Oceania's Top 50+ Beaches
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Seven Mile Beach // Australia
© Peter Jones / CC BY There's no real need to guess the length of Seven Mile Beach, although there may have been some rounding error! Situated between Nowra and Kiama, the beach comes in at 12 kilometres (7.8 miles) long. Backed almost exclusively by uninterrupted littoral forest with eucalyptus (gum) trees, it is encompassed into Seven Mile Beach National Park.
Its long ribbon of pale sand… read more »
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Balmoral Beach // Australia
© Anton Leddin / CC BY Balmoral beach isn't just a posh name, this is one of the most upmarket neighbourhoods on the northern side of Sydney Harbour. Beautiful homes nestle in the the leafy streets clinging to the hillside, overlooking any number of fancy yachts moored out in the bay. Located only 8km from sowntown Sydney most can only imagine what the real estate prices… read more »
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New Chum Beach // New Zealand
© Pseudopanax / CC BY The 1 km long pristine white-sand of New Chum beach sits in a secluded spot on the northeastern coast of the Coromandel Peninsula. Although not far from the nearest settlement this beach retains a very unspoilt feel.
At the northern end of the beach is the 171 m tall wooded hill of Pukenui whilst the southern end is overlooked by… read more »
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Wharton Beach // Australia
© alfotokunst Located within Cape Le Grand National Park, around an hour's driving time from Esperance, Wharton Beach is best known for its surf. Facing south and forming a semicircle 4.5 kilometres in total length, this white-sand beach is home to some of the areas most consistent and manageable waves. The waves tend to be best towards the centre and western end… read more »
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Hanauma Bay // USA
© Banzai Hiroaki / CC BY The sandy beach of Hanauma Bay is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the Hawaiian island of O'ahu. Given the wealth of beautiful beaches in Hawaii, what makes this one so special?
Well, firstly it is a bit of a stunner. The crescent of golden sand looks out onto the near circular bay formed from two sunken volcanic craters.… read more »
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Washaway Beach // Australia
© Doug Beckers / CC BY Washaway Beach faces east into Sydney Harbour with superb views across to Balmoral and the Manley Ferry coming and going. After a storm, the sand really does get washed away, exposing the rocky slab beneath! At other times it boasts a 200m stretch of sand and waves usually 0.5m or more, depending on the outside swell.
At high tide you may… read more »
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Newport Beach // Australia
© Maurice van Creij / CC BY North of Bungan Head, Newport Beach has long red-golden sands that extend north from Newport Rockpool for about 1.3 kilometres.
At the north end of the beach the sand stops at a tumble of rocks beneath the headland known as The Peak. Newport Beach is a top spot for surfing as it is home to three-times world surf champion Tom Carroll.… read more »
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Nielsen Park // Australia
Don't let the name scare you off, but Shark beach in Nielsen Park is one of Sydney's very finest beaches. Not only do you not have to worry about sharks (the beach is netted) it is also tucked away on the sheltered side of South Head meaning there are no Pacific waves to knock you off your feet. Combine this… read more »
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Gordon's Bay // Australia
Martin7d2 Something of a secret beach, if they exist in Sydney, the tiny Gordon's Bay is situated about halfway between Clovelly and Coogee beaches. The small patch of sand here is flanked by sandstone cliffs with an offshore reef providing shelter from the waves. This makes it something of a favourite spot for fishing, diving and launching small boats. This is… read more »
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Lady Bay Beach // Australia
© bfdingo / CC BY Also known as Lady Jane Beach, this little beach is located just around the corner from Camp Cove in Watsons Bay. The beach here sits on the sheltered harbour-facing side of South Head making it and ideal spot for taking a dip, or just taking in the views across the harbour. And don't worry if you forget your cozzie, Lady Bay… read more »
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Shelly Beach // Australia
Hardlinerr Shelly Beach is a real gem, just a short ferry ride from Sydney or a 20-minute walk south along Marine Parade from well-known Manly Beach. Tucked beneath the Shelly Head Lookout, it faces west and is very sheltered.
The 100m long beach got its name as the sand is made up of broken seashells so it's rather coarse and not… read more »
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Marley Beach // Australia
© Philip Terry Graham Sometimes called Big Marley Beach, this stretch of sand sits within Royal National Park just south of Sydney. One of the largest beaches within reach of the city, its gently sloping orange-yellow sands give way to sand dunes covering an area of 130,000 square metres.
Facing towards the southeast, Marley Beach is just under 400 metres in length, and about the… read more »
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Oneroa Beach // New Zealand
© J.E. Mcgowan / CC BY This long crescent of sand is considered the main beach on Waiheke Island. Set in a wide sheltered bay on the northern side of the islands biggest village, Oneroa, it has plenty of facilities such as a free BBQ area, public toilets and a playground for children.
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Hahei Beach // New Zealand
© Luke Harries / CC BY Set on the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula, Hahei is often overlooked in favour of its better known neighbour, Cathedral Cove. Famed for its limestone rock arch, Cathedral Cove has been used a location in a number of films including the Chronicles of Narnia movies.
But Hahei beach itself is well worth a visit. It has the same limestone cliffs and… read more »
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Little Oneroa Beach // New Zealand
© CC BY Little Oneroa beach is situated on Waiheke Island, around an hour's travel from Auckland. It forms the southern end of the sweeping white sands of Oneroa Bay, which is also the location of the island's main village.
The beach here is separated from the villages main beach (Big Oneroa) by a small finger of rock which can easily be climbed… read more »
