Discover the Best Beaches to Visit in Australia

By: Bella Patterson Last updated: 05/12/2025

(Image via Adobe Stock / Kittiphan)

Have you ever tried to wrap your head around just how much coastline Australia actually has? If you visited one new beach every single day, it would take you over 32 years to see them all. With nearly 60,000 kilometers of coastline and roughly 12,000 documented beaches, this continent is one giant island paradise.¹

Best of all, every single grain of sand belongs to you. Under Australian public trust laws, there are zero private beaches. Every stretch of coastline is free, open, and ready for you to explore.

Whether you want turquoise waters fringed by tropical reefs, massive surf breaks, or wild shores where kangaroos hop right along the tide line, Australia has a spot with your name on it. Let's take a tour of the best beaches across the country so you can build the ultimate coastal itinerary.

The Whitsundays Tropical Paradise and Scenic Appeal

If you have ever seen a postcard of pure white sand swirling with brilliant blue water, you were almost certainly looking at the Whitsundays. Located right in central the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, this archipelago offers some of the most stunning ocean scenery on the planet.

The undisputed crown jewel here is Whitehaven Beach. The sand here is 98 percent pure silica, which gives it a brilliant luminescent glow. Pure silica does not retain heat, so you can walk along the seven-kilometer shore at high noon without burning the soles of your feet. Lonely Planet named it the top beach in the world, and it is easy to see why.³ The water sits at a comfortable 26 degrees Celsius year-round, inviting you in for a swim the moment your boat drops anchor.

To get the most famous view, take the short bushwalk up to the Tongue Point lookout. Time your hike for mid-to-high tide. As the water moves across Hill Inlet, shifting sandbars create a swirling watercolor painting of aqua, turquoise, and white. It is a protected sanctuary, so leave every grain of sand where it lies.

Gold Coast vs Sunshine Coast Matching Your Activity Suitability

Queensland offers two legendary coastal hubs, but they cater to very different travel styles. Choosing the right one comes down to what you want out of your trip.

The Gold Coast is all about high energy, golden sand, and world-class surfing. It is home to the Superbank, a world-famous sand-pumped point break running from Snapper Rocks to Kirra that dishes up kilometer-long tube rides. If you want top-tier dining, beachside cocktail bars, and thrilling waves, the Gold Coast is where you belong. For fewer crowds and great surf, check out North Kirra Beach, which consistently ranks as one of the best sandy breaks in the country.²

Head about two hours north and you hit the Sunshine Coast. The mood drops several gears into pure relaxation.

• Noosa Main Beach: One of the few north-facing beaches on the east coast, meaning the water stays calm, sheltered, and ideal for families.

• Tea Tree Bay: A short walk into Noosa National Park where you can catch gentle peeling waves with dolphins playing in the lineup.

• Coolum Beach: A classic coastal town perfect for learning to surf or enjoying fish and chips on the grassy foreshore.

If your ideal holiday involves beach yoga, boutique farmers markets, and quiet coastal walks, the Sunshine Coast wins hands down.

The Wild Southern Coast Rugged Beauty and Hidden Gems

Australia's southern waters trade tropical warmth for dramatic wilderness, dramatic cliffs, and untouched shorelines.

Tasmania holds the top spot on Tourism Australia's beach rankings with the incredible Bay of Fires.² Stretching across the northeast coast, it features rounded granite boulders coated in bright orange lichen set against bright turquoise water and powdery white sand. It is wild, raw, and great for coastal camping or walking tracks.

Down in Victoria, Squeaky Beach at Wilsons Promontory gives you sand made of rounded quartz grains that literally squeak under your bare feet. Further west along the Great Ocean Road, legendary Bells Beach offers massive right-hand reef walls that test the best surfers during the annual Rip Curl Pro.

Over in Western Australia, Cape Le Grand National Park hides Lucky Bay. The sand here is remarkably white, but the real draw is the local wildlife. Wild western grey kangaroos regularly lounge on the sand right along the water's edge, completely unfazed by beachgoers.

• Bay of Fires (Tasmania): Best for raw wilderness, coastal photography, and hiking between granite headlands.

• Turquoise Bay (Western Australia): Best for drift snorkeling over Ningaloo Reef, where you can swim alongside sea turtles and whale sharks right off the beach.

• Woolgoolga (New South Wales): Best for classic Aussie coastal charm, headland whale watching, and uncrowded surf breaks.²

• Cowes Beach (Victoria): Best for sheltered family swimming and calm stand-up paddleboarding on Phillip Island.

Expert Tips for Your Australian Beach Itinerary

Heading out to an Australian beach is simple, but keeping a few basic safety and travel rules in mind will keep your trip smooth.

• Swim between the flags: Always swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches. Surf Life Saving Australia sets these markers where the water is free from dangerous rip currents.

• Respect the sun: The Australian sun is intense. Use SPF 50+ sunscreen, wear a wide-brim hat, and pack a light beach umbrella or sun tent for long afternoons.

• Mind the seasons: If you visit the tropical north (Queensland, Northern Territory, or northern Western Australia), plan your trip between May and October during the dry season. The warmer months bring marine stingers, requiring stinger suits in open waters.

• Check drift currents: When snorkeling remote spots like Turquoise Bay, always check the tidal currents before wading in so you can drift smoothly without overshooting the safe exit points.

Your Perfect Coastal Escape Awaits

No two Australian beaches are quite the same. You could spend one morning drift-snorkeling over colorful coral gardens in Western Australia, and the next watching the sunrise illuminate orange granite boulders in Tasmania. The variety across these shores is endless.

Grab your towel, pack your sunscreen, and start exploring. Your ideal stretch of Aussie sand is waiting for you.