15 Best Beaches in Australia for Sun, Surf and Sights

There are a lot of great reasons to visit Australia — with one of the main ones being to discover its spectacular beaches. And honestly, it makes sense.

There are more than 11,000 beaches scattered across the country, from Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland to New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. Need a little help narrowing down your options? Keep reading to discover what we think are the 15 best beaches in Australia.

• Bondi Beach
• Lucky Bay
• Whitehaven Beach
• 75 Mile Beach
• Bells Beach
• Hyams Beach
• Turquoise Bay and Coral Bay
• Surfers Paradise Beach
• Horseshoe Bay x 2
• Cottesloe Beach
• Wineglass Bay
• Little Beach
• Cable Beach
• Vivonne Bay Beach
• Wharton Beach

It doesn’t get much more iconic than Sydney’s Bondi Beach. Whether you’re into surfing, suntanning, swimming or shopping, this popular beach near Sydney’s Central Business District (CBD) is the place to be. Our idea of a perfect day spent here involves going for a dip at the Bondi Icebergs Club ocean pool, grabbing a coffee and bite to eat, and then strolling along the scenic Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk.

Lucky Bay isn’t just an idyllic spot for international visitors — the Aussie locals like it, too. And by “locals”, we mean everyone’s favourite marsupial. That’s right! Kangaroos are often spotted sunbathing on this beautiful stretch of white sand in Cape Le Grand National Park. If that’s not enough to convince you that this is one of the best beaches in Australia, we don’t know what is.

If this isn’t already one of your favourite Australian beaches, it will be as soon as you step foot upon its shores. Here, the whitest sand swirls with the most vibrant turquoise water, creating a landscape that you have to see to believe — head to the Hill Inlet Lookout for the best views!

Whitehaven Beach is also a top choice for beach lovers because of its proximity to the Great Barrier Reef. Well, that and the fact that its sand (composed of 99% silica) doesn’t retain heat. In other words, you can relax on it all day without getting burned.

It shouldn’t surprise you to learn that one of best beaches in Australia can be found on Fraser Island. As the world’s largest sand island, it’s home to many stunning shores. So, what makes 75 Mile Beach so special? It’s probably not what you’re expecting…

Fraser Island’s main beach is not only a beach, but a highway (as well as a runway for small aircraft!). As such, swimming here isn’t allowed but you’ll hardly miss that activity when there’s so much to see, do and explore along the road — from the SS Maheno shipwreck to The Pinnacles sand dunes.

Home to the annual Rip Curl Pro surfing competition, Bells Beach is a bucket-list-worthy spot for intermediate and advanced surfers who want to test themselves on some steep and powerful waves. Less experienced in the surfing department? No worries! You can watch others hang ten (and take in some spectacular ocean views) from the top of the surrounding rock cliffs.

The sand at Hyams Beach is so light and bright that many people claim it’s been recognized by Guinness World Records as having the world’s “whitest sand” (a category that doesn’t even exist in the company’s list of feats). But as soon as you see this beach, you’ll understand why it has earned the made-up title. Comprised of microscopic quartz particles, the sand at Hyams Beach is so white and so reflective that sunglasses are an absolute must.

Snorkellers, take note! Nestled within the Ningaloo Reef area that surrounds Western Australia’s North West Cape Peninsula, both Turquoise Bay and Coral Bay boast incredibly vibrant underwater worlds filled with coral gardens, sea turtles, dugongs, manta rays, whale sharks and more. If you happen to be staying in the small resort town of Exmouth during your trip down under, these two beaches can’t be missed.

If you're interested in finding hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path shores, this beach isn't for you. Surfers Paradise Beach is one of the most iconic beaches in the country, attracting more than 4 million beach bums each year. And it’s easy to see why: its golden sand is great for lounging, its waves are perfect for water sports and its nearby attractions create endless opportunities for fun.

If you need a break from the sun, head to the SkyPoint Observation Deck, the multi-sensory Infinity experience or the shops on Cavill Avenue.

Bet you didn’t expect for two of the best beaches in Australia to have the exact same name… or to be located just a few hours away from each other in Queensland. Which one will you put on your bucket list?

Not far from the Whitsunday Islands, this is a gorgeous beach for swimming and snorkelling.

This Horseshoe Bay, meanwhile, is a notable beach for water sports such as jet skiing and kayaking.

With terraced lawns, Norfolk Pines that provide plenty of shade, and a bustling boulevard, Cottesloe Beach is an ideal spot for families who want to post up for a glorious, leisurely day. And it’s just a short drive from Perth’s CBD! Spend your day playing in the Indian Ocean and your evening winding down (and watching the sunset) on the patio of one of the nearby restaurants.

Travelling in March? Don’t miss Cottesloe Beach’s annual Sculpture by the Sea exhibition, which transforms the shores into an outdoor art gallery.

Getting to Wineglass Bay isn’t easy — but it’s definitely worth the effort! The Freycinet National Park entrance and parking lot connects to a 5km walking track that takes you uphill to a lookout. Bring your camera to snap a picture of one of Tasmania’s most beautiful beaches from above and then descend down to the shore for a refreshing swim. 

There are a few reasons why this is one of our favourite beaches in Australia. For starters, Little Beach has calm, azure waters that are perfect for swimming, snorkelling and stand-up paddle boarding. Second, it’s surrounded by picturesque granite headlands. And finally, it’s in a nature reserve that protects native floral and fauna. Talk about a win-win-win! 

Located on the northwest coast of Western Australia (more specifically, the southern end of the Dampier Peninsula), Cable Beach treats travellers to some truly amazing beach sunsets. While the orange, pink and purple skies are breathtaking from the shore, there are a few ways to take your experience to the next level — including scenic boat tours and camel rides. Yes, you read that right!

More than a third of Kangaroo Island is made up of protected national parks and reserves, meaning this is one of the cleanest, most idyllic beaches in Australia. Especially compared to Bondi Beach and Surfers Paradise Beach, Vivonne Bay Beach is quite remote — so don’t expect to find any surf clubs or beach bars here. Rather, this is a quiet place where you can swim in pristine waters and appreciate some unspoiled natural beauty.

With its bright blue waters and soft white sands, Wharton Beach is as pretty as a picture. It’s also relatively quiet and uncrowded despite being one of the best beaches in Australia.

While it’s an easy day trip from the town of Esperance (approximately a one-hour drive), you should also consider staying at the Orleans Bay Caravan Park which is just a hop, skip and a jump away from this tranquil slice of paradise.

There are so many stunning beaches in Australia, that it would be impossible to list them all here. So here are just a couple (okay, several) more for all you beach lovers:

• Binalong Bay on the southern end of the Bay of Fires in Tasmania
• Emily Bay Lagoon on Norfolk Island, an external territory located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean
• Main Beach in the centre of Byron Bay in New South Wales
• Meelup Beach in the Margaret River Region of Western Australia
• Shelley Beach near Port Lincoln on the Southern Eyre Peninsula in South Australia
• Twilight Beach approximately 8km from Esperance in Western Australia

Ready to discover the best beaches in Australia for yourself? Check out our latest deals or chat with a Travel Expert today! From booking flights and hotels to making personalized recommendations, your centre for travel can help you make the most of an Aussie beach vacation.