The Best Secret Beaches in Australia

The Best Secret Beaches in Australia

The Best Secret Beaches in Australia

Bondi Beach too overrated and crowded? Girl, we feel you. Luckily, Australia is the treasure trove of beaches!

You can't get more fun in the sun without some surf, sun and sand. We have over 50,000km of coastline to offer and no shortage of places to enjoy some much-needed vitamin SEA!

Ready for a weekend away? Here's our list of Australia's secret beaches by state and territory - shh, don't tell anyone!

NSW 


Maitland Bay

Maitland Bay beach is a secluded haven for couples and a weekend getaway within Bouddi National Park, 20km south of Gosford. It's roughly a 20-minute walk from the Maitland Bay information centre, through a lush Eucalypt forest.

The bushwalking here is only half the fun. This sensational spot is not only known for its deep blue waters and stunning views, but at low tide, you'll find the wreck of a paddle steamer which ran onto the rocks in 1898. It's also an excellent place for snorkelling due to the calm, pristine waters.

 

Garie Beach

If you're looking for something more remote, travel to the coastal valley in the Royal National Park, 40km south of Sydney via the Princess Highway at Waterfall.

Meaning 'Sleepy' in the Aboriginal language lives up to its name, especially during the week. This quiet and serene beach is an ideal spot for hiking, or if you're up for some fun, a terrific surf. When we say this place is remote, we mean it's REMOTE. Accommodation includes a couldn't-be-more-basic YHA, and a beach shack with no electricity, fridge, phone or shower. It's not for the girls who love 'Glamping'.

However, if you're after escapism, incredible views, good old peace-and-quiet and don't mind roughing it for a few days, then this beach is for you. You can even rent out the whole beach if you want to go with a group!!

 

Dreamtime Beach

South of Tweed Heads near northern NSW at Fingal Head, you will find Dreamtime Beach.

Let's get nerdy! Twenty million years ago when Mount Warning erupted, it produced the current dramatic backdrop of stunning vistas of black cliffs. Combine this with white stretches of pristine beautiful white sand beaches and lush green foliage; the Dreamtime Beach is a paradise come to life.

There are plenty of accommodation options available to you, including Caravan parks to luxury holiday rentals like the Dreamtime Beach House which won the Royal Institute of Architects’ Gold Coast House of the Year award in 2005.


Store Beach

A little way off from Manly but the only way to get there is by water. Just hire a kayak at Manly wharf and paddle roughly twenty minutes to the secret cove of Store Beach. We guarantee you will love this little beach as there's hardly anyone there during weekdays, and is a famous breeding ground for penguins. Bliss out in the sun before heading back and get your daily exercise for the day too!

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VIC


Kitty Miller Bay

If you're after something that exudes adventure and rugged beauty, then Kitty Miller Bay is for you. This bay of sand and stone is on the south-western side of Phillip Island, roughly a 90-minute drive from Melbourne.

This secluded cove is at the base of an extinct volcano. It not only has a great surf but features a windswept appeal that screams Victorian charm. Strong rips from the waves will often result in the odd shark sighting (take care while surfing), but it's a great place for beachcombing. Keep an eye out for the shipwrecked remains of the SS Speke at low tide!


Killarney Beach

This expansive stretch of sand and sea is just off Port Fairy, around 380km west of Melbourne via the Great Ocean Road. Not only is it an ideal spot for sunbathing (and fantastic Insta shots!), it offers an offshore reef, making it a calm spot for underwater adventures and fishing. You can also find camping reserves behind the undulating dunes if you're staying for a few nights. 


Golden Beach

After for something more 'golden?'. 252km from Melbourne is one of the most delightful spots along the Ninety Mile Beach. It's just golden sand and rolling surf stretching on for miles. (Insta worthy sunrises found here!)

We give this beach a five-star rating for ocean fishing, surfing and wildlife from kangaroos, native birds even emus and echidnas.

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QLD


Sunshine Beach

If you're after that quintessential beach experience, look no further than Sunshine Beach.

Sunshine Beach is about 7km south of Noosa, abutting Noosa Heads National Park, so it's a lush environment well worth exploring. Picture 15km of sand stretching to Perigan beach, sheltered with rich Australian flora to one side and the expanse of crystal clear blue water to the other. If offers great surf, is DOG-FRIENDLY and an excellent spot for whale and dolphin watching.


Agnes Water

While it's no secret to locals, many out-of-towners have not idea about this beach.

You want a pristine beach fringed with cosy and Instagram-worthy cafes, bakeries, local amenities and supermarkets, then come to Agnes Water. It's a beach exuding Queensland soul, oozing laid-back summer charm. As many of Queenland beaches are located within and close to national parks and only accessible by 4WD, you'll often see a lack of footprints besides your own! It's also a great starting point for a Barrier Reef visit.

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SA

Memory Cove

Part of Lincoln National Park and 650km south-west of Adelaide, travel to Memory Cover Wilderness Area via 4WD-only!

Perfect for camping, this lush beach is just stunning. The fishing is fantastic, and National Park laws encourage no more than 15 vehicles in at any one time. This remote haven is NEVER overcrowded. Without the five-star prices attached, Memory Cove offers the most elite Australian beach experiences. It's only $8.40 for park entry, a $6.00 camping fee and $16 per vehicle per night!


Maslin Beach

About an hour's drive from Adelaide via the Southern Expressway, you'll find the foamy cove of Maslin Beach.

Now it may be Australia's first nudist beach, don't let it deter you. Plenty of room if you prefer to swim in your bikinis!! Grab a snorkel and take a dip into the crystal clear waters and spot a sea dragon, or hike, stop and snap along the picturesque cliffs that flank the beach. Once you've had your fun in the sun and sand, grab the besties and sample what McLaren Vale wineries have to offer!

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TAS


Lime Bay

Leave behind the hustle and bustle of Port Arthur and wander freely through the evocative aqua blue lagoon and stony shoreside of Lime Bay.

This beautiful beachside camping spot is considered part of the Coal Mines Historic Site on the north-eastern shore of the Tasman Peninsula.  The waterfront views are to die for. Limestone rocks fringe the bay, sculpted by wind and water. Plus, there's ample opportunity for hikes and looking for wildlife and bird-spotting. 


Friendly Beaches

Friendly Beaches is a wilderness and a paradise. With their squeaky white sand, crystalline aqua waters and views that stretch on and on, this beach is a goldmine of wonder and beauty. Find Pelicans in the salt-water lagoon at one end and a freshwater lagoon at the other. As many tourists prefer to frequent to the famous Wineglass Bay, Friendly Beaches is often people-free.

Take caution for rips as this beach is at the mercy of strong tidal currents.

 

Ocean Beach

This 40km stretch of coast is Tasmania's longest beach- nothing but rolling blue waves, fresh air in between you and the east coast of South America. Try horse riding along the speckled pebble beach, sandboarding on the dunes, or watch the sun sink at the edge of the world. This beach may not be great for swimming, but this isolated beach is a treasure trove for Insta-worthy pics!

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NT


Cobourg Peninsula

Yes, the Northen Territory has its own secret beach. The Cobourg Peninsula is nestled within Garig Gunak Barlu National Park, 570km by road from Darwin and accessible only by 4WD.

This place of pristine beaches is littered with exotic seashells and often turtles, that come up to lay their eggs on the beach. This beach is also home to the world's largest remaining herd of wild cattle that roam within the monsoon forests that shelter the beach. This beach is an isolated paradise, meaning only 20 permits to enter the park are issue at any one time. You might want to hold off on swimming as this is saltwater crocodile country...

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WA 

Lucky Bay

This beach is breathtaking. It has everything, stunning scenery and coastal shrubbery, a beachside camping ground and a 115km coastal walking trail from Le Grand Beach to Rossiter Bay. You'll most likely find southern grey kangaroos sunning themselves on the white sand. If there's too many fishermen around, head to Thistle cove. We guarantee you're unlikely to find a soul.


Point Ann

Half an hour from Perth's city centre, you'll find Bennion Beach.

The reason why you will love this secret beach? You can stay in the heart of Perth but still savour the seclusion of this incredible white sand and limestone beach. Most of the crowds prefer to hang around the neighbouring Trigg Beach, so feel free to snorkel and explore the surrounding reef in solace. Or, get a kick out of the stunning sunsets and watch reds, purples, oranges and yellows stain the horizon.


Bennion Beach

Half an hour from Perth's city centre, you'll find Bennion Beach.

The reason why you will love this secret beach? You can stay in the heart of Perth but still savour the seclusion of this incredible white sand and limestone beach. Most of the crowds prefer to hang around the neighbouring Trigg Beach, so feel free to snorkel and explore the surrounding reef in solace. Or, get a kick out of the stunning sunsets and watch reds, purples, oranges and yellows stain the horizon.