Are these Australia’s 10 best beaches?

Freya Herring Freya Herring
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We’re pretty lucky in this country to have some of the best beaches in the world, so when TripAdvisor released its yearly ‘Top 10 Beaches’, many were surprised that only one Aussie beach made the list!

 

Amongst those confused by the ranking, were the very vocal members of luxuryescapes.com, a members-only travel site that offers high-end holidays.

 

The well-travelled folk who holiday with Luxury Escapes are used to holidaying to some of the world’s most picture-perfect destinations – so it’s safe to say they know their beaches. Here are their picks for the best beaches in Australia.

1. Whitehaven Beach, Queensland

people's choice awards australia best getaway
Swirling white sands of Hill Inlet at Whitehaven Beach, QLD.

What is there to say about Whitehaven Beach that hasn’t been said before? The silica sand is impossibly, velvety soft and unicorn-white, and it’s so clean, so untouched, that it’s hard to believe you’re only a boat ride away from the fully functioning resort-ville of the rest of the Whitsundays.

Where to eat nearby:

 

Coca Chu is an Asian fusion restaurant 11.5km from Whitehaven but serves up incredible vegan-friendly grub in a supremely picturesque setting. It also caters to the meat lovers among us, so don’t fret. It features the hawker-street style food of South East Asia that you’ll be craving during your swim.

2. Wineglass Bay, Tasmania

Australia's best beaches luxury escapes
Tasmania’s Wineglass Bay is like a little slice of paradise, no wonder why it’s considered one of Australia’s best beaches.

Seemingly situated on the edge of the Earth – next stop, Antarctica – Wineglass Bay on Tasmania’s Freycinet Peninsula is a little slice of paradise down south. Surrounded by lush bushland, it’s also home to some of the most luxurious accommodation in the state (case in point: Saffire Freycinet).

Where to eat nearby:

 

Freycinet Marie Farm is the perfect pit stop for any seafood lover. You can pick up sumptuous oysters to take back to your accommodation – or to the beach – or settle in for some grilled Tasmanian garlic scallops and a bread roll. Delicious.

3. Hyams Beach, New South Wales

Australia's best beaches luxury escapes
Just a short drive from Sydney, Hyams Beach is renowned for its feathery-white sand and crystal-clear waters.

Its sands have been recorded as the whitest in the world, so it’s hard to believe that Hyams Beach is only three hours out of Sydney. If you get tired of those crystal-clear waters and feathery sand, then check out nearby local bushwalks to experience breathtaking views over Jervis Bay.

Where to eat nearby:

 

Just 3.8km away from Hyams Beach is Albert N Miso, a divine little cafe located in Vincentia. With a hearty breakfast and lunch menu, plus delicious burgers all day (try the fish burger with tomato salsa, tartare and sprouts), and they also start a tapas menu at 6pm, meaning your stroll from the beach into town will be well worth it.

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4. Turquoise Bay, Western Australia

Australia's best beaches luxury escapes
Tucked away in Western Australia, Turquoise Bay is a secluded spot of heaven, it’s also perfect for snorkelling.

When you think of paradise-like beaches, something a lot like Turquoise Bay in far northern Western Australia will spring to mind. Think azure-hued waters, soft white sand, and not another person around for miles. And did we mention there’s some of the best snorkelling around?

Where to eat nearby:

 

Adrift Cafe are your perfect pick if you’re after an incredible big breakfast that’ll do more than just touch the sides – an attractive option if you’ve gone a little heavy on the Coronas the night before. They also tend to feature specials with a Middle Eastern flavour and change the specials up weekly.

5. Eagle Bay, Western Australia

Australia's best beaches luxury escapes
Crystal-clear water and unbelievably white sand at Eagle Bay in Western Australia.

Only a stone’s throw from Margaret River, you’ll find Eagle Bay. White sands and glistening waters contrast against red Australian rock. Head up to Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse to see where the Southern and Indian Oceans meet.

Where to eat nearby:

 

Eagle Bay Brewing Co has a brilliant, casual vibe and outdoor seating and dishes up amazing dishes with a mix of Asian and Italian influence. Order the soy chilli cashews and peanuts for a nibble with your brew, or the espresso braised BBQ brisket for something meatier – literally. The honey & sesame chicken with chinese sausage is also a great choice.

6. Four Mile Beach, Queensland

Australia's best beaches luxury escapes
Beautiful Four Mile Beach in Queensland.

Such is the length of this celebrated Port Douglas beach, that it was used as an airplane runway back in the early days of aviation. It’s beautiful, clean and not too overcrowded at this time of year (just watch out for crocs).

Where to eat nearby:

 

When you’re done at the beach for the day, head over to The Beach Shack on Barrier Street for incredible pizza and cocktails. And when we say come from the beach, we mean it – the restaurant’s floors are already sandy – and surfboards hang from the walls – so you’re bound to fit right in.

7. Pennington Bay, South Australia

Australia's best beaches luxury escapes
Pennington Bay’s remote location means that you can have this photogenic beach all to yourself. Kangaroo Island, South Australia.

This beach on Kangaroo Island deserves a place on your bucket list. Not only is the surfing world class, but the remote location means it’s secluded from the hordes of tourists who would usually frequent a beach this photogenic.

Where to eat nearby:

 

Cactus serves up incredible coffee and food on Kangaroo Island. They do a Friday night Mediterranean feast that draws massive crowds and again, the coffee – very, very good.

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8. Tallow Beach, New South Wales

Australia's best beaches luxury escapes
Tallow Beach in New South Wales can be enjoyed with your furry pooch pals.

A little bit tired of busy Byron? Head over to Tallow Beach, just a few kilometres out of town, and feel immediately rested. Dogs have a good long stretch of beach to themselves, so your pooch doesn’t have to stay at home while you catch some rays.

Where to eat nearby:

 

Suffolk Bakery offers up some of the best freshly baked goodies you can get your hands on. They often showcase live musicians alongside their fresh coffee and amazing croissants. Perfect for a takeaway lunch or to nestle in and enjoy the atmosphere.

9. Trinity Beach, Queensland

Australia's best beaches luxury escapes
Trinity Beach is just a short trip from the Cairns city centre and is perfect for families.

Even though Trinity Beach is a suburb of Cairns – and only 20 minutes from the airport – you’d hardly know it, with properties and restaurants set back from the sand, so the ocean feels like it’s all yours.

Where to eat nearby:

 

Trinity Beach Bar & Grill offers up delicious eats, including the freshest fruit and yoghurt, they also do delicious hot sandwiches and even themed nights such as ‘pasta night’ – that one is not to be missed – and neither are the cocktails.

10. Seaford Beach, Victoria

Australia's best beaches luxury escapes
A romantic sunset over Seaford Beach in Victoria.

Boasting a long pier dotted with fishermen, Seaford Beach is the gateway to Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, and only a 45-minute drive from Melbourne. The shallow waters and gentle waves around the pier make it perfect for swimming with little ones.

Where to eat nearby:

 

Beach Cafe Seaford offers coffee, cake and a light daytime menu and an incredible terrace overlooking the bay. The atmosphere is relaxed – and kind of feels as though you could stay there all day – but how can you when the beach is calling so loud?

 

Want more on Australia’s best beaches? Check out the secret beaches you won’t find on the tourist maps…

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Freya Herring

Freya Herring

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7 Kimberley experiences that need to be on your bucket list

    Australian Traveller Australian Traveller
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    From thundering waterfalls to ancient Indigenous art, Kimberley’s raw beauty will take your breath away.

    Wild, pristine, and shaped by nature, the Kimberley Coast is one of Australia’s most spectacular landscapes. A remote and rugged frontier that remains a bucket list destination for many travellers. Its most breathtaking attractions – including Montgomery Reef, King George Falls and Horizontal Falls – are accessible only by sea or air, making a guided expedition cruise aboard Silversea’s luxury expedition ship, Silver Cloud, the ideal way to explore it.

    From its intricate intertidal zones to ancient rock art, extreme tides and rare wildlife found nowhere else in Australia – or the world – this journey offers an unparalleled exploration of one of Earth’s last true wildernesses.

    Why Silversea?

    Silversea offers a 10-day expedition departing Broome, or an extended 16-day expedition voyage from Indonesia, including landings on the hidden gems of Palopo Sulawesi and Komodo. Accompanied by expert guides and specialists in marine biology, history and geology, guests gain a deeper understanding of the Kimberley’s dramatic landscapes, rich cultural heritage and extraordinary biodiversity.

    Silversea offers one of the experiential travel industry’s leading crew-to-guest ratios. Along with all-suite accommodation (80 per cent with private verandah), 24-hour butler service, a swimming pool and four dining options. Silver Cloud also has an experienced crew of multilingual expedition guides and specialists in marine biology, history and geology to enhance your Kimberley Experience.

    silversea cruise ship pool deck
    Take a dip in the pool deck.

    1. Koolama Bay

    ​​Before visitors see King George Falls, they hear them – a growing rumble in the distance, steady and foreboding as the Zodiac glides through the gorge, the sound echoing off sheer rock formations. At 80 meters tall, the twin cascades carve through the red cliffs, churning the waters below in a spectacular finale – but Koolama Bay holds secrets beyond its striking scenery.

    Named after a ship that beached here following an aerial attack by Japanese bombers in World War II, the bay may seem desolate, yet it teems with life. With Silversea’s expert guides on their 10-day Kimberley itinerary, guests gain a sharper eye for its hidden wonders – rock wallabies darting across the cliffs, crocodiles lurking among dense green mangroves, and high above, the silhouette of a bird of prey circling the sky.

    King George Falls at koolama bay excursion on Silversea Kimberley Cruise
    Take a shore excursion to see King George Falls.

    2. Freshwater Cove / Wijingarra Butt Butt

    Connect with Country on a wet landing at Freshwater Cove, also known as Wijingarra Butt Butt. Considered one of the most special experiences on both the 16-day and 10-day Kimberley cruises, Silversea guests are welcomed by the traditional Indigenous custodians of the land, painted with traditional ochre, and invited to take part in a smoking ceremony.

    Located on the mainland near Montgomery Reef, Wijingarra Butt Butt holds deep cultural significance to the local Indigenous community. Here, rock formations along the shore represent spiritual ancestors, and guests are guided to a nearby rock overhang filled with ancient art, where traditional owners share the stories and meaning behind these sacred paintings.

    welcome to country on freshwater cove during silversea kimberley cruise
    Take part in a smoking ceremony. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

    3. Vansittart Bay (Jar Island)

    Modern history, ancient culture and mystery converge in Vansittart Bay, which is also known as Jar Island. Here, the first thing to catch the eye is the dented, silver fuselage of a World War II-era C-53 plane – a striking relic of the past. Yet, the true cultural treasures lie just a short hike away where two distinct styles of Indigenous rock art – Gwion Gwion and Wandjina – can be found.

    The Wandjina figures, deeply connected to Indigenous traditions, stand in stark contrast to the enigmatic Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) paintings, which date back more than 12,000 years. Significantly different in form and style, the two different styles create a striking juxtaposition, offering a rare glimpse into the region’s rich and complex past.

    aerial view of Vansittart Bay, See it in you Silversea Kimberley Cruise.
    Explore ancient Gwion Gwion rock art at Vansittart Bay. (Image: Janelle Lugge)

    4. Horizontal Falls

    Part illusion, part natural phenomenon, the Kimberley’s much-lauded Horizontal Falls aren’t a waterfall, but a tidal and geographic spectacle that visitors have to see to comprehend. Known as Garaanngaddim, the phenomenon occurs when seawater rushes through two narrow gaps- one just twenty metres wide, and the other seven metres in width, between the escarpments of Talbot Bay.

    With each tidal shift,  the force of the water creates whirlpools, furious currents and the illusion of a horizontal cascade as thousands of gallons of water are pushed and pulled in through the gap every six hours with relentless movement, making this one of the Kimberley’s most mesmerising natural wonders.

    Horizontal Falls are described as "One of the greatest wonders of the natural world". They are formed from a break in-between the McLarty Ranges reaching up to 25m in width. The natural phenomenon is created as seawater builds up faster on one side of the gaps than the other, creating a waterfall up to 5m high on a King tide.
    Watch whirlpools and furious currents collide. (Image: Janelle Lugge)

    5. Montgomery Reef

    As the tide turns in Montgomery Reef, magic happens. With the Kimberley’s legendary tides varying up to ten metres, at low tide the submerged reef almost appears to rise from the depths: exposing up to four metres of the sandstone reef.

    The impact is otherworldly: as the water drains, waterfalls cascade on either side of the channel,  turtles left exposed scramble and dive, and fish leap in search of sanctuary in shallow pools. Meanwhile, the dinner bell rings for the migratory seabirds dugongs, reef sharks and dolphins that scavenge and feast in the area.

    Using zodiacs, guests cruise through one of the world’s most significant inshore reef systems navigated by experienced guides, exploring the most intricate and fascinating parts of a 300-square-kilometre-wide biodiversity hotspot.

    aerial view of boat going along Montgomery Reef
    Witness seabirds, dolphins and reef sharks on the hunt.

    6. Mitchell Falls by Helicopter

    Experiencing the Kimberley by sea allows you to feel the power of the tides, but travelling by helicopter reveals the sandstone tapestry of the Kimberley, a landscape geologists believe is over 1.8 billion years old.

    One of Silversea’s most popular optional excursions, guests who opt to fly into the interior from the onboard helipad soar up above the rust-coloured landscape of the Mitchell plateau, taking in one of Australia’s most scenic waterfalls: Mitchell Falls, a series of four emerald-coloured pools gently cascades into each other, before plunging down to the river below.

    Seeing the landscape from above reveals a landscape weaved and shaped by the power of the freshwater wet season, juxtaposed to the constant lapping of the relentless and powerful tide on the coast.

    aerial view of mitchell falls on silversea helicopter excursion
    See emerald pools cascade into the river below. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

    7. Indigenous Art Caves, Wandjina Art

    The Kimberley Region of Western Australia is home to some of the most striking and significant

    Indigenous rock art in Australia. Dotted throughout the landscape are caves, cliffs and rock overhangs depicting the striking, ethereal image of Wandjina, the rainmaker spirit and creation being central to many of the Dreamtime stories in this region.

    Some of the paintings are regularly repainted by traditional custodians, while others are believed to be over 4,000 years old. Each artwork serves as both a cultural record and a living connection to the past, offering a rare opportunity to engage with the enduring traditions of the Kimberley’s Indigenous communities.

    Freshwater Cover Rock Art the kimberleys
    Walk among cultural records preserved in stone. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

    See the best of this incredible part of the world on a Silversea Kimberley cruise. Book your 10- or extended 16-day expedition voyage at silversea.com