Tag Archives: beaches

The best hidden beaches for summer

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Stokes Bay Hidden Beach

Stokes Bay, Tourism South Australia

Want to beach yourself on the coast this summer – but don’t want to battle the crowds? Well, grab the SPF and the beach towel, because we’ve found the best hidden beaches around the country.

Stokes Bay Beach, Kangaroo Island, South Australia

Stokes Bay Beach, not far from Kingscote on the north side of Kangaroo Island, looks uninspiring a first glance, a messy jumble of rocks and heavy waves – that is, until you notice the intriguing sign pointing through a gap in the rocks. Follow the directions along the hidden path until you come to a small beach, an enchanting spot with a curved stretch of squeaky sand and a natural lagoon. Now that’s more like it.

Cactus Beach, Penong, South Australia

Off the Nullarbor Plain near Penong lies Cactus Beach, one of Australia’s best surfing spots. It’s a pilgrimage for surfers to come here and tackle the breaks, but this fantastically isolated spot, looking out over the Great Australian Bight, is worth the trek even if you prefer to worship the wave from the shore. Remember to bring a lot of insect repellent – this is midge territory.

Prize winner Mich submitted Cactus Beach in our competition to find Australia’s Best Hidden Gems.

Cactus Beach

Cactus Beach, Tourism South Australia

Alexandria Bay, Noosa, Queensland

Alexandria Bay is surprisingly quiet for a Sunshine Coast beach. That might be because you have to walk kilometres through Noosa National Park to get there, or it might be because the beach is unofficially clothing optional. Whatever the reason, this bay is postcard perfect: a gently curving stretch of golden sand and rolling waves protected by a crown of bushy cliffs.

Alexandria Bay

Alexandria Bay

Fotheringate Beach, Strzelecki NP, Tasmania

Move over Freycinet and the Bay of Fires – Strzelecki National Park could very well have the best beaches in Tasmania. The most popular is Trousers Point (yup, its actual name), but a 3.5 kilometre walk away is Fotheringate Beach, a small and rocky spot with clear and enticing water looking over to the park’s granite mountains. This is pretty much paradise found.

Strzelecki National Park Marcus Carrick

Strzelecki National Park, Marcus Carrick

Turquoise Bay, Cape Range National Park, Western Australia

Turquoise Bay is in Cape Range National Park, a place where the desert meets the coral reef. It’s one of the best beaches in the state, ticking off all the boxes: pristine sand, sparkling turquoise water, endless ocean views. But the real fun comes when you throw yourself into the water – the diverse marine life and coral of Ningaloo Reef is just a few metres offshore. Don’t forget your snorkelling gear.

Turquoise Bay

Turquoise Bay, Tourism Western Australia

Wonboyn Beach, Wonboyn, New South Wales

Arriving at Wonboyn Beach almost feels like arriving at the end of the world – it’s just you and kilometres and kilometres of curved beach, backed by acres of coastal forest, facing the untold space of the Pacific Ocean. Apart from the occasional rip, it’s pretty much perfect. Just don’t tell the locals we let you in on the secret.

Wonboyn Beach Sharon JB

Wonboyn Beach, by Tripadvisor user SharonJB

Sealers Bay, Wilsons Promontory National Park, Victoria

You’ll have to walk 9.5 kilometres over tropically overgrown hills to get to Sealers Cove; but believe us when we say the sweat and thigh burn are worth it. Sealers Cove is one of the quieter spots in the extremely popular Wilsons Promontory National Park, so you can enjoy the uninterrupted golden stretch of sand, backed by wild mountains, in relative peace.

Sealers Cove, Wilsons Promontory

Sealers Cove, Wilsons Promontory

     

If these beaches aren’t on your bucket list, then they should be.

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Looking for the best beaches in Australia? Look no further. These are some of the best beaches in Australia, and they’ve all made the cut in the new travel book Australia’s Top 100 Places to Go – The Ultimate Bucket List by Jen Adams and Clint Bizzell from Network Ten’s Places We Go.

Bondi Beach, Sydney, New South Wales

One of the most famous beaches in the world, Bondi Beach is the grande dame of Sydney beaches. Everyone from politicians to backpackers parade up and down this perfectly curved expanse of sand, which is protected by headlands on either side and has water that just invites you to throw yourself in (although try not to end up on an episode of Bondi Rescue).

Hyams Beach, Jervis Bay, New South Wales

Move over Whitehaven Beach, Hyams Beach takes the crown for having the most blindingly white sand in the country. And stretching in front of the beach is an expanse of turquoise water, which an array of dolphins and other marine animals call home – they might even come up and welcome you.

Squeaky Beach, Wilsons Promontory National Park, Victoria

You could pick any of the beaches in Wilsons Promontory National Park and label it one of the best in Australia. But Squeaky Beach, reached by an hour-long trek, with its literally squeaky sand, will take your breath away.

Cable Beach, Broome, Western Australia

The sunset from Cable Beach, as the sun dips spectacularly into the Indian Ocean and turns the water into a kaleidoscope of reds, oranges and pinks, is one of the best you’ll see from a beach.

Eighty Mile Beach, Western Australia

Eighty Mile Beach, really 225 kilometres long, is where the Great Sandy Desert meets the Indian Ocean, and it’s just as spectacular as that sounds. The turquoise water joins up with the big blue sky and for those who love the coast, it’s almost a spiritual experience.

Seventeen Seventy, Queensland

The town of Seventeen Seventy in Queensland is said to be one of the only places in Australia where you can watch the sun rise and set over the ocean. This underdeveloped town remains a beach paradise for those who just want to laze about on the water and not do much else.

The Whitsundays, Queensland

You can’t mention the best beaches in Australia and not mention the Whitsundays. This surprisingly mountainous chain of islands is home to white beaches, turquoise water and incredible snorkelling just offshore.

Bay of Fires, Tasmania

In a country full of pristine coastline, the Bay of Fires in north-east Tasmania stands out for its unique combination of white sand, turquoise water and red-lichen splashed boulders. Each beach is a postcard-perfect moment waiting to happen.

To find more bucket list–worthy attractions, check out Australia’s Top 100 Places to Go – The Ultimate Bucket List.

 

 

     

Top 10 beach camping spots

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Beach camping, courtesy of Tourism QueenslandWant to camp on, or close to, some of the most attractive beaches in the world?

We’ve picked the best beach camping spots to be found all over Australia. Most of these campsites are simple and have limited facilities. But with views like these, who’s complaining?

Let us know your favourite beach camping spot in the comments section.

Flinders Beach camping area, North Stradbroke Island, Queensland

Flinders Beach camping area

Flinders Beach camping area

North Straddie is only a short drive and ferry ride from Brisbane, which makes it a popular destination for local holidaymakers.

There are a few beachfront areas to choose from on the island, including the popular Cylinder Beach. But the 4WD-accessible-only Flinders Beach camping area, nestled behind the dunes on the north-east end of the island, is our pick.

While it has limited facilities, this campsite has fantastic beach access, which is just what you need in summer. And it’s generally quieter than the other spots.

Also worth a look: Beach camping sites on nearby Moreton Island and camping just off Ocean Beach at Bribie Island.

Paradise Beach camping area, Gippsland Lake Coastal Park, Victoria

Paradise Beach camping area is one of the few spots in Gippsland Lake Coastal Park you can enjoy with your dog. The campsite also lives up to its name, with spectacular views over both the beach and Lake Reeve Wetlands.

Facilities include toilets, drinking water and access for caravans and camper trailers. But you probably won’t want to spend much time at the campsite – the coastal park offers great opportunities for watersports like waterskiing and surf fishing.

Sloop Reef camping area, Bay of Fires Conservation Area, Tasmania

While some parts of Tasmania are still closed due to bushfires, Bay of Fires Conservation Area is thankfully open for business. Situated between Taylors Point and Seaton Cove in the conservation area is Sloop Reef camping area.

Campers at Sloop Reef really have won the pick of the draw. With clear blue waves and pure white beach, it’s a truly idyllic spot.

The campsite has limited facilities, but activities are in abundance from fishing and canoeing, to swimming and hiking.

What else makes Sloop Reef a top beach camping spot? It’s free, doesn’t take bookings and is pet friendly.

Broken Head Holiday Park, Broken Head, New South Wales

Want the beauty of Byron Bay, but less hustle and bustle? Broken Head Holiday Park is 7 kilometres south of the popular tourist town, situated right next to the lush and fertile rainforests of Broken Head Nature Reserve.

It has powered and unpowered sites, and you can pitch your tent right on the beachfront.

Diamond Head camping area, Crowdy Bay National Park, New South Wales

Crowdy Bay National Park, courtesy of Destination New South Wales

Crowdy Bay National Park, courtesy of Destination New South Wales

Crowdy Bay National Park isn’t as flashy as some of the state’s other coastal parks, but it has a quiet charm that appeals to active campers. People come to Crowdy Bay for swimming, fishing, boating, walking and hiking.

Diamond Head camping area is located right by the beachfront and has good facilities. If you’re staying at Diamond Head, making the short loop walk to Indian Beach is recommended – there are fantastic views along the coast, mountains and forest.

Alexander Bay camping area, Esperance, Western Australia

Esperance has plenty of stunning beachside campsites. Lucky Bay is certainly the most well known campsite in the area (and one of our favourites), but the nearby Alexander Bay camping area is equally beautiful – and has shaded campsites.

The camping area is situated in native bush just off the beach, and is accessed by an unsealed road. Van sites and facilities are limited, but you can bring your dog.

Once you have set up tent, head down to the pristine beach to enjoy stunning panoramic views and great swimming and fishing.

Johanna Beach camping area, Great Otway National Park, VictoriaJohanna Beach camping area, courtesy of Paul Smedley

If you’re a surfer, there is arguably no better place to camp on the Victorian coast than at Johanna Beach camping area. The beach is the back-up venue for the Rip Curl Pro, normally held at Bells Beach.

The camping at Johanna is pretty chilled, just as the surfers like it. It’s a dog-friendly and no-bookings site hidden behind the sand dunes, and suits tents, caravans and campers trailers. Facilities are limited, and you’ll have to bring your own drinking water.

Johanna Beach is situated in Great Otway National Park, so you can choose between spending your days on the beach or in the pristine rainforest.

Wauraltee Beach camping area, Yorke Peninsula Reserves, South Australia

One of the campsites maintained by the Yorke Peninsula District Council, Wauraltee Beach camping area is extremely basic and has basically no shade.

But don’t let that deter you! The beach is pretty enough that you’ll feel happy bringing your own … well, everything (including your dog).

The main activities at Wauraltee Beach are fishing and swimming, as well as gazing at the spectacular sunsets. A camping fee of $10 per night applies.

Ocean beach camping areas, Coorong National Park, South Australia

Like the name suggests, there’s really nothing but the beach at these bush camping sites. Only accessible by 4WD, the sites have basically no facilities – but the location more than makes up for it.

Situated on the Younghusband Peninsula, Coorong National Park is home to both beaches and a slender series of saline lagoons, which you can explore by canoe. It’s this understated beauty (and the fishing) that appeals to campers.

There are also an abundance of bird species, which makes the park an attractive prospect for twitchers.

Cleaverville Beach camping area, Roebourne, Western Australia

If you love the beach, you can hardly find a better camping spot in Western Australia than Cleaverville.

Situated behind the dunes of the beach, the campsites are very basic. It’s recommended that you bring your own firewood and drinking water, as well as a portable toilet.

The beach is the main attraction with boating, canoeing, fishing and swimming opportunities. As well as the many water-based activities, you can also just sit back and enjoy the view.