30 October 2023
16 mins Read
You can’t get more fun than surf, sand and sun. With more than 50,000km of coastline on offer, there’s no shortage of places to enjoy Australia at its best. But some beaches are wilder than others, plenty are inaccessible, and at this time of year a fair few are too darn overpopulated.
Here’s our exclusive list of Australia’s best secret beaches by state – just don’t tell anyone, will you?
Garie Beach, NSW
It’s in a remote coastal valley in the Royal National Park, 40km south of Sydney. Best access is via the Princes Highway, south of Loftus, or via McKell Avenue at Waterfall.
Garie is supposedly an Aboriginal word for sleepy, and on most days, especially during the week, it lives up to its name. It’s a great spot for hiking and is terrific for a surf. Hard-core walkers and waxheads might like to book a bed at the couldn’t-be-more-basic Garie Beach YHA, a beach shack with no electricity, fridge, phone or shower, but it does have running water and a drop loo. Take your own toilet paper, torch and food. It’s not for everyone, but if you want to escape from it all for a couple of days and don’t mind roughing it, it’s great. And you can rent out the whole place if you want to go with a group.
Go to the YHA website for more info – you’ll need to book ahead to get a key.
Beautiful Maitland Bay
Secluded, calm and great for families, Maitland Bay beach is in Bouddi National Park, 20km south-east of Gosford. It’s a 20-minute walk from the Maitland Bay information centre on Maitland Bay Drive, downhill through eucalypt forest. Chill out on the sand and enjoy a picnic – but conserve a bit of energy because it’s a steep slog on the way back up. (If it took you 20 minutes on the way in, allow about 40 to get back out.) Alternatively, if you’re feeling fit, you can head on to Putty Beach via Gerrin Point lookout and arrive back at your car along the Bulimah Spur Track. The circuit is 6km, and will take about 2hrs 15mins to walk if you don’t stop to take in the beautiful scenery. Nearest camp grounds are also at Putty Beach.
The bushwalking here is half the fun. Be sure to take pause at Maitland Bay beach, however, because it truly is a sensational spot. At low tide you can see the wreck of the paddle steamer Maitland, which ran onto the rocks in 1898. Also great for snorkelling!
Find out more about the Maitland Bay Walk at www.wildwalks.com. For camping enquiries at Putty Beach, call the National Parks and Wildlife Service’s Gosford office on (02) 4320 4203.
Picturesque Dreamtime Beach.
Just south of Tweed Heads in northern NSW, near Fingal Head. Follow the walking track that leads through the Fingal Headland Reserve from the end of Lighthouse Parade, or walk north from the Surf Lifesaving Club at Kingscliff.
Twenty million years ago Mount Warning erupted, producing the current dramatic backdrop of black cliffs and unique formations such as the Giant’s Causeway out in the bay. Combined with stretches of fine white sand and lush green foliage, it’s pretty close to paradise. There are plenty of accommodation options, from Kingscliff caravan parks to luxury holiday rentals such as Dreamtime Beach House, which won the Royal Institute of Architects’ Gold Coast House of the Year award in 2005.
For more information on the area, head to www.tweed.nsw.gov.au. For accommodation options, try Tweed Coast Holiday Parks at tchp.com.au. Dreamtime Beach House: dreamtimebeach.com.
Rock formations at Store Beach, Manly, Sydney.
A stone’s throw from Manly, but the only way to get there is by water. Hire a kayak at Manly Wharf – it will take you about 20 minutes to paddle to the beach. Just ask the kindly kayak keepers which way to point your nose.
There’s hardly ever anyone there on weekdays and it’s a breeding ground for little penguins. Bliss out in the sun before heading back. You’ll feel like you’ve done your exercise for the day, too.
Call Manly Kayak Centre on 0412 622 662 or visit manlykayakcentre.com.au.
Mungo Beach, NSW
Mungo Beach stretches for more than 20km on the ocean side of Myall Lakes National Park, near Bulahdelah. It’s about 235km north of Sydney via the Pacific Highway and The Lakes Way. To access the beach you will need a 4WD.
If you’re into fishing and four-wheel-driving, this is the perfect place for you. Powerful rips and deep drop-offs mean this is not a beach for swimming, but the area is full of lakes to cool off in, too.
For a map for the 4WD route and for tips such as how to purchase a day or annual Park pass, go to www.environment.nsw.gov.au/licences-and-permits. For local information go to portstephens.org.au or head to greatlakes.org.au for some accommodation options.
Beautiful Killarney Beach, Victoria, Australia.
Killarney Beach is near Port Fairy, around 380km west of Melbourne via the Great Ocean Road.
The offshore reef makes this a nice calm spot for kids, and there’s a camping reserve right behind the dunes. It’s also great for fishing.
For caravan and camping options, go to the Port Fairy Caravan Parks website.
The SS Speke The SS Speke Shipwrecked at Kitty Miller bay of Phillip Island, Victoria.
You’ll find the beach off Kitty Miller Rd, on the south-western side of Phillip Island. Phillip Island is 140km south-east of Melbourne (a 90-minute drive).
This secluded cove at the base of an extinct volcano not only has great surf, but it boasts that windswept and interesting, rugged appeal you look for in a Victorian beach (well, more northerly Australian dwellers might, anyway). Strong rips and the odd shark sighting mean surfers should take care, and swimmers should look elsewhere for a dip. Go beachcombing instead. Also keep an eye out for the shipwrecked remains of the SS Speke at low tide.
For information about Phillip Island and accommodation options, go to the Phillip Island website.
Golden Beach, VIC.
Golden Beach is near Sale, 252km from Melbourne, and is just one of the delightful spots along Ninety Mile Beach – which is, of course, 90 miles (or 145km to anyone gen-X and younger) of golden sand and rolling surf that stretches almost the entire length of Gippsland from Port Albert, near Yarram, north to Lakes Entrance.
You could find a spot to yourself anywhere along Ninety Mile Beach, but we rate Golden Beach for its great ocean fishing, surfing and wildlife. Be prepared to see heaps of kangaroos, native birds and even emus and echidnas – the reputed recluses of the animal kingdom – from the coastal tracks around here. There’s a huge fishing competition here on the Australia Day long weekend, when the secret gets out, so it’s best to come at another time to appreciate its seclusion.
For information about Ninety Mile Beach National Park, go to visit their website. For more general information and accommodation options, visit the Victoria website.
View over Sunshine Beach, QLD.
About 7km south of Noosa, along David Low Way. It abuts Noosa Heads National Park, so it’s a pristine environment well worth exploring.
With 15km of sand stretching all the way down to Peregian Beach, there’s always somewhere to get away from the madding crowds. It’s one of those quintessentially Australian beaches that overseas guests go all open-mouthed about, because it looks like it’s endless. It’s also got great surf and is dog friendly, and at the right time of year you’re bound to spot a few dolphins and whales.
For more information about the area, go to the Sunshine Coast website. For rental apartments at Sunshine Beach that range from pricey to budget, try the Noosa Holidays website.
Agnes Water, QLD.
Agnes Water is Queensland’s northernmost surf beach, about 485km north of Brisbane and halfway between Bundaberg and Gladstone. While it’s no secret to locals, many
out-of-towners have no idea this region is sitting here just waiting to be explored.
What’s not to love about a pristine beach fringed by casuarinas and a ‘town’ (comprising a supermarket, couple of cafes, bakery, pharmacy, petrol station and not much else) that oozes laid-back charm. Apart from Agnes Water’s main beach, there are loads of beaches nearby with hardly a soul on them. Because many are in the national park and only accessible by 4WD, you may find the only footprints on the sand are yours. It also makes a great starting point for a Barrier Reef visit and is great for diving, fishing and sailing.
Visit Agnes Water for more information on this excellent part of the world.
Maslin Beach, SA.
Maslin Beach is on the Fleurieu Peninsula, about an hour’s drive from Adelaide, via the Southern Expressway.
In 1975 the southern section of beach was declared Australia’s first official nude beach, but there’s plenty of room left over if you prefer swimming in Speedos. Grab a snorkel and check out the leafy sea dragons (an actual creature, not a euphemism) or take a walk along the picturesque cliffs that flank the beach. You get a great view of the sunset from up there. Once you’ve had your fill of sun and sand, you can head off to sample what the McLaren Vale wineries have to offer.
Head to the South Australia website for more ideas on what to do and see on the Fleurieu Peninsula.
Memory Cove, SA.
It’s part of Lincoln National Park, 50km south of Port Lincoln and 650km south-west of Adelaide. Access to Memory Cove Wilderness Area is 4WD-only.
The five campsites are right on the beach, the scenery is seriously stunning, the fishing excellent, and with no more than 15 vehicles allowed in at any one time, it’s never going to be crowded. This is truly one of the most elite experiences you can have in Australia, but without the five-star prices. It’s just $8.50 for park entry per car, a $6 camping fee per car, and $16 per vehicle per night.
You need to pick up a key from the Port Lincoln Visitor Information Centre, 3 Adelaide Place, Port Lincoln to gain entry to Memory Cove. Phone ahead to check availability: (08) 8688 3111; or head to the parks website.
Freycinet National Park, Friendly Beaches
Within Freycinet National Park, Friendly Beaches are 20km south of Bicheno on the Coles Bay Road.
Freycinet is Tassie’s most popular coastal park, and the famous Wineglass Bay can get positively overrun (by Tasmanian standards) during summer holidays. Not so for Friendly Beaches, with their squeaky white silicone sand, crystal clear water and views that stretch forever. With the pelican-covered Saltwater Lagoon at one end and Freshwater Lagoon at the other, in reality Friendly Beaches are really just one very long stretch of pristine sand stroked by an aqua ocean. Because they’re so often completely people-free, it’s a good spot to try your hand (and the rest of your body) at skinny-dipping. Just be careful of rips, because these are ocean beaches and at the mercy of strong tidal currents. That could get embarrassing for both you and the rescue party.
For more information on the area, go to the Coles Bay website.
Lime Bay beach of camping within the Lime Bay State Reserve, located at the northern end of the Tasman Peninsula.
This beautiful beachside camping spot is part of the Coal Mines Historic Site on the north-eastern shore of the Tasman Peninsula, not far from Saltwater River, a 25-minute drive from Port Arthur.
Leave behind the crowds of Port Arthur and wander freely though the evocative ruins of Saltwater River Convict Station with its dingy underground cells – and a waterfront view to die for. The beach is fringed by limestone rocks that have been sculpted by the wind, and there are ample opportunities for wildlife, wildflower and bird spotting.
For information on camping in Lime Bay State Reserve, go to the parks website for Tasmania.
Ocean Beach, on the west coast of Tasmania.
6km west of Strahan on Tasmania’s wild – and often wet – west coast.
This 40km stretch of coast is Tasmania’s longest beach, with nothing but rolling waves and fresh air between you and the east coast of South America. Go horse riding along the beach, sandboarding on the dunes, or simply watch the sun sink into the sea at the edge of the world. Sure, it might not be the best beach for swimming and sunbaking (you shouldn’t be doing that anyway!), but it is certainly one of the most beautiful and most isolated beaches in the world.
For information on where to stay and what to do around Strahan, go to the Discover Tasmania website.
Taroona is a mere 15-minute drive south of Hobart, via Sandy Bay Road.
A great beach for rock hopping, the water is perfect for kids and there is a playground in the park nearby. It’s the ultimate spot to view the Sydney to Hobart yacht race when the participants come around Storm Bay and into the Derwent River. You’ll find a wealth of shells and marine molluscs (anecdotally, Taroona is the local Aboriginal word for chiton, a type of mollusc). You’ll also see all sorts of birds such as cormorants, terns, gulls, herons and eagles.
For more information on Taroona Beach, go to the Taroona website.
Northern Territory’s beautiful Cobourg Peninsula.
Garig Gunak Barlu National Park is around 570km (by road) north-east of Darwin and is accessible only by 4WD. It’s impassable during the wet season, November-April. Bring all your own food, unless you count on catching some fish (which practically jump onto your hook!).
It’s a place of pristine beaches, carpeted in seashells, where turtles come up to lay their eggs and the world’s largest remaining herd of banteng (wild cattle) roam in the monsoon forests behind the high-tide mark. Even better, only 20 permits to enter the park are issued at any one time, so you know you’ve got the place pretty much to yourself. Forget about swimming though, this is saltwater crocodile country.
You’ll need a permit to travel through Arnhem Land and camp at the park. To find out more, call (08) 8999 4814, or visit the Northern Territory website.
Bennion Beach is in the northern suburbs of Perth, about a half-hour drive from the centre of the city.
You can stay in the heart of Perth and still savour the secluded nature of this incredible sheltered white-sand beach strewn with giant clusters of limestone. Most of the summer crowds hang at neighbouring Trigg Beach, so you can snorkel and explore the surrounding reef in peace. People from the eastern states always get a kick out of a WA beach sunset, so stick around and watch the colours stain the sky.
For more information about Perth’s beaches, go to stirling.wa.gov.au. For details on where to stay, go to the official Western Australia website.
Point Ann, WA.
Point Ann is in the western section of Fitzgerald River National Park, 180km north-east of Albany. Best access is via Bremer Bay; from the east, the best access is via Hopetoun or the Hamersley Drive from the South Coast Highway.
It’s one of just two places in Australia (the other is Head of Bight in South Australia) where southern right whales come to calve in large numbers. There are two whale-watching platforms and best time to go to make use of it is June through to October.
For more information on the Albany region, go to albanytourist.com.au. For more information about Fitzgerald River National Park, visit the website.
The perfection of Lucky Bay, Esperance.
Cape Le Grand National Park, 50km south-east of Esperance by sealed road.
Breathtaking scenery, beachside camping and a fantastic 15km coastal walking trail from Le Grand Beach to Rossiter Bay along the edge of Cape Le Grand. You’ll find Lucky Bay at about the halfway point. You’ll also find southern grey kangaroos sunning themselves on the beach. If there are two many fisherman here for your liking, head around the point to Thistle Cove, where you’re unlikely to find a soul.
For more information on the region and to book the caravan or camping grounds, visit the official Esperance website.
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Excellent article on secret beaches in Oz.
We really are the lucky country.
Sand, sea, blue skies above.
Nature at its best. Dolphins, whales, birds to enjoy.
Forests, trees, in this far land.
Escape to paradise.