10. Bondi Beach, Sydney
Bondi makes
the list simply because no Australian beaches countdown is complete without
having it on board. Less about the actual quality of the beach itself and more
about the surroundings, atmosphere, history and people watching, like it or not
Sydney's famous stretch of sand at Bondi is a long-time fixture and also
something of an icon of Aussie beach culture.
While these days at Bondi you're likely to see more plastic than at a Barbie doll factory, it wasn't always the case - the beach is the home of the world's first Surf Life Saving club (founded over 100 years ago) and played a key role in the development of several safety techniques and equipment that are still in use today. Bondi was also the focal point of a series of bathing suit protests in the early 1900's, helping pave the way for the bikini to become the commonly-accepted piece of beach going attire that it is today (insert the sound of men around the world cheering here).
These days, Bondi is almost universally crowded except in the coldest months of the year, with its relatively clean shores coupling with extremely easy access from the centre of Australia's largest city making it a popular destination to relax and eat. The beach's popularity has lead to a huge number of dining options such as cafes and restaurants springing up nearby as a result, meaning it's quite possible to spend a full day lazing away in the sunshine while having a decent place to eat - although you should expect to pay "tourist prices" for any and all purchases, with parking fees in particular bordering on the ridiculous.
9. Lizard Island, Queensland
Lizard Island is a truly unique destination. This tranquil Queensland Island resort is located right on the spectacular Great Barrier Reef and boasts its own beautiful fringing reefs and 24 powdery white beaches. Lizard Island is an award winning Great Barrier Reef resort, winning a host of prestigious national and international awards for excellence.
Beautiful, natural and wild, the most northern Great Barrier Reef resort, Lizard Island is a place reserved for the fortunate few.
Consistently
ranked as one of the top hotels of the world for more than a decade, Lizard
Island offers the natural beauty of the Great Barrier Reef, uninterrupted by
the rest of the world. Our 24 white sand beaches lie undisturbed but for the
occasional footprints.
Tucked amid the largest reef system in the world, snorkelling or diving and deep-sea game fishing excursions reveal a diversity of life beneath crystal blue waters. The Cod Hole, one of the area’s world-famous dive sites, is just a short boat ride away.
Secluded picnics on private beaches open a window of luxury. Accessible only by private plane, this Great Barrier Reef resort rests discreetly within the island oasis.
8. Byron
Bay Beach, Northern New South Wales
"Byron"
has come a long way in terms of development from its early days as merely a
quaint "hippy town", with modern cafes and bars popping up over the
years along with increasing interest from property developers, however one
thing that has remained unchanged is the quality of its beaches. Sporting a
long, typically uncrowded stretch of coast line that is easily reachable in a
short trip from the nearby Gold Coast as well as other destinations on the
Northern New South Wales coast has been a large contributing factor in the
continued growth of Byron Bay's popularity.
As you've probably heard by now, Byron's main selling point for tourists is that it's "the easternmost point of mainland Australia", and its location makes the majority of its beaches conducive to some great surf breaks that draw surfers from all over the globe to take advantage of the generally sheltered conditions. Recent development has also seen the construction of additional beachfront esplanades and walking tracks that can take you along the beach on some pleasant walks around Byron Bay's famous headland, the highlight of which continues to be its historic lighthouse that characteristically overlooks the town's various goings-on.
As an added bonus, those looking to bring their pets for some exercise can visit both Belongil and Tallow Beach which are dog-friendly locations which, alongside their lovely powder-like sand make for a great day out for those visiting interstate or simply hopping across the border for a less-crowded alternative those beaches of South-East Queensland.
7. Mandalay
Beach, Western Australia
When compared to the East Coast, Oz's
Western Australia is relatively under-visited, and that's sometimes a shame as
in many places it's no less beautiful or enjoyable as its eastern brother. A
prime example of this is WA's Mandalay Beach, which lies several hundred
kilometres to the south of capital city Perth amongst the greenery of the
Walpole-Nornalup National Park.
The isolated location of the beach only helps contribute to its beauty, as the rugged, untouched nature of the so-called Rainbow Coast with its rocky headlands and untamed wilderness make for a wholly different - yet still wildly impressive - beach location that largely differs from many of the other entries on this list. The beach itself inherits its name from the wreck of the Mandalay - a Norwegian shipwreck that was beached back in the year 1911 and the skeleton of which is sometimes still visible when tides are at their lowest.
One of the highlights of Mandalay Beach that adds to the spectacle is nearby Chatham Island that lies just a few miles off the coast and sports a class 1A nature reserve, with the juxtaposition of the island's greenery with the crashing white crests of the waves at high tide forming quite the picturesque scene. If you're looking to make the hike to Mandalay Beach, you're going to have to work for it; the closest major settlement is Walpole which is isolated in itself, and around 17 kilometres to the west of the beach. Mandalay Beach has only two entry points that are suitable for regular "2WD" vehicles as well, but if you're looking for one of the most unique beach experiences in Australia (as well as bragging rights), it's well worth it.
6. Wineglass
Bay, Tasmania
Wineglass Bay, on Tasmania’s Freycinet Peninsula, is considered one of the top ten beaches in the world. This flawless crescent of dazzling white sand and sapphire-coloured sea set against pink and grey granite peaks is one of Australia’s most beautiful natural environments. It’s the perfect location for fishing, sailing, bushwalking, sea kayaking, rock-climbing, or simply soaking up the spectacular coastal scenery. Wineglass Bay has become a favourite honeymoon destination for couples to escape and relax away from the rest of the world. With secluded sandy beaches, luxurious eco-lodges, and fine Tasmanian cuisine, Freycinet Peninsula is an adventure of pure indulgence.
Wineglass Bay is part of the Freycinet
Peninsula, an outcrop of wild, pristine coastland on Tasmania’s east coast.
The entire peninsula, comprising Friendly Beaches, Wineglass Bay and Schouten
Island, is encompassed within the Freycinet National Park.
An almost perfect curve of pure white sand
fringed by turquoise waters has earned Wineglass Bay a reputation as one of the
top ten beaches in the world.
Equally beautiful are the wide deserted beaches and aquamarine shallows at Bryans and Cooks beaches on the western side of the peninsula facing Great Oyster Bay. On the eastern side of the Freycinet Peninsula there are soaring sea cliffs, secluded coves, and dramatic ocean beaches. The remarkable pink granite peaks known as The Hazards guard the peninsula at its northern end, and to the south is uninhabited Schouten Island.
Wineglass Bay is just a short walk from the camping grounds at Coles Bay. The walk to Wineglass Bay involves an uphill climb through The Hazards to a rocky lookout, followed by a downhill walk to the beach. It takes around two hours to walk to Wineglass Bay from the entrance of the Freycinet National Park.
Set off on a scenic cruise where you might be lucky enough to see a pod of dolphins or migrating whales in season. Take a 4WD to the cobblestone shore of Bluestone Bay or Cape Tourville Lighthouse for unforgettable views.
The area is also renowned for its deep sea fishing, rock climbing, scuba diving and mountain biking. A scenic flight reveals the whole breathtaking panorama from above.
Taste crayfish, scallops and fresh oysters picked straight from some of the world’s cleanest waters, complemented by Tasmania’s internationally acclaimed cool-climate wines.
Relax in your luxury lodge watching the sun set across the water and you will feel truly in touch with the beauty and depth of nature.
5. 75 Mile
Beach, Fraser Island
In the great tradition of many Australian place names, 75 Mile Beach on Fraser Island, was so named because it is approximately 75 miles long. Due to the constant movement of sea and sand, it's not always exactly 75 miles long, but then, '75.173 Mile Beach' just wouldn't have had the same ring to it.
75 Mile Beach runs along most of the east coast of Fraser Island. While it may not be the best place for swimming due to dangerous currents and plentiful Tiger sharks, it is extremely beautiful and has a number of excellent highlights such as Champagne Pools, Indian Head (from where you can often see the sharks in the surf), the Maheno Wreck and Eli Creek. Eli Creek is strikingly clear and has its own unique and varied wildlife.
The beach also acts as both a highway and a
runway. The hard packed sand below the high tide mark can make for quite smooth
driving, but care must be taken with speed; there are many deep wash outs and
you can suddenly find yourself driving vertically into one if you're going too
fast. Aircraft often land on the beach and if you can afford it, this mode of
travel is a great way to see the entire island in a short space of time, with
the obligatory beach landing, of course.
4. Noosa Main Beach, Sunshine Coast
Noosa is famous for its unique mix of beautiful
beaches, and rocky headlands covered in lush
forest. With a population of 50,000, Noosa Shire is one of Queensland's
most popular holiday destinations. The area plays host to 250,000
tourists a year, with peaks during events like the Noosa Festival of
Surfing. Whether you're exploring the wide range of bars,
cafes and restaurants at Noosa Heads, or relaxing on the beach,
there's a wide range of activities for the whole
family. Noosa is also the perfect base to explore the sights of the Sunshine
Coast and nearby Noosa hinterland - if you're lucky,
you might even see a koala in Noosa National Park!
Known as the jewel in the crown of the Sunshine Coast, Noosa lives up to its name with stunning scenery, an excellent climate, fun activities, high standard shops and restaurants, hospitable accommodation and carries a charm that allures people to enjoy this sought-after destination.
Lush hinterland borders Noosa as golden beaches nicely compliment it. The nearby bays and coves complete this picturesque setting. There are three main beaches - Noosa Main Beach, Alexandria Beach and Sunshine Beach and all suitable for swimming and basking in the sun.
3. SHELL BEACH
Billions of tiny white 'coquina bivalve' sea shells form a 60km long beach aptly named Shell Beach. The deposits are many metres deep and go right out into the calm bay - it is easy to walk out to sea through the clear waters for many, many metres. Several buildings in Denham and on surrounding stations were built from blocks of the compacted shells.
About 45km south of Denham Township and on the other side of the peninsula from Monkey Mia, the coquina bivalve shellfish has no predator. The shell fish have existed in huge numbers for thousands of years, then died natural deaths then been washed ashore.
Shell Beach is covered for a 60km-long stretch to a depth of some seven to ten metres. The effect is brilliant; a long, snow-white beach bordered by aqua blue ocean waters. Shell Beach is one of only two shell beaches like it in the world. There must be many photo albums around the world with photos of persons throwing a handful of snow like shells high into the air, with the tropical waters of the Indian Ocean behind them; the sun bright; and the photo giving the appearance of a heavy snow storm in the tropics of Australia’s Coral Coast.
The shells are mined under special license nowadays for production of calcium for poultry feed and exotic mulch for gardens and planters. In the early years of Denham, blocks of the solidified shell deposits were mined and used as materials in building constructions.
2. TURQUOISE BAY
Dive
into the pristine waters of the aptly named Turquoise Bay near the town of
Exmouth and you're swimming within a few metres of Ningaloo Reef.
Known as one of Western Australia's best
beaches, Turquoise Bay is the perfect spot to spend an afternoon relaxing,
swimming and snorkelling.
Try your hand at the popular drift snorkel by swimming out to the reef on the southern end of the beach, then letting the current wash you north to the sand bar. You'll see colourful coral and plenty of fish - more than 500 fish species reflecting every colour of the rainbow live in and around the reef.
Respect for the environment is the key to keeping the coral in pristine condition.
Respect for the environment is the key to keeping the coral in pristine condition.
To get to Turquoise Bay drive 60 kilometres south of Exmouth. You can fly to Exmouth in about two and a half hours from Perth.
1. GREENS POOL
One of the Nature's most inviting swimming pools, Greens Pool is among Western Australia's most iconic beaches. A picture postcard of clear emerald waters, pure white sand and sculpted rocks that shelter the bay from the swell beyond, it's a top spot for swimming, snorkelling and diving.
A short scenic drive west of Denmark, passing forests of tall timber giants, brings you to this serene setting in William Bay National Park. Getting to Denmark is a four and a half hour drive south of Perth, or you can hop on a flight to Albany and pick up a hire car.
Sit and drink in the scenery, explore the rock pools, snorkel, dive, or take a short stroll over the headland to Elephant Rocks, where nature has shaped huge boulders into giant elephant-like sculptures bathing in the clear waters.
A long and peaceful walk along this stunning coastline rewards you with breath taking views of Madfish Bay, Waterfall Beach and an abundance of wildflowers in spring.
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