vacation thanks to its appealing coastal-Como village environment and magnificent national park.

Additionally, it provides a mesmerising view of the sunrise and sunset.

Best Time to Visit: April to October

Famous for:

• Upscale shopping centres
• First-rate restaurants
• Surf breakers

16. Rapid Bay

Rapid bay, a lengthy sandy beach with turquoise sea and towering rocks, is located in the southern part of the Australian coastline. This beach's water is so crystal clear and unpolluted that visitors can keep an eye out for tiny fish, crabs, snails, and starfish.

One can even see dolphins leaping through the ocean from a certain distance. This is one of Australia's best beaches because of how calm and cosy the area is overall. You may relax here while hanging on a hammock and enjoying locally prepared juices.

Best Time to Visit: January

Famous for: Very long jetty

17. Hyams Beach

The pristine white sands of Hyams Beach are well known all over the world. You can wiggle your toes in some of the whitest sand in the world at Jervis Bay which is situated on the South Coast of New South Wales. Walking is one of the greatest ways to take in Jervis Bay's natural beauty.

The White Sands Walk is a short, leisurely stroll that takes you past beautiful, uninhabited bays and beaches while traversing soft sands. You might see a group of dolphins playing close to the coast.

Best Time to Visit: August to November

Famous for: 

• Swimming
• Snorkelling
• Marine park

18. Mindil Beach

Mindil Beach is one of the most stunning beaches in Australia and is known for hosting the Mindil Beach Sunset Market, where you can get fantastic deals on just about anything. It is well known for hosting neighbourhood gatherings, festivals, and fun races that draw large crowds of tourists.

It is a great place to meditate and find calm and provides a beautiful view of the setting sun. However, due to the presence of many crocodiles in this area, this beach is not recommended for swimming.

Best Time to Visit: May to October

Famous for: Tropical sunsets over the ocean

19. Pinky Beach

This beach serves as an entrance to almost sixty stunning bays and beaches and is one of Australia's top beaches. It is 18 kilometres off the Australian coast and provides guests with a captivating experience owing to its serene surroundings.

It is the most liked place for wedding ceremonies and photoshoots owing to its proximity to the Bathurst Lighthouse, a prime location for both. Golden dunes surround it on all sides, giving the impression that it is a piece of paradise on Earth binge.

Best Time to Visit: April to June

Famous for:

• Swimming
• Snorkelling
• Watching sunsets

20. Cottesloe Beach

The famous Cottesloe Beach in Perth is picture-perfect. It's one of the most liked locations in the city for swimming, snorkelling, surfing, and watching ocean sunsets while sipping wine, cold beer, or a casual dinner.

While the rocks and reefs entice snorkelers to the ocean, the clear waters and continuous waves make it a popular hangout for swimmers, bodyboarders, and surfers.

Best Time to Visit: October to April 

Famous for: Surfing