The Best Coastal Holiday Spots in Australia

There are more than 10,000 beaches in Australia. Yep. Ten. Thousand. If you’ve got a spare 30 years up your sleeve, you might just be able to visit each and every one of them. Failing that, your best bet is to pull together a shortlist.

Mind you, a shortlist is no mean feat. Dotted along Australia’s 36,735 kilometres of coastline are a glut of coastal towns boasting not only the picture-perfect vista, but the supporting scene to help you live your best #beachlife.

Here are some of the places we’d be adding to any shortlist, post haste.

Tas | NSW | SA | Vic | WA | Qld

Coles Bay, Tas

The seaside village of Coles Bay sits oh-so-pretty on the edge of Freycinet National Park, between the dramatic Hazards mountains and Great Oyster Bay.

Wineglass Bay and Hazards mountains in Freycinet National Park near Coles Bay. (image: Tourism Tasmania/Chris Bray Photography)

Outdoor activities are ripe for the picking – a kayaking tour with Freycinet Adventures is a must – while Wineglass Bay Cruises can zip you around the spectacular coastline, complete with sea caves, blowholes and waterfalls, in style.

On the food front, it’s all about fresh local produce and seafood is king – think oysters, mussels, scallops and rock lobster. Be sure to check out Freycinet Marine Farm . A tourism icon, Saffire Freycinet gives new meaning to the term ‘luxury resort’. But if your budget doesn’t stretch that far, give the lovely Freycinet Lodge a whirl.

Freycinet Lodge. — Stay in the luxurious Freycinet Lodge Coastal Pavilions. (Image: RACT Destinations)

Huskisson, NSW

Less than 200 kilometres south of Sydney, Huskisson is the hub of oceanic wonderland, Jervis Bay. With beach after dreamy beach, this biodiversity hotspot is a delight, no matter how you prefer to spend your summers.

Join a dolphin or whale watching tour with Jervis Bay Wild or grab a schooner and keep a look out from the always popular Husky Pub deck, which can accommodate you overnight in one of eight guest suites.

Whale watching in Jervis Bay — Join a dolphin or whale watching tour. (Image: Destination NSW)

You can also find yourself a home among the gum trees at Paperbark Camp . On the dining scene, The Quarters Huskisson is a slick eatery and bar, and 5 Little Pigs is a hit on the cafe scene.

Yamba, NSW

Positioned at the mouth of the Clarence River, Yamba has been described as Byron Bay without the crowds, so you can see the appeal. The region is a surfer’s paradise – nearby Angourie Beach was declared a National Surfing Reserve in 2007 – and there are great spots for wading, fishing and snorkelling, too. Not up to task? Yamba-Angourie Surf School can help.

Turners Beach Yamba — Yamba is a surfer’s paradise. (Image: Destination NSW)

There is no shortage of great places to dine – try Beachwood Cafe , Drift and Karrikin – and the Pacific Hotel is just the spot for beers with a view. Bed down at The Sands or Il Delfino Seaside Inn .

Spot dolphins at Main Beach in Yamba. (Image: Destination NSW)

Robe, SA

Beaches are fantastic for all manner of pursuits, but it’s not often you can glide across the sand on four wheels. Welcome to Robe, home to pristine Long Beach, one of the few Australian beaches on which you can drive.

Drive on the sand in Robe at Long Beach. (Image: Mark Fitzpatrick)

Robe is big on small-town charm as a wander between the main street’s boutiques and eateries will illustrate. Grab an award-winning cup of ‘joe’ at Mahalia Coffee , be sure to secure a dinner reservation at Sails , and don’t miss the unique offering at sustainable Robe Town Brewery . Some quality time at Cape Dombey Obelisk, which sits atop the region’s famous limestone cliffs, will leave you marvelling at this masterpiece of nature.

Find the iconic Cape Dombey Obelisk in Robe. (Image: Elliot Grafton)

Sorrento, Vic

A picturesque village on the Mornington Peninsula, Sorrento is equal parts sophistication and coastal appeal. Stylish boutiques, galleries and antique outlets share the main street with a selection of cafes and restaurants.

Sorrento, Mornington Peninsula — Sorrento is a picturesque village on the Mornington Peninsula. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Pop into the Sorrento Brewhouse for casual dining plus a selection of local beer and wine, or indulge at the fine-dining restaurant Loquat . Between them, Sorrento’s beaches, and the many nearby, offer great conditions for surfing, swimming and the like, while fishing trips, seal- and dolphin-watching excursions and other tours depart from the front beach pier.

Fishing boats in Sorrento — Find coastal appeal around every corner at Sorrento. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Stroll along the Sorrento Long Pier. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Stay at Hotel Sorrento , a peninsula institution. You’re also blessed with Mornington Peninsula’s renowned wine region on your doorstep.

Yallingup, WA

When idyllic beaches meet exceptional wineries, you know you’re in for a treat. In the celebrated Margaret River region, Yallingup has been luring surfers for decades while the crystal-clear lagoon at Yallingup Beach does more than satisfy swimmers and snorkellers. Gastronomes also love Yallingup. All manner of palates are catered for, with Chow’s Table , Barnyard 1978 and Cape Lodge Restaurant among the delicious options. For wineries, try Wills Domain and Swings & Roundabouts . Yallingup is also home to an arts precinct, and then there is nature’s very own gallery, provided by surrounding Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park.

Port Douglas, Qld

From an undiscovered fishing town to a glittering tourist attraction, Port Douglas is a Tropical North Queensland gem, and it all began with the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort.

The Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas — The Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort started a transformation in Port Douglas.

More than 30 years later, and a few refurbishments down, the Sheraton still stands strong and is in good company now with the Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort & Spa, and Peppers Beach Club Port Douglas . It’s the white-sand beaches and lush tropical rainforests that epitomise this region, plus a modern cafe and bar scene.

Sunset views over Four Mile Beach in Port Douglas.

Activities are endless in this slice of paradise: try river drift snorkelling with Back Country Bliss , get acquainted with Aboriginal traditions on a cultural tour with Walkabout Adventures , or soak up the tropical vibes on a Sailaway sunset cruise. Meanwhile, the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest are both within a stone’s throw.

Sailaway Tours Port Douglas — Soak up the tropical vibes on a Sailaway sunset cruise

Burleigh Heads Beach, Qld

The Gold Coast can be almost anything you want it to be. Laidback beach culture? Check. Glitz and glamour? Check. Wellness hub? Check. Want all of the above? Then it’s Burleigh Heads Beach for you.

Find coastal chill at Burleigh Heads Beach on the Gold Coast. (Image: Destination Gold Coast)

A bustling hub, Burleigh has always delivered on coastal chill and, with help from a few new(ish) faces, is now arguably the Gold Coast’s premium dining destination. Enjoy unparalleled views and mouth-watering cuisine at Burleigh Pavilion or Rick Shores ; feel the style ooze from every corner of Labart – and the list goes on. Stay at Bon Sol, an interior masterpiece on the water.

Enjoy unparalleled views and mouth-watering cuisine at Burleigh Pavilion. (Image: Destination Gold Coast)

Whales breaching, fires crackling and slow-cooked feasts that make the cold so cosy, one might wish it lasted longer. Winter is no time to stay at home in NSW.

When the mercury drops, winter in NSW comes into its own. Beaches are quieter, the air is crisper and hearty food tastes even better when there’s ice on the windows.

Winter here isn’t for hiding away. It’s for long walks, deep baths, deeper reds and the kind of fireside lounging that feels simultaneously indulgent and entirely deserved after a day of exploring. From whale-watching up north to moodily lit bushwalks and pastry pilgrimages, we’ve mapped out your new favourite season.

a beach winter in nsw — From coastal walks to tasty delights, winter in NSW is a time to get out and about.

The Tweed

In winter, the NSW north coast has a front-row seat to one of nature’s greatest migrations. From May to November, humpbacks cruise past the Tweed coast between Antarctica and the Great Barrier Reef. Spot them from the Cabarita Beach headland or get up closer with a boat cruise.

Inland, find the Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre , which is home to a rotating cast of big-name exhibitions (including Monet).

Later, grab a table at Bistro Livi , where the modern Spanish menu features whipped salt cod on toast and spanner crab with curry butter and spelt flatbread. Stick around to poke through the artist studios and indie boutiques of M|Arts Precinct .

visitors at Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre — Browse the art. (Image: Destination NSW)

The next day, jump aboard the Indigenous Lunch Cruise with Tweed Escapes. You’ll cruise upriver listening to yarns from local Indigenous guides, stop at the Minjungbal Aboriginal Cultural Museum and tuck into lemon myrtle-crusted snapper.

Next, drive out to Farm & Co to pull apart some juicy smoked lamb shoulder with green olive tapenade while gazing out over the macadamia fields and avocado groves of this working farm.

End the day at Mantra on Salt Beach where you’ll enjoy beach access, a heated rock spa and a lagoon pool.

dining room at Bistro Livi — Taste modern Spanish at Bistro Livi.

Blue Mountains

The cold season is hands down the best time to visit the Blue Mountains. Temperatures are perfect – sunny enough for hikes, and crisp enough at night for snuggling up.

For a trip that equally soothes and stirs, start with a meditative meander through the national park’s eucalypts and Australian wildflowers. Brave the steepest passenger railway in the world, Scenic Railway , then hop the Skyway aerial cable car for unrivalled Three Sisters views.

Thaw out at the Japanese Bath House in South Bowenfels. Soak in steamy outdoor onsens filled with natural mineral water and mountain views, wander the rose and zen gardens, or sip hot drinks in the tea house.

group leader at Blue Mountains Stargazing — Rug up for Blue Mountains Stargazing. (Image: Destination NSW)

Afterwards, head to Ates in Blackheath, where everything revolves around a 150-year-old ironbark-fuelled oven – like the wood-roasted duck with nectarines and Szechuan spice. Or visit Tempus Katoomba , which leans experimental and sustainable, serving up dishes like braised fennel with cumin, spiced yogurt and Aleppo pepper.

Rug up and head into the night with Blue Mountains Stargazing . Sessions are guided by astrophysicists, helping you understand what you’re looking at as you look into deep space.

Wrap it all up at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains – MGallery Collection . There’s a whiskey bar in the basement (and crackling fires that make a dram taste even better), indoor and outdoor pools and a day spa. Kids will love the mirror maze and ice rink, too.

dishes laid out on table at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains — End the day with delicious meals at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains. (Image: Destination NSW)

Southern Highlands

Good food and wine by the fire, experienced between sifting through second-hand treasures, is a winter vibe in Bowral.

Start with a lap around Dirty Janes , an antique and vintage market. Recover from your shopping frenzy at Bendooley Book Barn , where floor-to-ceiling shelves and a roaring fire set the tone for an afternoon of red wine or hot coffee.

When it’s time to eat, head to Hickory’s Restaurant & Bar , Peppers Craigieburn Bowral’s onsite restaurant. Try the crispy pork belly with Granny Smith crisps and apple gel, or ocean trout with wakame, lemon gel and pickled radish.

couple looking through Dirty Janes in bowral — Wander the antiques at Dirty Janes. (Image: Destination NSW)

Another option, Onesta Cucina , does Italian with flair. For something more casual (with cocktails), Flour Bar swings between brunch and dinner, with an onsite bakery, over 400 wines and a hidden deli in the old bank vault.

Later, clamber Mt Gibraltar , where trails wind through eucalypt forest to views over Bowral and Mittagong.

Stay at Peppers Craigieburn Bowral , a century-old estate with open fires, elegant lounges and a nine-hole golf course.

woman and her dog winter in nsw at Peppers Craigieburn Bowral — Stay cosy at Peppers Craigieburn Bowral.

Penrith

Shake off winter inertia with an adrenaline boost out in Penrith. Kick things off with a kayak paddle on the Nepean River with Horizon Line, or head to Cables Wake Park , where cold-weather wetsuits take the edge off a wipeout.

For something a bit more cruisy, opt for the Nepean Belle Paddlewheeler for slow-floating views and a hot cuppa.

kayakers on the nepean river in penrith — Head out on the Nepean River. (Image: Destination NSW)

Refuel at Marcel Bar & Bistro , where reimagined European comfort food – like seafood risotto in bisque with little neck clams and Moreton Bay bugs – is king. Then check in at the Pullman Sydney Penrith , the area’s first international five-star hotel, to enjoy your well-earned rest.

Start planning your NSW winter getaway at all.com.

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