10 Best Beach Towns in Australia
What Is the Most Popular Beach Town in Australia?
Australia’s best beach towns are dotted along its nearly 26,000 km of coastline. Australia has truly been blessed with magnificent beaches and countless stunning beach towns. With sunny cities in nearly every region, from Western Australia to New South Wales to the island of Tasmania, there are loads of options for a picture-perfect beach escape.
Whether you’re a surfer seeking the perfect wave, a family looking for a relaxing getaway or a sun seeker simply looking to soak up some Vitamin D-filled rays, Australia has a beach town to suit your style.
1. Byron Bay, NSW
Renowned for its surfing beaches
Ideal para: Alimentação, Foto, Famílias
Byron Bay is by far the most well-known beach town in Australia, and for good reason. While it’s a haven for all sorts of beach lovers, including swimmers, sun worshipers and sandcastle builders, it’s particularly great for surfers, thanks to its beginner-friendly swells and plethora of surf schools.
Despite the thousands of visitors Byron Bay gets every year, it somehow still boasts a welcoming, small-town atmosphere. Wander around the town centre, grab homegrown goodies at the many local markets and pop by the iconic Cape Byron Lighthouse.
Byron Bay, NSW
2. Burleigh Heads, Queensland
Gold Coast town filled with trendy boutiques and restaurants
Ideal para: Compras, Alimentação, Foto
Like Byron Bay, Queensland’s Burleigh Heads is a surfing hotspot. But while Byron Bay is great for beginners, this Gold Coast beach town is particularly great for pro surfers. Some Burleigh Heads breaks, like Rock Break and The Point, boast >100-metre ride-throughs.
Beyond the shore, Burleigh Heads exudes that laidback charm that beach towns are known for. Take a leisurely stroll on the Burleigh Headland Walk, find handmade wares at the Burleigh Village Markets or hop your way from one local craft brewery to another on a Burleigh Heads pub crawl.
Burleigh Heads, Queensland
3. Port Macquarie, NSW
Wildlife park and 17 beaches
Ideal para: Famílias, Foto
With 17 beaches within its bounds, Port Macquarie has a shoreline for every type of beachgoer. The sheltered shores of Shelley Beach are ideal for families, while the wavy waters of Town Beach are a surfer favourite.
Once you’re ready to take a break from the sand and saltwater, explore the rest of what Port Macquarie has to offer. Admire the towering trees of the Sea Acres Rainforest Centre, take a whale watching cruise or learn about one of Australia’s most famous animals on a tour of the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital.
Port Macquarie, NSW
4. Geraldton, Western Australia
Stunning beaches on the Coral Coast
Ideal para: História, Foto
Situated in the lesser-visited region of Western Australia, Geraldton is a gem. Primarily known for its breezy shorelines, this Coral Coast port city is ideal for windsurfing and kitesurfing in particular. If you’d like to take a peek under the water instead of flying above it, visit the World Heritage-listed Shark Bay Marine Park for a glimpse at a few of the world’s endangered marine creatures.
But Geraldton has more to offer than just its blissful beaches. While in town, learn the history behind the HMAS Sydney II Memorial, go wildflower spotting at Chapman River Regional Park and pay a visit to the mind-bending Horizon Sphere, just to start.
Geraldton, Western Australia
5. Port Fairy, Victoria
Arty and historic port town
Ideal para: História, Foto, Casais
If you’re craving a beach escape with a side of history, look no further than Port Fairy, Victoria. This delightful town on the famed Great Ocean Road seamlessly blends sun-kissed beaches with 19th-century charm.
Spend your mornings lounging on East Beach’s golden sands and swimming in the crystal-clear waters of Port Fairy Bay. When the afternoon rolls around, it’s time to get your fill of history. Stroll through the historic city centre or get a glimpse of this old fishing village’s historic port.
Port Fairy, Victoria
6. Port Elliot, Southern Australia
Idyllic town on the shores of the sheltered Horseshoe Bay
Ideal para: Casais, Alimentação, Compras
Port Elliot is a little South Australian town that typically flies under the radar. Settled about an hour from Adelaide on the shores of the picturesque Horseshoe Bay, Port Elliot is fantastic for all sorts of water activities. Take surfing lessons, go for a refreshing swim or jump off the jetty into the turquoise waters below.
Port Elliot’s town is just as charming as its beachside. Filled with adorable cafes, fresh seafood joints, cosy bookstores and enchanting antique shops, you may never want to leave.
Port Elliot, Southern Australia
7. Dundee Beach, Northern Territory
Relaxed town popular for fishing
Ideal para: Casais, Viagens alternativas, Foto
If you’re looking for a slice of oceanfront paradise all to yourself, consider Dundee Beach. Located a 90-minute drive from the nearest major city, this remote beach town in Australia’s Northern Territory is as off the beaten track as you can get.
Spend your days in Dundee Beach fishing for barramundi, keeping an eye out for adorable wallabies and listening to the sound of crashing waves, before cosying up for the night in your sandy beach shack or rugged campsite.
Dundee Beach, Northern Territory
8. Binalong Bay, Tasmania
Spectacular sand and stunning rocks
Ideal para: Alimentação, Foto, Viagens alternativas
Binalong Bay, also known as the Bay of Fires, is a little beach town nestled on the island of Tasmania. Known for its soft white sand, turquoise waters and contrasting, orange lichen-covered rocks, the Binalong Bay shoreline is as eye-catching as it gets.
After a few hours of swimming, kayaking and fishing, take some time to explore more of what Binalong Bay has to offer. Trek part of the multi-day Aboriginal-owned Wukalina Walk, keep an eye out for wildlife at Humbug Point Nature Recreation Area or enjoy a wine tasting at Prior Ridge Wines.
Binalong Bay, Tasmania
9. Yamba, NSW
Great for whale-watching and surfing
Ideal para: Alimentação, Compras, Viagens alternativas
Located where the Clarence River meets the Pacific Ocean, the beach town of Yamba is geographically unique. The combination of these 2 waterways makes for world-class surf breaks and thriving marine habitats. You can easily spend days enjoying the deep blue waters of this New South Wales town.
Beyond the shores of Yamba, you’ll find laidback surf shops, quirky clothing boutiques and locally-owned eateries galore. Don’t miss out on the weekly Yamba Farmers & Producers Market, where you can find all sorts of fresh produce, piping hot baked goods and ready-to-order bites.
Yamba, NSW
10. Cape Tribulation, Queensland
Beaches with a rainforest backdrop
Ideal para: Foto, Viagens alternativas, Aventura
Cape Tribulation is a special spot as one of just a few locations on the planet where 2 World Heritage Sites, the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef, meet. So, as you’re snorkelling in one of the most thriving underwater reef systems in the world, an equally lush rainforest serves as your unbeatable backdrop.
Swap the sunscreen for bug spray for a day or 2 with an excursion into the other half of Cape Tribulation: the Daintree Rainforest. As you trek your way through the verdant plant life, keep an eye out for tree frogs and echidnas, crocodiles and cassowaries.
Cape Tribulation, Queensland
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