Top 5: Australian Beaches

All around the world, Australia is renowned for its beaches and it’s not hard to see why. With some of the longest stretches of sand-covered coastline in the world, the country’s beaches are not only plentiful, but high quality.

The locals take care of and take pride in the beaches, keeping them clean and pollution-free. With so many wonderful beaches to choose from, it may be hard to determine which are a cut above the rest. Here’s our list of the top five beaches you should travel to in Australia.

Main Beach, Byron Bay NSW

Byron has grown tremendously in terms of development from its early days as a quaint hippy town. With modern cafes and bars popping up throughout the years, and increased interest from property developers, one thing remains unchanged: the quality of its beaches. With a typically uncrowded stretch of coastline reachable with a short trip from the Gold Coast and other Northern New South Wales destinations, Main Beach is a large contributing factor in the continued growth of the town’s popularity. The location makes the majority of its beaches conducive to some great surf breaks, drawing surfers from all over the world. The powder-like sand of the beaches makes for a great day, especially for those looking for a less-crowded alternative.

Mandalay Beach, Walpole Western Australia

When compared to the East Coast, Western Australia is overlooked for travelers. Situated south of Perth, 30 minutes from Walpole, is WA’s Mandalay Beach. The isolated location of the beach helps contribute to its beauty, as the rugged, untouched nature of the coast, with its rocky headlands and untamed wilderness, make for a different and impressive beach location. The beach itself inherits its name from the wreck of the Mandalay, a Norwegian shipwreck from 1911 visible during low tide. Mandalay Beach only has two entry points suitable for regular vehicles, but. if you’re looking for one of the unique beach experiences in Australia, it’s worth it.

75 Mile Beach, Fraser Island

It’s only fitting the largest sand island in the world should play host to one of Australia’s best beaches. 75 Mile Beach serves as the unofficial face of Queensland’s Fraser Island, as the beach gets its name from the approximate length. 75 Mile offers more than just its size, as its stretches of multicolored sands form a mosaic from white to hues of bright orange and pale yellow. The waters are less of an attraction; however, with a large number of Tiger Sharks inhabiting the shallows. One section in particular of 75 Mile Beach exceptionally popular is Champagne Pools.
Burleigh Heads Beach, Gold Coast

Given its nature as a beach destination, the Gold Coast offers a slew of beach options. However, with increasing crowds and a tourist atmosphere, some stretches of coastline take away from the charm. One exception is Burleigh Heads Beach, which combines a stunning outlook, excellent surf conditions and numerous winding walk tracks. The sands look untouched, making it a great location.

Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island

The sand is without a doubt the highlight of Whitehaven Beach, although the stunning water and reef surroundings aren’t an eye sore either. The silica sand is a contained, extremely high-purity form of sand with extremely fine grains making it soft to touch and preventing it from being too hot. Coupled with endless sunshine, the color of the sand is an almost pure white color that forms a contrast with the vivid blue waters. The beach stretches more than four miles. The plethora of coves, lagoons and inlets serves to add mystique and exploration options, with low tide being the best time for viewing experiences.