Top 15 Best Beaches in Australia You Must Visit in 2023

Australia’s beaches are utterly alluring thanks to a combination of exceptional waves, vast expanses of soft sand, and outstanding nature reserves. Australia, the sixth-largest nation in the world, has a stunning coastline to suit every beach lover, from the tropical shores of North Queensland to the energetic city beaches of Sydney in New South Wales and Tasmania’s quiet coves in the south.

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See below for a list of 15 best beaches in Australia.

Australian Beach #1 Bondi Beach, Sydney

One of Australia’s most well-known beaches, Bondi is a stunning, easily accessible section of Sydney’s coastline that is blond in color. With a length of just under a mile, Bondi offers plenty of room to dig your toes into the smooth sand. On Campbell Parade, which runs along the beach, join locals in the surf and take advantage of the region’s renowned café culture.

A surf school, board rentals, and public showers are available at the beach. Weekend visitors should visit the Bondi Farmers Market on Saturday or the Bondi Markets on Sunday, both of which are situated on the grounds of Bondi Beach Public School and offer delectable local fare and handcrafted goods.
For more breathtaking views, embark on the three and a quarter-mile Bondi to Coogee walk. The Tamarama, Bronte, and Clovelly beaches are all included in the coastal walk, which begins at Bondi Icebergs Club, a swim club where the ocean pool and the sea seamlessly merge.

By the time you get to Coogee, you deserve a cold beer, a glass of wine, or a cool soda. At Coogee Pavilion, a raw bar serves delicious snapper ceviche, juicy shrimp, and freshly shucked oysters.

Australian Beach #2 Noosa Heads Main Beach, Queensland

The sparkling white Noosa Heads Main Beach is located in the unhurried town of Noosa. Noosa Heads Main Beach, located on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast 86 miles north of Brisbane, is one of the best beaches in Australia thanks to its immaculate sand and sparkling clear waters.

Numerous watersports facilities, including paddleboarding and jet skis, are accessible. Whale watching tours are another option, depending on when you visit. You can walk a portion of the Noosa Trail Network, which consists of eight bushwalks and offers fantastic opportunities for horseback riding and bird watching.

Noosa Heads is a bustling town with a variety of places to shop, eat, and drink aside from its beach. Take a stroll down Hastings Street, where you’ll find some of the best locally owned shops and eateries on Australia’s east coast.

Australian Beach #3 Balmoral Beach, Sydney

Beautiful From Sydney’s central business district, Balmoral Beach is an easy day trip. Take the F2 ferry from Circular Quay to Sydney’s Taronga Zoo, a trip that takes just over 10 minutes. From there, it will take you 30 minutes to walk to Balmoral Beach.
The wooden jetty that leads to the boats that gently bob in the harbor punctuates the golden sweep of Balmoral. To get to Cobblers Beach, a picturesque cove close to Balmoral, there is a lovely headland walk.

Balmoral Beach’s harborside location protects it from the strong winds and large waves that some of Sydney’s other well-known beaches are subjected to, making it the ideal swimming location.

To take advantage of the calm waters, you could also rent a kayak, a stand-up paddleboard, or put on your snorkeling gear. A stocked beach kiosk and a number of nearby restaurants offer everything from fish and chips to contemporary Australian cuisine.

Australian Beach #4 Nudey Beach, Fitzroy Island

Just off the coast of Cairns in Tropical North Queensland is the lush, rainforest-covered island of Fitzroy, which is also the location of the tranquil Nudey Beach. Take a 45-minute ferry from Cairns to Welcomes Bay, where you can then embark on the Nudey Beach Walking Track to reach the secluded beach by meandering through the rain forest.

On the way, keep an eye out for some of the island’s incredible wildlife, such as buff-breasted paradise kingfishers, ospreys, and chalcophaps, also known as emerald doves.

The beach at Nudey has white sand, coral, and a few dramatic, enormous boulders. Snorkeling is one of the most well-liked activities here because it is surrounded by the Great Barrier Reef. Coral damage and removal are prohibited, including the removal of dead coral from the shore.

Australian Beach #5 Shelly Beach, Sydney

Sydney’s Shelly Beach is one of the best in Australia thanks to its glistening cove and protected marine reserve, which is a part of Cabbage Tree Bay. It is less well-known to tourists but is adored by locals.

Shelly Beach is a great location to see the local marine life, so bring a snorkel and some goggles. Along Manly’s coastline, there is a lovely headland bushwalk that offers breathtaking views of North Head and the Northern Beaches.

Showers, restrooms, two electric barbecues that are available for use for free, and The Boathouse, a popular lunch location known for its delectable brunch and fresh seafood options, are all provided at Shelly Beach.

Australian Beach #6 Whitehaven Beach, The Whitsundays

One of the best beaches in Australia is Whitehaven Beach, which is located in the Whitsunday Islands National Park and is central to the Great Barrier Reef.

The journey to Whitehaven Beach is an exciting adventure that begins with a breezy ferry ride from Airlie Beach to Hamilton Island and ends with a fast catamaran trip. Another option is to fly from the mainland to Whitehaven Beach in a seaplane or helicopter.

You’ll be greeted with almost four miles of flawless white sand and turquoise water at one of Australia’s most stunning locations. The essentials for a day at the beach, such as sunscreen, a towel, and refreshments, should be packed. Sunglasses are also recommended because the sand is extremely bright.

Due to the fact that you’ll be taking pictures from all angles, make sure your smartphone is fully charged.

Australian Beach #7 Gold Coast’s Surfers Paradise

You can reach Surfers Paradise, one of Australia’s most well-known beaches and a favorite among surfers, in less than an hour’s drive south of Brisbane.
This is the place to take a surf lesson if you’re interested. You can rent a board, schedule lessons, or just put your toes in the sand and take in the unending ocean views.

The high-rise beachfront condos and hotels that line Surfers Paradise are home to many restaurants and bars. The 77th floor of the Q1 Building, the tallest residential structure in the world (taller than the Chrysler Building in New York City for comparison), also houses SkyPoint Observation Deck.

Australian Beach #8 Four Mile Beach, Port Douglas

In Port Douglas, North Queensland, Four Mile Beach is a tropical wonderland of palm-fringed wispy sand that is surrounded by dense rainforests and vibrant reefs. Joining a boat tour to explore the Great Barrier Reef, a famous Australian landmark that is listed as part of the UNESCO World Heritage, is one of the best things to do in Port Douglas.

At the northern end of the beach, take a dip in a section of the ocean that is guarded by lifeguards and relax in the shade beneath an umbrella. One of the best things to do in Port Douglas is hike up Flagstaff Hill to Trinity Bay Lookout for breathtaking views of the Coral Sea if you feel up to it.

Macrossan Street, which is directly off Four Mile Beach, is where most of Port Douglas’s businesses are located. The lively row is lined with places to grab a drink, eat, and shop for trinkets.

Australian Beach #9 Bells Beach, near Melbourne

Bells Beach is conveniently located for day trips from Melbourne along Victoria’s Great Ocean Road, a 150-mile stretch that runs from Torquay to Allansford. Bells Beach, the site of the Rip Curl Pro Surfing competition, is one of Australia’s top surfing beaches and draws some of the best surfers in the world.

Visit one of the outstanding local wineries after admiring the views of the ocean from the green-covered cliffs on either side of Bells Beach. A good option is Bellbrae Estate Winery, which is close to Bells Beach. At Bellbrae’s Cellar Door, savor a wood-fired pizza and a tasting of the Estate’s wines.

Australian Beach #10 Nobbys Beach, Newcastle

At the northern end of the Bathers Way walk in Newcastle, New South Wales, is a long, curved strip known as Nobbys Beach. This kid-friendly beach is backed by gentle dunes, making it the ideal location for a leisurely beach day. A food and beverage kiosk and surf lessons taught by Newcastle Surf School are available as amenities.

Take a stroll from the beach to the harbor’s protection since 1854, the Nobbys Head Lighthouse, and keep an eye out for dolphins playing in the water. You could also take Shortland Esplanade south of Nobbys Beach to Newcastle Beach’s waterfront to admire the art deco Newcastle Ocean Baths. Even better, stop by the ocean pool for a swim.

Australian Beach #11 Palm Cove, Cairns

One of the most picturesque beaches in Australia is Palm Cove, which is renowned for its charming esplanade lined with cafes, restaurants, and centuries-old Melaleuca trees. Although the honey-hued Palm Cove will unavoidably entice you, you might want to spend some time here and go on an unusual excursion.

The Kuranda Scenic Railway, a vintage train that chugs through the dense rainforest and stops at the village of Kuranda, is only a 30-minute drive from Palm Cove. The largest butterfly flight aviary in the southern hemisphere, the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, is nearby. You can also browse the Kuranda Heritage Market for locally made crafts and artwork.

Finding a spot of sand from which to observe locals fishing for mackerel, whiting, and grunter off Palm Cove Jetty at the north end of the beach is one of the best things to do in Cairns if you intend to relax on the beach.

Australian Beach #12 White Beach, near Hobart

Located in Wedge Bay on the Tasman Peninsula, White Beach is just ten minutes from Port Arthur Historic Site and roughly 90 minutes from Hobart by car.

If you’re looking for a chalk-white beach with a wild, authentic vibe, this is it. You’re more likely to run into local dog walkers here than tourists. Swimming, walking, and sunbathing are common activities on White Beach. Parking and toilets are the only amenities.

Visit the charming Port Arthur Lavender farm on your way back to Hobart. It has 18 acres of lavender fields, forests, and lakes with views of the deep ocean. Explore the fragrant, violet fields, which are usually in bloom in December and January. Before continuing on your journey, sip on some cooling lavender ice tea.

Australian Beach #13 Bittangabee Bay, Eden

This New South Wales hideaway is located 50 minutes south of Eden in a crescent-shaped cove that is surrounded by Ben Boyd National Park. The southern precinct of Ben Boyd National Park offers access to Bittangabee Bay, which offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean.

For a lunchtime picnic on the sand, pack a picnic. Additionally useful for spotting local birdlife are binoculars. Depending on when you go, you might even see seals and humpback whales.

From Bittangabee Bay to Green Cape, there is a lovely 15-minute walk that includes the end of the clearly marked Light to Light walk and skirts through the forest. Watch out for marsupials like wombats and bandicoots, as well as possums.

Australian Beach #14 Currumbin Beach, Gold Coast

Currumbin is one of the most magnificent beaches in the world, and it can be found on the Gold Coast. Currumbin Alley, also known as “Alley” by locals, is a stunning stretch of white sand located just over an hour’s drive south of Brisbane.

Surf lessons are available for all ages and skill levels at Currumbin Alley Surf School, so pick up a board and take advantage of the reliable, year-round waves. Fresh seafood is primarily served at a few of the beach’s more casual restaurants, but the Currumbin Beach Vikings Surf Life Saving Club also serves a variety of other foods.

After a beach session, visit the nearby Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary to get to know the local wildlife. You’ll see some of Australia’s well-known wildlife, such as koalas, kangaroos, crocodiles, and emus.

Australian Beach #15 Airlie Bay, Airlie Beach

The Whitsundays region of Northern Queensland is home to Airlie Beach, whose name refers to a palm-lined bay with lovely turquoise water. With a bustling oceanfront promenade that received a stylish makeover in 2019 and is brimming with outdoor eateries, cafés, bars, markets, and shops, Airlie Beach has a lively atmosphere.

While Airlie Beach is a popular vacation spot in and of itself, it also serves as a starting point for trips to the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef. Popular activities here include boat tours, snorkeling, scuba diving, and swimming.

Topic: Top 15 Best Beaches in Australia You Must Visit in 2023

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