Australia has more than 10,000 beaches, from busy city surf spots to empty white-sand bays you can have almost to yourself. Choosing where to go can be hard, so we have put together our top 10 of the best, most beautiful and most famous beaches in Australia, with tips on what each is known for, when to visit and how to stay safe in the water.
Quick Summary
| Beach | State | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Whitehaven Beach | Queensland | Pure white silica sand and turquoise water |
| Bondi Beach | New South Wales | City beach culture and coastal walks |
| Wineglass Bay | Tasmania | Scenery and hiking |
| Cable Beach | Western Australia | Sunsets and camel rides |
| Bells Beach | Victoria | Famous surf |
| Turquoise Bay | Western Australia | Snorkelling on Ningaloo Reef |
| Hyams Beach | New South Wales | Calm, white sand on Jervis Bay |
| Burleigh Heads | Queensland | Surf, parkland and a relaxed vibe |
| Lucky Bay | Western Australia | Kangaroos on the sand |
| Byron Bay’s Main Beach | New South Wales | Laid-back atmosphere and nearby lighthouse walk |
1. Whitehaven Beach, Queensland
Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island is often named one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Its sand is almost pure silica, so it stays bright white and cool underfoot. Most people visit on a day trip or sailing tour from Airlie Beach. The Hill Inlet lookout at the northern end gives the famous view of swirling sand and water.
2. Bondi Beach, New South Wales
Bondi is Australia’s most famous city beach, just a short trip from central Sydney. It is great for people-watching, surfing lessons and cafés. Do the coastal walk from Bondi to Coogee for stunning cliff-top views, and swim between the red and yellow flags, as the surf can be strong.
3. Wineglass Bay, Tasmania
In Freycinet National Park, Wineglass Bay is famous for its perfect curved shape, framed by pink granite mountains. Walk up to the lookout for the classic view, or continue down to the beach. The water is cold most of the year, but the scenery is worth it. Read more in our Tasmania travel guide.
4. Cable Beach, Western Australia
Cable Beach in Broome stretches for kilometres along the Indian Ocean. It is famous for its sunsets, which you can watch from the sand or on a camel ride along the beach. The best time to visit is during the dry season, roughly May to October.
5. Bells Beach, Victoria
Bells Beach on the Great Ocean Road is one of Australia’s most famous surf breaks and home to a long-running professional surf competition. It is best for experienced surfers and for watching from the cliff-top lookouts. See our Great Ocean Road guide for more stops nearby.
6. Turquoise Bay, Western Australia
In Cape Range National Park near Exmouth, Turquoise Bay lets you snorkel straight from the beach onto Ningaloo Reef, a World Heritage-listed reef. Many people float with the current at the “drift” snorkelling area. Be careful, as currents can be strong; only snorkel there if you are a confident swimmer and follow local safety signs.
7. Hyams Beach, New South Wales
On the shores of Jervis Bay, about three hours south of Sydney, Hyams Beach is known for its very white sand and calm, clear water. It is ideal for swimming, kayaking and spotting dolphins. It gets very busy in summer, so visit early or on weekdays.
8. Burleigh Heads, Queensland
Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast combines a great surf beach with a grassy headland and national park walking track. It has a relaxed local feel compared to busier Surfers Paradise, with plenty of cafés and picnic spots.
9. Lucky Bay, Western Australia
In Cape Le Grand National Park near Esperance, Lucky Bay has dazzling white sand, clear water and, famously, kangaroos that sometimes relax on the beach. Admire them from a distance and do not feed them.
10. Byron Bay, New South Wales
Byron Bay’s beaches, including Main Beach and The Pass, are popular for surfing, swimming and a laid-back atmosphere. Walk up to Cape Byron Lighthouse at sunrise to stand near the most easterly point of mainland Australia, and look out for whales during the migration season.
Beach Safety in Australia
Australian beaches are beautiful but can be dangerous. Follow these rules:
- Swim between the red and yellow flags. This area is patrolled by lifeguards or surf lifesavers
- Learn to spot rip currents. Rips are strong currents that pull water away from the shore. They are a major cause of drownings in Australia. If you get caught, stay calm, float, raise your arm for help and swim parallel to the beach if you can
- Never swim alone or after drinking alcohol
- Read the safety signs at the beach entrance
- Be aware of marine stingers. In tropical northern Australia, dangerous jellyfish are more common in the warmer months, roughly November to May. Swim in stinger nets where provided and consider a full-body stinger suit
- Watch for crocodile warnings in northern Australia. Do not swim where crocodiles may be present
- Protect yourself from the sun. Use broad-spectrum sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses, and seek shade in the middle of the day
Beach Etiquette
- Take all your rubbish home
- Respect wildlife and nesting areas
- Keep dogs off beaches where they are not allowed
- Respect surfers’ rules of priority if you are surfing
- Follow local rules about alcohol, fires and camping
Best Time to Visit Australian Beaches
Because Australia is so big, the best time depends on where you go:
- Southern beaches (Sydney, Melbourne, Tasmania, Perth, Adelaide): December to March for warm weather
- Northern beaches (Queensland’s tropics, Broome, the Top End): the dry season, roughly May to October, when there is less rain and fewer stingers
Our guide to the best time to visit Australia explains the seasons in more detail.
The Best Beach Cities for Living
If you are moving to Australia and love the beach, these cities make it easy to enjoy the coast every day:
- Sydney: dozens of beaches, from Bondi and Manly to quieter harbour coves
- The Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast: long surf beaches and warm weather most of the year
- Perth: beautiful Indian Ocean beaches such as Cottesloe and Scarborough, with famous sunsets
- Newcastle and Wollongong: relaxed coastal cities close to Sydney
- Adelaide: calm, family-friendly beaches like Glenelg and Henley Beach
Our guide to the best cities to live in Australia compares the major cities in more detail.
What to Pack for an Australian Beach Day
- Broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen (SPF 50+ is recommended)
- A wide-brim hat, sunglasses and a long-sleeved rash vest for sun protection
- Plenty of water
- A beach umbrella or shade tent
- Reef-safe sunscreen for reef areas
- A stinger suit if swimming in tropical waters during stinger season
Lesser-Known Beaches Worth Finding
Some of Australia’s most beautiful beaches are less famous. Consider Jervis Bay’s quieter bays, the beaches of the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia, the islands of the Whitsundays beyond Whitehaven, the far south coast of New South Wales, and the empty beaches of Western Australia’s south coast. In regional areas, you can often have a stunning beach almost to yourself, especially outside school holidays.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most beautiful beach in Australia?
Whitehaven Beach in Queensland is often voted the most beautiful, but many travellers also love Wineglass Bay, Lucky Bay and Hyams Beach.
Which Australian beaches are safest for swimming?
Patrolled beaches with lifeguards are the safest. Always swim between the red and yellow flags. Calm, sheltered bays like Hyams Beach are often better for less confident swimmers, but conditions can still change.
When is stinger season in Australia?
In tropical northern Australia, dangerous jellyfish are more common roughly from November to May. Use stinger nets and wear protective suits.
Can you see kangaroos on the beach?
Yes. Lucky Bay in Western Australia is famous for kangaroos on the sand. Watch them from a distance and never feed them.
Is Bondi Beach good for swimming?
Yes, when you swim between the flags. The surf can be strong, so always follow lifeguard advice.
Final Thoughts
From the white silica of Whitehaven to the surf of Bondi and Bells, Australia’s beaches are some of the best in the world. Plan around the seasons, swim between the flags, respect the wildlife and enjoy one of the best parts of Australian life.
For more travel ideas, see our list of the best places to visit in Australia.
Related Guides
- Best Places to Visit in Australia
- Best Time to Visit Australia
- Great Ocean Road Trip Guide
- Tasmania Travel Guide
Official Resources
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