Australia’s top beach is revealed – and it’s a tiny haven you probably haven’t heard of
- Tourism Australia has named the nation’s top 20 best beaches to visit next year
- Cabarita Beach, a white sandy strip in north New South Wales, took the crown
- Sitting north of Byron Bay, the idyllic beach boasts world class surfing
- Currumbin Beach on Queensland’s Gold Coast was named number two
- Melbourne’s famed Brighton Beach came sixth, but iconic Bondi didn’t feature
A white sand beach on the New South Wales north coast has been named Australia’s number one beach to visit in 2020.
Cabarita Beach, a quiet stretch north of Byron Bay, took the top spot in Tourism Australia’s 101 Best Australian Beaches, a book compiled by author Brad Farmer who claims to have visited 4,000 of the country’s 12,000 beaches in his lifetime.
Just over nine hours drive from Sydney, Cabarita is popular with surfers and water sports junkies for its thrilling waves and world class surf.
Hailed as ‘the best beach on Australia’s east coast’ by Trip Advisor reviewers, the beach is surrounded by scenic walking trails, camping grounds and restaurants, perfect for families and groups of young travellers alike.
Vibrant Currumbin Beach on Queensland’s Gold Coast was named number two, with Melbourne’s famous Brighton Beach taking sixth, but Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach didn’t feature inside the top 20.
Peaceful Cabarita Beach (pictured) on the New South Wales north coast has been named Australia’s number one beach to visit in 2020 by Tourism Australia
The quiet stretch, north of popular Byron Bay, is popular with surfers and water sports junkies for its thrilling waves and world class surf
New South Wales dominated the list with six mentions, including Minnamurra Beach at number three, Fingal Bay at number 12 and Diamond Head at number 18.
Minnamurra – better known as ‘Mystics Beach’ by locals – offers stunning views, quality surfing and scenic picnic spots.
Fingal Bay boasts pristine white sands, while Diamond Head is a popular camping spot for families and backpackers.
Cabarita (pictured) has been hailed as ‘the best beach on Australia’s east coast’ by Trip Advisor reviewers
Vibrant Currumbin Beach (pictured) on Queensland’s Gold Coast was named number two
Ned’s Beach on Lord Howe Island, a stunning volcanic isle roughly 600km off the New South Wales coast, was ranked 14th for its crystal clear water and world-class snorkelling and scuba diving sites around the nearby Admiralty Islands.
A surprising entrant at number nine was Wagga Wagga, an inland beach five hours drive from Sydney, which author Brad Farmer said could raise a few eyebrows.
‘It opens up the interior of Australia to be recognised and included. If you’ve got a shark phobia, it’s a good beach!’ he told Pedestrian.
Melbourne’s famous Brighton Beach (pictured) took sixth, but Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach didn’t feature inside the top 20
Fingal Bay Beach (pictured) in New South Wales was ranked 12th for its soft white sand and picturesque surroundings
Ranked fifth was Cape Tribulation in northern Queensland, a coastal stretch inside Daintree National Park renowned for ecotourism and tours of the Great Barrier Reef.
Tasmania received two mentions, with rugged Maria Island at number four and remote Killiecrankie Beach rounding at the list at number 20.
The list was compiled based on beaches that are ‘affordable, accessible and authentic’ for travellers.