Oceania's Top 50+ Beaches

  • Bakers Beach // Australia

    Bakers Beach
    Steven Penton

    Midway along the northern coast of Tasmania, Bakers Beach lies next to a small rural community of the same name with a permanent population of just 60 individuals. Forming an impressive ribbon of golden sand, it runs along the Bass Strait for close to seven kilometres. It has a very slight curve to its otherwise straight appearance as it faces… read more »

  • Elwood Beach // Australia

    Elwood Beach
    © Julian Hacker

    Located on the eastern side of Port Phillip Bay to the south of central Melbourne, Elwood Beach is westward facing and known for its sunsets. At other times of day beachgoers are able to enjoy a flat expanse of golden yellow sand linking lawned areas with the warm, calm waters of the bay.

    Not limited to any specific group of beachgoers,… read more »

  • Sorrento Front Beach // Australia

    Sorrento Front Beach
    Alan Samuel

    Situated between the Queenscliff ferry pier on one side and the Western Sister historic site on the other, Sorrento Front Beach runs in a ribbon of beige sand for close to 1.5 kilometres. Named to delineate it from the ocean beach on the opposite side of the Mornington Peninsula, it faces towards the northeast and across Port Phillip Bay.

    Sorrento… read more »

  • Sunnyside North Beach // Australia

    Sunnyside North Beach
    TineImWunderland

    Sunnyside North Beach is the only officially sanctioned nudist beach on the east side of Port Philip Bay, with a clothing-optional rule meaning you can cover up if you choose to.

    It is located between Manmangur Creek and Sunnyside Drive. The creek lies on its southernmost side and separates it from the narrow expanse of Bidwell Beach. On its northern side,… read more »

  • Blue Haven Beach // Australia

    Blue Haven Beach
    Graeme Churchard

    Blue Haven Beach gets its name by being more protected from the wind than many of its neighbouring reaches of white sand, as well as from having exquisite blue waters. Accessed via Twilight Beach Road, Blue Haven Beach begins its run of 1.4 kilometres on the western side of Chapmans Peak, and continues until it meets a headland of solid… read more »

  • Burns Beach // Australia

    Burns Beach
    Andrew Owens

    Burns Beach is a firm favourite with families as it is just 30 minutes north from Perth on the Mitchell Freeway. You can even get here by train to Joondalup and then by local bus in less than an hour.

    Burns is a sheltered 2 km beach backed by white calcarenite cliffs reaching 10-15m in height. Steps lead down from… read more »

  • Shell Beach // Australia

    Shell Beach
    Julien Carnot

    Part of Francois Peron National Park and Shark Bay World Heritage Site, aptly-named Shell Beach is covered in nothing by cockle shells for at least 60 kilometres (exact measurements vary), and to a depth of up to 10 metres, so don't arrive expecting to find sand!

    One of only two beaches like this in the world, Shell Beach is the result… read more »

  • Smiths Beach // Australia

    Smiths Beach
    David Stanley

    Lying south of Perth and facing the Indian Ocean to the west, Smiths Beach is the first-choice beach for many locals heading out on holiday. That said, it remains less crowded than nearby beaches, with its fine white sand stretching on for around 600 metres.

    Swimming, fishing, and surfing are all popular pastimes, with surfers paddling their boards out to tackle… read more »

  • Yallingup Beach // Australia

    Yallingup Beach
    Bahnfrend

    Meaning "place of love" in the Wardandi aboriginal language, Yallingup Beach couldn't be better named. The wide sands here gently slope into the lapping waves of the Indian Ocean, the beach faces west, making it an ideal spot for a sundowner or romantic cuddle at sun set.

    The beach is reached via a concrete staircase leading down from the car park… read more »

  • Whale Beach // Australia

    Whale Beach
    © Sardaka / CC BY

    Whale Beach sits on the narrow peninsula to the north of Avalon with Pittswater on one side and Dolphin Bay on the other. The origins of the name are unknown, but most likely refer to a beached whale.

    As the Northern Beaches developed in the 1950s, the area became a popular residential neighbourhood. However, one bungalow that predates that time is… read more »

  • Golden Beach // Australia

    Golden Beach
    thinboyfatter

    Protected from the Pacific swells by a long thin spit of sand forming Ocean Beach, Golden Beach has some of the Sunshine Coast's most sheltered waters. Surfers will probably want to look elsewhere to catch the best breaks as a result. However, it makes Golden Beach an excellent choice for anyone seeking out a family-friendly swimming beach.

    Boating and fishing are… read more »

  • Mauritius Beach // Australia

    Mauritius Beach
    © Dinkum

    Situated very near the northernmost point of the Exmouth Peninsula, Mauritius Beach is easily reached by road. At its northern end lies the Jurabi Turtle Centre and Ningaloo Lighthouse Holiday Park, while at its southern end it runs continuously into Jims Beach.

    Approximately 400 metres long by 50 metres wide at low tide, Mauritius Beach was declared a clothing… read more »

  • Awaroa Inlet // New Zealand

    Awaroa Inlet
    John M

    Located within the protected confines of the South Island's Abel Tasman National Park, Awaroa Beach curves magnificently around the mesmerising shallows of an atoll-like estuary. Meandering its way for 800 metres in length, it has been nicknamed "The People's Beach" since it was purchased by New Zealanders from a private owner after a crowdfunding campaign that received the support of… read more »