Australia’s most remote and unknown beaches have just been revealed

The wild, little-known shores most travellers never reach.

Australia has no shortage of famous beaches. But while most travellers flock to the headline acts, a new Lonely Planet book is quietly pointing towards shores that feel worlds away from the crowds.

Best Beaches Australia spans the full spectrum of the country’s coastline, from family-friendly swims and surf breaks to iconic white sand crescents. Tucked within its pages, however, are beaches chosen for a very different reason: their isolation, wild beauty and sheer remoteness.

Pulled from Lonely Planet’s broader beach picks, these are the shores that reward effort over convenience. The kind of places where getting there is half the story, and being alone is part of the appeal.

Here are seven of Australia’s most remote and unknown beaches highlighted through Best Beaches Australia.

Greenly Beach, Coulta, SA

Greenly Beach, Eyre Peninsula, South Australia — Embrace isolation on Greenly Beach. (Image: City of Port Lincoln)

On the rugged Eyre Peninsula, Greenly Beach is the kind of place that feels untouched by time. Framed by towering limestone cliffs and windswept dunes, it is raw, powerful and completely unpolished.

One of the best natural swimming spots around Australia, access requires a four-wheel drive and a sense of adventure, which helps keep the crowds away. When conditions are right, surfers chase heavy swells here, but most visitors come simply to take in the drama of the landscape and the sense of total isolation.

Turquoise Bay, Ningaloo Coast, WA

Aerial view of Turquoise Bay in Western Australia — Take in the breathtaking colour at Turquoise Bay. (Image: Getty Images / Jonathan Stacey)

The name barely does it justice. Turquoise Bay is famous for its colour, but what truly sets it apart is how remote it feels despite its global reputation. It was the highest-ranked Australian beach on the 2025 World’s 50 Best Beaches list, coming 11th.

Sitting within Ningaloo Reef, this beach offers one of Australia’s best drift snorkelling experiences straight from the shore. Coral gardens, turtles and reef sharks are all part of the underwater scenery, with the vast outback stretching endlessly behind you.

Hellfire Bay, Cape Le Grand National Park, WA

Hellfire Bay in Western Australia — Hellfire Bay is under the radar.

Cape Le Grand National Park is known for its postcard perfection, yet Hellfire Bay somehow remains under the radar. One of Australia’s prettiest white sand beaches, and protected from strong winds, its calm waters are framed by smooth granite headlands that glow pink at sunrise and sunset.

It is quieter than nearby Lucky Bay and just as beautiful, making it ideal for travellers who want the look without the crowds. Wildlife sightings are common and the sense of remoteness is constant.

Dolphin Beach, Yorke Peninsula, SA

Dolphin Beach in Yorke Peninsula’s Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park, South Australia — Dolphin Beach is not a swimming beach. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

Yorke Peninsula’s Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park is packed with dramatic coastline, but Dolphin Beach stands out for its seclusion. Reaching it involves a hike, which filters out all but the most determined visitors.

What you get in return is a wild sweep of sand backed by cliffs and pounding surf. It is not a swimming beach, but it is unforgettable for coastal walks, photography and that rare feeling of having a national park beach entirely to yourself.

Nudey Beach, Fitzroy Island, Qld

Nudey Beach on Fitzroy Island in Qld — Snorkel peacefully off Nudey Beach.

Despite the cheeky name, Nudey Beach is less about shock value and more about stunning tropical scenery. Located on Fitzroy Island off Cairns, this secret beach is accessible by ferry but feels a world away from the mainland.

Smooth boulders, clear water and fringing reef make it one of the most beautiful beaches in the tropics. Once you step away from the island’s main hub, the crowds thin quickly and the beach lives up to its reputation as a hidden gem.

Childers Cove, Great Ocean Road, Vic

Childers Cove on the Great Ocean Road in Victoria — Childers Cove proves there are still secrets to be found on the Great Ocean Road.

The Great Ocean Road is rarely described as remote, yet Childers Cove proves there are still secrets to be found. Tucked between the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge, this secluded cove requires a steep walk down a narrow track.

At the bottom, you will find a sheltered crescent of sand framed by cliffs and sea stacks, often with no one else in sight. It is a reminder that even Australia’s most famous road trips still hold surprises for those willing to look beyond the main stops.

Landing Beach, Macquarie Island

If remoteness had a definition, Landing Beach would be it. Located on subantarctic Macquarie Island, halfway between Tasmania and Antarctica, this beach is accessible only by expedition cruise.

There is no swimming here. Instead, visitors are met with black sand, roaring winds and vast colonies of king penguins, elephant seals and seabirds. It is raw, confronting and extraordinary, and easily one of the most isolated beaches Australia can claim. It has been governed as a part of Tasmania since 1880 and was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997.

Hobart has quietly become our coolest capital, but the real wonder lies just beyond the city limits.

In the cool shade of Kunyani/ Mt Wellington, Hobart has earned a reputation. Home to culture-defining Dark MOFO, the city blends rugged, raw wilderness and rule-breaking galleries. But, step beyond the thrumming capital’s border and you’ll find a new perspective: historic towns, Jurassic-era cliffs and a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. With ALL Accor as your home away from home, fill your days with epicurean odysseys and wild scenery on the best day trips from Hobart.

Where to stay

Behind every good road trip is the perfect home base. Somewhere central to review your camera roll, make the most of Hobart’s dining scene and relax before setting off again.

For modern, Tasmanian-inspired design, book a stay at the Movenpick Hotel Hobart . Standing at the Salamanca Markets, look to the Hobart skyline and the award-winning hotel will catch your eye. As the third-tallest building in the CBD, the views across the harbour toward Antarctica are totally unique to your room. Here, end each day at the daily free chocolate hour (plus a free Movenpick ice cream for the little ones).

For a more budget-conscious option, head to the picture book, sandstone buildings of Macquarie Street. Nestled along the buzzing, historic streetscape, you’ll find Tasmania’s biggest hotel: the Ibis Styles . Return home each day to defrost in one of the hotel’s two saunas. Make use of the proximity to MONA, or take an easy stroll to the candy-coloured cottages of Battery Point between your adventures.

A stylish, Tasmanian-inspired bedroom at Mövenpick Hotel Hobart, your perfect base for relaxing after the best day trips from Hobart. — Elevate your Hobart stay with sleek style at Mövenpick.

1. Bruny Island

Craggy cliffs and tropical-hued, white sand beaches signal your arrival to Bruny Island/ Lunawanna-Alonnah.

Start your day trip at the island’s most iconic spot, the Neck Game Reserve. Scale the Trunganini steps to gaze out over the teensy stretch of land that juts through the sea connecting the two ends of the island.

Catch a rare glimpse of the white furred wallabies that call Bruny Island home at Adventure Bay. Then, for ocean-fresh oysters, pull into the drive-thru window at Get Shucked . Sample Bruny Island cheese at the cellar door before catching the ferry home with an esky full of local produce.

Bruny Island Neck is an isthmus of land connecting north and south Bruny Island. — Begin your adventure with a climb and a view. (Image: Elise Weaver)

2. Mount Wellington

At 1271 metres, Mount Wellington watches protectively over Hobart. Follow the winding road to climb through alpine forest and tufts of snow to reach the summit. Gaze down over Hobart and out to sea, or over your shoulder to the southwestern wilderness.

Reset your adrenaline with a mountain bike ride back down. Or, make like the locals and head into the mountain on foot. Try the hike to the Jurassic-period Organ Pipes which slips under the mountain’s magnificent dolerite cliffs (perfect for families thanks to the trail’s minimal incline).

For a view of Mount Wellington itself, hike nearby Cathedral Rock.

No matter where you are in Hobart you are never far away from the City's beloved mountain, Kunanyi / Mount Wellington — Climb through alpine forest to the summit. (Image: Paul Flemming)

2. Port Arthur

Constructed entirely by convicts, the manicured gardens and penal buildings of Port Arthur offer a day trip that practically hums with history.

The rugged, seagirt location was chosen for its difficult escape conditions. Now, you can cruise the coast below the towering, jagged cliffs of the Tasman National Park or wander the sloping fields of fragrant lavender.

Tickets to Port Arthur include a walking tour and harbour cruise. See the Isle of the Dead where 1000 men are buried in marked and unmarked graves. And Point Puer, Britain’s first prison for children.

The Port Arthur Historic Site is one of Australia's most important heritage sites and tourist destinations. Located on the scenic Turrakana / Tasman Peninsula in the south east of Tasmania, it offers a unique and essential experience for all visitors to the area. — Wander convict-built grounds and gardens. (Image: Dearna Bond)

3. Launceston

You’ll find Launceston at the confluence of three rivers after an easy 2.5-hour drive from Hobart. Launceston is a patchwork of old and new. Here, heritage streetscapes meet modern architecture.

Visit Cataract Gorge, the green, sun-dappled heart of the town and sacred meeting point for Tasmania’s indigenous communities. Pull up at roadside produce stalls that dot the Tamar Valley, or dine out. Launceston is, after all, a UNESCO City of Gastronomy.

Should the local wine scene persuade you, simply extend your time in Launceston at Peppers Silo (but definitely at least stop by the onsite restaurant, Grain of the Silo , for a farm fresh menu) or Mercure Launceston before heading back to Hobart.

Walk the sunlit paths of Cataract Gorge. (Image: Nick H Visuals)

4. Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary

Take a 35-minute drive from your hotel and you’ll find Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary . This social enterprise is run by a team of extremely passionate Tasmanians with a mission to look after critically endangered species who have found sanctuary here after facing extinction on the mainland.

Choose to wander the sanctuary at your own pace or join a guided tour (free with your ticket) to come face to face with Tassie’s most iconic species. Tasmanian Devils, wombats and echidnas are part of the free tour. You can book up close encounters with your favourite animals, too.

Bonorong is a Sanctuary for wildlife run by a passionate team of like-minded people. We're a social enterprise: a little business with a big heart. — Snap a cuddle-worthy encounter. (Image: Tourism Australia)

5. Richmond Village & Coal River Valley

Richmond is a town that belongs in a snow globe. Fifty colonial-era, Georgian buildings have been painstakingly restored and turned into cafes, cosy restaurants and galleries. Visit Richmond Gaol , said to be the home of a prisoner so vile he inspired Charles Dickens to pen Oliver Twist’s Fagin.

Then, follow the Coal River as it flows past grassy, duckling-dotted knolls and under the iconic Richmond Bridge, the oldest bridge in Australia. From the crest of the bridge, see the oldest Catholic Church in Australia. The river crawls past many cellar doors, perfect for a day of wine tasting.

Richmond is a picture-perfect town in the Coal River Valley wine region, offering a glimpse into early colonial life, one of the best day trips from Hobart. — Trace the river through history and wine country. (Image: Fin Matson)

Plan your trip to Hobart and beyond with ALL Accor at All.com .