The places, most named first
From the 6 guides that rank for "best beaches in australia"
Named by 4 of 61. Turquoise BayOnly a few metres from Ningaloo Reef, so bring a snorkel.Known for drift snorkelling, where the current carries you over the reef.
Named by 2 of 62. Whitehaven BeachSeven km of white silica sand on Whitsunday Island.Reached by boat, seaplane or helicopter, which keeps crowds down.
3. Squeaky BeachIn Wilsons Promontory National Park; runner-up in Lonely Planet's 2025 best beaches list.Quartz sand that squeaks, with granite boulders and wildlife nearby.
4. Bondi BeachAn icon of Australian beach culture; home to the world's first Surf Life Saving Club.The food and bar scene draws over a million travellers a year.
5. Bells BeachA stop on the Great Ocean Road with powerful surf, best for intermediate to advanced surfers.Hosts the Rip Curl Pro, billed as the world's longest running surf contest.
6. Bate Bay BeachesNamed Australia's best beach for 2026; 4.8 km of undeveloped sand in southern Sydney.Reachable from the city by train.
7. Surfers Paradise BeachA long stretch of golden sand in the Gold Coast, lined with high-rises.
8. Anchor Bay BeachOn Lizard Island, with direct access to the Great Barrier Reef; reached only by private boat or small aircraft.
9. Wharton BeachNear Esperance; a local favourite for surfing, with dolphins often in the waves.
10. Lucky BayIn Cape Le Grand National Park, about an hour's drive east of Esperance; kangaroos visit the sand.
11. Cape LevequeAn orange-hued beach in the Kimberley, a little over 200 kilometres north of Broome.
12. Hamelin Bay BeachA calm snorkelling beach about half an hour from Margaret River.
13. Twilight CoveGranite cliffs, clear blue water and fine sand, minutes from Esperance.
14. Eighty Mile BeachThe longest uninterrupted beach in Western Australia, almost 220 kilometres.
15. Yallingup BeachKnown for surf, with a lagoon for easy wading; 40 minutes from Margaret River.
16. Little Parakeet BayA sheltered, calm beach on Rottnest Island, good for little ones.
17. Pinky BeachSecond on the 2026 top 10 list.
18. Cossies BeachTopped a 2017 expert list; a four hour flight from Perth.
19. Nudey BeachOn Fitzroy Island, second on a 2017 expert top 10.
20. Burleigh HeadsGold Coast beach, fifth on a 2017 expert top 10.
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When to go
Travel guides most often name March to May and September to October as the best time to visit Australia.
Questions people ask
- What is considered the best beach in Australia?
- Lists disagree: a 2026 expert ranking put the Bate Bay beaches in southern Sydney first, while another guide calls Whitehaven Beach the most beautiful.
