Best Beaches in Australia: A State-by-State Guide
The Best Beaches in Australia: A State-by-State Guide
Australia has over 10,000 beaches. Most people visit the same ten. This guide goes a little deeper — covering the iconic and the underrated, by state, so wherever you are in the country, you know where to go.
New South Wales
Wategos Beach, Byron Bay
Tucked on the northern face of Cape Byron, Wategos is one of the most beautiful small beaches in Australia. It's sheltered, relatively calm, and faces north — meaning it catches morning sun all day. The surrounding headland is part of the Cape Byron Marine Park, and dolphins are a regular presence in the water. Arrive early; parking is limited and it's no secret.
Hyams Beach, Jervis Bay
Hyams Beach holds a Guinness World Record for the whitest sand in the world — and it earns it. The sand is so fine and reflective it's almost blinding in full sun. The water in Jervis Bay is a deep aquamarine and exceptionally clear. It's a four-hour drive from Sydney but a genuinely world-class beach destination.
Bondi Beach, Sydney
Bondi needs no introduction, but it earns its reputation. The crescent bay, reliable surf, and the cliff walk to Coogee make it a complete day out. At its best on a weekday morning before the crowds arrive.
Depot Beach, Murramarang National Park
One for the quiet seekers. Depot Beach sits inside Murramarang National Park on the South Coast and is one of the least-crowded genuinely beautiful beaches in NSW. Kangaroos regularly graze on the grass behind the beach at dawn and dusk. Basic camping available.
Queensland
Whitehaven Beach, Whitsundays
Consistently ranked among the best beaches in the world — and with good reason. Whitehaven is accessible only by boat or seaplane, which keeps it pristine. The silica sand is 98% pure and doesn't retain heat, meaning it's cool underfoot even in full sun. The Hill Inlet lookout, where swirling sandbars create shifting patterns of white and turquoise, is one of Australia's most photographed views.
Four Mile Beach, Port Douglas
Long, wide, and backed by mountains and rainforest, Four Mile Beach is one of North Queensland's finest. The approach into Port Douglas — winding mountain road, sudden reveal of the Coral Sea — is one of the great Australian road trip moments.
Noosa Main Beach, Sunshine Coast
Noosa is one of the few north-facing beaches on the east coast, which gives it exceptional surf and all-day sun. The national park headland to the east and Hastings Street behind the beach make it as much a destination as a beach — easy to spend a full day here without ever leaving the precinct.
Rainbow Beach, Fraser Coast
Named for the coloured sand cliffs that line the back of the beach, Rainbow Beach is the southern gateway to Fraser Island (K'gari) and a destination in its own right. The combination of surf, coloured cliffs, and relative remoteness makes it unlike anywhere else in Queensland.
Victoria
Squeaky Beach, Wilsons Promontory
The southernmost point of mainland Australia. Squeaky Beach is named for the sound the quartz sand makes underfoot — a high-pitched squeak with every step. The beach is a 45-minute walk through national park from the Tidal River campground, which keeps it quiet. Granite boulders frame the bay and the water, while cold, is clear.
Bells Beach, Torquay
One of the most famous surf breaks in the world and the home of the Rip Curl Pro — the world's longest-running professional surfing contest. The beach itself is a dramatic cliffside break best watched from the headland above. Even if you don't surf, the atmosphere and setting are worth the stop.
St Kilda Beach, Melbourne
Not the most beautiful beach in the country, but one of the most interesting. The Esplanade, the pier, the Art Deco kiosks, and the little penguin colony under the pier all add up to a beach experience that's distinctly Melbourne. Best at sunset.
Western Australia
Cable Beach, Broome
80 kilometres of red pindan sand meeting turquoise Indian Ocean water, with camel rides at sunset — Cable Beach is one of Australia's most dramatic beach experiences. The Kimberley light at golden hour turns everything amber and rose. Best visited between April and October, outside of cyclone season.
Turquoise Bay, Ningaloo Reef
Part of the Cape Range National Park near Exmouth, Turquoise Bay is widely considered one of the best snorkelling beaches in the world. The drift snorkel — where you enter the water at one end of the bay and let the current carry you over the reef — is a genuinely extraordinary experience. No crowds, no entry fee.
Cottesloe Beach, Perth
Perth's most loved urban beach. Clean sand, reliable surf, Norfolk Island pines for shade, and the iconic Indiana Teahouse at the northern end. The Cottesloe Sculpture by the Sea exhibition each March turns the whole beach into an outdoor gallery.
South Australia
Vivonne Bay, Kangaroo Island
Voted Australia's best beach in a University of Adelaide survey, Vivonne Bay on Kangaroo Island is a wide, isolated arc of white sand backed by national park. The surf can be heavy; the scenery is spectacular. Wildlife — sea lions, kangaroos, echidnas — is part of the experience here.
Second Valley, Fleurieu Peninsula
A small, sheltered bay about an hour south of Adelaide. Clear water, a limestone reef for snorkelling, and a tiny jetty make Second Valley popular with divers and families. It's genuinely picturesque in a low-key, un-touristy way.
Tasmania
Wineglass Bay, Freycinet Peninsula
Consistently on global best-beach lists, Wineglass Bay is accessible via a steep 45-minute walk over the saddle of the Freycinet Peninsula. The view from the top — the perfect arc of white sand, the deep blue bay — is one of the iconic Australian sights. Cold water, no facilities, and worth every step.
Bay of Fires, northeast Tasmania
Not a single beach but a stretch of coastline along the northeast tip of Tasmania — a series of white sand beaches and turquoise water punctuated by brilliant orange lichen-covered granite boulders. The contrast of colours is extraordinary. Largely undeveloped and genuinely remote.
What to Bring
Wherever you go, a few things make the difference between a good beach day and a great one. A proper sand-free blanket, a well-anchored beach umbrella, and sun protection sorted before you arrive — not after.
The XO Beach Blanket is designed for exactly the kind of long beach days these locations demand — sand-free, fast-drying, and built to work with your beach umbrella from the moment you set up.
Read more
Not all beach umbrellas are built for Australian conditions. A practical guide to UPF ratings, wind resistance, canopy size, and anchoring before you buy.
What actually works at the beach in Australian conditions — from swimwear and cover-ups to sun protection and footwear. A practical guide to dressing for the Australian summer.