Best Beaches in Australia: 12 Iconic Coastal Destinations to Visit

With almost 60,000 kilometres of coastline, Australia offers one of the world's most diverse collections of beaches. From tropical islands in the Whitsundays and world-famous city beaches in Sydney to remote stretches of coastline in Tasmania and Western Australia, the variety is as impressive as the scale.

This guide explores some of the best beaches in Australia, highlighting the coastal destinations known for their surf, scenery, wildlife, and uniquely Australian beach culture.

• Bondi Beach: Best for beach culture and coastal walks.

• Manly Beach: Best for surfing, waterfront dining, and a classic Sydney beach experience.

• Newcastle Beach: Best for coastal walks, ocean baths, and city beaches.

• Hyams Beach: Best for white sand, calm swimming, and beach photography.

• Whitehaven Beach: Best for pristine scenery, silica sand, and island escapes.

• Noosa Main Beach: Best for coastal dining, beginner surfers, and national park walks.

• Surfers Paradise Beach: Best for families, beach holidays, and nearby attractions.

• Mindil Beach: Best for sunset markets and Darwin's waterfront atmosphere.

• Cable Beach: Best for sunset camel rides and iconic Western Australian landscapes.

• Cottesloe Beach: Best for swimming, sunsets, and beachside cafés.

• Bells Beach: Best for surfing heritage and dramatic coastal scenery.

• Bay of Fires: Best for wildlife, walking trails, and natural landscapes.

Best for: First-time visitors and beach culture

No beach is more closely associated with Australia than Bondi Beach. Located in Sydney's eastern suburbs, Bondi combines a golden crescent of sand with surf culture, coastal walks, markets, and a lively beachfront atmosphere.

The beach is home to one of Australia's oldest surf lifesaving clubs and attracts swimmers, surfers, runners, and visitors from around the world throughout the year.

Beyond the sand, the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk passes dramatic cliffs, ocean pools, and scenic lookouts. Nearby, Bondi Pavilion hosts cultural events, galleries, cafés, and community activities.

Whether you're here for a swim, coastal walk, or people-watching, Bondi offers one of Australia's most recognisable beach experiences.

Located in Sydney's CBD, Swissôtel Sydney is a convenient base for travellers planning to explore Bondi Beach and Sydney's eastern suburbs. Close to major public transport connections, including trains to Bondi Junction and onward bus services to the beach, the hotel makes it easy to combine time at Bondi with visits to Circular Quay, Darling Harbour, and Sydney's shopping and dining precincts. 

Best for: Surfing and seaside dining

Just a ferry ride from central Sydney, Manly Beach offers a classic Australian beach day with excellent surf, family-friendly swimming areas, and a relaxed coastal atmosphere.

The beach promenade is lined with cafés, restaurants, and shops, while nearby Shelly Beach provides calm waters for snorkelling and marine life spotting.

Manly is also known for its surfing heritage, with local history tracing the sport's early development in Australia to demonstrations by Hawaiian surfer Duke Kahanamoku.

Located just moments from the sand, Peppers Manly Beach is perfectly positioned for exploring Manly Beach, Shelly Beach, and the cafés, boutiques, and surf shops that line the foreshore. Offering stylish rooms and suites, many with ocean views, the hotel places you at the heart of Manly's renowned beach culture while remaining within easy reach of Sydney via the Manly ferry.

Best for: Coastal walks and city beaches

Located in the heart of Newcastle, Newcastle Beach combines excellent surf conditions with easy access to cafés, restaurants, and city attractions.

The beach sits alongside the historic Newcastle Ocean Baths and the Bathers Way Coastal Walk, a scenic route connecting several beaches and ocean pools along the coastline.

Dolphins are regularly spotted offshore, adding another reason to visit one of New South Wales' most popular beach towns.

Located in Newcastle's city centre, Novotel Newcastle Beach is just moments from Newcastle Beach and the Bathers Way coastal walk. The hotel places you within easy reach of surf beaches, ocean baths, cafés, restaurants, and Newcastle's waterfront precinct, making it an ideal base for exploring the city's coastline.

Best for: Calm swimming and beach photography

Located within Jervis Bay, Hyams Beach is renowned for its brilliant white sand and crystal-clear water.

Protected conditions make it popular with families, swimmers, and snorkellers, while the surrounding national parks provide walking trails and opportunities to spot wildlife including kangaroos and seabirds.

Its combination of calm water and striking natural beauty makes Hyams Beach one of Australia's most visited coastal destinations.

Located in nearby Nowra, Mercure Gerringong Resort provides a base for exploring Jervis Bay, including Hyams Beach, Booderee National Park, and the surrounding South Coast. The resort offers spacious accommodation, landscaped gardens, a swimming pool, tennis courts, and easy access to the region's beaches and coastal walking trails.

Best for: White sand and natural scenery

Located in Queensland's Whitsunday Islands, Whitehaven Beach is often considered one of Australia's most beautiful beaches.

Its seven kilometres of bright silica sand and turquoise water create a landscape that consistently appears on lists of the world's best beaches.

One of the highlights is Hill Inlet, where shifting tides create swirling patterns of blue and white visible from nearby lookouts. With no commercial development along the beach, Whitehaven offers a pristine and protected natural environment.

Located opposite Port of Airlie, The Sebel Whitsundays Airlie Beach is well positioned for travellers planning to visit Whitehaven Beach and the Whitsunday Islands. The hotel offers spacious one and two-bedroom apartments and luxury penthouses with views across the Port of Airlie and Coral Sea, while its location provides convenient access to sailing trips, island cruises, and Great Barrier Reef day tours.

Best for: Coastal dining and beginner surfers

Noosa Main Beach is one of Queensland's most sought-after beach destinations, combining a sheltered stretch of sand with the sophisticated dining and shopping precinct of Hastings Street. Its north-facing position creates gentler conditions than many Australian surf beaches, making it popular for swimming, stand-up paddleboarding, and learning to surf.

Just steps from the shoreline, Hastings Street is lined with restaurants, cafés, boutiques, and bars, making it easy to transition from a morning swim to a long beachfront lunch. Beyond the beach, nearby Noosa National Park offers scenic coastal walking trails, secluded coves, and opportunities to spot koalas among the eucalyptus trees.

Together, the beach, national park, and surrounding dining scene make Noosa one of Australia's most appealing coastal escapes.

Located on Hastings Street with direct access to the beach and river, Elysium Noosa Resort - MGallery Collection places you close to Noosa Main Beach, Hastings Street’s restaurants and boutiques, and the walking trails of Noosa National Park. The hotel offers 175 rooms, suites, and villas, as well as a swimming pool with Noosa’s only swim-up pool bar, a day spa, fitness centre, and all-day Italian dining.

Best for: Families and classic beach holidays

Surfers Paradise Beach combines a long stretch of golden sand with many of the attractions that have made the Gold Coast one of Australia's most popular family holiday destinations. Patrolled swimming areas, wide open beaches, and year-round sunshine make it a reliable choice for days by the water.

Beyond the shoreline, families will find playgrounds, attractions, shopping, and dining options all within walking distance of the beach. The nearby foreshore precinct regularly hosts community events and outdoor entertainment, while the calm areas between the flags provide a welcoming environment for younger swimmers.

With its combination of beach access, family-friendly attractions, and convenient facilities, Surfers Paradise remains one of Australia's most recognisable coastal destinations and a favourite for Gold Coast holidays.

Just a short walk from the shoreline, Novotel Surfers Paradise places you in the heart of the Gold Coast's most famous beach precinct. Located near family attractions, shopping, dining, and the beachfront promenade, the hotel offers a convenient base for travellers looking to combine beach days with everything Surfers Paradise has to offer.

Best for: Sunset markets

Mindil Beach offers one of Australia's most memorable sunset experiences. Located in Darwin, the beach is best known for the Mindil Beach Sunset Market, where food vendors, artists, and performers gather along the foreshore during the dry season.

While swimming conditions vary throughout the year, visitors are drawn to the beach's spectacular sunsets, cultural experiences, and relaxed waterfront setting.

Located near Darwin's waterfront precinct, Mantra Pandanas Darwin provides convenient access to Mindil Beach and the famous Mindil Beach Sunset Market. The hotel also places guests close to dining, attractions, and Darwin's city centre, making it a practical base for exploring Australia's Top End.

Best for: Sunset camel rides

Stretching for 22 kilometres near Broome, Cable Beach is famous for its vast shoreline, turquoise water, and sunset camel rides.

The beach also holds geological significance, with ancient dinosaur footprints visible in nearby rock formations under suitable tidal conditions.

Its combination of dramatic scenery and unique experiences has made Cable Beach one of Western Australia's most visited coastal attractions.

Located just moments from the shoreline, Mantra Frangipani Broome offers convenient access to Cable Beach and Broome's famous sunset camel rides. Spacious self-contained apartments, swimming pools, and a relaxed location make it well suited to longer stays in Western Australia.

Best for: Swimming and sunsets

Located just outside Perth, Cottesloe Beach is a favourite with locals thanks to its accessible location, calm swimming conditions, and wide sandy shoreline.

The beach is framed by grassy foreshore areas, heritage architecture, cafés, and restaurants overlooking the Indian Ocean.

Every year, the popular Sculpture by the Sea exhibition transforms the coastline into an open-air art gallery, attracting visitors from across Australia.

Located in Perth's CBD, Novotel Perth Murray Street provides an excellent base for day trips to Cottesloe Beach via Perth's rail network. After a day by the Indian Ocean, guests can return to modern accommodation, on-site dining, a fitness centre, and easy access to Perth's shopping and entertainment precincts.

Best for: Experienced surfers

Bells Beach occupies legendary status within Australian surfing. Located along Victoria's Surf Coast near Torquay, the beach has hosted the Rip Curl Pro since 1961, making it home to the world's longest-running professional surfing competition.

Towering cliffs, powerful Southern Ocean swells, and spectacular coastal scenery have cemented Bells Beach as a must-visit destination for surf enthusiasts.

Located in Geelong, Novotel Geelong is well positioned for travellers planning to explore Victoria's Surf Coast, including Bells Beach and Torquay. Overlooking Corio Bay, the hotel offers contemporary accommodation, an indoor heated pool, and convenient access to the Great Ocean Road.

Best for: Natural landscapes and wildlife

Stretching across Tasmania's northeast coast, Bay of Fires is known for its distinctive orange granite boulders, white beaches, and remarkably clear water.

The region offers excellent opportunities for walking, kayaking, birdwatching, and wildlife spotting.

Unlike many of Australia's more developed beach destinations, Bay of Fires retains a remote feel that appeals to travellers seeking nature-focused coastal experiences.

Located in Launceston, Peppers Silo Hotel offers a comfortable base for exploring Tasmania's northeast coast, including the Bay of Fires region. Set within a restored heritage building on the Tamar River, the hotel combines distinctive accommodation with easy access to road trips through some of Tasmania's most spectacular coastal landscapes.

Whether you're drawn to the surf culture of Bondi Beach, the white sands of Whitehaven Beach, or the rugged beauty of Bay of Fires, Accor offers accommodation near some of Australia's most iconic coastal destinations.

Book your stay direct through ALL.com or the ALL Accor app to access exclusive member rates, and join the free ALL Accor loyalty programme to earn Reward points, unlock member benefits, and make the most of every stay.