12 Stunning Beaches in Australia

With a staggering 60,000 km (37,282 miles) of coastline, choosing a favorite among Australia’s approximately 12,000 beaches is nearly impossible.

This abundance means there’s a beach for everyone. Whether you want to snorkel, surf, escape the crowds, or just relax, Australia has the ideal spot waiting for you.

Here are 12 of our top beach picks from coast to coast.

1. Bells Beach, Victoria

Top Beach for Surfing

Situated on the southern coast of Victoria within the Great Ocean Road area, surfers gather in the beach lot, arms folded and shades on, watching the waves break around the point. Some shake their heads and leave, while others wait for their moment. As the tides shift, a few grab their boards and descend the weathered steps to surf at one of Australia's premier breaks: Bells Beach.

This spot is devoid of swimmers, with only the clifftop observers eager to witness Australia’s finest surf break and the surfers riding its waves.

Tip for Planning: The annual Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach surfing competition takes place during the Easter holiday. Be sure to book accommodations well ahead of time.

2. Lucky Bay, Western Australia

Best Beach for Spotting Kangaroos

Most people find it hard to believe until they witness it: kangaroos hopping along a pristine white sand beach. Just a short drive from Esperance, Lucky Bay offers a quintessential Australian experience. Campers who rise at dawn are treated to the beach at its finest, with fewer crowds and the animals most active in the early hours. The stunning turquoise waters also provide a refreshing alternative to a shower.

Tip for Planning: Accessible only by 4WD, be cautious of getting stuck in the fine white sand.

3. Mindil Beach, Northern Territory

Best Place for Sunset in Australia

As the afternoon heat of the Top End subsides, locals, travelers, and nomads converge on Mindil Beach in Darwin for the sunset markets. Visitors explore stalls showcasing local arts and crafts, while residents pick up takeout meals to enjoy on the beach. At low tide, families stroll along the exposed sand flats; when the tide is high, they find spots on the sand dunes to watch the sun sink into the Timor Sea.

Tip for Planning: The markets take place from 4pm to 9pm on Thursdays and Sundays throughout the dry season (late April to late October).

4. The Pass, New South Wales

Best Beach Viewpoint

Renowned for its expansive, rolling waves, The Pass in Byron Bay has been a beloved surfing destination since the early 1900s. Descend the boat ramp, pass the shell midden where Indigenous families once shared their seafood catches, and wade over to the lookout. The custom viewing platform offers stunning views of the bay, including Wollumbin/Mt Warning. It's a prime location for spotting dolphins and whales, while surfers can use it to gauge wave conditions away from the busier Watego's.

Local Tip: Visit The Pass at sunset when the crowds dissipate, allowing you to witness the sun setting behind Wollumbin/Mt Warning.

5. Bondi Beach, New South Wales

Best Spot for People Watching

At one of Australia’s most iconic beaches, everyone finds their niche: families settle in at the northern end in Cozy Corner, day trippers and backpackers fill the middle, while surfers claim the southern end. Lifeguards patrol the area in their beach buggies, often accompanied by a camera crew filming the show Bondi Rescue. Despite its fame, hype, and crowds, Sydney’s Bondi Beach is a vibrant hub where people enjoy life outdoors, captivating visitors with its lifestyle.

Planning Tip: While Bondi is among the busiest beaches in Australia, be aware of dangerous rip currents. Always swim between the flags for safety.

6. Shelly Beach, New South Wales

Best Beach for Snorkeling

Just a short stroll from Sydney’s Manly Beach, you'll find the 20-hectare (49-acre) Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve, where you can encounter seahorses, tropical fish, and even the elusive green sea turtles. This shallow, sheltered area is easily accessible from Shelly Beach, a sandy paradise that draws in snorkelers, divers, and families alike.

Planning Tip: Direct parking at Shelly Beach is limited. Instead, take the ferry to Manly, followed by a pleasant 1km (0.6 mile) waterfront walk to reach Shelly Beach.

7. Tangalooma Beach, Queensland

Best Beach for Shipwrecks

Put on your fins and mask, and glide over to the 15 shipwrecks located just 30m (98ft) from the shore at Tangalooma Beach. Nestled on Moreton Island in Queensland, these vessels were intentionally sunk in the 1960s to create a safe anchorage. As evening falls, a resident family of dolphins often visits the jetty, and at night, the waters around the wrecks shimmer with bioluminescence.

Planning Tip: Tangalooma Island Resort is one of the few places in Australia where you can feed wild dolphins, but you must book this experience in advance. Although the practice is closely monitored, it remains controversial as it may disrupt the dolphins' natural feeding habits. Never attempt to touch or pet the dolphins under any circumstances.

8. 75-Mile Beach, Queensland

Best beach for driving

This could be Australia’s most extraordinary highway: a remote stretch of beach along K’gari (formerly Fraser Island). The eerie beauty of 75-Mile Beach captivates with its haunting landscape. A rusted shipwreck serves as a landmark, while the tide determines your daily travel limits. Here, you can enjoy the bubbling waters of Champagne Pools, a natural spa; drift off to the sound of crashing waves; and wake up to dingo paw prints around your campsite.

Planning Tip: Swimming in the turbulent ocean along 75-Mile Beach isn’t safe. Instead, visit the freshwater haven of Eli Creek located midway along the shore.

9. Brighton Beach, Victoria

Best beach for history

Just thirty minutes from downtown Melbourne lies one of Australia's most famous beach destinations: Brighton Beach, renowned for its row of vibrantly painted historic bathing boxes. As the doors swing open, you can feel the rush of heat, while children play nearby with buckets and spades. Despite its Instagram-worthy appeal, Brighton Beach is really about savoring the simple joys of a day by the sea.

Planning tip: Brighton Beach is easily accessible via public transit. Take the Sandringham line directly from Melbourne to Middle Brighton Train Station.

10. Stokes Bay, South Australia

Best secret beach

Visitors clutching towels and flip-flops wade into the shallow waters, following arrows and their adventurous spirit as they navigate through rocky terrain. By slipping past boulders, ducking under low cliffs, and squeezing through narrow gaps, they finally reach Stokes Bay. This secluded beach is hidden from view—at least from the road—on the northern tip of Kangaroo Island. It's pristine, untouched, and utterly enchanting.

Planning tip: Visit during low tide and ensure your safety by monitoring the sea conditions closely.

11. Wineglass Bay, Tasmania

Best beach to hike to

Reaching Wineglass Bay, one of Tasmania’s most photographed spots, requires some effort. Navigate a 9km (5.6 miles) gravel road, lace up your hiking boots, and trek through the bush until you arrive at the pink granite rocks nestled between Mt Amos and Mt Mayson. From this vantage point, you’ll enjoy a stunning view of Wineglass Bay, a picturesque crescent of white sand. The beach is equally delightful at sea level, accessible by descending about 1000 stairs.

Planning tip: Prefer a more leisurely option? Skip the hike and opt for a scenic cruise from Coles Bay to Wineglass Bay instead.

12. Whitehaven Beach, Queensland

Australia’s most photogenic beach

From a distance, Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays appears to radiate. The inlet’s creamy blue shape shifts with the tide, enchanting all who approach. Yachts anchor nearby, seaplanes land gracefully, and boats glide onto the shore as crowds spill onto the sand. The white silica sand beneath your feet squeaks softly, almost protesting the intrusion upon this pristine beach.

Planning tip: The trip to Whitehaven can be a bit rough depending on the sea conditions, so be sure to bring along motion sickness medication.