Airlie Beach, Queensland, Australia, Whitehaven Beach — Picturesque view of the pristine Whitehaven Beach in Australia

6 Best Australian Beaches

Travel to the best Australian beaches to soak up the sun, snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, go surfing and see Australian wildlife Down Under.

By Amy S. Eckert | Published on June 4, 2025

With its one-of-a-kind wildlife, spectacular natural landscapes and use of English as its official language — delivered with "fair dinkum" slang — Australia appeals to travelers like nowhere else. And with more than 21,000 miles of coastline, there are plenty of beautiful Australian beaches to explore, as well.

Australia's Southern Hemisphere location means a perfect beach getaway awaits just as Northern Hemisphere travelers are ready to escape the cold weather months. Whether your image of great Australia beaches includes snorkeling over the Great Barrier Reef, watching surfers ride spine-tingling waves from shore, soaking up the sunshine with a good beach read or spotting wildlife such as humpback whales, dolphins, wallabies and even Tasmanian devils, there's a perfect beach waiting for you Down Under.

Read on for a list of the six best beaches in Australia.

1. Watch The Surf Break At Bondi Beach

Bondi Beach is on the outskirts of Sydney and consistently ranks as one of the great beaches in Australia. If you imagine Australia beaches, Bondi Beach probably comes to mind. After you've spent a day touring the sites downtown, shopping Darling Harbour and photographing the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, you can easily spend a whole day at Bondi Beach swimming in the Pacific, watching surfers tame the waves (or join in on the action by renting your own longboard) and people watching, since this beach always draws a crowd. A line-up of services includes public restrooms, playgrounds, a lifeguard, restaurants, an outdoor movie theater, grassy picnic areas and coastal walking trails that link to even more beaches, like Tamarama, Bronte and Coogee Beaches.

2. Soak Up The Local Vibe At Manly Beach

If you're looking for great Aussie beaches with a local feel, head to Manly Beach in Sydney's northern reaches. Spread your towel across the golden strand for an afternoon of swimming against a backdrop of local surfers. Restaurants, bars, souvenir shops and stands for renting bicycles and kayaks lie an easy walk from Manly Beach in any direction. Though it can get busy, it's the nicest beach in Australia to relax on thanks to its laidback vibes. You can book a 20-minute ride onboard the ferry out of Sydney Harbour, which departs near the cruise port, and take in spectacular views of the Royal Botanic Garden, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House en route to the beach.

3. Wonder At The White Sands Of Whitehaven Beach

Frequently voted one of the most beautiful beaches in Australia, Whitehaven Beach is a popular excursion on cruises to the Queensland port of Airlie Beach, where 30-minute jet boat rides whisk beach lovers to this island paradise. Brilliant white sands blend with the turquoise waters of the Pacific at Whitehaven in broad swirls, creating a scene resembling a vibrant watercolor painting. Whitehaven's beauty is just as stunning below the waves since it serves as a gateway beach to the Great Barrier Reef. Grab a snorkel and float gently among the warm waters for unforgettable views of the world's largest coral reef system and the creatures who live there: speckled sea turtles, agile rays and fish gleaming in all the colors of the rainbow.

4. Glimpse The Great Barrier Reef At Palm Cove Beach

Every year more than two million travelers experience the allure of the Great Barrier Reef, and Cairns serves as a great base for exploration since it's the nearest mainland city to the natural wonder. Take an excursion to the lovely palm tree-fringed beach of Palm Cove, a 30-minute drive north of Cairns, where you can dig your toes into the white sand before immersing yourself in the cove's crystal-clear water and observing the underwater beauty. Whether you choose to swim, snorkel or dive, you'll be treated to a habitat of sparkling fish and expansive coral reefs that hug the Australian coast for more than 1,800 miles. Nearby surfboard rentals and recreational outfitters make this one of the best beaches in Australia for visiting the reef.

5. Go Swimming And Whale Watching At Burleigh Heads

Set just below the port city of Brisbane, the Aussie beaches of the Gold Coast are lined with wide sandy stretches perfect for swimming, surfing, paddling and simply soaking up the sunshine. But among the Gold Coast's favorite beaches is Burleigh Heads, a bit over an hour and a half from Brisbane. Steady winds and a reliable swell make Burleigh Beach a go-to spot for local surfers, and its status as a protected nature reserve keeps the spot free of too much modern development. After you've had your fill of splashing in the surf, head uphill to Tumgun Lookout or Jebbribillum Lookout, and bring your binoculars. You might spot the telltale splashes of migrating whales who travel this stretch of water known as Humpback Highway.

6. Watch Wallabies And Wombats At Wineglass Bay

In Australia, beaches aren't limited to the mainland. The island of Tasmania offers its own beautiful beaches, although they are typically a bit more remote. Before or after your cruise docks in Tasmania, take the road less traveled and follow the 120-mile drive from the port in Hobart to Freycinet National Park. It takes more than two hours, but once you're there, you'll be rewarded with the beautiful golden crescent of beach at Wineglass Bay. Swim and search for waterside treasures like seashells and sea glass on the Tasmanian shore, and keep your eyes open for local wildlife. Wineglass Bay is one of the finest Australian beaches for spotting animals in and out of the water. You'll share the bay's deep blue waters with bottlenose dolphins. Australian fur seals might waddle up onto the beach for a good nap in the sunshine. And colonies of bush possums, echidnas, wallabies, wombats and even Tasmanian devils live in the bushland bordering the beach — so keep your eyes peeled.

Are you ready to discover the most beautiful beaches in Australia? Book your cruise Down Under today!