Whitehaven Beach Queensland Beach White Sand Aerial

A Guide To Australian Beaches

Do It All or Do Nothing at All on These Incredible Aussie Beaches

By Chantae Reden | Published on July 26, 2023

A sun-soaked continent with over 21,000 miles of coastline, Australia reigns as the best beach destination in the world. From hidden enclaves of alabaster sands to golden beaches that stretch as far as the eye can see, Australia has it all. Its wild coastline hosts iconic waves, technicolor coral reefs and whale migration paths. Family-friendly beaches with barbecues and play areas are often found within city limits. As someone who's spent the past decade traveling Down Under, this is my guide to experiencing the best Australian beaches on your next cruise to Australia.

Kangaroo hopping on sandy beach. Australia.

You'll be hard-pressed to find more beautiful beaches anywhere else in the world.

What To Know About Australian Beaches Before You Go

Australian summer spans from December to February, though the best time to visit depends on where in the country you're going to go. For tropical Australian beaches, which are north of the Tropic of Capricorn, the best time to visit is during this region's dry season, from April to November. If you'll be heading to Australia's central coast and southern coast beaches, plan for September to April. This will give you the best shot at blue skies and warm water.

Most of Australia's city beaches have facilities like public restrooms, lifeguards during the summer months, free barbecue use and children's playgrounds. Remote beaches may have a few of these facilities, however, they're unlikely to be staffed by lifeguards. Pack a towel, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, bathing suit and a cover-up. A wetsuit or rashguard is a wise choice for extra warmth and sun protection.

Sydney, Australia, Bondi beach — Bondi beach in Sydney, Australia

Bondi Beach is Australia's most iconic.

Embrace The Bustle Of Bondi Beach, Sydney

The most popular beach in Australia, Bondi Beach has rightfully earned its reputation as one of the liveliest beaches in the world. The beach itself is a crescent of golden sand cloaked in colorful towels, and the rental stands hire out soft-top surfboards for travelers in search of their first wave. Inland, a string of souvenir shops, surf shops, cafés and restaurants cater to every craving. Grab a meal to-go and enjoy it on the large grassy lawn on the southern end of the beach, next to the skate park. Public restrooms, lifeguards and playgrounds make it a popular pick for families and solo travelers alike.

If you want to see the best of Sydney, Australia, beaches, take a 3-mile walk (one-way) from Bondi Beach to Coogee Beach along a coastal path. You'll pass the protected ocean pools of Bondi Beach, called the Bondi Icebergs. Stop at Bronte Beach for a swim in an ocean pool, Gordon's Bay for snorkeling and Coogee Beach for a more mellow version of Bondi Beach.

Kick It With Kangaroos At Lucky Bay, Esperance

Western Australia's long coastline is rife with beaches unlike anywhere else in the world largely thanks to its remoteness. The whole state is nearly four times the size of Texas, but home to just a little over 2.5 million people. This means once you leave the towns and cities, there's a strong chance you'll find a beach all to yourself.

Esperance, Australia, Cliff by a beach — A cliff by a beach in Esperance, Australia

Lounge like a local in Lucky Bay, a small beach near Esperance, Western Australia.

Down in the exceptionally scenic region of Esperance, kangaroos have taken quite a liking to the laid-back beach life. Venture to Lucky Bay and discover white sand beaches, turquoise waters and a family of kangaroos who regularly hop along the shoreline. In 2017, soil scientists tested sands from beaches all throughout Australia and deemed Lucky Bay as having the whitest. After traveling around Australia for nearly a decade, there are few beaches that've left as large of an impression on me as Lucky Bay.

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Aerial View of Surfers waiting for Best Surfing Waves in Byron Bay, Australia.

Catch a wave at Byron Bay to embrace Australia's surf scene.

Dive Into Surf Culture At Byron Bay Beach, New South Wales

In the 1960s, longboard surfers ventured to the small town of Byron Bay in search of waves. By the 1980s, people from all around Australia flocked to the region and formed a surf-forward community centered around art, music and surfing. Today, the town has grown in size and prestige, but there's still an air of its 1960s identity with tarot card readers, crystal shops, art boutiques and a thriving surf scene.

For full-fledged beach culture, sunbathe on the golden sands just in front of town, kayak to see dolphins and whales out in the open ocean, or simply stroll along Byron Bay's streets to drop in at organic cafés or shop for locally made artwork. Catching a wave at the Pass on my surfboard was one of my most memorable moments in New South Wales. There's something nostalgic about riding the same waves that spurred the advent of one of Australia's iconic beach towns.

aerial view of Whitehaven beach and Whitsundays in Queensland. Australia.

The soft sands of Whitehaven Beach seen from the air.

Walk Along The Sugar Sands Of Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island

From above, Whitehaven Beach looks like swirls of white sand painted on an aquamarine canvas. Flanking the warm waters of Whitsunday Island, this beach is well worth the journey it takes to get there (a 1.5-hour ferry ride from Arlie Beach). Whitehaven Beach spans over 4 miles long, so you're bound to find a spot to yourself. Put on a mask and snorkel and plunge underwater to see residents of the Great Barrier Reef like sea turtles, manta rays, stingrays, reef sharks, eels and more.

To go all out on its beauty, journey over on a seaplane or helicopter tour. You'll get a bird's eye view of the blue and green hues of the water, the outline of the coral bommies below and admire the wispy white sands of the Whitsunday Islands. It's no wonder Whitehaven Beach is frequently voted the most beautiful beach in Australia.

Cool Off At Cottesloe Beach In Perth

Cottesloe Beach stands out as one of the best Perth beaches with its facilities, activities and scenic splendor. An eggshell-colored beach flanks the sea, backed by the Indiana Tea House and a terrace of green lawns.

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Wade in the cool, clear waters of Cottesloe Beach.

During the summer months, the main beach of Cottesloe is protected by lifeguards and flagged for swimmers only. Come wintertime, it's one of Perth's best surf spots — and longboarders head to the eastern side of the jetty in search of peeling, friendly waves. Families will love building sandcastles, playing at the park, and dining on piping hot fish and chips drizzled in lemon juice, available from a nearby café. At sunset, hundreds of white feathered cockatoos flock to the Norfolk pine trees surrounding the beach, chirping as if to say goodbye to the day.

Down in the exceptionally scenic region of Esperance, kangaroos have taken quite a liking to the laid-back beach life.

Enjoy An Urban Escape At St. Kilda Beach In Melbourne

The exciting city of Melbourne is aptly known for its many museums, art galleries, top-tier restaurants, festivals and shopping centers more so than its beaches. That said, if you're in search of an urban-meets-beach vacation, head to the Melbourne beach in Australia, called St. Kilda, which is just a short tram ride away from the city center.

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The colorful bathing houses of St. Kilda Beach.

During summertime, the boardwalk of St. Kilda is abuzz with skateboarders, roller skaters, runners, and families pushing baby strollers. Windsurfers and kitesurfers head to the water to take advantage of St. Kilda's consistent winds. For prime people-watching (or if you just want to catch up on your book), tuck into one of St. Kilda's iconic bathing boxes, colorful beach huts perched on the beach's golden sands. Little penguins take refuge in St. Kilda's breakwater. If you've come hungry, there are plenty of cafés and restaurants ranging from casual to upscale dotted along the shoreline, with top-tier eats found near the main pier.

Wander The Shore Of Wineglass Bay In Freycinet National Park

While the mainland of Australia offers sunny white sand beaches in spades, the island of Tasmania also has scenic stretches of sand to share. In the heart of Freycinet National Park is where you'll find Wineglass Bay, a half-moon bay of golden sands that separate cobalt blue waters and wild bushland. The silhouette of Tasmania's striking mountain range dubbed The Hazards looks pink at dawn and dusk.

1182357133 — wineglass bay on freycinet peninsula north australia tasmania

Watch for wildlife around Wineglass Bay in Tasmania.

In the water, you might spot the telltale splash of a bottlenose dolphin leaping out of the water. On the beach, Australian fur seals often warm up in the sun. Bennet's wallabies, bush possums, quolls and echidnas call the region around Wineglass Bay home. If you have a sharp eye, you might spot a wombat or Tasmanian devil hiding in the shrubs.

Leave Your Worries Behind In Burleigh, Gold Coast

The coastline connecting Brisbane beaches to the southern city of Gold Coast has no shortage of splendid spots to lounge, surf, swim and paddle, but you won't find a better view of the Gold Coast than from the beach at Burleigh Heads. Rolling waves break along the headland of this quiet beach town, and from the lawn, you'll have a picturesque view of the dazzling Gold Coast skyline. For an even better view, trek to the top of Tumgun Lookout, a viewpoint that's one of the best beaches in Australia to watch for whales as they migrate along Queensland's Humpback Highway from May to October. The beach is part of a protected reserve, and it's a quiet retreat from the buzz of Brisbane and Gold Coast's city center.

Wave in Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast. Australia

The Gold Coast skyline accents the background of Burleigh Beach.

Written By
CHANTAE REDEN

Chantae Reden is an adventure writer and photographer who rarely strays far from the coastline. She is a freediver, surfer, scuba diver, and has a mild obsession with sharks. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, Escape, ScubaDiving.com and she's a guidebook author for Moon Travel Guides. Discover more of her stories on her travel website, TheSaltSirens.com.

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