The 9 Best Beaches in Australia
Where To Find Top Aussie Beaches
By Chantae Reden | Published: August 27, 2025 | Updated: June 1, 2026
With over 37,000 miles of coastline, Australia is the ideal place to put your toes in the sand and soak up the sun. The best beaches in Australia include Turquoise Bay, Cable Beach, Whitehaven Beach, Byron Bay Beach, Wineglass Bay and Burleigh, each promising a new experience — from iconic waves and technicolor coral reefs to breathtaking whale migration paths.
As someone who's spent the past decade traveling Down Under, this is my guide to experiencing the best Australian beaches — including how to find them and highlights — on your next Royal Caribbean cruise to Australia.
Key Takeaways: Where Are the Best Beaches in Australia?
If you’re looking for great beaches in Australia, check out these top spots:
- ● New South Wales: Bondi Beach, Byron Bay Beach and St. Kilda Beach.
- ● Western Australia: Lucky Bay, Cottesloe Beach, Cable Beach and Turquoise Beach.
- ● Queensland: Whitehaven Beach and Burleigh.
If you’re exploring popular hotspots or little-known hangouts, you’re sure to find some of the best Aussie beaches on a Royal Caribbean Australia cruise.
1. Bondi Beach, Sydney
As the most popular beach in Australia, Bondi Beach has rightfully earned its reputation as one of the liveliest beaches in the world. It’s an accessible destination if you’re cruising to Sydney or departing from the city.
What It Is
The beach itself is a crescent of golden sand cloaked in colorful towels, and the rental stands hire out soft-top surfboards for travelers in search of their first wave. Inland, a string of souvenir shops, surf shops, cafés and restaurants caters to every craving.
Where It Is
Bondi Beach is one of the best beaches in Sydney, Australia, located east of downtown. The most accessible cruise ports here are:
- ● Overseas Passenger Terminal.
- ● White Bay Cruise Terminal.
Highlights
Grab a meal to go and enjoy it on the large grassy lawn on the southern end of the beach, next to the skate park. Public restrooms, lifeguards and playgrounds make it a popular pick for families and solo travelers alike.
2. Lucky Bay, Esperance
After traveling around Australia for nearly a decade, few beaches have left as large an impression on me as Lucky Bay.
What It Is
Lucky Bay is a gorgeous white-sand beach known for incredible views, easily one of the best Australian beaches.
Where It Is
Lucky Bay is in Cape Le Grand National Park, southeast of Esperance and the nearest cruise port.
Highlights
Bask in the sun on picturesque beaches, put your toes in the turquoise waters and grab some pictures with the family of kangaroos hopping along the shoreline.
3. Byron Bay Beach, New South Wales
Byron Bay is a unique cultural destination, shaped by people from all around Australia who formed a surf-forward community.
What It Is
Byron Bay Beach is a surfing hotspot with an air of its original 1960s identity, including:
- ● Tarot card readers.
- ● Crystal shops.
- ● Art boutiques.
Where It Is
Byron Bay Beach is in Byron Bay in the northeastern part of New South Wales. The most convenient cruise port is likely in Sydney.
Highlights
For full-fledged beach culture, you can:
- ● Sunbathe on the golden sands just in front of town.
- ● Kayak to see dolphins and whales out in the open ocean.
- ● Stroll along Byron Bay's streets to drop in at organic cafés or shop for locally made artwork.
4. Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island
Whitehaven Beach is well worth the one-and-a-half-hour ferry ride from Arlie Beach, Queensland.
What It Is
Sometimes called the most beautiful beach in the Land Down Under, Whitehaven Beach, Australia, is over four miles of gorgeous white sand and aquamarine water.
Where It Is
Whitehaven Beach is on Whitsunday Island off the coast of Queensland. The closest cruise port is in Airlie Beach.
Highlights
Snorkel and plunge underwater to see residents of the Great Barrier Reef, like sea turtles and manta rays. Journey over on a seaplane or helicopter tour for a bird's-eye view of the blue and green hues of the water.
5. Cottesloe Beach, Perth
Cottesloe Beach stands out as one of the best Perth beaches with its facilities, classic Australian activities and scenic splendor.
What It Is
Cottesloe Beach is home to an eggshell-colored shore backed by green lawns and delicious dining options.
Where It Is
This beach is located in a Perth suburb in Western Australia. The closest cruise port is in Perth.
Highlights
During the summer months, the main beach of Cottesloe is protected by lifeguards and flagged for swimmers only. Come wintertime, it's one of Perth's best surf spots — and longboarders head to the eastern side of the jetty in search of peeling, friendly waves.
6. St. Kilda Beach, Melbourne
If you're in search of an urban-meets-beach Australian vacation, head to St. Kilda for buzzing boardwalk fare and beachy eats.
What It Is
There’s no better spot for snacking and surfing than St. Kilda Beach, known for its energetic atmosphere and immersive culture. Here, you can experience top-tier dining and souvenir shopping at the beaches in Melbourne, Australia.
Where It Is
St. Kilda Beach is a short tram ride south of the city center. You’ll find a cruise port conveniently located in Melbourne.
Highlights
Windsurfers and kitesurfers head to the water to take advantage of St. Kilda's consistent winds. Stroll down the pier to watch the resident penguin colony playing on the nearby rocks. If you've come hungry, there are plenty of cafés and restaurants ranging from casual to upscale dotted along the shoreline, with top-tier eats found near the main pier.
7. Wineglass Bay, Freycinet National Park
While you’ll find plenty of the top Australian beaches on the mainland, the island of Tasmania also has scenic stretches of sand to share.
What It Is
Wineglass Bay is a half-moon bay of golden sands that separates cobalt blue waters and wild bushland.
Where It Is
Pass through Coles Bay and into Freycinet National Park to find Wineglass Bay. Depending on where your cruise adventure takes you, Melbourne might be the closest cruise port.
Highlights
Spot some of Australia’s native wildlife in Wineglass Bay, including:
- ● Bottlenose dolphins.
- ● Australian fur seals.
- ● Bennet’s wallabies.
- ● Bush possums.
- ● Quolls.
- ● Echidnas.
- ● Wombats.
- ● Tasmanian devils.
8. Cable Beach, Broome
Cable Beach is iconic for tropical sunsets over the west coast of Australia. It’s the perfect destination for mixing relaxation with adventure.
What It Is
This beach is a 14-mile stretch of white sand and turquoise water, with excellent swimming conditions and a resort-style vibe. If you’re in Kimberley, definitely head here to watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean.
Where It Is
You’ll find Cable Beach just four miles from the Broome town center. It is easily reached by the local bus service or by car.
Highlights
During the golden hour, you can join camel trains for a guided walk — an excellent photo opportunity, both on the camels or from the beach. There are also cliffs in the south, where you can see 130-million-year-old dinosaur footprints.
Another reason to visit if you’re heading there between March and October is the staircase to the moon. Catch a full-moon rise over the mudflats and see the optical illusion of stairs that could lead you directly to the stars.
9. Turquoise Bay, Exmouth
For world-class snorkeling where the reef is just steps from the shoreline, Turquoise Bay delivers on one of Australia’s most accessible underwater playgrounds.
What It Is
Turquoise Bay is the gateway to the Ningaloo Reef, known for its exceptionally clear waters and current for drift snorkeling. It’s a protected home to hundreds of species of tropical fish and stunning coral gardens.
Where It Is
The bay is located within Cape Range National Park, around 37 miles south of Exmouth. You can reach the bay via a scenic drive or an organized shuttle from the town center.
Highlights
The natural current will carry you floating over the reef for a bird’s-eye view of the eccentric marine life in some of the clearest waters in Australia. The Ningaloo Reef Marine Park is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed coral system, where you’ll find turtles, sharks and rays passing by.
When you’re visiting, keep a lookout for red kangaroos and wallabies beyond the beach.
Other Top Australian Beaches
If you want to add more variation to your tour of great beaches in Australia, check out these locations:
- ● Queensland: Noosa Main Beach.
- ● Western Australia: Little Lagoon, Shark Bay.
- ● New South Wales: Woolgoolga, Hyams Beach.
- ● Tasmania: Bay of Fires.
FAQ: Best Australian Beaches To Visit on a Cruise Vacation
Are There Any Swimmable Beaches in Australia?
Yes. Swimmable beaches are abundant in Australia, including Whitehaven Beach in Queensland, Hyams Beach in New South Wales and Turquoise Beach in Western Australia.
While swimming at the beaches in Australia, it’s possible to encounter strong currents or box jellyfish. This is not the case for all beaches or all the time, so it’s always safest to check the conditions with local lifeguards or information centers before entering the water.
What’s the Number One Beach in Australia?
The No. 1 beach in Australia is Whitehaven Beach, famous for its 98% silica sand, which makes a striking contrast with the turquoise waters. Squeaky Beach, Bondi Beach and Lucky Bay are also iconic Australian beaches.
Which Beaches Have the Clearest Water in Australia?
Australia’s beaches are renowned for their clear waters, sometimes reaching 50 to 100 feet of visibility. The clearest aqua waters are found at Hyams Beach, Whitehaven Beach and Lucky Bay in Western Australia, but you’ll find gorgeous, clear beaches across the country.
What Is the Number One Most Beautiful Beach in the World?
The number one most beautiful beach in the world is often considered Isla Pasion in Cozumel. Whitehaven Beach in Australia is always near the top of the list, praised for having the purest silica sand in the world.
Plan Your Cruise To The Best Australian Beaches
From highly popular Byron Beach to other incredible spots like the Bay of Fires, Australia, there’s no shortage of great beaches in the Land Down Under. Offering anything from great views and gorgeous shorelines to swimming, surfing, dining, shopping and wildlife spotting, there’s something for everyone. Just remember to plan ahead so you’re visiting at the best time of year.
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