Queensland
Queensland Islands & Reef Luxury Escape
Seven nights at a 5-star Hamilton Island resort, sailing to Whitehaven Beach and a helicopter flight over Heart Reef.
Coast
Australia's Best Beaches: A Coast-by-Coast Guide
Australia has more than 10,000 beaches – here are the ones worth crossing the country for.
- 6 min read
- 8 beaches in 5 states
Sun, Sand & Sea
A coastline of 35,000 kilometres
With a mainland coastline of roughly 35,000 km, Australia offers everything from wild surf breaks to sheltered lagoons.
The east coast is famous for its surf culture and patrolled city beaches, the tropical north for reef-fringed islands, the west for empty sand and turquoise water, and Tasmania for dramatic, granite-framed bays. Because the climate changes so much from north to south, the best beach is often a question of when you travel.
Use the filter below to find beaches by state, then check which of our tours takes you there.
The List
8 of Australia's most beautiful beaches
Filter by state to plan your coastal trip.
01. Whitehaven Beach
Queensland
Seven kilometres of 98% pure silica sand that stays cool underfoot, with the swirling sandbars of Hill Inlet at its northern end.
Best months: May – October
Visit on a tour : Queensland Islands & Reef Luxury Escape02. Bondi Beach
New South Wales
Sydney's most famous surf beach, patrolled all year, with the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk starting at its southern end.
Best months: November – April
Visit on a tour : Sydney & Melbourne: A Tale of Two Cities03. Hyams Beach
New South Wales
A small, calm bay in Jervis Bay known for very white sand and clear water, about three hours south of Sydney.
Best months: December – March
04. Wineglass Bay
Tasmania
A perfect crescent in Freycinet National Park – the lookout walk takes about 1–1.5 hours return and the beach itself is reached on foot.
Best months: December – March
Visit on a tour : Tasmania's Wilderness & Culinary Trail05. Cable Beach
Western Australia
22 km of sand in Broome, famous for sunset camel rides and the turquoise Indian Ocean.
Best months: May – October
06. Turquoise Bay
Western Australia
On the Ningaloo Coast near Exmouth: coral and reef fish just metres from the shore – a world-class snorkelling beach.
Best months: April – July
Visit on a tour : Western Australia's Coastal Wonders07. Four Mile Beach
Queensland
A palm-lined stretch at Port Douglas, the gateway to the Daintree. Swim in the stinger net between November and May.
Best months: June – October
Visit on a tour : The Ultimate East Coast Explorer08. Bells Beach
Victoria
Australia's legendary surf break on the Great Ocean Road, best watched from the clifftop lookout.
Best months: December – March
Visit on a tour : The Great Ocean Road & Grampians Self-Drive
When to Go
Beach season by region
| Region | Best months | Water temperature | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tropical Queensland | May – October | 23–27 °C | Stinger season November – May: use nets or suits |
| Sydney & NSW coast | November – April | 20–24 °C | Patrolled beaches, busy at weekends |
| Victoria | December – March | 16–20 °C | Cooler water, great surf on the Great Ocean Road |
| Tasmania | December – March | 14–18 °C | Stunning but chilly – bring a wetsuit for swimming |
| Western Australia (north) | April – October | 24–28 °C | Whale sharks at Ningaloo roughly March – July |
| Perth & South West | December – April | 20–23 °C | Calm mornings, afternoon sea breeze |
Stay Safe
Five beach rules every visitor should know
- Swim between the red-and-yellow flags. They mark the patrolled area watched by lifesavers.
- Learn to spot a rip. Look for calmer, darker water between breaking waves. If caught, stay calm, float and raise an arm.
- Respect the sun. Use SPF 50+ sunscreen, a hat and a rash vest – the UV index is often extreme in summer.
- Mind the stingers in the tropics (November – May): swim inside nets or wear a stinger suit.
- Obey crocodile warning signs in northern Australia – never swim in estuaries or rivers.
Read more in our sun, surf & wildlife safety guide.
FAQ
Beach questions answered
Many travellers name Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays for its brilliant white silica sand and turquoise water. Wineglass Bay in Tasmania, Turquoise Bay at Ningaloo and Cable Beach in Broome are other favourites – the best choice depends on the season and the region you visit.
In the south (Sydney, Victoria, Tasmania) the beach season is December to March. In the tropical north the best months are May to October, when the weather is dry and sunny and there are fewer marine stingers.
Yes, if you swim between the red-and-yellow flags on patrolled beaches. Lifesavers mark the safest area and watch the water. In the tropics, swim inside stinger nets or wear a stinger suit between November and May, and obey crocodile warning signs.
No – Australian beaches are public and free. Some beaches inside national parks, such as Wineglass Bay, require a park pass, which is included in our tours that visit them.
Beach Holidays
Tours with the best beaches
Western Australia
Western Australia's Coastal Wonders
Meet the quokkas of Rottnest Island, taste Margaret River wines and snorkel the Ningaloo Reef on a 10-day escape from the crowds.
New South Wales & Queensland
The Ultimate East Coast Explorer
Sydney's icons, a full day on the Great Barrier Reef and nights in the ancient Daintree Rainforest – the classic Australian journey in one 14-day trip.
Related Guides
Keep planning
Planning
Best Time to Visit Australia: A Region-by-Region Guide
Australia's seasons are reversed and its climate zones vary wildly. Find out when to visit the reef, the outback, Tasmania and the big cities.
Safety
Staying Safe in Australia: Sun, Surf & Wildlife
Swim between the flags, respect the UV index and know what to do around snakes, jellyfish and crocodiles. Practical safety rules for every traveller.
Packing
The Ultimate Australia Packing List
From reef-safe sunscreen to the right plug adaptor – an interactive checklist for the beach, the outback and the city.
Dreaming of white sand?
Tell us which coast you'd love to explore and we'll plan a beach holiday around the best season.