Tourism Australia has revealed its annual list of best beaches.
With over 30,000 kilometres of coastline, Australia is blessed to have what we would argue are the best beaches in the world. Each year, Tourism Australia’s official beach ambassador, Brad Farmer , conducts a study to name the top 10 beaches in the country, judged against a rigorous 130-point criteria covering natural integrity, safety, accessibility, community engagement and environmental management.
And this year, the winner might surprise you. Instead of Whitehaven or Lucky Bay taking the crown, the title of Australia’s best beach for 2026 goes to a vast, quietly spectacular stretch of sand just 30 minutes from Sydney Airport.
Here are the full results.
1. Bate Bay beaches, Sydney, NSW
Bate Bay in the Sutherland Shire has been named Australia’s best beach for 2026. (Credit: Taylah Darnell)
Tucked beneath the flight path into Mascot and stretching a remarkable 4.8 kilometres from Boat Harbour through Greenhills, Wanda, Elouera, and North Cronulla, Bate Bay in the Sutherland Shire has been named Australia’s best beach for 2026.
It is officially Sydney’s longest ocean beach and, crucially, one of its least crowded. Free beachside parking, direct train access from the CBD and a strong surf lifesaving culture make it one of the most accessible coastal regions in the country. Yet it still feels underappreciated compared to Sydney’s headline beaches.
The bay includes nine easily accessible beaches and four ocean baths. (Credit: Taylah Darnell)
The study highlights beaches that quietly deliver across all 130 judging criteria. (Credit: Taylah Darnell)
Farmer told Australian Traveller the decision was deliberate. Rather than rewarding places that “have had their fair share of love", the study aims to highlight beaches that quietly deliver across all 130 judging criteria. Bate Bay scored highly for diversity, safety, community pride and natural integrity.
The bay includes nine easily accessible beaches and four ocean baths, plus calmer swimming enclosures at Gunnamatta Bay for less confident swimmers. Framed by two national parks and set on Gweagal Country, part of the Dharawal Nation, it’s cosmopolitan but not chaotic. Spacious but not remote. And in 2026, it officially leads the country.
2. Pinky Beach, Rottnest Island (Wadjemup), WA
Pinky Beach is Australia’s second best beach. (Credit: Tourism Western Australia)
Rottnest Island (Wadjemup)’s Pinky Beach takes second place, proving that Western Australia’s Indian Ocean coastline continues to dominate the national conversation.
Just a short walk from the ferry terminal at Thomson Bay, Pinky Beach combines calm, shallow snorkelling waters with dazzling white sand and a postcard view towards Bathurst Lighthouse. Behind the dunes, relaxed bars and upmarket accommodation add to its appeal. Farmer praised Rottnest for resisting overdevelopment despite its popularity. With 63 beaches and 20 bays scattered across the island, Pinky Beach stands out for accessibility, clarity of water and family-friendly swimming conditions.
3. Beachcomber Cove, Cape Hillsborough, Qld
Kangaroos gather on the sand in Cape Hillsborough. (Credit: Mark Fitz)
Cape Hillsborough’s Beachcomber Cove feels like a nature documentary unfolding in real time.
Kangaroos gather on the sand at sunrise, volcanic rock formations frame the shoreline and rainforest-backed walking trails reveal waterfalls and mangrove boardwalks. The adjoining marine park supports remarkable biodiversity, from tropical butterflies to turtles. Despite its modest size, the beach scored strongly for ecological integrity and immersive natural experience. It is Queensland at its most quietly spectacular.
4. Tallow Beach, Byron Bay, NSW
Tallow Beach is a lesser-known Byron beach. (Credit: Destination NSW)
Byron Bay’s “back beach" earns fourth place, offering a wilder, more spacious alternative to Byron’s more well-known beaches.
Stretching seven kilometres from Cape Byron to Broken Head, Tallow Beach remains largely undeveloped, backed by coastal heath and Arakwal National Park. It is unpatrolled, powerful and refreshingly open. Farmer described it as the “flip side of the celebrity experience", rewarding those willing to walk a little further for solitude.
5. Hellfire Bay, Esperance, WA
Hellfire Bay is one of Australia’s best white sand beaches. (Credit: Tourism Western Australia)
Set within Cape Le Grand National Park near Esperance, Hellfire Bay is pure Western Australian drama.
Granite headlands shelter a crescent of dazzling white sand and impossibly clear turquoise water. Vehicles are not permitted on the beach, helping preserve its calm, untouched feel. Kangaroos regularly wander along the shoreline and snorkelling conditions are often gentler than neighbouring surf beaches. It is remote, pristine and quietly unforgettable.
6. Godfreys Beach, Stanley, Tas
Godfreys Beach is in one of Tasmania’s most recognisable spots. (Credit: Jason Charles Hill)
Below the towering volcanic plug known as The Nut in Stanley, Godfreys Beach delivers one of Tasmania’s most recognisable coastal backdrops.
The gently curving, north-east-facing beach offers small, manageable waves and expansive views across Bass Strait. Penguins come ashore along this coast, while historic Highfield House sits watchfully above. Cold water, dramatic geology and strong community pride helped secure its place in the top 10.
7. Inskip Point, Rainbow Beach, Qld
Inskip Point has expansive views across the Great Sandy Strait. (Credit: Getty Images / Rebecca O’Grady)
Often seen as simply the gateway to K’gari, Inskip Point stands confidently in its own right this year.
The narrow sandy spit offers calm western waters suited to fishing and boating, with expansive views across the Great Sandy Strait. Camping sites are basic but beautiful, and the sense of space is immense. It is unpretentious, open and deeply connected to its landscape.
8. Mount Martha, Mornington Peninsula, Vic
Score a colourful beach box at Mount Martha. (Credit: Supplied)
Protected bay conditions, colourful beach boxes and a strong commitment to accessibility make this one of the state’s most inclusive coastal experiences. Volunteer surf lifesaving patrols and visible community care scored highly under the study’s safety and engagement criteria. Just over an hour from Melbourne, it offers calm without feeling remote.
9. Smoky Bay, Eyre Peninsula, SA
Smoky Bay is remote, spacious and deeply local. (Credit: Smoky Bay Progress Association)
Fresh oysters, a shark-free swimming enclosure and vast stretches of quiet coastline define this small coastal village. Low-tide rock pools and secluded headlands offer rewarding exploration, while community pride runs strong. It’s remote, spacious and deeply local.
10. Ellery Creek Big Hole, Red Centre, NT
Ellery Creek Big Hole proves that inland Australia deserves a place in the national beach conversation. (Credit: Tourism & Events NT / The Salty Travellers)
Not all beaches are coastal. Ellery Creek Big Hole, around 80 kilometres west of Alice Springs in Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park, proves that inland Australia deserves a place in the national beach conversation.
Under a broader definition recognising rivers, lakes and waterholes as beaches, this permanent desert waterhole offers cool relief beneath towering red cliffs and ghost gums. Sacred to Arrernte people and part of traditional Dreaming trails, it stands as one of Australia’s most powerful inland “beach" experiences.
If 2026 proves anything, it is this: Australia’s greatest beaches are not always the ones plastered across postcards. Sometimes, they are right under your nose.
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Emily Murphy is Australian Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her time at the company she has been instrumental in shaping its social media and email presence, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire others to explore Australia's vast landscapes. Her previous role was a journalist at Prime Creative Media and before that she was freelancing in publishing, content creation and digital marketing. When she's not creating scroll-stopping travel content, Em is a devoted 'bun mum' and enjoys spending her spare time by the sea, reading, binge-watching a good TV show and exploring Sydney's vibrant dining scene. Next on her Aussie travel wish list? Tasmania and The Kimberley.
Thredbo in summer is a nature lover’s dream of show-stopping alpine beauty, cool mountain air and magical moonlit adventure.
For many of us, Thredbo calls to mind shimmering slopes and snow-dusted gums, but come summer, this Alpine resort transforms into a playground of an entirely different kind. A cool mountain retreat despite the season, Thredbo summer hikes are astonishingly beautiful, criss-crossing over dramatic peaks, pristine glacial lakes and abundant flora and fauna.
From approachable tracks for novice walkers to more challenging hikes across the Main Range and even journeys under moonlight, Thredbo puts on an unforgettable show of natural splendour all summer. Lace up your walking boots and take the chairlift from Thredbo village to embark on a self-guided exploration or a tour of the Snowy Mountains’ most compelling landscapes.
These eight unforgettable hiking experiences are only available in summer and offer an alpine adventure like you’ve never experienced before.
1. Full Moon Hike to Mt Kosciuszko
Stand atop Mt Kosciuszko at full moon.
There’s something almost mystical about hiking by the light of a full moon. This guided experience begins with a 15-minute chairlift ride, where you’ll admire the Thredbo Valley below, bathed in the fading sun.
Once at the top, you’ll pass rivers, alpine lakes and spot nocturnal wildlife on your way to the Kosciuszko Lookout and Lake Cootapatamba. By the time you reach the summit, sunset is well underway as you watch day give way to night and the alpine landscape magically illuminated by the lunar glow. Enjoy a hot chocolate here before following the path back to Eagles Nest, brightened by the night sky.
The only thing that could level up the celestial beauty of a full moon hike would be a super full moon hike . Following the same route, you’ll meet the moon when it is largest and closest to Earth by ascending to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko at an elevation of 2228 metres. From such a height, it almost feels as though you could reach out and touch its glowing surface.
Given the rarity and splendour of the super full moon, limited spots fill up fast for this awe-inspiring hike, so be sure to book the 5 December in advance.
3. Lunar Eclipse Hike
See dazzling celestial displays.
What could be more extraordinary than witnessing a lunar eclipse from Australia’s highest peak? Whether you’re a keen astronomer or simply revel in nature’s beauty, this guided 13-kilometre hike will place you on top of Mount Kosciuszko just as Earth passes between the sun and moon, throwing shade over the lunar surface before transforming it with a deep-red hue.
It’s an epic place to witness one of our galaxy’s most spectacular and rare light shows. Apart from the dazzling celestial display, you’ll also enjoy walking through the moon-bathed landscape, an evening chairlift ride, and a hot chocolate at the summit.
Book now for 3 March.
4. New Moon Hike
Catch the changing skies of a new moon.
A stargazer’s delight, the darkness of a new moon gives the Milky Way full permission to dazzle with its shimmering display. Both astronomers and photographers will relish this opportunity to observe and capture the starry skyscape from the lofty height of Australia’s highest peak, Mount Kosciuszko. Departing Thredbo Village at dusk and leaving its twinkling lights far below, you’ll arrive at the summit in time to see the sun slip away and the stars appear.
Embark on a gentle entry into the Snowy Mountain scenery with an amble along the Thredbo River. This self-guided hike hugs the river and wanders along the valley floor, revealing snow gum forests, swimming holes and little waterfalls that make for revitalising cold plunges in the summer heat.
6. Merritts Nature Track
Stop at swimming holes along the way.
On warm summer days, venturing into the cooler air of Thredbo’s alpine tracks offers relief from the heat. Particularly if you set course for the four-kilometre Merritts Nature Track , where there are opportunities to take a refreshing dip in swimming holes along the way.
The two-to-three-hour self-guided hike meanders through towering ancient trees (dubbed the ‘Pixie Forest’ by locals), takes in stunning mountain vistas and is soundtracked by the melody of birdsong. Stop for a picnic and discover a hidden natural infinity pool, the location of which is given away by the roar of a cascading waterfall.
7. Mt Kosciuszko Summit Tour
Follow a guide along Mt Kosciuszko’s summit.
While you can easily steer yourself to Australia’s most iconic peak without a guide, following an expert guide to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko will colour your experience with a deeper knowledge of the landscape and its wild inhabitants. The 13-kilometre return trail puts the alpine scenery on display with 360-degree views from the highest spot in the country.
The walk begins at the top of the Kosciuszko Chairlift and takes around four to six hours to complete, but is gentle enough to be embarked upon by all ages.
8. Snowies Alpine Walk Experience
Join a two- or three-day experience along Snowies Alpine Walk.
If you’re looking to truly untether from daily life and embark on a real immersion in Thredbo’s stunning alpine scenery, pack your hiking boots for the newest multi-day walk in the mountains. The Snowies Alpine Walk can be tackled over two or three days and includes nightly accommodation in the iconic Thredbo Alpine Hotel, daily buffet breakfast, packed lunch and dinner vouchers, plus daily transfers to and from trail heads in a brand-new Defender.
The two-day experience covers 24 kilometres, while the three-day experience almost doubles that at 44 kilometres. Along the way, explore barely trod landscapes, vast high-country plains and uplifting mountain horizons.
