Oceania's Top 50+ Beaches
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Poipu Beach // USA
© Ellen Smile Poipu is the most popular beach on Kauai's South Shore and by all accounts one of the most highly rated in all Hawaii (or at least according to Dr Beach). The island of Kauai itself is the least developed and with its abundantly lush interior is often referred to as the Garden Isle. So, despite the fact Poipu borders a… read more »
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Alexandria Bay // Australia
texaus1 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… read more »
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Currumbin Beach // Australia
© Daniel Jurin 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… read more »
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Cheltenham Beach // New Zealand
© Michal Klajban / CC BY Cheltenham Beach is the most popular in the Devonport suburb of Auckland. It is a good-sized sandy beach bordered by the North Head Historic Reserve to the south. Just offshore is the striking form of Rangitoto Island, a 260 m (850 ft) high volcanic cone which only formed around 600 years ago.
It is well worth a visit to the… read more »
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Otama Beach // New Zealand
© Pseudopanax@Wikimedia / CC BY Otama Bay lies 20 kilometres north of Whitianga, on the northeast coast of the Coromandel Peninsula. Its white sands stretch for two kilometres, protected on the landward side by low dunes. At its northernmost end there is a small stream and a rocky outcrop with some shady trees. The sands have a pleasing squeak when you walk over them,… read more »
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Misery Beach // Australia
David Jones Don't be put off by the name, for Misery Beach is anything but a misery. Looking north over Frenchman Bay from a southern slither of land, Misery Beach is largely sheltered from the region's prevailing winds, making it a good choice whatever the weather.
Close to Torndirrup, its white sands run for 200 metres, and are met by a granite headland… read more »
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Emu Point Beach // Australia
Bahnfrend Officially rated as one of the cleanest beaches in Western Australia, Emu Point Beach is located on the state's southern coast close to the town of Albany. A small beach by Australian standards, it helps guard the narrow inlet of Frenchman Bay linking Oyster Harbour to King George Sound.
The beaches mix of grassy landscaping shaded by mature trees and calm… read more »
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Samurai Beach // Australia
Saladking23 A subsection of One Mile Beach where nude bathing is officially permitted, the clean sands of Samurai Beach lies in Tomaree National Park north of Newcastle. It is mainly used by older naturists.
Situated close to the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary, it can be reached via an unsurfaced track, necessitating the use of a four-wheel drive vehicle.
A beautiful… read more »
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Little Wategos Beach // Australia
Kpravin2 Sitting in the shadow of the 100 metre high Cape Byron headland, Little Wategos is the most easterly beach in Australia. The beach can be accessed by a set of steps and a track which lead away from the main Byron Bay Lighthouse walk.
Being one of the less accessible beaches in Byron Bay means Little Wategos is a great get-away… read more »
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Burleigh Heads // Australia
Simon Morris 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… read more »
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Marcoola Beach // Australia
Andy Hay 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… read more »
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Meelup Beach // Australia
David Jones Meelup Beach is a 400m long strip of sand at the mouth of the Meelup Brook situated in a small and secluded valley inlet.
Getting to Meelup Beach is easy as it is just 10 minutes from the small town of Dunsborough, however it can be busy. There is road access to the car park and a grassy picnic area… read more »
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Swanbourne Beach // Australia
Mark Pegrum Located roughly 20 minutes from Perth by road, Swanbourne North Beach is part of a long ribbon of soft white sand which stretches for 12 kilometres.
One of only two officially-recognised nudist beaches in the Perth area, this clothing-optional section of the larger Swanbourne Beach can be found around 300 m north of the car park, where dunes 10-20 m high… read more »
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Warnbro Beach // Australia
Calistemon The white sands of Warnbro Beach arc for almost the entire 8.5 kilometre length of its bay. Pointing west towards The Sisters tree-topped offshore rocks, it lies on the Indian Ocean coast of Western Australia in the southern Port Kennedy suburb of Perth.
A dog-friendly beach, there is a 900 metre section about midway which has also been designated a… read more »
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Coolum Beach // Australia
Aerutopian 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… read more »
