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!

Adventure and refined Luxury combine at the stunning Rangelands Outback Camp.

Iconic Australian red dirt, ancient rocky landscapes and bursts of greenery and wildflowers all make the small town of Winton, and its surrounds, a sight to behold. Escape the ordinary and unwind in the Queensland outback, where ancient landscapes and off-grid luxury await at Rangelands Outback Camp.

cosy seats in Rangelands Outback Camp — Unwind in the ancient outback.

About Rangelands Outback Camp

Unforgettable 360-degree views of this 95-million-year-old land await at Rangelands; bathed in style and positioned on top of a jump-up (or mesa), your tented camp seamlessly blends into its outback setting.

Set on the 53,935-square-kilometre Rangelands Station – a working cattle property – the abundant wildlife are your only neighbours; kangaroos, echidnas, eagles and other birdlife all call Rangelands home.

Bathed in style, your tented camp seamlessly blends into its outback setting. Indulge with carefully curated menus, personalised service and supersized luxury tents that guarantee a private experience. This exclusive camp only has a maximum of 12 guests at a time.

Here, the aim is pampering. From tasty menus to supersized tents with all the creature comforts, to a range of guided tours around the property and beyond.

Guests are transferred from Winton or Longreach by a dedicated Rangelands driver.

aerial shot of Rangelands Outback Camp tent — Soak in 360-degree views.

Rangelands Outback Camp tours

Join small-group tours and enjoy exclusive access to the ancient Rangelands Rifts with your Rangelands hosts. These incredible rock formations were formed by millions of years of erosion, leaving dramatic channels through the rock. Or explore the surrounds with Rangeland’s touring partner, Red Dirt Tours .

Get sunset birds-eye views over dramatic mesa country in a helicopter, from Queensland’s own Three Sisters to Corey’s Range, stopping at the best lookouts along the way.

Get up close and personal with this rugged land on four wheels, with expert drivers and guides leading guests through famous Bladensburg National Park, visiting Gondwana Stars Observatory and more.

The Winton area is famous for its boulder opals (the second-rarest opal in the world, after black opals), and a stop at the mining community of Opalton sheds a fascinating light on the unique fossicking method used to find them.

A trip to dinosaur country is a must, as this is the place that ramped up Australia’s dino contribution after a fossilised footprint was found in 1962; after more exploration, the discovery of 3300 footprints made it clear this was the world’s only evidence of a dinosaur stampede. Those same footprints are still on display today at Lark Quarry Conservation Park , a 90-minute drive from Winton. Also check out Australia’s largest collection of Australian Dinosaur fossils Australian Age of Dinosaurs, just 30 minutes from Winton. Here, join a tour through a working laboratory, dinosaur canyon and more.

A twice-daily transfer into downtown Winton is offered to guests, where they can explore the Royal Outdoor Theatre, opal shops, Waltzing Matilda Centre and more.

tour being led through Rangeland rifts — Have an exclusive adventure through the Rangeland Rifts. (Image: TEQ)

Sleeping in luxury

After a day of exploring, return to your tranquil tent for a blissful open shower and uninterrupted views from your private deck.

Designed to integrate guests into the surrounding nature, each tent feels like its own private haven. While being off-grid in the outback (in fact, each tent is powered by its own solar panels, with the added support of a backup generator), guests can also luxuriate in comfortable amenities like air conditioning, a supremely comfortable king-size bed and stylish designer touches.

Guests can stroll to the open-air Sunset Deck for breathtaking panoramic views, or to the main lounge and dining tent, where books, on-demand coffee and drinks make it the perfect place to relax after a day in the outback.

inside Rangelands Outback Camp bedroom — Enjoy plenty of space inside, and stunning views outside.

Rangelands Outback Camp dining

As the sun starts to dip below the horizon, gather for drinks and canapés on the expansive Sunset Deck, watching the sun drench the landscape in pinks and oranges as it sinks below the horizon.

Later, head to The Mahal lounge area and dining tent where mealtime magic happens. Savour a gourmet meal made fresh by Rangeland’s onsite chef. The meals use local produce to elevate classic outback dishes, and don’t worry, dietary requirements are happily accommodated.

Enjoy an open bar filled with an expansive hand-selected list of wines and premium beers, with wine pairings offered by Rangelands hosts come dinner time.

Discover more and book your luxurious stay at rangelandscamp.com.

An insider’s guide to the best Brisbane beaches