Australia’s 10 best beaches named in annual tourism list – and the top spot goes to one you’ve probably never heard of
- Top prize for best Aussie beach goes to South Australian ‘natural beauty’
- Stokes Bay on Kangaroo Island made the annual list this week
- It beat candidates from NSW, Victoria, Queensland and Christmas Island
The gong for Australia’s best beach has gone to a little-known South Australian “natural beauty” after it beat out popular favorites vying for the top spot.
Stokes Bay on Kangaroo Island edged out beaches in NSW and Queensland to become the state’s first beach to achieve the number one position.
The picturesque and secluded Stokes Bay beat almost 12,000 beaches across the country to be crowned Australia’s best beach for 2023.
Stokes Bay on Kangaroo Island (pictured) edged out beaches in NSW and Queensland to become the state’s first beach to achieve the number one position
The beach (pictured) is considered Kangaroo Island’s “hidden gem” by locals and praised for its family-friendly appeal.
The secluded South Australian beach has more famous stretches of sand than Sydney’s Balmoral Beach (pictured) and the Sunshine State’s Rainbow Beach, which came in at number 10 and three respectively.
It surpassed more famous stretches of sand such as Sydney’s Balmoral Beach and Rainbow Beach on Queensland’s Cooloola Coast, which came in at number 10 and three respectively.
Tourism Australia beach ambassador Brad Farmer compiled the list and gave his reasons why Stokes Bay went to number one.
“This is a sprawling island of immense natural beauty, full of wildlife on land and in the sea,” Mr Farmer told Nine News.
It is also home to one of the most famous wine regions in the country and has been described as “uniquely Australian”.
Heralded by locals as the ‘hidden gem’ of Kangaroo Island and praised for its family-friendly appeal, Stokes Bay has a tidal pool that makes it ideal for wading and snorkelling.
Apollo Bay (pictured) on the Great Ocean Road in Victoria made it into the top five at number four
Rainbow Beach on Queensland’s Cooloola Coast took out the number three position (pictured), with 4WD vehicles on the sand and sailboats anchored in shallow water)
Second place is at NSW’s Boomerang Beach, near Forster on the mid-north coast (pictured)
Second place went to Boomerang Beach in NSW, near Forster on the mid-north coast.
Other lesser-known beaches made the list, with Christmas Island’s Flying Fishing Cove at number nine.
It has been described as the “Galapagos of the Indian Ocean” and sits closer to Indonesia than mainland Australia.
Little Bondi Beach in the Northern Territory is featured at number seven, knocking its internationally renowned namesake rival in Sydney out of the ballpark.
Federal Tourism Minister Don Farrell said Australian beaches were among the best in the world.
“Australia has the best coastline in the world and many international travelers returning to our shores in ever greater numbers want to explore the idyllic beaches we have to offer,” he said.
Flying Fish Cove on Christmas Island (pictured) came in at number nine on the list of the best beaches
“Every beach on the 2023 list is not only among the best in Australia, but the best in the world,” said federal tourism minister Don Farrell (pictured, kangaroos on Stokes Island)
Little Bondi Beach in the Northern Territory (pictured) featured at number seven, knocking its internationally renowned namesake Sydney rival out of the ballpark
Tourism Australia managing director Phillipa Harrison said Australian coastlines were a draw for tourists (pictured, Rainbow Beach in Queensland)
Boomerang Beach (pictured) on the NSW mid-north coast was pipped for the top spot, coming in at number two.
“Every beach on the 2023 list is not only among the best in Australia, but the best in the world.”
Tourism Australia managing director Phillipa Harrison said Australian coastlines were a draw for tourists.
“There is no doubt that Australia is known worldwide for its beaches and they are a major reason why international travelers visit,” she said.
“With around 12,000 beaches to explore across our country, including many of the best in the world, it is not easy to name a top 10.”
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