8 of the best beaches you must visit in Australia

Located in the heart of Sydney, Bondi is one of Australia’s most famous beaches. Here, sapphire waters wash over blonde sands, a selection of surfing hotspots add that gnarly edge, and you can enjoy a bite to eat at one of Campbell Parade’s cafés, and there you have it - the quintessential Australian beach experience. 

Bondi is crescent-shaped, measuring approximately one kilometre (0.62 miles) long. But despite its vast size, its fame means it can become quite popular, especially during summer. It’s well-equipped, though, for thousands of annual visitors and brims with beach facilities. Think public showers, surf schools, surrounding cafés, and treasure-filled markets offering an array, including local produce and crafts.

Once you’ve sunbathed to your heart’s content, how about strolling to Coogee Beach? Start at Bondi Icebergs Club - a swim club with a glorious ocean pool by the sea. Then, continue a picturesque coastal walk to Coogee Beach, taking in the astonishing views. If famous beaches are your thing, there’s also Byron Bay, situated on the far north coast of New South Wales, offering a magical mecca of sun, sand, and sea.

Located on the iconic Sunshine Coast in Queensland, this wonderfully sheltered, north-facing Noosa main beach is bordered by the beautiful Noosa Heads and Noosa National Park. With calm sea conditions and a tranquil ambience, it’s little wonder why this sandy sweep is one of the most loved beaches in Australia.

There are many ways to enjoy this tropical hotspot. If you fancy a dip, why not plunge into the sparkling waters of Laguna Bay? Perfect for children and families, this spot boasts safe waters and plenty of golden sand to wriggle your toes in! What’s not to love? And then, if all that swimming and sunbathing has left you hungry, head for lunch or a tasty evening meal at one of the ocean-front dining spots.

Famous for its mesmerising golden hour colours and iconic camel rides, Cable Beach is a 22-kilometre stretch of immaculate, sugary white sand and turquoise waters. Located in Broome, Western Australia, with the Kimberley Outback as its backdrop, this beach is a unique and unforgettable experience. 

You can be as active or as relaxed as you like: unwind under a beach umbrella, choose from a generous range of watersports, or head on a walking trail or boat trip, and no visit to Cable Beach is complete without a camel ride! Enjoy a sunset ride, and you’ll be part of a striking silhouette against the yellowish-red-coloured sky.

‘Cable’ could be considered an odd name for a jaw-dropping sandy sweep. However, there’s a simple explanation. It’s named after an undersea telegraph cable laid between Broome and Java, which came ashore in 1889!

If you’re captivated by spectacular marine life, dazzling waters, and some of the world’s whitest sands, paradise awaits at Hyams Beach at Jervis Bay in New South Wales. Because the bay protects this beach, the conditions are ideal for snorkelling. You can expect to find all sorts of majestic creatures, including rockfish and blue gropers - the state fish of New South Wales. But the natural beauty doesn’t end there, as this beach neighbours Booderee National Park and Jervis Bay Marine Park. 

Your to-do list will be dream-worthy, with scenic coastal walks, wildlife encounters, and opportunities to tuck into flavoursome locally sourced produce from the popular Hyam’s Beach Store and Café. And, after an idyllic day at the beach, you’ll head back to your accommodation. There’s everything from luxury waterfront hotels to pretty seaside cottages.

Located within Cape Le Grand National Park on Western Australia’s south coast, Lucky Bay offers a delightful contrast of crystal-blue waters and white, soft sands teamed with kangaroo sightings for a wild experience. This beach has plenty to offer; not only is it stunningly beautiful, but it’s also a wildlife sanctuary, a spot for tropical swimming, and a serene, secluded area to relax.

If you’re looking for water-based fun, look no further. This is the perfect beach to swim, snorkel, fish, surf, or even launch a small boat! It’s the paradise beach day you’ve been dreaming of. And because it’s surrounded by walking trails, you’re never too far from a scenic hike - the Cape Le Grand Coastal Trail is a top choice amongst visitors. 

A gateway to the world-famous Great Barrier Reef, Tropical North Queensland offers many magnificent beaches, including Four Mile Beach, Mission Beach, Ellis Beach, and Myall Beach. Each serves serene sands backed by greenery. And, of course, if you want to explore the Great Barrier Reef’s underwater worlds, you’re in the right place, as world-renowned diving sites are not too far away. How about one of our tailor-made Australia tours? A perfect way to see multiple highlights in one epic trip.

As the Great Barrier Reef is one of the main reasons to visit Cairns, Port Douglas and Queensland’s other Tropical North beaches, let’s remind ourselves that this is the world’s largest coral reef system, spanning over 344,400 square kilometres, with over 1,500 fish species! Wow. 

Sun-drenched with a rugged beauty, Tasmania’s tranquil coves and beaches shouldn’t be forgotten. Many boast a small, secluded island ambience, away from the often hectic demands of everyday life. Sheltered waterways meet remote relaxation in this spectacular part of Australia. What’s more, many have unique names - from ‘Wineglass Bay’ to the ’Bay of Fires’ - these tucked-away treasures are home to aquatic life and sprawling sands.