Australia’s Top 10 Beaches You Can’t Miss
Australia isn’t short on breathtaking coastlines, but some beach destinations rise above the rest, each with its own unique charm. From world-class surf spots to secret coves teeming with wildlife. Whether you’re craving adventure, a dose of relaxation, or that perfect Instagram-worthy view, these top 10 beaches are the ultimate checklist for your next road trip.
Image: Wineglass Bay from Mt Amos Summit, Chad Dewson
Why a Campervan is the Ultimate Travel Companion
Hiring a campervan is one of the best ways to explore Australia’s stunning destinations, beaches, and hidden gems. With a home on wheels, you’re free to be spontaneous — no hotel check-ins, no rigid schedules, and more time to stay wherever you please. It’s also cost-effective, saving you from booking accommodation at every stop. After a day at the beach, you can recharge with a shower, relax in comfort, or cook a fresh meal in your fully equipped kitchen. Our GoCheap campervans come with everything you need, making your journey flexible, budget-friendly, and unforgettable
Curious just how much you can save? Take a look at our blog Campervan vs Car + Hotel: What’s the Cheapest Way to Travel? to see why campervans make budget travel a breeze.
Image: GoCheap 6 Berth Derwent Campervan at the beach
1. Bells Beach, Victoria
Bells Beach has earned its reputation as one of Australia’s ultimate surf spots and is a stop every traveller should make. Just a short drive from Melbourne, this iconic stretch of coast sits high on the bucket lists of surfers and adventurers alike. Towering cliffs frame the golden sand below, creating a dramatic atmosphere that offers breathtaking views of the rolling waves. From the lookout, you can watch pros slicing through powerful waves effortlessly — an experience as thrilling to witness as it is to ride. Beyond the surfing, Bells Beach is alive with nature; echidnas, seabirds, and other coastal wildlife are often spotted, reminding you about the sanctuary of raw Australian beauty.
🏝️Highlight: Best views from the clifftop lookout.
✨Travel Tip: Visit during Easter for the Rip Curl Pro competition or enjoy the lookouts if you’re not surfing.
Image: Bells Beach, Visit Victoria
2. Cowes Beach, Victoria
If your idea of the perfect holiday is basking in the sun while gentle waves lap the shore, Cowes Beach delivers the ultimate seaside escape. With soft golden sand, calm waters, and tidal flats that reveal rock pools to explore at low tide, it’s a haven for families, couples, and solo travellers alike. Cowes itself is the ideal base to explore Phillip Island, where you can wander local attractions, spot wildlife, or simply enjoy the relaxed coastal vibe. Spend your afternoon swimming, playing beach games, or soaking in the lively atmosphere before heading into town. From laid-back cafés perfect for brunch to lively restaurants buzzing on summer evenings, there’s no shortage of spots to refuel and savour the island lifestyle.
🏝️Highlight: Close to Phillip Island’s other attractions like the Penguin Parade and wildlife parks.
✨Travel Tip: Evening strolls at sunset are magical.
Image: Cowes Beach, Visit Victoria
3. Bay of Fires, Tasmania
Known as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, the Bay of Fires is an awe-inspiring stop on any Australian road trip. Stretching along Tasmania’s northeast coast, this conservation reserve is a dazzling collection of powder-white beaches, crystal lagoons, and rugged granite bluffs. Its most striking feature? The fiery orange lichen that coats the granite boulders, creating a breathtaking contrast against the turquoise waters and white sand. It’s a scene so surreal it feels dreamlike, especially when you’re strolling along the shore with endless views ahead. Beyond its beauty, the Bay of Fires is also popular for adventure and wildlife. Birdwatchers will love spotting species, snorkellers and divers can discover reefs, caves, and vibrant marine life beneath the waves, and if you’re lucky, you may even catch sight of dolphins. With its secluded inlets and pristine landscapes, it’s no wonder this place is a must visit.
🏝️Highlight: Stroll the white sands of Bay of Fires Conservation Area beach.
✨Travel Tip: Go early morning for fewer crowds and golden light.
Image: Bay of Fires, Stu Gibson
4. Wineglass Bay, Tasmania
Wineglass Bay is one of Tasmania’s most iconic beaches and a must-visit within Freycinet National Park. It’s perfectly curved stretch of white sand, framed by sapphire waters and the pink granite peaks, creates a view so striking it’s best admired from the lookout above. Beyond its beauty, the park brims with life — over 500 plant species and native wildlife. Visitors can hike, kayak, or simply relax on the sand while soaking in the scenery. To round off the experience, the region’s food scene offers indulgent Tasmanian flavours, from crayfish and scallops to oysters pulled fresh from some of the world’s cleanest waters.
🏝️Highlight: Great for hiking, kayaking, and swimming.
✨Travel Tip: Hike to the lookout for the iconic postcard view and to avoid crowds.
Image: Wineglass Bay, Jason Charles Hill
5. Caves Beach, New South Wales
Caves Beach is unlike any other on the NSW coast, offering natural wonder and family-friendly fun. Named after the sculptural sea caves at its southern end, this beach is best explored at low tide when the caves reveal intricate rock formations, secluded corners, and perfect photo opportunities. With its long stretch of golden sand, clear waters, and patrolled surf, it’s a great spot for both swimmers and surfers. Families can enjoy the calmer shallows, while surfers ride the waves further out. Beyond the beach, grassy picnic areas, coastal walking tracks, and a welcoming town atmosphere make it a favourite holiday destination. Whether you’re exploring the caves, enjoying a swim, or unwinding at a café, Caves Beach delivers a coastal experience that’s equal parts adventurous and relaxing, leaving memories that last long after your visit.
🏝️Highlight: Unique for its sea caves that can be explored at low tide.
✨Travel Tip: with the tides for safe cave exploration.
Image: Caves Beach, Destination NSW
6. Hyams Beach, New South Wales
With its famous sugar-white sand and turquoise waters, Hyams Beach is pure paradise on the NSW South Coast. Set on the sheltered shores of Jervis Bay, this two-kilometre beach is ideal for swimming, snorkelling, and paddleboarding, with calm waves and soft sands perfect for relaxing. Surrounded by Booderee National Park, the area is teeming with wildlife — kangaroos on the shore, dolphins and seals in the bay, and migrating whales passing by in season. Take the short Bird Spotter’s Walk to see colourful native birds or explore nearby bushwalks, cycleways, and lookouts. With picnic spots, BBQs, and a local café, Hyams offers the perfect mix of natural beauty and laid-back charm.
🏝️Highlight: Home to one of Jervis Bay’s many stunning white sand beaches.
✨Travel Tip: Go early in peak season as the beach is expected to be crowded
Image: Hyams Beach, Mark Fitzpatrick; Destination NSW
7. Bondi Beach, New South Wales
No trip to Sydney is complete without visiting the iconic Bondi Beach, a place where coastal charm meets vibrant city buzz. Just minutes from the CBD, Bondi’s golden sands and sparkling waters make it a hotspot for swimmers, surfers, and sunseekers alike. Its famous crescent-shaped stretch is home to one of the world’s oldest surf lifesaving clubs, adding to its legendary status. Beyond the beach, Bondi thrives with cafés, restaurants, markets, boutiques, and lively bars — all steps from the ocean. Walk the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk, swim at the Icebergs pool, or simply relax as surfers and locals bring the beach to life. Mornings here begin with sunrise swims and coffee by the sea, while evenings flow into cocktails and clifftop strolls. Whether you’re here to surf, shop, or unwind, Bondi is a true slice of Sydney life.
🏝️Highlight: Australia’s most iconic beach.
✨Travel Tip: Catch sunrise yoga on the beach.
Image: Bondi Beach Sydney, Destination NSW
8. Whitehaven Beach, Queensland
Surrounded by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Whitehaven Beach is one of Queensland’s most famous destinations — and with good reason. Located in the stunning Whitsundays, it’s the perfect escape from everyday life. Swim, snorkel among tropical fish, spot baby reef sharks, or simply unwind on the white sand. For a little adventure, hike to nearby lookouts for some of Australia’s most breathtaking views or join in a game of beach volleyball. Those seeking a longer stay can even camp in Whitehaven’s national park, waking to golden sunrises and winding down with spectacular sunsets. Since Whitehaven Beach is only accessible by boat, you can leave your campervan at a nearby campsite with powered sites, before hopping on a day tour or scenic cruise. Those seeking a longer stay can even camp in Whitehaven’s national park, waking to golden sunrises and winding down with spectacular sunsets. Travelling by campervan makes the journey even smoother, giving you the comfort of a home on wheels as you explore.
Travelling by campervan makes the journey even smoother, giving you the comfort of a home on wheels as you explore.
🏝️Highlight: World-famous for its silica sand and turquoise waters.
✨Travel Tip: Pack reef-safe sunscreen to protect the ecosystem.
Image: Whitehaven Beach, Phillip Gordon
9. Cottesloe Beach, Western Australia
Just a short drive from Perth, Cottesloe Beach is one of WA’s most popular stretches of sand and a favourite for both locals and visitors. Known for its crystal-clear waters, golden sand, and epic sunsets, it’s the perfect place to swim, surf, snorkel, or simply relax with a glass of wine or a beachside dinner. Cottesloe is also home to vibrant coastal culture — from buzzing cafés and bars to the annual Sculpture by the Sea exhibition. The beach is steeped in surf history, being the birthplace of surfing and surf lifesaving in WA and still draws surfers daily to its famous waves. Beyond the ocean, the grassy Cottesloe Esplanade offers picnic spots and often plays host to live music. For a different perspective, hop on an e-bike and explore Perth’s spectacular coastline. With its mix of surf, sunsets, and seaside energy, Cottesloe is the heart of Perth’s beach scene.
🏝️Highlight: Watching the Indian Ocean sunset with a drink in hand is an unforgettable Cottesloe ritual.
✨Travel Tip: Visit in March for the world-famous Sculpture by the Sea exhibition.
Image: Cottesloe Beach, Tourism Western Australia
10. Vivonne Bay Beach, SA
Voted as one of Australia’s top beaches, Vivonne Bay on Kangaroo Island is a pristine escape of clear waters, long sandy shores, and unmatched tranquillity. Its six-kilometre U-shaped stretch is postcard-perfect, where white sand meets calm ocean waves — ideal for a peaceful swim or sunset stroll. Framed by the unspoiled Vivonne Bay Conservation Park, the area is also home to playful dolphins, seals, and abundant wildlife. The jetty serves as a hub for cray fishing, with fresh catches brought in daily and public picnic and BBQ areas ready for visitors to enjoy. More than just a beach, Vivonne Bay offers the chance to experience Kangaroo Island, combining coastal beauty with outdoor adventure and island life at its finest.
🏝️Highlight: Swim alongside crystal-clear shallows with seals and dolphins nearby.
✨Travel Tip: Pack a picnic, fishing rod and enjoy it by the jetty — it’s one of the best spots to soak up the bay.
Image: Vivonne Bay, As We Wander
Time To Book Your Beach Holiday!
From Tasmania’s bays to Queensland’s islands, Australia’s beaches are as diverse as they are unforgettable. Each stop on this list offers more than just sun and sand — they’re experiences that connect you with nature, culture, and the freedom of the open road. And with a campervan, every beach is within reach, giving you the chance to turn a simple getaway into a journey of a lifetime.
For more costal road trip inspiration check out our other blogs:
Best Beaches in Australia for Surfing: A Campervan Traveller’s Dream
Top 5 Scenic Budget-Friendly Road Trips in Australia
Ready to start your trip? Call our friendly reservations team on 1300 664 485 or check out our website to see the campervans we have available at our branches!
