TripAdvisor®, the world’s largest travel site, today announced Manly Beach as the number one beach in Australia for its Travellers’ Choice® awards for Beaches.
Out of Australia’s top 10 beaches, half are in Queensland whilst New South Wales and Western Australia draw a tie at two beaches each. Mindil Beach in Darwin, Northern Territory rounds up the top 10.
“Australians love the sun and the surf, and every beach on this year’s list has something for everyone—from sunbathing to sunset walks, swimming, surfing, and even camel trains,” said Janice Lee Fang, Communications Director for TripAdvisor in Asia Pacific. “Now is the perfect time to tap this award-winning list of traveller-favourite beaches, before summer comes to an end!”
Award winners were determined based on the quantity and quality of traveller reviews and ratings for beaches on TripAdvisor, gathered over a 12-month period.
Top 10 Travellers’ Choice Beaches in Australia:
(Excerpts in quotes below from TripAdvisor reviewers)
1. Manly Beach – Sydney, NSW
For the second consecutive year, Manly Beach has taken top honours for the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards for Beaches in Australia. Being one of the first to allow daylight swimming and surfing in 1903, Manly Beach pioneered the local surf and beach culture. From Queenscliff to North Steyne and South Steyne, the beach curves for two kilometres along the sea. “With the added advantage of both harbour and surf beaches, Manly is unique. There is no end of possibilities… swim, eat, relax, enjoy the walk to Fairy Bower,” commended a TripAdvisor reviewer.
2. Surfer’s Paradise Beach – Surfers Paradise, QLD
Lying at the heart of Queensland’s Gold Coast, the postcard-perfect locale Surfer’s Paradise Beach paints a picture of ‘paradise’—crystal waters, soft, golden sand coupled with endless waves. With accommodation, shopping, dining, nightlife and the beach all within walking distance, it is unsurprising that Surfer’s Paradise has earned its place as one of Australia’s most famed beaches. “When you’re visiting ‘the Goldy’ it would just be plain wrong not to take a walk on Surfer’s Paradise Beach, a real Aussie icon,” praised a TripAdvisor reviewer. Lifeguards are also on standby to ensure the safety of beach-goers all year round.
3. Turquoise Bay – Exmouth, WA
As its name suggests, Turquoise Bay is one of Western Australia’s most beautiful beaches where bright turquoise waters meet a white sand beach. Not only is it the highlight of Exmouth’s Cape Range National Park, Turquoise Bay is also metres away from the famous Ningaloo Reef that is brimming with pristine coral gardens and a rich biodiversity of marine life, making it one of the Ningaloo region’s premier snorkelling sites. “There is so much wildlife in it, plus a slow current that takes you across the entire bay, so that while snorkelling you don’t have to do much. Just perfect!” commented a TripAdvisor reviewer.
4. Mooloolaba Beach – Mooloolaba, QLD
A favourite among families, Mooloolaba Beach is one of the safest of Sunshine Coast beaches with near-perfect and safe water conditions all year round. To top it off, the beach is complemented by numerous retail shops, cafés, restaurants, bars, accommodation and even a surf lifesaving club and caravan park by the harbour entrance. A TripAdvisor reviewer noted, “This is the perfect family beach; a sweeping crescent of beach from the surf beach around to calmer waters on the spit.”
5. Whitehaven Beach – Whitsunday Island, QLD
Swirls of turquoise, blue and green contrasted by luminescent sand at 98 percent pure white silica is characteristic to the aptly-named Whitehaven Beach. Located in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, various species of turtles and other marine life, like dolphins, often visit shallows of the beach. Travellers can score the best view of Whitehaven Beach from the nearby Tongue Point at the Hill Inlet lookout, or time their visit for low tide to experience the spectacular fusion of colours in the surrounding area. “There are so many photographs of Whitehaven beach but it is not until you stand on the beach yourself that you really appreciate nature at its best!” a TripAdvisor review commended.
6. Bondi Beach – Sydney, NSW
Just a ride away from the Sydney city centre sits Bondi, one of Australia’s most iconic beaches. From surf and sand, glitzy bars and cafes to scenic walking trails, Bondi Beach brings a vibrant seaside community to life. Reliable waves make for a good surf, and travellers describe the sand “a soft powder”. A TripAdvisor reviewer praised, “Bondi Beach is a must-visit when you come to Sydney… It sits surrounded by beautiful, ancient rock formations, like nothing you have ever seen.”
7. Noosa Main Beach – Noosa, QLD
Situated along the Australian coastline facing north, Noosa Main Beach is protected by the headline; for this reason, waters are consistently warm and calm throughout the year. Lifeguards also patrol daily, making the beach a great option for families and beginner surfers. “The waters were crystal clear, even with storms that blew in and out very quickly. It’s so warm that even a bit of rain doesn’t dampen your enthusiasm,” commented a TripAdvisor reviewer. To top it off, Noosa Main Beach is a walk away from the famous Hastings Street shopping, accommodation, restaurants and bars.
8. Burleigh Heads Beach – Burleigh Heads, QLD
Located at Gold Coast’s southern end, Burleigh Heads Beach, otherwise known simply as ‘Burleigh’ to locals, preserves an ecological integrity with its sheer beauty and authentic local beach culture. For spectacular coastal sights, travellers recommend heading to the majestic Burleigh Heads National Park nearby to view the beach from elevated grounds. “Great surf clubs at each end of Burleigh’s fabulous beach, both flagged with swim areas and lifeguards… Burleigh has a gorgeous oceanfront promenade and many parks to enjoy,” a TripAdvisor user reviewed.
9. Cable Beach – Broome, WA
Stretching along the eastern Indian Ocean and Broome, Cable Beach features 22 kilometres of impeccable white sand, and was named after the telegraph cable laid between Broome and Java in 1889. A TripAdvisor reviewer recommends visiting during low tide to “experience a sense of openness and freshness.” Cable Beach is also famed for its dazzling ocean sunsets and camel trains – “a must for Broome is the sunset camel ride. You will not be disappointed unless you forget to take your camera,” commented a TripAdvisor reviewer. Travellers should note that the beach can be closed intermittently due to crocodiles and Irukandji jellyfish.
10. Mindil Beach – Darwin, NT
Best known for its vivid, breathtaking sunsets and nightlife, Mindil Beach is a tropical paradise located close to Darwin. After dark, travellers can enjoy displays of fire twirling, acrobatics, dance and live local music. “Make sure you arrive at least half an hour before sunset so you can take in the beauty of the sun setting over the ocean,” noted a TripAdvisor reviewer. Due to crocodiles and stingers, travellers are advised to swim ‘between the flags’ during dry season months from June through September when lifeguards are on standby, and wear protective swimwear as stings have occurred in all months of the year. Also during dry season, the Mindil Beach Sunset Market that’s a step away from the beach, bustles with activity every Thursday and Sunday evenings—featuring a wide selection of food, handicrafts and aboriginal goods.
Top 10 Travellers’ Choice Beaches in the World:
1. Baia do Sancho – Fernando de Noronha, Brazil
2. Varadero Beach – Varadero, Cuba
3. Eagle Beach – Palm – Eagle Beach, Aruba
4. La Concha Beach – San Sebastian – Donostia, Spain
5. Grace Bay Beach – Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
6. Clearwater Beach – Clearwater, Florida
7. Spiaggia dei Conigli – Sicily, Italy
8. Seven Mile Beach – Seven Mile Beach, Cayman Islands
9. Playa Norte – Isla Mujeres, Mexico
10. Seven Mile Beach – Negril, Jamaica
TripAdvisor has awarded 352 beaches overall, including a top 25 world list and dedicated lists for Africa, Asia, Europe, South America, Australia, Central America, Middle East, South Pacific, Caribbean, Brazil, Costa Rica, France, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, U.K., and the U.S.
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