Oceania's Top 50+ Beaches

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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
Bondi Beach // Australia

Bondi is possibly Australia's most famous beach and to many sums up the Australian way of life. This iconic Sydney beach is every bit as cosmopolitan as the city with a beach scene encompassing everything from surfing to cafe society to lively nightlife. As long as you know what to expect Bondi will not disappoint - it's busy, it's bold… read more »
Cable Beach // Australia

© Christopher Roe / 123rf

Cable Beach in Broome is a long, flat, sandy beach, and by long we mean 22 kilometres (15 miles) long. It isn't just quantity over quality either; the beach here is beautiful white sand lapped by the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Much Cable beach backs on to gently sloping sand dunes, and in other places there are low… read more »
Bells Beach // Australia

© Pansa Sunavee / 123RF

One of Australia's best known surf spots, the legendary Bell's Beach has been hosting top level surfing competitions for over 50 years. The right hand point break is flawless at almost any size of waves. The beach itself is just off the dramatic Great Ocean Road which takes in the sweeping panoramas of the Southern Ocean.
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Cathedral Cove // New Zealand

© muha04

Cathedral Cove is considered by many to be the gem of the Coromandel Peninsula, which is quite an accolade given the stunning landscapes here. Set amongst the lush rolling landscape of the Coromandel Cathedral Cove is a small sandy beach backed by cliffs of white volcanic rock. At one end of the beach stands a towering sea stack of the… read more »
Cottesloe Beach // Australia

© Richard Majlinder

Cottesloe is a true city beach in the best possible sense. Located only 15 minutes from downtown Perth, Cottesloe still manages to remain the quintessential laid-back Australian beach. This mile long strip of golden sand is Perth's answer to Bondi beach yet there are as many differences as similarities.
Despite being on the edge of one of Australia's major… read more »
Hungry Beach // Australia

Hungry Beach gets its memorable name from a fisherman who took shelter in the cove for three days while waiting for a large shark to leave the area. I guess his overwhelming thought was hunger, hence the name. The area was historically known as a prolific fishing area for shark, turtle and mulloway.
Hungry Beach is on the north side of… read more »
Hot Water Beach // New Zealand

Carsten Arsten

Not your run-of-the-mill beach by any means, Hot Water Beach gets its name, not from the waters of the Pacific Ocean it meets, but from two underground naturally heated springs that well up through the soft sand two hours either side of low tide.
Rent a spade from the onsite café and prepare your very own private spa, relaxing in mineral… read more »
Wineglass Bay // Australia

© Pawel Papis / 123RF

This remote gem of a beach is situated in the stunning scenery of the Freycinet Peninsula in Tasmania. A near perfect semi-circle of pure white sand fringed by turquoise waters, Wineglass Bay is surrounded by heavily forested peaks making a spectacular natural ampitheatre.
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