The 25+ Best Queensland Beaches
As a vast and beautiful island with a diverse landscape and wildlife, Australia brings to mind visions of crystal clear waters, dreamy white sands and surfers carving up the waves. Queensland's beaches makes this vision a reality.
With a coastline that stretches for 7,000km along the east coast there are plenty of beaches to choose from. Whether you're seeking out tranquil, serene coves, famous surf spots, party beaches or everything in between, Queensland is a paradise for any beach lover.
Each year Queensland welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors, especially backpackers make the trip between Sydney and Queensland's capital, Brisbane. From here many head to the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast, where spending days at the beach is an essential part of the local culture and a must do for any visitors. Journey further, towards the tropical north, and you can experience the thriving jungle of the Daintree rainforest and the world class habitat that is the Great Barrier Reef.
Whether you're looking for gorgeous golden sands, calming beautiful white sands, somewhere more upbeat or somewhere to suit families, there is a beach to suit everyone in Queensland.
So let's take a look at our pick of the best beaches in Queensland.
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1. Whitehaven Beach
© Horst Müller Know for its beautiful 7 km stretch of white sand and crystal clear turquoise waters, Whitehaven Beach is without doubt of of Australia's finest. It is located on Whitsunday Island, part of a group of islands just of the tropical Queensland coast.
Accessible only by boat Whitehaven Beach is never busy but always stunning.
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2. Four Mile Beach
charlotteinaustralia Great for:- Kitesurfing
As the name suggests, this golden strip of sand stretches for roughly four miles along North Queensland's tropical coastline.
The biscuit-coloured sands are wedged between sparkling blue waters and a tropical backdrop of palm trees, which separates the beach from the adjacent town of Port Douglas.
Unlike some of Australia's better known beaches, such as Bondi and Surfers Paradise, this one's not so tourist-focused, and as such there's not a… read more »
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3. Noosa Main Beach // Sunshine Coast
Kgbo Great for:- Family
- Swimming
- Surfing
With Noosa National Park to one side and the boutiques, cafes and bars of Hastings Street to the rear Noosa Heads Main Beach is in a prime spot. An expansive stretch of sun-soaked pale-golden sand this is one of the finest beaches on the Sunshine Coast.
Despite being one of Australia's favourite holiday destinations Noosa manages a perfect balancing act with the beaches here remaining unspoilt by over-development. The beachfront is… read more »
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4. Rainbow Beach // Sunshine Coast
© Daniel Jurin Great for:- Surfing
Situated a half hour drive north from Noosa, Queensland's Rainbow Beach offers a world of attractions beyond its light-coloured sands stretching on seemingly to infinity beyond the bay's natural curve.
Its name comes from the mineral rich cliffs that surround the beach forming an array of colours, which local aboriginal folklore says is the result of a rainbow spirit crashing in to them during a mighty battle.
Marketed as one of… read more »
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5. Little Cove - Noosa // Sunshine Coast
© alizadastudios Great for:- Swimming
- Surfing
Located just a stone's throw from Noosa's Main Beach is the aptly named Little Cove. Far more secluded and intimate than it's bustling neighbour the beach here has a completely different vibe to it.
With crystal clear turquoise water and backed by the steep, lush pandana and palm lined slopes of the Noosa National Park, Little Cove beach exudes natural beauty. Despite its proximity to one of Australia's most popular… read more »
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6. Mooloolaba Beach // Sunshine Coast
Kgbo Great for:- Family
- Swimming
- Surfing
Mooloolaba Beach sits at the heart of Queensland's aptly named Sunshine Coast.
The pure white sands here are matched in their beauty by the crystal clear waters, which are often dotted with surfers from the Mooloolaba Surf Club. It's bang in the middle of the beach, and you'll find the lifeguard tower here too - it's manned by volunteers 365 days a year, so as with most Aussie beaches,… read more »
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7. Coolum Beach // Sunshine Coast
Aerutopian Great for:- Fishing
- Surfing
The small, laidback beachside town of Coolum Beach is set towards the northern end of Queensland's Sunshine Coast. The name refers to both the town and the beach, but that's not a problem as pretty much everything about Coolum is geared towards the beach.
There are actually a few beaches at Coolum Beach; the main beach and then, just around the headland, a trio of small bays. These are imaginatively named… read more »
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8. Nudey Beach
Nudey beach is the archetypal tropical beach; pristine powder white sand, crystal clear azure water and coral reefs teaming with marine life. Behind is a verdant backdrop of rainforest containing Nutmeg, Tamarinds, Turpentine, Sheoak and Indian Beech whilst dotted along the beach are time-worn granite boulders which create the feeling of an ancient paradise.
It isn't hard to see why Nudey beach has made it to the top spot on several surveys… read more » -
9. Burleigh Heads // Gold Coast
Simon Morris Great for:- Snorkeling
- Swimming
- Surfing
Sitting neatly between the better known resort of Surfers Paradise to the north and Coolangatta to the south, Burleigh Heads Beach is a top choice for those looking for golden sand and good surf. The largely protected waters are good for swimming and surfing around the headland, which is within the Burleigh Heads National Park.
Burleigh is one of the most consistent surf spots on the Gold Coast… read more »
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10. Alexandria Bay // Sunshine Coast
texaus1 Great for:- Surfing
On the opposite side of Noosa Head's famous headland, Alexandria Bay is a quieter location for soaking up the tranquility and rays on this golden sandy beach. The only way in is on foot, either from Noosa Heads (3.5km through the Noosa National Park) or 20 minutes on foot from McAnally Drive on Sunshine Beach (1.3km).
Away from the crowds on Noosa Main Beach, its remoteness does attract… read more »
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11. Marcoola Beach // Sunshine Coast
Andy Hay Great for:- Fishing
- Surfing
Marcoola beach forms part of a long continuous stretch of sand between Maroochydore and Coolum. Pretty much always uncrowded, this is a favourite with sunbathers, surfers and anglers looking to get a spot to themselves.
The beach here only has fairly basic facilities but is popular with families. There's heaps of room to spread out and there are a number of BBQ and picnic areas.
Lifeguards are on duty throughout the year… read more »
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12. Currumbin Beach // Gold Coast
© Daniel Jurin Great for:- Surfing
With its crystal clear waters and sparkling white sands, Currumbin in South East Queensland is regularly voted the state's cleanest beach.
Surfers flock from far and wide to ride the waves here, and there are a handful of surf schools dotted along the beach which cater for everyone, from beginners taking their first lessons to experienced surfers looking to escape the crowds across the Tweed River.
Loads of other watersports get practiced… read more »
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13. Fraser Island
Situated just of the Queensland coast Fraser Island is considered the largest sand island in the world. Stretching around 120 km in length there is an awful lot of beach here, and very few people. In fact there is actually even more beach; Fraser island is dotted with large freshwater lakes all of which are fringed by the same beautiful white sand that is found along the coast.
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14. Ellis Beach
© Alex Monckton / CC BY Great for:- Fishing
- Swimming
If you want a beach pretty much to yourself, Ellis Beach is beautiful, undeveloped and less popular than bustling Palm Cove to the south. Stretching for about 2 km, the beach is bordered by Captain Cook Highway with forested hills further inland. Just park on the road and enjoy direct access onto the sand. The beautiful sandy beach is located on the northern side of a rocky outcrop about… read more »
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15. Palm Beach // Gold Coast
Simon Morris Great for:- Surfing
Sandwiched between Burleigh Heads and Tallebudgera Creek on the north end and Currumbin Point to the south, Palm Beach is a popular patrolled beach on Queensland's glorious Gold Coast.
The sandy beach extends for about 4km (2.5 miles) parallel to the busy Gold Coast Highway 200m to the west. Park on one of the many side streets and direct beach access is easy.
Along much of the beach there… read more »
