Welcome to The Wanderbug, a travel blog written for humans, by a human. I'm Genevieve, and every guide is personally written by me and based on my firsthand travel experiences.
With more than 10,000 beaches, Australia has more beaches than any other country in the world. The best beaches in Australia include Whitehaven Beach, Wineglass Bay, Bondi, Burleigh and Cottesloe to name a few! After travelling around Australia from coast to coast, I’ve curated a list of the very best beaches in Australia, arranged by state to help you plan your next Aussie beach trip.
The best part about so many of the best beaches in Australia is that they can be reached easily from the major cities – in fact, several major cities have their own beautiful beaches!
Yes, we’re a country full of incurable beach snobs. I’ve rounded up the best beaches in Australia below, to inspire your next beach break.
- 1. Whitehaven Beach, Whitsundays
- 2. Hyam’s Beach, Jervis Bay
- 3. Cottesloe Beach, Perth
- 4. Burleigh Beach, Gold Coast
- 5. Bondi Beach, Sydney
- 6. Pinky Beach, Rottnest Island
- 7. Mooloolaba Beach, Sunshine Coast
- 8. Wineglass Bay, Freycinet National Park
- 9. Main Beach, Byron Bay
- 10. Squeaky Beach, Wilsons Promontory
- Map of the Best Beaches in Australia
- Best Time to Visit Beaches in Australia
- My Aussie Beach Bucket List
1. Whitehaven Beach, Whitsundays
Bright white sand, sparkling turquoise water & not a scratch of development in sight? You’ve got the most beautiful beach in Australia, and even the world! Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays is one of the cleanest beaches in the world, and the brightest.
It’s made of sparkling white silica sand that stays bright white but never burns in the sunshine. Located on the uninhabited Whitsunday Island, Whitehaven is the #1 day trip from nearby Hayman Island, Hamilton Island, Daydream Island and Airlie Beach.
Day tours to Whitehaven Beach will either take you to Whitehaven Beach South, which is a long stretch of white sand, or to Betty’s Beach which is part of Whitehaven Beach North, and includes access to Hill Inlet, which is where you’ll get those iconic, dreamy Whitsundays views.
Find a day cruise to Whitehaven Beach
How to get there:
Whitehaven Beach is located in northern Queensland, can be visited via a tour with Cruise Whitsundays, from any of the neighbouring Whitsunday islands, or from Airlie Beach on the mainland.
2. Hyam’s Beach, Jervis Bay
Jervis Bay is lined with gorgeous beaches, but Hyam’s Beach is the jewel in the crown. Hyam’s Beach is a large, white sand beach that officially has the whitest sand in Australia!
The main town in Jervis Bay is Huskission, and other small villages dot the edge of the bay. The beach itself is undeveloped, fringed by national park. Beautiful beaches like Hyam’s Beach make Jervis Bay one of the best places to visit in New South Wales.
How to get there:
Jervis Bay is a 2 hr 45 min drive from both Sydney & Canberra. I visited as part of a road trip all the way along the coast of New South Wales!
3. Cottesloe Beach, Perth
One of Perth’s most enviable natural assets, Cottesloe Beach is the most beautiful city beach in Australia. It’s hard to believe that this pristine beach is just a 15 minute train ride from the heart of the heart of Perth! It was easily the highlight of my first trip to Perth, and I returned with my husband on my next trip to Perth a year or so later.
How to get there:
Cottesloe Beach is a 15 minute train trip from Perth city centre. It’s a 10-minute walk from the train station.
4. Burleigh Beach, Gold Coast
The Gold Coast is Australia’s beach capital, blessed with 70km of beaches – each more beautiful than the last. While it’s a tough competitor, Burleigh Beach is one of the best beaches in Australia, and in my opinion, the best beach on the Gold Coast.
As a bonus, after you’ve had enough of being on the beach, you can sit on Burleigh Hill and watch the surfers, or go for a short but beautiful hike in Burleigh Heads National Park, which is right behind the beach.
Read More: 10 of the Best Beaches in Queensland
How to get there:
Burleigh Beach is in the southern Gold Coast, so it’s very easy to get to. Fly to the Gold Coast or drive from Brisbane. Stay in Burleigh, or catch an Uber or the Gold Coast tram to Burleigh Beach.
Explore more: Gold Coast Travel Guide
5. Bondi Beach, Sydney
Australia’s most famous beach is the poster child for the enviable Australian beach lifestyle, in the beach chic Sydney suburb of Bondi. I stayed in Bondi on my last trip to Sydney and saw a totally different side to the city, and for the first time could understand the appeal of living in Sydney.
Bondi is always busy, but that’s part of the charm. Along the beach, a long brick wall has been converted into an open air art gallery, and the waterfront is lined with healthy cafes and buzzing bars, making it easy to go from beach to brunch. Along one edge of the beach is the famous Icebergs swimming pool and restaurant, which is an iconic Sydney spot.
How to get there:
The best way to get to Bondi Beach is to catch an Uber from where you’re staying in Sydney. I’ve stayed in Bondi on a previous Sydney trip and have loved staying in the area, you’ll just need to factor in a little more travel time for the rest of your sightseeing.
6. Pinky Beach, Rottnest Island
Rottnest Island is dotted with some of the most beautiful beaches in Australia, but the one that takes the cake is undoubtedly Pinky Beach. Pinky Beach is the best swimming beach on Rottnest Island, and is just a few minutes’ walk (or bike ride) from the main settlement on Rottnest Island.
The sheltered bay means it is protected from the south, southwest and westerly winds, resulting in calm, clear waters. The powdery white sand and crystal clear water is absolutely stunning! Pinky Beach also has a coral reef, making it perfect for snorkelling.
However, brace yourself for cold temperatures in the water – even when I visited, on a scorching summer’s day, I thought the water was freezing!
How to get there:
Rottnest Island is a short ferry trip from Perth. We visited Rottnest Island on a day trip from Perth, which was very easy. You can hire bikes close to where the ferry lands, which makes it easy to get around the island for the day. Extend your trip by staying at Samphire Rottnest, luxury accommodation in the main settlement.
Read More: Rottnest Island Travel Guide
7. Mooloolaba Beach, Sunshine Coast
The Sunshine Coast is another of Australia’s beach hot spots, with a whopping 36 beaches! The best beach on the Sunshine Coast is Mooloolaba Beach, which is the safest swimming beach on the Sunshine Coast. It’s one of the best beaches in Australia, with great swimming conditions, a deep and wide sandy beach, and a stunning backdrop of the Glasshouse mountains in the distance. Check out my detailed Sunshine Coast beach guide for more beaches to visit while you’re there.
Read more: 9 of The Best Beaches on the Sunshine Coast
How to get there:
Mooloolaba is a 1 hr 20 minute drive from Brisbane. You can stay in Mooloolaba, which is a thriving beach town.
8. Wineglass Bay, Freycinet National Park
Wineglass Bay is one of the most spectacular beaches in Australia. Located on the east coast of Tasmania, in Freycinet National Park, Wineglass Bay’s remote location means it’s not over-crowded with tourists. This pristine beach can only be reached by hiking through Freycinet National Park, which significantly reduces the crowds. Luckily, those who aren’t able to hike can still enjoy Wineglass Bay’s beauty by visiting on a cruise into the bay, although you won’t be able to disembark onto the beach. It will be too cold to swim, but it’s easily one of the most beautiful beaches in Australia to visit.
How to get there:
Wineglass Bay is on the east coast of Tasmania in Freycinet National Park. The park is a 2 hr 15 min drive from Launceston or a 2 hr 45 min drive from Hobart. Stay at Freycinet Lodge for the best location, or find accommodation outside the park in Coles Bay. You’ll need to hike to Wineglass Bay, or take a day cruise into the bay.
Explore More: 3 Days in Tasmania – Wineglass Bay, Freycinet National Park & Tamar Valley
9. Main Beach, Byron Bay
Byron Bay is Australia’s most famous beach town, and despite the year-round tourist crowds and influx of sea-changing Sydney-siders, the Byron Bay beaches are still a dreamy place to spend the day. Main Beach in Byron Bay is at the very centre of town, and is a long, and deep sandy beach popular with swimmers and surfers.
Main Beach in Byron Bay is backed by grassland, dotted with picnic tables.
How to get there:
Byron Bay is in northern New South Wales, a 90-minute drive south from the Gold Coast. You can also fly to Brisbane, and drive for 2 hours to get to Byron Bay. It’s one of the best places to visit in New South Wales!
10. Squeaky Beach, Wilsons Promontory
Squeaky Beach is tucked away in Wilsons Promontory National Park, in Gippsland which is southeast of Melbourne. It’s remote location means that it’s rarely crowded, even during peak season when the park is full of campers.
The vivid contrast between the white sand, bright blue water, dense forest and red boulders that line the beach make it one of the most beautiful and unique beaches in Australia.
How to get there:
Squeaky Beach is in Wilsons Promontory National Park, in southeast Victoria. Wilsons Promontory is a 3.5 hour drive from Melbourne, so it’s best visited as a long weekend trip.
Read about visiting Wilsons Prom
Map of the Best Beaches in Australia
As you can see from the map below, you’ll find the best beaches in Australia from coast to coast! Of course, there are hundreds of more beautiful beaches in Australia, which you can find by exploring each region’s beach guides, linked below.
Planning a trip to Australia? Check out my Itinerary for 2 Weeks in Australia for First Time Visitors.
Best Time to Visit Beaches in Australia
The best time to visit beaches in Australia varies, depending on which part of the country you’re visiting. The best time to visit islands & beaches in northern, tropical Australia, is during dry season from May-October.
The best time to visit the beautiful beaches in southeast Queensland, like on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, is in spring, from September-November. The beaches are naturally popular in summer, but the shoulder season either side of summer has more comfortable weather and less crowds.
The best time to visit beaches in Victoria and Tasmania is from November-February, when it is the warmest, as the southern states take a long time to warm up.
Read More: The Best Times to Visit Australia by Region & Season
My Aussie Beach Bucket List
I’ve still got so many beaches that I’d love to visit in Australia, mostly outside Victoria and Queensland, because I’ve lived in both states and have had more time for beach hopping there already.
- Queensland: Nudey Beach on Fitzroy Island, all over Fraser Island, and a return to Moreton Island
- Western Australia: Esperance, Mandalay, Albany, Exmouth, Rottnest Island, Busselton
- New South Wales: Lord Howe Island
- South Australia: Sellicks Beach, Kangaroo Island
Hello! I’m an Australian travel blogger, living in Melbourne, Australia. I grew up in Brisbane, studied in Paris, lived in New York City and now live back in Australia, in Melbourne.
I love sharing specific and useful recommendations, itineraries and guides for the most beautiful things to see, do, experience & eat wherever I go.
My favourite travel destinations are Australia, New York City & surrounds, France, Greece & Japan, but I’m always excited to explore somewhere new!
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Redneck nut bag capital of the world. Skin cancer, Alcohol and Tobacco control the population. You should visit McDowall.
Haha, might have to agree to disagree on that one – I’m Australian and this is not my experience at all. No where in the world is perfect, but I’m still proud to call Australia home and have a lot to be grateful for.