Beaches in Australia
Surrounded by over 60,000 kilometers of coastline, Australia is popular for its stunning beaches. Many of which, are known to be among the best in the world. In fact, the “Land Down Under” has more than 10,000 beaches to choose from. There are numerous activities you can do here such as: surfing, swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, camel-riding and more. Some of Australia’s best beaches are listed below.
Bondi Beach
One of the most popular beaches in Australia is Bondi Beach. As a plus, it is only about 8 kilometers from Sydney’s Central Business District. It’s the perfect destination if you’re looking for an action-packed holiday, as the beach offers great restaurants and a ton of nightlife. While it may not be the best choice if you are planning to have a quiet and relaxing time, it still provides a breathtaking experience if you want to enjoy a busy and lively atmosphere.
The best thing to do here is to surf or walk along the coast. Don’t forget to visit Iceberg’s Dining Room and Bar while you’re there.
Four Mile Beach
This is a magnificent stretch of sand with mesmerizing water. However, you should watch out for the poisonous jellyfish that occasionally show up! Fret not though, Four Mile Beach is one of Australia’s top beaches and has a fine net to protect swimmers from the jellyfish. Additionally, there is vinegar on the beach that can be used in case of a sting. Poisonous sea creatures aside, the clear blue water is magnificent and also the gateway to the famous Great Barrier Reef.
Whitsundays
This iconic Australian beach destination dotted with islands caters to all types of travelers. Definitely make sure to visit it when you are in Australia! You can stay on one of the islands in the area, such as Hamilton Island, or on the Whitsundays Coast in a place like Airlie Beach.
Airlie beach is popular for those who want to explore the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef. Not to mention, it is often cheaper than staying on an island. It is also known for its vibrant nightlife and fun atmosphere.
Manly Beach
Manly is a suburb of Sydney known for its rugby union team, but it also has a beautiful beach that you can visit. It has been a popular swim spot for over a century and is even where the very first surfing championships took place more than 50 years ago. To get here, you can take a ferry from Circular Quay. Manly Beach also has plenty of shops, bars, and restaurants. Not to mention, there are numerous hiking trails that you can explore if you are tired of sunbathing.
Byron Bay
This bay is located on the coast of New South Wales. Once known as a hippie-town, this town has transformed into a popular destination for beach hoppers taking tours of the beaches in Australia. The area is located at the easternmost point of the Australian mainland and offers crystal-clear water, a sandy beach and high waves for surfing.
There are many activities here, such as sunbathing, surfing, diving and hiking on the great trails around the beach. Be sure to also check out one of the trendy bars or cafés in town!
Surfers Paradise
This beach is well-known for its beautiful sand and warm water. Surfers Paradise is a resort that lies 80 kilometers south of Brisbane and attracts many visitors. The highlight here is the high-rise skyline, beneath which you can explore the many of shops, cafés, and nightlife.
This beach resort is also a hotspot for locals and visitors just to laze around in the sun. The beach is 2 km long and well supervised by lifeguards. Top activities here are picnicking or visiting the local bars and cafés.
Lorne
Lorne is another great beach in Australia to check out if you’re looking for something to do in Victoria. This magnificent coastal town and its fabulous beach are located near the Great Ocean Road and offers tourists an endless view of the landscape in all directions. The beach is usually crowded during the summer months, but is absolutely worth a visit.
It’s the perfect spot if you’re looking to go off the beaten track. The city has a number of stunning beaches surrounded by cafés, restaurants, and bars.
Noosa
Noosa is located on the Sunshine Coast, about 130 km north of Brisbane. It is a wonderful location to visit during your beach hopping trip as this beach offers pristine water and a diversity of marine life. What’s more, you can go surfing and fishing here. If you’re looking for a place all to yourself, you should give the nearby municipality of Mooloolaba a visit.
Noosa is also excellent if you are looking for family-friendly places. You will find a variety of bars, restaurants and cafés on Hastings Street. This is a perfect place to relax and enjoy the atmosphere.
Rapid Bay, Fleurieu
This is a small bay on the Fleurieu Peninsula, just 100 km north of Adelaide. This bay was very popular for its old jetty, which has now been replaced. This one of the beaches in Australia that is still a well-kept secret, further tucked away under an impressive cliff.
The bay owes its name to the HMS Rapid, which stopped here in 1836. Sailed by William Light and his surveying party from England, this ship’s landing marked the founding of this colony in South Australia. You definitely don’t want to miss out on diving and snorkeling to the shipwrecks here. However, you should watch out for the big leafy sea dragons and note that you won’t find lifeguards on this small but gorgeous beach.
Seventy-Five Mile Beach, Fraser Island
Fraser Island is considered the largest sand island in the world, covering 166,000 hectares of land. The island offers stunning sandy beaches with a tropical rainforest, making it a beach lover’s paradise. The island is home to freshwater lakes, shipwrecks, and massive dunes to explore.
You’ll be amazed by the island’s picturesque sights and colors. From here, you can also go north and visit the Great Barrier Reef. If you plan on staying overnight, there are accommodations all over the island. Fishing and snorkeling in the beautiful waters is highly recommended here.
Cable Beach, Westaustralien
This beach owes its name to the rope that was laid between Broome and Java in 1889. The best thing about this Australian beach is that it is rarely overcrowded, even in the high season of May to October. The highlight is the captivating sunset over the Indian Ocean.
The beach is 22 km long and has ochre-colored cliffs that contrast sharply with the white sand. Some of the best things you can do here are riding a camel along the beach or going to the shops of Broome to buy South Sea pearls and other souvenirs.
Wineglass Bay
This bay is located within the larger Coles Bay, which is located on the Freycinet Peninsula on the east coast of Tasmania. Its highlights are the breathtaking scenery and the wide array of choices for an overnight stay – which range from camping to luxury accommodations. The bay is also home to the breathtaking pink granite mountains that help protect the bay and its beach.
This is the perfect spot for cruising on the water, relaxing on the beach or to just enjoy the sunset. You can also visit the local national park if you want to explore the hiking trails. Other activities that are possible here include swimming, fishing, and kayaking.
Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast
Located at the southern end of the Gold Coast, this beach has a laid-back vibe and attracts many swimmers and surfers. There is also a nearby national park where you have the opportunity to see wildlife and take Instagram-worthy photos. The water is usually calm, but around the headland there are plenty of waves for surfers.
You will also find beautiful pine trees on the foreshore, making Burleigh an excellent place for a picnic or barbecue. There are also many cafés nearby that serve tourists and locals alike.
Bells Beach, Torquay
Located in Torquay, about 100 km south of Melbourne, Bells Beach is a great place for surfers. This beach is known for hosting the oldest surfing competition in the world, the Rip Curl Easter Pro. Bells has 5-meter-high waves that attract the best surfers in the world and thousands of spectators to watch these brave surfers from the cliffs.
Between March and October, the waves are a bit more daunting. However, there are also sheltered bays on the beach that are ideal for families. In addition to surfing, you can also try sailing here. Additionally, there are numerous facilities available to tourists.
Conclusion
As you can see, there is a large list of beaches at your disposal. Whether you’re looking to surf, swim, snorkel or just to have some fun in the sun, there is always a place by the sea for you in Australia. Now, let’s go to “Down Under” to see the best beaches in Australia and jump into some waves!
