Australia has more beaches than any other country in the world, with more than 10,000 beaches from coast to coast. 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.

Planning a trip to Australia? Check out my Itinerary for 2 Weeks in Australia for First Time Visitors.

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.

Best Beaches in Queensland

Queensland is known as “the sunshine state” in Australia, and is home to many of the best beaches in Australia. Queensland’s coastline stretches 13,300 kilometres, and the state enjoys warm days and sunshine basically year-round.

From the Whitsundays and Great Barrier Reef in the north to the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast in the southeast, there are hundreds of beautiful beaches in Queensland to explore. However, the best of the best beaches in Australia that you’ll find in Queensland are Whitehaven Beach, Burleigh Beach and Mooloolaba Beach.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Best Beaches in Western Australia

Western Australia encompasses the entire western coastline of Australia, as well as the southwest coast which is renowned for its beautiful, white sandy beaches. However, you don’t have to venture far from the capital, Perth, to find some of the best beaches in Australia when you’re in WA.

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:

Fly to Perth, and take a 15 minute train from the city to Cottesloe. It’s around a 10 minute walk from the train.

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.

Best Beaches in Victoria

Victoria may not be as famous for its beaches as the warmer, northern states, but there are still dozens of beautiful beaches to discover! Some of the best beaches in Australia are found in Victoria, including several of the best surfing beaches, such as Bell’s Beach in Torquay. Melbourne is even home to a number of famous beaches, but the best beaches in Australia that you’ll find in Victoria tend to be out of town, in coastal regions like the Great Ocean Road, Wilsons Promontory & the Mornington Peninsula.

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

Safety Beach, Dromana

Located on the Mornington Peninsula, Safety Beach in Dromana is a popular day trip or weekend getaway from Melbourne. Because it’s on Port Philip Bay, the water is always pretty chilly, even on a scorching summer’s day. However, the bright white sand, unbelievably clear water and the row of colourful beach boxes make it one of the most beautiful beaches in Australia.

Brightly coloured, Victorian bathing or beach boxes are iconic, and can be found across several beaches in Melbourne, but Safety Beach has the balance of great beach boxes AND the most beautiful beach.

How to get there:

Safety Beach is in the small town of Dromana, on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria. Fly to Melbourne and drive for 1 hour to get to Dromana. While you’re here, check out the best wineries on the Mornington Peninsula.

Best Beaches in Tasmania

Australia’s southernmost island state might not be the first place that comes to mind for the best beaches in Australia, but Tasmania is home to some truly stunning beaches. Even if the water might be ice-cold!

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. Launceston is the closest airport, or you can fly into Hobart and drive from there. Stay at Freycinet Lodge or in Coles Bay.

Explore More: 3 Days in Tasmania – Wineglass Bay, Freycinet National Park & Tamar Valley

Best Beaches in New South Wales

New South Wales has thousands of kilometres of coastline, and is home to several coastal regions including the North Coast, Central Coast, South Coast, as well as Sydney, Wollongong and the Sapphire Coast. In other words, there are hundreds of beautiful beaches in New South Wales! Sydney is the capital of New South Wales and is famous for its city beaches, which can be found across the city.

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:

I loved staying in Bondi when I visited Sydney. Otherwise, the best way to get to Bondi Beach is to catch an Uber from where you’re staying in Sydney.

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 New South Wales, but it isn’t near Sydney. The closest airport to Byron Bay is Gold Coast airport, which is a 1.5 hour drive. You can also fly to Brisbane, and drive for 2 hours to get to Byron Bay.

Coogee Beach, Sydney

One of Sydney‘s most beautiful beaches, Coogee is a booming beach neighbourhood. Lucky residents can start or end the day with a swim, and spend the weekend lounging between the beach, the parkland behind the beach or bar hopping while enjoying beach views. It’s also the end point for the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk, which I highly recommend on your first trip to Sydney.

After your swim, enjoy the view of the beach from Coogee Pavilion, a casual yet glamorous beach bar and restaurant.

How to get there:

Coogee Beach is in Sydney. You can stay in Coogee or nearby beachfront neighbourhoods like Bondi and Bronte. Otherwise, take an Uber from where you’re staying in Sydney.

Best Beaches in South Australia

South Australia may not be widely known for it’s beaches, but it has a beautiful coastline with dozens of beaches to discover. While beaches like Henley Beach and Glenelg are better known, I think the best beach in South Australia (that I’ve visited so far), is stunning Grange Beach.

Grange Beach, Adelaide

Grange Beach in Adelaide is a beautiful and wide white sand beach just 10km from the city. It’s near the popular Henley Beach, and has a long jetty that’s popular with fishermen. Grange Beach is easily the most beautiful beach I’ve visited in Adelaide, and it’s so close to the city!

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: Hyams Beach, Lord Howe Island, Jervis Bay, plus the Sapphire Coast
• South Australia: Sellicks Beach, Kangaroo Island

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