AUSTRALIA’S BEST BEACHES 2023

The list of “Best Australia’s Beaches 2023” is out and for the first time South Australia has claimed the coveted “Best Australian Beach” title with Stokes Bay on Kangaroo Island judged the overall winner for 2023

Barinura – in the NT, also known as Little Bondi Beach came in at 7^th on the top 10 list.

Baringura – Little Bondi Images @theultimateaus

A much lesser-known sandy location than its famous Sydney namesake, with rolling sand dunes, a stretch of white sand and crystal clear waters Little Bondi is located a 41 kilometre drive from Nhulunbuy. It lies at the northern end of the coastal walking trail that includes the beaches of Numuy, Garanhan and Binydjarrna. The track into Barinura is mostly dirt with some sandy patches at the end, so you need to be in a four-wheel drive to access and be prepared for some sand driving.

If you are keen to visit you will need a visitor access permit, a camping permit amongst other things – for details check out the East Arnhemland website here

The best beaches list is curated by Brad Farmer AM, Australia’s Beach Ambassador (I might have a bit of job envy right now).

Brad Farmer AM – picture by James Bonnor

Mr Farmer, has researched and visited firsthand most of Australia’s accessible beaches for over four decades making him an Australian coastal veteran and one of Tourism Australia’s Friends of Australia, this year’s list includes at least one beach in each state, the Northern Territory and an Australian external territory (Christmas Island).

TO 10 LIST

1. Stokes Bay – SA, Kangaroo Island
2. Boomerang Beach – NSW, Mid North Coast
3. Rainbow Beach – QLD, Cooloola Coast
4. Apollo Bay – VIC, Great Ocean Road
5. Adventure Bay – TAS, Bruny Island
6. Hamelin Bay – WA, South-West
7. Little Bondi Beach – NT, East Arnhem Land
8. British Admiralty Beach – TAS, King Island, Bass Strait
9. Flying Fish Cove – Christmas Island
10. Balmoral Beach – NSW Sydney Harbour.

Hamelin Bay Images – @framechasers

A few fun facts about Australian Beaches

• There are 10,654 mainland beaches, 11,761 in total (including large islands of a total of 8,222 Australian various islands/cays and isles)
• Only 16% of Australian beaches are accessible by conventional road, a further 12% are accessible via unsealed roads, 29% by 4WD and 43% are inaccessible (Source: Prof. A.D. Short OAM)
• Australia has the most varied and diverse coastline in the world
• We are the foremost beach going nation in the world
• Beaches are a major economic driver for the Australian economy, second only to mining.
• Legal “sea bathing” began in 1906 at Manly and 1880 at Brighton Beach (VIC)

Australia has the largest number of beaches of any country it the world and as Mr Farmer says “Australia really is just one big beach and there are simply so many surprises to be discovered in our own sandy backyard.”

Stokes Bay  – Image above and main image courtesy of the South Australian Tourism Commission