Australia’s 10 best beaches named in the annual tourism list – and the top spot goes to a beach you’ve probably never heard of
- Grand prize for best Australian beach went to a South Australian natural beauty
- Stokes Bay on Kangaroo Island topped the annual list this week
- It defeated contenders from NSW, Victoria, Queensland and Christmas Island
The gong for Australia’s best beach has gone to a little-known South Australian ‘natural beauty’ after knocking out the popular favorites vying for first place.
Stokes Bay on Kangaroo Island borders beaches NSW and Queensland to become the state’s first-ever beach to reach the number one position.
Picturesque and remote, Stokes Bay beat nearly 12,000 beaches across the country to be crowned Australia’s Best Beach for 2023.
Stokes Bay on Kangaroo Island (pictured) lined beaches in NSW and Queensland, becoming the state’s first-ever beach to reach the number one position
The beach (pictured) is touted by locals as Kangaroo Island’s ‘hidden gem’ and praised for its family-friendly appeal
The remote South Australian beach eclipsed better-known stretches of sand, such as Sydney’s Balmoral Beach (pictured) and Rainbow Beach in the Sunshine State, which came in at numbers 10 and three respectively
It eclipsed more familiar stretches of sand, such as Sydney’s Balmoral Beach and Rainbow Beach on Queensland’s Cooloola Coast, which came in at numbers 10 and three respectively.
Tourism Australia’s beach ambassador, Brad Farmer, compiled the list and gave his reasons why Stokes Bay went to number one.
“This is a vast island of immense natural beauty, teeming with wildlife on land and in the sea,” Mr Farmer said. Nine News.
It is also home to one of the most famous wine regions in the country and has been described as ‘uniquely Australian’.
Touted by locals as Kangaroo Island’s ‘hidden gem’ and lauded for its family-friendly appeal, Stokes Bay boasts a tidal pool that makes it ideal for wading and snorkeling.
Apollo Bay (pictured) on Victoria’s Great Ocean Road made the top five at number four
Rainbow Beach on Queensland’s Cooloola Coast took the number three spot (pictured), with 4WD vehicles on the sand and sailboats anchored in shallow water)
Second place went to Boomerang Beach in NSW, near Forster on the mid-north coast (pictured)
Second place went to NSW’s Boomerang beach, near Forster on the mid-north coast.
Other lesser-known beaches made the list, with Christmas Island’s Flying Fishing Cove at number nine.
It has been described as the ‘Galapagos of the Indian Ocean’ and is closer to Indonesia than mainland Australia.
Little Bondi Beach in the Northern Territory ranked number seven, kicking its internationally renowned namesake in Sydney from the margins.
Federal Tourism Minister Don Farrell said Australia’s beaches are among the best in the world.
“Australia has the best coastline in the world and many international travelers returning to our shores in growing numbers want to explore the idyllic beaches we have to offer,” he said.
Flying Fish Cove on Christmas Island (pictured) came in at number nine on the Best Beaches list
“Every beach on the 2023 list is not only among the best in Australia, but also among the best in the world,” said Tourism Minister Don Farrell (pictured, kangaroos on Stokes Island)
Little Bondi Beach in the Northern Territory (pictured) ranks number seven, kicking its internationally renowned namesake in Sydney from the margins
Tourism Australia director Phillipa Harrison said Australia’s coasts are a draw for tourists (pictured, Rainbow Beach in Queensland)
Boomerang Beach (pictured) on NSW’s mid-north coast was pipped for first place and came in at number two
“Every beach on the 2023 list is not only among the best in Australia, but also among the best in the world.”
Tourism Australia director Phillipa Harrison said Australia’s coasts are a draw for tourists.
“There is no doubt that Australia is known worldwide for its beaches and they are a major reason why international travelers come,” she said.
“With about 12,000 beaches in our country to explore, including many of the best in the world, it’s not easy to name a top 10.”