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575 Best Beaches in Australia by State (Must-Sees Marked)

This guide lists 575 of the best beaches in Australia, grouped by state and then by region. 64 must-see beaches are marked. It covers New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania.

Dotted across a vast coastline, Australian beaches are the best in the world.

Whether it’s surfing, bodyboarding, swimming, or just relaxing on the beach and spotting native Australian wildlife, there are hundreds of incredible Australian beaches waiting for you.

Murrays Beach in Jervis Bay, a ribbon of white sand and pale turquoise water with Bowen Island on the horizon.
Murray’s Beach, Jervis Bay, NSW. Photo: Destination NSW/Jordan Robins.

Key facts

Beaches listed
575
Must-sees marked
64
How it is organised
By state, then by region
States
New South Wales (185), Queensland (77), Victoria (55), South Australia (70), Western Australia (85), Tasmania (103)
Not included
The Northern Territory. Most of its beaches are unsafe to swim at.
Updated

How to use this guide

  • Great for swimming. You should only swim at patrolled beaches.
  • Great for surfing. Consider surf lessons if you’re not an experienced surfer.
  • Patrolled beach. Remember, many Australian beaches are only patrolled in the summer months or holiday periods.
  • Dangerous water. While they might be beautiful, these beaches are known for dangerous swimming conditions. Entering the water is not recommended.
Red and yellow surf lifesaving flags on a patrolled Australian beach, with a swimmer in the break behind them.

Warning: If there are no red and yellow flags on an Australian beach, this means there are no lifeguards or lifesavers on duty. Royal Life Saving Australia advises against swimming at unpatrolled Australian beaches.

575 beaches

Best beaches in New South Wales

185 beaches in New South Wales, 20 marked must-see. Sydney, Newcastle, Byron Bay, the Mid North Coast, the Central Coast, and the South Coast around Wollongong and Jervis Bay.

Beaches Near Sydney

  • Bondi BeachMust see
  • Coogee BeachMust see
  • Manly BeachMust see
  • Palm BeachMust see
  • Balmoral Beach
  • Bronte Beach
  • Camp Cove
  • Chinamans Beach Sydney
  • Chowder Bay
  • Clovelly Beach
  • Cronulla Beach
  • Curl Curl Beach
  • Dee Why Beach
  • Freshwater Beach
  • Garie Beach
  • Long Reef Beach
  • Narrabeen Beach
  • Newport Beach
  • Shark Beach
  • Shelly Beach (Manly)
  • Watson Bay
  • Wanda Beach (Cronulla)
  • Wattamolla BeachMust see

Beaches Near Newcastle

  • Merewether BeachMust see
  • Newcastle BeachMust see
  • Nobbys BeachMust see
  • Bar Beach
  • Bagnalls Beach
  • Birubi Beach
  • Dutchmans Beach
  • Fingal Bay Beach
  • Little Beach
  • Nelson Bay Beach
  • One Mile Beach
  • Samurai Beach
  • Shoal Bay Beach
  • Stockton Beach
  • Sunset Beach
  • Wanda Beach (Port Stephens)
  • Wreck Beach
  • Zenith Beach

Beaches on the North Coast – Near Byron Bay

  • Lennox Head Seven Mile BeachMust see
  • Cabarita Beach
  • Main Beach Byron BayMust see
  • Belongil Beach
  • Brunswick Heads
  • Clarkes Beach
  • Kingscliffe Beach
  • Wategos Beach
  • Little Wategos

Beaches on the Mid North Coast – Near Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie

  • Arrawarra-Corindi BeachMust see
  • Lighthouse beachMust see
  • Sawtell Main BeachMust see
  • Bongil Beach
  • Darlington Beach
  • Diggers Beach
  • Emerald Beach
  • Flynns Beach
  • Gallows Beach
  • Jetty Beach
  • Lake Cathie Beach
  • Moonee Beach
  • North Haven Beach
  • Mullawarra Beach
  • Mullaway Beach
  • Nobbys Beach Port Macquarie
  • Park BeachMust see
  • Rainbow Beach
  • Red Rock Beach
  • Town Beach
  • Woolgoolga Beach

Beaches on the Central Coast – Near Gosford

  • Avoca BeachMust see
  • Killcare Beach
  • Bateau Bay Beach
  • Copacabana Beach
  • Ettalong Beach
  • Frazer Beach
  • Lakes Beach
  • Lobster Beach
  • MacMasters Beach
  • North Avoca Beach
  • Ocean Beach
  • Shelly Beach
  • Soldiers Beach
  • Terrigal Beach
  • The Entrance Beach
  • The Entrance North Beach
  • Toowoon Bay
  • Umina Beach
  • Wamberal Beach

Beaches on South Coast – Near Wollongong & Jervis Bay

  • Blenheim BeachMust see
  • Coledale BeachMust see
  • Hyams BeachMust see
  • Killalea Beach – The FarmMust see
  • Murrays Beach
  • Merimbula Bar Beach
  • Aislings Beach
  • Armands Beach
  • Austinmer BeachMust see
  • Avenue Beach
  • Baragoot Beach
  • Barmouth Beach
  • Beares Beach
  • Bellambi Beach
  • Beermuna (Boydtown Beach)
  • Bingie Beach North
  • Black Beach Kiama
  • Boat Harbour Beach
  • Bombo Beach
  • Bristol Point Beach
  • Bittangabee Bay
  • Broulee Beach
  • Bulli Beach
  • Bull Pup Beach
  • Burrill Lake Entrance Beach
  • Captains Beach
  • Cave Beach
  • Cocora Beach
  • Collingwood Beach
  • Chinamans Beach Jervis Bay
  • Coalcliff Beach
  • Cormorant Beach
  • Coomee Nulunga Beach
  • Corrimal Beach
  • Culburra Surf Beach
  • Cunjurong Point Beach & Green Island
  • Cuttagee Beach and Lake
  • Dalmeny Beach
  • Dee Beach
  • Depot Beach
  • Fairy Meadow Beach
  • Flat Rock Beach
  • Gannet Beach
  • Greenfield Beach
  • Haywards Beach
  • Hole in the Wall Beach
  • Horseshoe Bay Beach
  • Iluka Beach
  • Jones Beach Kiama Downs
  • Kendalls Beach
  • Kitty Beach
  • Kioloa Beach
  • Lighthouse Beach Ballina
  • Malua Bay Beach
  • Manyana Beach
  • Merimbula Main Beach
  • Meroo Beach
  • Minnamurra Beach
  • Mollymook Beach
  • Murramarang Beach
  • Narooma Bar Beach South
  • Narooma Surf Beach
  • North Beach Bawley Point
  • North Durras Beach
  • North Tura Beach
  • North Wollongong Beach
  • Nuggan Point Beach
  • Pambula Beach
  • Pebbly Beach
  • Port Kembla Beach
  • Pretty Beach
  • Racecourse Beach Ulladulla
  • Rennies Beach
  • Richmond Beach
  • Sandon Point Beach
  • Scarborough Beach
  • Scottish Rocks Beach
  • Seven Mile Beach
  • Severs Beach
  • Shark Net Beach
  • Sharpes Beach
  • Shellharbour North Beach
  • Stanwell Park Beach
  • Steamers Beach
  • Surf Beach Batemans Bay
  • Surf Beach Kiama
  • Tathra Beach
  • Thirroul Beach
  • Towradgi Beach
  • Tuross Main Beach
  • Warilla Beach
  • Whiting Beach
  • Windang Beach
  • Wollongong City Beach
  • Woonona Beach

New South Wales in pictures

  • Aerial view of Bondi Beach, the curve of sand packed with swimmers and the suburb behind the promenade.
    Bondi BeachMust see
  • Coogee Beach on a bright day, umbrellas on the sand and people in the water along the bay.
    Coogee BeachMust see
  • Manly Beach from the headland, Norfolk pines, purple agapanthus, and lines of surf.
    Manly BeachMust see
  • Palm Beach from Barrenjoey, a long gold spit between the ocean and Pittwater.
    Palm BeachMust see
  • Merewether ocean baths at golden hour, two saltwater pools set into the rock platform.
    Merewether BeachMust see
  • Aerial of Newcastle Beach, the city on the cliff and Nobby’s headland across the bay.
    Newcastle BeachMust see
  • Two surfers walking the wet sand at Nobbys Beach, the lighthouse on the headland.
    Nobbys BeachMust see
  • Cabarita Beach in late light, pandanus and dark rock shelves framing a quiet shore.
    Cabarita Beach
  • Arrawarra–Corindi Beach seen through pandanus, a small wave and a few surfers.
    Arrawarra-Corindi BeachMust see
  • Lighthouse Beach at Port Macquarie, swimmers in clear water and houses along the dune.
    Lighthouse beachMust see
  • Avoca Beach from above, the lagoon mouth, headland, and houses under the trees.
    Avoca BeachMust see
  • Sunrise at Killcare Beach, framed by angophora trunks, the headland in silhouette.
    Killcare Beach
  • Blenheim Beach, a pocket of white sand held by spotted gum forest and turquoise water.
    Blenheim BeachMust see
  • Coledale from the air, the village tucked into forest above a short sandy beach.
    Coledale BeachMust see
  • Hyams Beach, Jervis Bay: a ribbon of white sand beside clear turquoise water.
    Hyams BeachMust see
  • Murrays Beach, white sand and pale turquoise water with Bowen Island on the horizon.
    Murrays Beach
  • Merimbula Bar Beach, a sandy point, swimmers, and deep blue water past the rocks.
    Merimbula Bar Beach
  • Seven Mile Beach under a broken sky, a long straight shore and a green headland.
    Seven Mile Beach

Best beaches in Queensland

77 beaches in Queensland, 11 marked must-see. The Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Central Queensland, and the north around Cairns and Townsville.

Beaches in Southern Queensland (Gold Coast)

  • Surfers Paradise BeachMust see
  • Burleigh BeachMust see
  • Rainbow Bay & Snapper Rocks
  • Balinga Beach
  • BroadbeachMust see
  • Coolangatta Beach
  • Currumbin Beach
  • Froggies Beach
  • Greenmount Beach
  • Kirra Beach
  • Main Beach
  • Mermaid Beach
  • Narrowneck
  • Nobby Beach
  • Tallebudgera Creek
  • The Spit
  • Tugan

Beaches in North Queensland (near Cairns and Townsville)

  • Palm Cove BeachMust see
  • Radical Bay – Magnetic Island
  • Trinity Beach
  • Bengal Bay
  • Bushland Beach
  • Clifton BeachMust see
  • Cowley Beach
  • Dunk Island
  • Ellis Beach
  • Etty Bay
  • Four Mile Beach
  • Holloways Beach
  • Kewarra Beach
  • Mission Beach
  • Myall Beach
  • Newell Beach
  • Nudey Beach
  • Pallarenda Beach
  • Punsand Bay Beach
  • The Strand
  • Yorkeys Knob Beach

Beaches in Southern Queensland (Sunshine Coast)

  • Kings Beach – CaloundraMust see
  • Mooloolaba Main BeachMust see
  • Noosa Main BeachMust see
  • Alexandra Headland Beach
  • Bokarina Beach
  • Bulcock Beach
  • Coolum Beach
  • Castaways Beach – Noosa
  • Currimundi Beach
  • Dicky Beach
  • Discovery Beach
  • Golden Beach
  • Kawana Beach
  • Marcoola Beach
  • Maroochydore Beach
  • Moffat Beach
  • Mooloolaba Spit Beach
  • Mudjimba Beach
  • Peregian Beach
  • Rainbow Beach
  • Sunshine Beach – Noosa
  • Wurtulla Beach

Beaches in Central Queensland (near Bundaberg, Rockhampton, and Mackay)

  • Hydeaway Bay BeachMust see
  • Horseshoe BayMust see
  • Whitehaven BeachMust see
  • Agnes Water Beach
  • Airlie Beach
  • Boathaven Beach
  • Bucasia Beach
  • Cannonvale Beach
  • Dolphin Heads Beach
  • Eimeo Beach
  • Emu Park Main Beach
  • Farnborough Beach
  • Mackay Harbour Beach
  • Keppel Sands Main Beach
  • Lamberts Beach
  • Sarina Beach
  • Yeppoon Main Beach

Queensland in pictures

  • Burleigh Heads from a beachfront bar, juice on the tables and the Gold Coast skyline beyond the surf.
    Burleigh BeachMust see
  • Rainbow Bay and Snapper Rocks, lines of turquoise surf under Norfolk pines.
    Rainbow Bay & Snapper Rocks
  • Snapper Rocks and Rainbow Bay from the headland, the point break running into the bay.
    Rainbow Bay & Snapper Rocks
  • Dinner under the palms at Palm Cove, festoon lights and the Coral Sea at dusk.
    Palm Cove BeachMust see
  • Radical Bay on Magnetic Island, granite boulders around a still turquoise cove.
    Radical Bay – Magnetic Island
  • Kings Beach, Caloundra, the ocean pool and rock shelf in warm afternoon light.
    Kings Beach – CaloundraMust see
  • Mooloolaba Main Beach, a wide empty stretch of sand, the surf tower, and a lifeguard buggy.
    Mooloolaba Main BeachMust see
  • Noosa Main Beach, a boardwalk, leaning palms, and a walker in the morning glare.
    Noosa Main BeachMust see
  • Hydeaway Bay, a woman on a paddleboard in knee-deep turquoise water beside leaning palms.
    Hydeaway Bay BeachMust see
  • Horseshoe Bay, a palm-lined crescent of sand under a headland of pink granite.
    Horseshoe BayMust see

Best beaches in Victoria

55 beaches in Victoria, 10 marked must-see. Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula, Phillip Island, Gippsland, Geelong and the Great Ocean Road.

Beaches on the Mornington Peninsula and Phillip Island

  • Mills Beach, MorningtonMust see
  • Portsea Surf Beach
  • Capel Sound Beach
  • Cowes Beach
  • Frankston Beach
  • Gunnamatta Beach
  • McCrae Beach
  • Mount Martha Beach
  • Point Leo Surf Beach
  • Smiths Beach
  • Mothers Beach
  • Rye Front Beach
  • Sorrento Ocean Beach
  • Woolamai Surf BeachMust see

Beaches in the Gippsland Region

  • Little Waterloo BayMust see
  • Ninety Mile BeachMust see
  • Betka Beach
  • Cape Paterson Bay Beach
  • Inverloch Surf Beach
  • Lakes Entrance Main Beach
  • Norman Beach
  • Picnic Bay
  • Quarry Beach
  • Secret Beach
  • Shack Bay
  • Squeaky Beach
  • Whisky Bay

Beaches near Geelong and the Great Ocean Road

  • Bells BeachMust see
  • Gibson Steps/Twelve Apostles BeachMust see
  • Lorne Main BeachMust see
  • Loch Ard Gorge BeachMust see
  • Torquay Surf Beach (aka Torquay Back Beach)Must see
  • Anglesea Main Beach
  • Apollo Bay Beach
  • Childers Cove Beach
  • Cosy Corner Torquay
  • Fairhaven Beach
  • Fishermans Beach
  • Geelong Eastern Beach
  • Jan Juc Beach
  • Johanna Beach
  • Logans Beach
  • Point Roadknight
  • Queenscliff Beach
  • Port Campbell Beach
  • Southside Beach
  • Thirteenth Beach
  • Torquay Front Beach
  • Urquhart Bluff Beach
  • Wye River Beach

Beaches near Melbourne

  • Brighton Beach MelbourneMust see
  • Half Moon Bay
  • Hampton Beach
  • Sandringham Beach
  • St. Kilda Beach

Victoria in pictures

  • Mills Beach, Mornington, a row of coloured bathing boxes along the sand.
    Mills Beach, MorningtonMust see
  • The rock arch at Portsea, a small beach tucked under the limestone and a green rock pool.
    Portsea Surf Beach
  • Ninety Mile Beach, fishers on the dune and a long empty shore under streaked cloud.
    Ninety Mile BeachMust see
  • Bells Beach on contest day, the cliff, the crowd, and a long peel of surf.
    Bells BeachMust see
  • Gibson Steps, three walkers on the sand beneath the Twelve Apostles and the cliff.
    Gibson Steps/Twelve Apostles BeachMust see
  • Lorne Main Beach from the foreshore steps, swimmers inside the curve of the bay.
    Lorne Main BeachMust see
  • Loch Ard Gorge, two walkers on the sand between the limestone walls.
    Loch Ard Gorge BeachMust see

Best beaches in South Australia

70 beaches in South Australia, 6 marked must-see. Adelaide, Encounter Bay, the Fleurieu Peninsula, the Yorke Peninsula and the Eyre Peninsula.

Beaches in Adelaide

  • Glenelg BeachMust see
  • Brighton Beach
  • Grange Beach
  • Henley Beach
  • Largs Beach
  • North Haven Beach
  • Seacliff Beach
  • Semaphore Beach
  • Somerton Beach
  • West Beach

Beaches in Encounter Bay and the Fleurieu Peninsula (near Victor Harbor and McLaren Vale)

  • Horseshoe Bay/Port Elliot BeachMust see
  • Port Willunga BeachMust see
  • Aldinga Beach
  • Basham Beach
  • Blowhole Beach
  • Boomer Beach
  • Carrickalinga Beach
  • Christies Beach
  • Goolwa Beach
  • Maslin Beach
  • Middleton Beach
  • Moana Beach
  • Normanville Beach
  • O’Sullivan Beach
  • Parsons Beach
  • Petrel Cove
  • Port Elliott Beach
  • Port Noarlunga Beach
  • Seaford beach
  • Sellicks Beach
  • Southport Beach
  • Waitpinga Beach

Beaches on the Eyre Peninsula (near Port Lincoln and the Great Australian Bight)

  • Memory CoveMust see
  • Talia CavesMust see
  • Almonta Beach
  • Baird Bay
  • Cactus Beach
  • Donington Beach
  • Engine Point Campground Beach
  • Farm Beach
  • Fishery Bay
  • Flat Rock Beach
  • Greenly Beach and Rockpool
  • Locks Well Beach
  • Lucky Bay – Cowell
  • Perlubie Beach
  • Sceale Bay
  • Shelly Beach
  • Sleaford Beach
  • St. Mary Bay
  • Streaky Bay
  • The Granites
  • Walkers Rocks
  • Whyalla Foreshore Beach

Beaches on the Yorke Peninsula

  • Flaherty’s BeachMust see
  • Berry Bay
  • Black Point
  • Brown’s Beach
  • Burners Beach
  • Cap Clairaut
  • Dolphin Beach
  • Ethel Beach
  • Moonta Bay
  • Parsons Beach
  • Pondalowie Surf Break
  • Port Hughes South Beach
  • Port Vincent Foreshore Beach
  • Shell Beach
  • Simms Cove
  • Wallaroo North Beach

South Australia in pictures

  • Glenelg Beach from above, the jetty, striped umbrellas, and a full stretch of sand.
    Glenelg BeachMust see
  • The timber jetty at Horseshoe Bay, Port Elliot, running into a pale green bay.
    Horseshoe Bay/Port Elliot BeachMust see
  • Port Willunga, ochre cliffs, the old jetty piles, and clear turquoise water.
    Port Willunga BeachMust see
  • Memory Cove, a father and child fishing the shallows of a lonely turquoise bay.
    Memory CoveMust see
  • Flaherty’s Beach, two people walking a sandbar through ankle-deep clear water.
    Flaherty’s BeachMust see

Best beaches in Western Australia

85 beaches in Western Australia, 12 marked must-see. Perth, the Coral Coast, the South West around Margaret River and Esperance, and the North West around the Kimberley, the Pilbara and Broome.

Beaches near Perth

  • Cottesloe BeachMust see
  • Parakeet Bay – Rottnest IslandMust see
  • Scarborough BeachMust see
  • Avalon Beach
  • Bathers Beach
  • Binningup Beach
  • City Beach
  • Coogee Beach – Perth
  • Falcon Bay Beach
  • Leighton Beach
  • Pinky Beach – Rottnest Island
  • Port Beach
  • Pyramids Beach
  • Rockingham Beach
  • Silversands Beach
  • Swanbourne Beach
  • The Basin – Rottnest Island
  • Mandurah Town Beach
  • Trigg Beach

Beaches in the Coral Coast Region (Near Geraldton and Carnarvon)

  • Turquoise BayMust see
  • Shell BeachMust see
  • 3 Mile Lagoon
  • Blue Holes Beach
  • Champion Beach
  • Coronation Beach
  • Drummond Cove
  • Fascine Town Beach
  • Flat Rocks
  • Geraldton Back Beach
  • Gnaraloo Bay
  • Lucky Bay – Kalbarri
  • Miaboolya Beach
  • Monkey Mia
  • Osprey Bay Beach
  • Paradise Beach
  • Pelican Point
  • Point Moore
  • Point Quobba
  • Sandy Cape
  • Sunset Beach
  • Tarcoola Beach

Beaches in the South West Region (near Margaret River, Albany, and Esperance)

  • Greens Pool and Elephant RocksMust see
  • Lucky Bay – EsperanceMust see
  • Misery BeachMust see
  • Twilight BeachMust see
  • Wharton BeachMust see
  • Blue Haven
  • Boodjidup Beach
  • Bunbury Back beach
  • Bunker Bay
  • Busselton Foreshore Beach
  • Cape Le Grand Beach
  • Cheynes Beach
  • Duke of Orleans Bay
  • Ellenbrook Beach
  • Eagle Bay
  • Eleven Mile Lagoon
  • Foul Bay
  • Gnarabup Beach
  • Grunters
  • Hamelin Bay
  • Hellfire Bay
  • Injidup Natural Spa
  • Little Beach
  • Middleton Beach – Albany
  • Margaret River Mouth
  • Meelup Beach
  • Point Picquet
  • Prevelly Beach
  • Rossiter Bay
  • Smiths Beach
  • South Point Beach
  • Thistle Cove
  • West Beach Esperance
  • Yallingup Beach

Beaches in the North West Region (near the Kimberley, Pilbara, and Broome)

  • Cable BeachMust see
  • Cape LevequeMust see
  • Cemetery Beach
  • Broome Town Beach
  • Eighty Mile Beach
  • Entrance Point Beach
  • Gantheaume Beach
  • James Price Point
  • Reddell Beach
  • Roebuck Bay

Western Australia in pictures

  • Cottesloe Beach, the Indiana Tea House, and people on boards in clear green water.
    Cottesloe BeachMust see
  • Parakeet Bay on Rottnest, white sand and a bay full of anchored boats.
    Parakeet Bay – Rottnest IslandMust see
  • Elephant Rocks, rounded granite in a turquoise channel under a heavy sky.
    Greens Pool and Elephant RocksMust see
  • Lucky Bay, cars parked on white sand beside electric-blue water and granite peaks.
    Lucky Bay – EsperanceMust see
  • Misery Beach, two people on a small apron of sand under a vast granite wall.
    Misery BeachMust see
  • An Esperance curve of white sand, swimmers in luminous water off a granite point.
    Wharton BeachMust see
  • Camel train at Cable Beach, silhouettes and long shadows across the sunset sand.
    Cable BeachMust see
  • Cape Leveque, red pindan cliffs dropping onto a narrow beach.
    Cape LevequeMust see

Best beaches in Tasmania

103 beaches in Tasmania, 5 marked must-see. The north around Devonport, the south around Hobart, the East Coast and the West Coast.

Beaches in Northern Tasmania (near Devonport)

  • Boat Harbour BeachMust see
  • Badger Beach
  • Bakers Beach
  • Barnbougle Beach
  • Buttons Beach
  • Devonport Back Beach
  • Coles Beach
  • East Devonport Beach
  • Fossil Bluff Beach
  • Godfreys Beach
  • Greens Beach
  • Mersey Bluff Beach
  • Mersey River Mouth
  • Murphy’s Beach
  • Penguin Beach
  • Sisters Beach

Beaches in Southern Tasmania (near Hobart)

  • Seven Mile BeachMust see
  • Adventure Bay Beach
  • Bellerive Beach
  • Big Roaring Beach
  • Boronia Beach
  • Cloudy Bay Beach
  • Clifton Beach
  • Cockle Creek
  • Coningham Beach
  • Cremorne Beach
  • Dover Beach
  • Eaglehawk Neck
  • Eggs and Bacon Bay
  • Goats Bluff Beach
  • Gorringes Beach
  • Hinsby Beach
  • Hopground Beach – Maria Island
  • Howrah Beach
  • Jetty Beach
  • Kingston Beach
  • Lauderdale Beach
  • Little Roaring Bay Beach
  • Long Beach
  • Lords Beach
  • Mays Beach
  • Mickeys Beach
  • Nutgrove Beach
  • Opossum Bay Beach
  • Park Beach
  • Randalls Bay Beach
  • Red Ochre Beach
  • Roaring Bay Beach
  • Roches Beach
  • Shipstern Bluff
  • Snug Beach
  • South Cape Bay
  • Southport Beach
  • Taroona Beach
  • Tiger Head Beach

Beaches on Tasmania’s East Coast (near Swansea)

  • Cosy Corner North – Bay of FiresMust see
  • Crescent Bay Beach
  • Wineglass BayMust see
  • Binalong Bay
  • Coles Bay
  • Cressy Beach
  • Descent Beach
  • Eddystone Point – Bay of Fires
  • Egg Beach
  • Fortescue Bay
  • Four Mile Creek Beach
  • Friendly Beaches
  • Lufra Cove
  • Mayfield Beach
  • Pirates Bay Beach
  • Raspins Beach
  • Redbill Beach
  • Safety Cove Beach
  • Shelly Point
  • Spiky Beach
  • Spring Beach
  • Steels Beach
  • Swimcart Beach – Bay of Fires
  • The Gardens
  • The Neck
  • Waubs Bay
  • White Beach

Beaches on Tasmania’s West Coast

  • Ocean BeachMust see
  • Ann Bay
  • Arthur Beach
  • Balmoral Beach
  • Big Beach
  • Cowrie Beach
  • Four Mile Beach
  • Gold Diggers Beach
  • Green Island Main
  • Green Point Beach
  • Lady Kathleen Beach
  • Lighthouse Beach
  • Mawson Bay
  • Mount Cameron Beach
  • Nelson Bay
  • Pilot Beach
  • Quail Beach
  • Stingray Beach
  • Toogelow Beach
  • Towterer Beach
  • West Strahan Beach

Tasmania in pictures

  • Boat Harbour, a calm bay, a village on the hill, and rocks in the foreground.
    Boat Harbour BeachMust see
  • Bay of Fires, orange lichen on granite, white sand, and a person with a dog.
    Cosy Corner North – Bay of FiresMust see
  • Crescent Bay from the dune rim, a hidden arc of sand between scrub-covered hills.
    Crescent Bay Beach
  • Ocean Beach near Strahan, wind-cut sand, dune grass, and a grey Southern Ocean.
    Ocean BeachMust see

What about the Northern Territory?

The Northern Territory is a great place for adventure, wildlife, and Australian cultural experiences.

However, it’s not the place to visit if you’re seeking incredible Australian beaches. It’s too dangerous to enter the water at most Northern Territory beaches because of crocodiles and jellyfish.

Outside of pools, swimming in the Northern Territory is generally restricted to inland lakes, waterholes and lagoons marked as safe swimming areas.

Questions about the best beaches in Australia

How many of the best beaches in Australia are on this list?

This guide lists 575 of the best beaches in Australia, grouped by state and then by region. 64 are marked as must-sees.

What are the best beaches in Australia by state?

They are grouped into New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania. Each state is split into regions, such as Sydney, the Gold Coast, the Great Ocean Road, the Fleurieu Peninsula and the Kimberley.

Which Australian beaches are marked as must-sees?

Every region marks its standouts. Well-known must-sees include Bondi Beach, Hyams Beach, Main Beach Byron Bay, Whitehaven Beach, Wineglass Bay and Cable Beach. Use Show must-sees only to hide the rest of the list.

Are Northern Territory beaches included?

No. Most Northern Territory beaches are unsafe to swim at because of crocodiles and jellyfish. Outside of pools, swimming there is generally limited to inland lakes, waterholes and lagoons marked as safe.

When is it safe to swim at an Australian beach?

Swim only at a patrolled beach, between the red and yellow flags, while lifeguards or lifesavers are on duty. Many Australian beaches are patrolled only in summer or on holidays. No flags means no patrol.

Suggestions or feedback about this list: enquire@aussietalk.com.