THE BEST BEACHES OF AUSTRALIA (TOP 10 SELECTION FOR 2019)

Every year, the Australian Geographic officially announces the best beach in the country, and in 2017 the title was given to its remotes. Far from the Australian continent, in fact, topographically closer to South-East Asia, the outlying Cocos (Keeling) Islands truly are jewels of the Indian Ocean. Although the Cossies Beach was ranked as Australia`s best beach 2017 (and it surely needs to be given credit for that) let`s try to find the best pieces in the ‘mainland’ of Australia this time.

In 2018, Nudey Beach in Far North Queensland was lucky enough to gain the title. Which one is going to take the pride of being the best beach of Australia in 2019?

Cocos Islands (Keeling), the Cossies Beach was ranked as the best beach of Australia in 2017

1.TURQUOISE BAY (WESTERN AUSTRALIA)

When it comes to beaches, where else if not in Western Australia you can find the best locations? Already the Dutch Captain Janz was stunned by the grandeur of the Ningaloo coastline when he first landed at the North West Cape in 1618, known as the Mauritius Beach.

Today, Exmouth is the state`s holiday hotspot. Surrounded by sensational white beaches, underwater coral gardens, and ever-blue skies – it is a place to be. Among all the splendid lagoons and natural ‘lidos’, the winner is undoubtedly the Turquoise Bay that has kept its stable spot in ‘Australia`s top 10 beaches’ rankings for years.

The Turquoise Bay has been one of the ‘Australia`s top 10 beaches’ for years

2.CORAL BAY  (WESTERN AUSTRALIA)

Further south, in the Coral Bay – the name speaks for itself – there is another white-sand tropical paradise. The major attractions of the coast are coral reefs and their wading distance proximity to the shores.

This tiny seaside resort provides extraordinary snorkelling for the reefs here are literally metres away from the pristine shores. Bill`s Bay is the most visited. With the famed Purdy Point, a red rock also called Fletcher`s Hill; this is a spot not to be missed – the colour of the water here is unbelievable. The bright-red sandbar drop amplifies the hues of azure, and with some help of the blinding Australian sunshine, the optics can easily trick your eyes.

The Coral Bay is known for sugar-white sands and red rock

3.LUCKY BAY (WESTERN AUSTRALIA)

When the Dutch ship “Gulden Zeepaard” arrived at the marvellous shores of Esperance in 1624, the sailors could not believe what they saw. For its surreal scenery, it quickly became a focus of the Europeans.

Today, Esperance is romantically dubbed as the ‘Bay of Isles’, and it has beaches declared Australia`s whitest. Besides, the Twilight Beach, almost a national cliché, was repeatedly rated as the best beach on Earth.

The Twilight Beach has kept the title “Australia`s best beach” for decades

There are many similarly magnificent beaches in Esperance, and it is hard to say which one is better. Yet, perhaps one is slightly more impressive than the others – the Lucky Bay.

The stark contrast of sugar-white sand and the bright cyanic sea is striking! Friendly kangaroos hopping along the shores dotted with seasonal wildflowers have made it to many travel magazine covers. Certainly, the bay is very lucky!

The Lucky Bay, Cape Le Grand

4.GREENS POOL (WESTERN AUSTRALIA)

Denmark, with its confusing name, is a tiny Western Australian seaside resort defined by the swell of the Southern Ocean and staggering vistas. Tree-covered hills, river inlets and big waves make Denmark’s coast very attractive, particularly for surfers who have been coming here for decades.

Set amidst a wild stretch of the rough ocean, the sheltered Greens Pool with calm waters is a bit of exception. Somehow reminding of Seychelles, with large granite boulders scattered in the turquoise shallows, the idyllic scenery lures to dive in.

The nearby Elephant Rock is another eye-catcher – a place where one will want to linger. Greens Pool is definitely the most photographed beach in Western Australia.

The Elephant Rock, Greens Pool

5.JERVIS BAY (NEW SOUTH WALES)

Let`s move on to the Pacific Coast, but hang on, the chain of snow-white stretches has not finished yet. Even the New South Wales takes pride in some of the whitest beaches on Earth.

In fact, it has been argued for years whether it is Esperance or Jervis Bay that was blessed with the whitest sands. Although no one has ever come to a conclusion in this matter, the fact is that both locations are simply divine.

The white, flour-soft sands at the Hyams Beach, Jervis Bay

The Jervis Bay National Park is a mecca for sailors, yachters, divers, snorkelers, water sport and glamping lovers. With countless flour-soft beaches, emerald waters dotted with sails and yachts, secluded bays and hidden coves, Jervis Bay much resembles some of the Mediterranean islands.

There are so many marvellous strands that it is difficult to judge which one is the best, but there is one that stands out – the Honeymoon Bay.

The Honeymoon Bay, Jervis Bay

6.SHOAL BAY (NEW SOUTH WALES)

Long golden stretches, emerald waters, mountains of forests and sand dunes (quite literally) – this is Port Stephens. Tomaree National Park is the highlights of the sub-tropical New South Wales.

The protected coastal area features dense vegetation, abundant wildlife and heavenly beaches, of course. Fingal Bay, Shoal Bay, and Soldier Bay offer world-renowned pleasure grounds, and they are best to admire from the Tomaree Headland Lookout.

Further south, just stone`s throw away, the famed Stockton Beach with the giant Sand Dunes presents nature`s masterpiece!

The Tomaree Head, Port Stephens

7.PORT CAMPBELL BEACH & LOCH ARD GORGE (VICTORIA)

As one of the major points of interest on the legendary Great Ocean Road, the Shipwreck Coast is an astonishing stretch of rugged coastline, upon which at least 80 ships have come to grief.

The weather here is often violently stormy, and the combination of the powerful Southern Ocean and gusty winds have formed dramatic rock formations – Twelve Apostles.

The legendary Loch Ard Gorge, Port Campbell cove beach, Great Ocean Road

Loch Ard Gorge is named after an English ship that ran aground in 1878, leaving alive only two teenage survivors – Tom & Eva.

Today, the spectacular beach can be accessed via stairs or appreciated from “Tom & Eva Lookout”. The beach has gained popularity as a popular filming location, e.g. ‘The Pirate Movie’, ‘Journey to the centre of the Earth’ and ‘Amazing Race Australia’.

Twelve Apostles, Great Ocean Road

8.NOOSA HEADS  (QUEENSLAND)

Situated at the most exclusive part of the Sunshine Coast, within a beautiful headland with the mouth of the Noosa River, this small yet pretty town with superb marinas is home to many celebrities.

Besides, Noosa is Australia`s premier holiday destination, especially amongst families, surfers and couples. The southern coast of Noosa is a staggering, more than 20 km long stretch of the wide-open Pacific Ocean and the beaches here are epic, that`s for sure. However, we picked the Noosa Heads as the best.

Tea Tree Bay, Noosa Headland

The Noosa Heads National Park is just around the corner from the township. The headland and cliffs in the park rise to 200 m, offering jaw-dropping views. The park features high dunes and coastal heath as well as various types of grasslands and scrub, forest and rainforest with plenty of coastal walking tracks.

Whales and dolphins love the coastal waters, and they are often spotted in the area. Several paradisiacal bays are squashed between the forested hill-cliffs, providing wonderful seclusion. Is it the dramatic Granite Bay with secret ‘Fairy Pools’, the clothing-optional Alexandria Bay or the hidden coves of Tea Tree Bay? Visit Noosa and take your pick.

The Fairy Pools in Noosa

9.WHITEHAVEN BEACH

Just in case you have never seen this photograph before, now it time to learn about the Australian honeymoon hotspot – Whitsunday Island. The island itself is a national park, and it doesn`t get any more ‘virgin’ than this.

The protected area includes fabulous white sandy beaches, secluded bays, radiant coral gardens, shallow tropical waters, dense green pine forests and heavenly peace. The major attraction on the island is the world-famous Whitehaven Beach, with swirling white sands in the Hill Inlet. Too many times rated as the world`s best beach, for its fame, the place has almost become a banality.

The iconic Hill Inlet, Whitsunday Islands

DID YOU KNOW?

The immaculate 7 km long, flour-like stretch consists of 98% pure silica brought to the beach via prevailing sea currents over millions of years. The interesting fact about the silica-sand is that it does not retain heat (which is pretty useful being in Australia) and it is excellent at polishing jewellery. However, it has got a flipside too – it doesn`t like electronics at all, hence don`t be surprised if your camera or phone gets damaged!

The world-famous Whitehaven Beach

10.CAPE TRIBULATION (QUEENSLAND)

From the upscale resort town of Port Douglas and the celebrated Four Mile Beach, the coastal road continues to the Far North of the Sunshine State.

This is not only the way to reach the World Heritage Site of the Daintree National Park and the untouched rainforest at Mossman Gorge but also to discover the ‘King of the Australian Tropics’ – Cape Tribulation.

Cape Tribulation in the Far North of Queensland

Some of the most isolated yet least spoilt, the coastline here will blow your mind away! The extraordinary coastal section between Thornton Beach and Cape Tribulation is home to a rare natural phenomenon – the scenery that combines beachside rainforest, lily-white stretches and tropical fringing reefs just off the shore.

NOTE

If you are taking a stroll down the beach remember to watch out for the wildlife warning signs – crocodiles and cassowaries (the world`s deadliest birds) are no rarities in the area.

A secluded beach in the Cape Tribulation

11.BONUS BEACH – WINEGLASS BAY (TASMANIA)

As the ‘antipode’ of the Far North of Queensland, Tasmania might not be situated on the ‘mainland’ of Australia, and it is not a beach-vacation-destination either, yet its exceptional natural splendour cannot be left out. Being regarded as one of the world`s most beautiful beaches, the Wineglass Bay captivates thousands of tourists every year.

Indeed, the bay looks just like a wineglass; the Freycinet Peninsula`s granite mountains are swept down to sparkling vivid-blue waters of the Tasman Sea, forming images so perfect, completely spot on.

The Wineglass Bay is said to be the most perfectly shaped beach on our planet. Just have a look!

Wineglass Bay is the most perfectly shaped bay on Earth, Tasmania

DID YOU KNOW?

Australia is the only country on Earth with undomesticated herds of camels. The one-humped animals live in herds in the wild bushes of the Outback.

Broome, however, has made a tourist attraction of the lovely animal, and today, the visitors can enjoy the popular Camel Safari. The Western Australian ‘Sunset Capital’ is known for endless white stretches, camel rides but also occasional crocodiles swimming in the coastal waters.

Anyhow, the iconic Cable Beach has become a symbol of the town for the camels promenading along the evening-strand while the sun is setting down.

Camels on the Cable Beach in Broome