An Insider's Guide To Brisbane Beaches

Brisbane is blessed with a stunningly sunny climate, boasting some of the warmest year-round temperatures of any Australian capital city.

When the mercury rises in Brisbane, there are plenty of refreshing swimming spots to cool down in, as well as a wealth of sea and sand options to enjoy.

Searching for the perfect patch of sand to place your towel on? Whether you prefer a scenic gem close by or you’re happy to drive further out, here’s our selection of the best Brisbane beaches.

Family-friendly | Dog-friendly | Surf-friendly

Family-friendly beaches

Is there anything more wholesome than a family day out at the beach? From first paddles and learning to surf, to joyful picnics and building sandcastles, it’s a quintessential summer experience that has to be done.

With little ones in tow, safety and organisation are key, so we’ve got you covered with the following family-friendly beaches.

Streets Beach, South Bank

A family walking on the beach and in the water surrounded by buildings. — Spend a family day at Streets Beach. (Image: Sam Lindsay/Tourism and Events Queensland)

Starting with Australia’s only inner-city, man-made beach, the iconic Streets Beach is the closest beach to Brisbane CBD, located in South Bank.

As a bucket list item all on its own, here you can relax next to the sparkling blue lagoon surrounded by white, sandy beaches and sub-tropical plants. The beach is free to use and patrolled by qualified lifeguards all year round.

Alongside Streets Beach sits two other aquatic spaces – the Boat Pool and Aquativity, the latter being an interactive water-play park for kids.

Shorncliffe Beach, Shorncliffe

Shorncliffe beach Brisbane — The still waters at Shorncliffe will leave you in a peaceful state of mind.

Just 25 minutes from Brisbane CBD is Shorncliffe Beach – a sleepy seaside village with a flat, safe stretch of beach that’s ready and waiting to be explored.

Head in the early morning and you’re guaranteed a stunning sunrise, filled with colourful, expansive skies as far as the eye can see. In the daytime, do some stand-up paddleboarding, or let the kids frolic in one of the surrounding play areas.

Suttons Beach, Redcliffe

Sutton's Beach Brisbane — Take a dip at Suttons Beach.

Keep travelling 20 minutes north from Shorncliffe and you’ll find Suttons Beach in Redcliffe, a gorgeous strip of sand that is perfect for families. With sweeping views overlooking Moreton Island, the small waves here are ideal for those who want a gentle paddle.

Head to the north end for shady grass areas and Suttons Beach Playground, as well as outdoor showers, toilets, BBQs, and picnic shelters. Or to stretch your legs alongside a scenic backdrop, make your way to the south end and follow the path around to Woody Point via the Gayundah wreck. Suttons Beach is patrolled by the Redcliffe Peninsula Surf Club .

Tangalooma Beach, Moreton Island (Mulgumpin)

A beach and the ocean with shipwrecks. — Dip your toes in crystal clear water at Tangalooma Beach. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

If you want a real holiday feeling with a dose of adventure, take a 75-minute ferry over to Moreton Island (the third-largest sand island in the world) for a slice of beach paradise.

Only a few metres walk from Tangalooma Island Resort (which has food, drink, and other facilities available), Tangalooma Beach is a beautiful white sandy stretch with calm waters, making it inviting for a swim, snorkel, kayak, paddleboard, or even just to float around. There’s also a nightly attendance of a family of wild dolphins if you want to stick around and catch the last ferry back to Brisbane afterwards.

For families with older kids who are looking for more action, spend your day exploring the eight-kilometre-long beach by quad bike, sandboarding the 100-metre-high dunes, or snorkelling the famous Tangalooma Wrecks.

Banksia Beach, Bribie Island

A car driving on a beach. — Bribie Island is the perfect spot to relax and enjoy. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Brisbane is spoilt with neighbouring islands, including Bribie Island – Queensland’s only offshore island connected to the mainland by a bridge. The journey takes about 90 minutes from the CBD.

This relatively untouched spot at Banksia Beach offers exquisite coastal scenery, low-key bush camping spots, popular boating and fishing areas in the famous Pumicestone Passage , as well as excellent birdwatching opportunities and spring wildflowers.

Dog-friendly beaches

Let’s not forget our four-legged friends who love to hit their step count at the beach. Not only does a trip here keep them active, but it’s a great opportunity to enjoy off-leash time, have a paddle, and socialise with other dogs.

Fortunately, Brisbane is surrounded by an abundance of coastal inlets, so there’s always somewhere nearby to let your dog have some off-leash fun. Here are some of the most highly recommended dog beaches in Brisbane.

Colmslie Beach Reserve, Murarrie

Shaded on the sandy bank of the Brisbane River, you’ll find Colmslie Beach at the end of a foliage-clad parkland. The parkland comes complete with flying foxes, slides, picnic spots, and bike tracks, which are all fit for a day of exploring before you cool off in the water. It’s also a completely off-leash area, meaning well-trained dogs can enjoy the reserve too.

Raby Bay Foreshore Park, Cleveland

A woman on a paddle on the water. — Spend the afternoon on a paddle in Cleveland. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Just 30 minutes south of Brisbane is this local gem, complete with three swimming coves with sandy beaches. The calm waters are suitable for all ages, and you can hire a kayak or stand-up paddleboard right on the shore. The area is dog-friendly, with a designated off-leash area, complete with rubbish bags, bins, and water bowls.

Manly Foreshore, Manly

Manly Foreshore in Brisbane — Dogs are welcome to wander off-leash on the foreshore. (Image: Brisbane Marketing)

Also on the south side of Brisbane is Manly Foreshore, where dogs are welcome to wander off-leash on the foreshore (the area between the high and low tide mark). Head to the beach area at the end of Davenport Drive, between the southern rock wall and the northern rock wall.

Sandgate-Brighton Foreshore, Sandgate

Sandgate beach. — Walk along Sandgate and enjoy the fresh air. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Similar to Raby Bay and Manly, Sandgate is the north-side equivalent of off-leash freedom on the foreshore. The area runs from the stairs to the foreshore on the corner of Flinders Parade/Second Avenue in Sandgate, all the way to the corner of Park Parade/Zeehan Street in Shorncliffe.

Queens Beach North, Redcliffe

Dogs can be exercised off-leash at any time along the Flinders Parade beachfront between the stairs and the northern rock groyne, on sand and water only.

Red Beach, Bribie Island

Nestled on the southeast point of Bribie Island, Red Beach is an especially popular dog-friendly beach. This eight-kilometre beach can be accessed from Tully Street and allows for leashed dogs to run, swim and play. Red Beach generally doesn’t experience rough waves, which is perfect for dog owners to take a relaxing dip with their pooches.

Surf-friendly beaches

For those who want to catch a wave, the Gold Coast isn’t the only go-to place to surf – you might be surprised by what Brisbane’s beaches have to offer.

Cylinder Beach, North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah)

Surfers in the water. — Cylinder Beach is a paradise on earth for surfers. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

North Stradbroke Island is packed with picturesque swimming spots along its shores, and one of the best is Cylinder Beach.

Situated between the Cylinder and Home Beach Headlands, you’ll find smaller, accessible waves and greater protection from obtrusive winds. The spot is expertly patrolled and is one of the most consistently beautiful surf options on the island.

Main Beach, North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah)

Surfers in the ocean. — Enjoy the ride at Main Beach. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Speaking of North Straddie, it would be remiss not to mention the great Main Beach attraction that calls this island home.

This popular surf beach stretches for 38 kilometres along the eastern side and is a popular option for strong swimmers and surfers, thanks to stronger breaks than the opposing Cylinder Beach. This spot is also protected from the northerly winds by a large headland.

Woorim Beach, Bribie Island

Bribie Island Brisbane — Tropical beauty on Bribie Island.

Back to Bribie Island, Woorim Beach is a popular surfing spot and the closest surf beach north of Brisbane. Surf Lifesaving Queensland advises that the area typically sees a low shore break that closes out in bigger surf. With Moreton Island protecting Bribie from southerly swells, waves average between 0.5 and one metre along this beach, but can be much larger.

If you thought you had to travel to the Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast to find popular beaches, you thought wrong!

This new, family-friendly Hamilton Island resort embraces life in the slow lane.

White sand beaches, gentle waves and getting on ‘island time’ have always made Hamilton Island the first spot that comes to mind when thinking of Queensland’s Whitsundays. Always a place to recharge and relax, modern wellness travel here means so much more than a spa treatment or green juice. And a new kind of tropical island stay has now arrived on Hamilton Island.

pool at The Sundays Hamilton Island — Learn to slow down and rejuvinate. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

The Sundays reimagines laid-back luxury, combining boutique, beachfront accommodation with an encouragement to slow down and appreciate life’s simple pleasures so every day feels like Sunday.

Laid-back luxury

The Sundays is nestled into the picturesque gardens on the northern end of Catseye Beach. Despite a feeling of being away from it all, the resort is a conveniently short walk from Hamilton Island’s main resort centre and restaurants, so guests can have the best of both worlds.

This new boutique stay is all about savouring the now. From complimentary sunrise yoga to moonlight movies for kids and a daily sundae ritual by the beachside pool, it makes a compelling case for doing less, better.

Even the architecture is designed to harmonise with the surrounding tropical landscape, pairing soft curves with a grounded coastal style that shows off the panoramic Coral Sea views and adds to the hotel’s calm aesthetic.

Plus, with direct flights to Hamilton Island from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in under two and a half hours, as well as complimentary hotel transfers from the airport or marina, getting here is as easy as the vacation itself.

balcony view from room at The Sundays — Enjoy fantastic views from your balcony or terrace. (Image: Sharyn Cairns)

Perfectly designed rooms with amazing views

Every small detail has been considered in the creation of the 59 guest rooms and suites, from in-room amenities by LEIF to walls adorned with custom artworks by First Nations andHungarian artist Tiarna Herczeg. There’s even a signature in-room scent by The Raconteur.

Designed by Hamilton Island’s own designer, Carrie Williams, the result is relaxed Australian style using natural textures and soft hues to lull guests into a mellow state. This soothing palette runs throughout the resort, from its sun lounges to the shaded cabanas.

Every room and suite has been built with a balcony or terrace, perfectly framing postcard-perfect views of the surrounding reef and lush greenery.

inside a room at The Sundays — Stylish rooms feature natural, soothing tones. (Image: Sharyn Cairns)

Excellent activities and amenities

Each day has been planned with a relaxed structure, so guests can get involved in as much or as little as they wish.

Greet each day with morning yoga, pilates and island walks. Recharge with daily (and deliciously complimentary) sundaes by the pool. Wind down with moonlight movies twice a week and take advantage of family-focused features.

Guests have complimentary access to a range of water sports – from stand-up paddle boards to catamarans – so they can get their blood pumping before relaxing by the resort pool.

Or take a few extra steps to set up for a day on the sand without any crowds at the exclusive, guest-only beach. Settle in with a poolside aperitif for a front-row view of the stunning Catseye Bay.

aerial shot of The Sundays pool and catseye beach — Find picturesque Catseye Beach on your doorstep. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

Delectable dining

What is rejuvenation if not a hearty choice of fresh, delectable dishes? That’s what guests will discover at The Sundays’s onsite restaurant, Catseye Pool Club .

Open all day for hotel guests and lunch and dinner for island diners, this relaxed yet elevated menu was created by acclaimed culinary duo, Josh and Julie Niland. It celebrates that community feeling of mealtimes while championing seasonal Australian produce.

“The vision behind [Catseye Pool Club] reflects so much of what I value – bringing people together to create memories in beautiful surroundings,” explains Josh.

table spread including a lobster dish from Catseye Pool Club, The Sundays — Enjoy classic Aussie meals with a twist at Catseye Pool Club. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

Based on elevated versions of classic Aussie family dinners, expect refined simplicity. Think roasted Sun Farms Sommerlad chicken with sides like chicken fat roast potatoes, gravy and tomato and grilled bread salad, or barbecued line-caught Bowen coral trout with garlic saltbush and Warrigal greens.

A day spent by the pool can be complemented by a dedicated poolside menu, featuring wood-fired souvas. Don’t want to leave the room? Kick back and soak in the views with tasty treats delivered straight to your door, whether you’re after a full breakfast or late night snack.

view from catseye pool club at The Sundays hamilton island — Enjoy dinner and a view. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

Exploring the island

While daily life at The Sundays is very much about the art of staying still, guests who seek more can explore the island with ease.

Take a day trip to the striking Whitehaven Beach, or see the iconic Heart Reef from above on a helicopter tour. Pop over to Hamilton Island’s championship golf course for a hit, or explore over 12 kilometres of the island’s stunning nature and wildlife. Later, slow the pace back down with a visit to Spa wumurdaylin .

Looking for more tasty treats? Visit one of the island’s restaurants – there are more than 20 to choose from.

Hikers on passage peak hike on hamilton island — Take on the beautiful hikes of Hamilton Island. (Image: Nick Leary)

Book your stay at The Sundays through hamiltonisland.com.au.

An insider’s guide to the best Brisbane beaches