6 of the best beaches in Australia

With over 16,000 miles of coastline, Australia isn’t short of incredible beaches. We take a look at some of the best, whether you want to roll up in a Campervan in Western Australia, waking to views of the pounding surf, or take the family to a safe strip of sand within easy access of the rainforest in Queensland.

1. Vivonne Bay Beach

Best for: peace
The remote location of this stunning 3.5mile-long arc of immaculate white sand in South Australia means you won’t have to share it with too many people. Tucked into Kangaroo Island’s wild underbelly, its sheltered location makes it ideal for swimming, surfing and fishing. If too much sunbathing makes you restless, the beach also adjoins the island’s ‘Little Sahara’, undulating natural sand dunes where you can practise sandboarding and tobogganing.

2. Lucky Bay

Best for: camping
Don’t mind the neighbours when you pull up at Lucky Bay in Cape Le Grand National Park, Western Australia. The brilliant turquoise waters attract kangaroos who like to lounge on the white sand and watch visitors roll in. When you’re done setting up camp, there’s little to do but unwind, soak up the serene surroundings and enjoy a bushwalk up Frenchman Peak for spectacular views over the national park. Plots at Lucky Bay’s campground go quick — book in advance.

3. Bells Beach

Best for: surfing
Every Easter, the top surfers in the world converge on Bells Beach near Torquay, Victoria for the Rip Curl Pro Surfing Competition. The beach is set in a natural amphitheatre flanked by rocky cliffs, with powerful waves propelled towards the sands by an exposed offshore reef. The best breaks are found in autumn and winter. Challenging conditions make this an advanced surfing spot, but less experienced surfers can ride their boards at nearby Anglesea.

4. Coogee Beach

Best urban sand
A 30-minute bus ride from Sydney’s Central Business District, Coogee Beach is a more relaxed affair than neighbouring Bondi Beach, offering a wide sandy beachfront, three historic ocean pools and green lawns on which to laze. It’s also the start or end point of the four-mile-long Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk, which meanders along sandstone cliffs. After dark, catch live music at Coogee Bay Hotel or Coogee Pavilion, just back from the beach.

5. Noosa Main Beach

Best for: families
Tranquil sea conditions plus fun waves for bodysurfing are the norm at Queensland’s Noosa Main Beach. Running parallel is Hastings Street, with resorts, boutiques and family-friendly eateries ready for a quick takeaway bite. The wide sandy beach, backed by a boardwalk and native trees, is the main draw, but the adjoining national park and river are good add-ons — lace up for a hike to wild rainforest beaches such as Alexandria Bay or hire a fishing boat and practise your casting.

6. Injidup Beach

Best for: foodies
Take a trip through Margaret River in Western Australia, collecting picnic staples and bottles of wine or beer from lauded local producers, then take a short drive north to this rugged stretch of beach known for its surf breaks and diving. When you’re done feasting, allow time for a soak in Injidup Natural Spa, a picturesque rockpool formation that channels turbulent Indian Ocean waves into a shallow swimming hole.