Lonely Planet’s Best Beaches Australia book looks at lesser known shores
Lonely Planet has released its updated and much-debated Best Beaches Australia book prompting argument over what exactly makes a world-class beach destination.
Following Lonely Planet’s Best Beaches in 2024, this new addition is dedicated exclusively to Australia’s iconic and lesser-known shores. Featuring 100 of the country’s extraordinary beaches, this photographic guide takes readers on the ultimate coastal exploration.
The book features inspirational descriptions from local writers who know the intricacies of each beach and why they’re so special. From the turquoise waters of Queensland’s Whitsundays and the rugged beauty of Tasmania’s hidden coves, there is plenty to discover.
“Australia’s beaches are legendary,” says travel writer, editor, and sustainable travel expert, Sarah Reid, who wrote the book’s introduction. “There are more than 10,000 stretches of sand to explore Down Under, and they are among the cleanest and clearest in the world.”
From catching the sunset at Mindil Beach in the Northern Territory, to cruising Victoria’s iconic Great Ocean Road, this book is meant to inspire every kind of beach lover – from seasoned surfers to sunset seekers.
Inside Best Beaches Australia
● 100 must-visit beaches across every state and territory, with practical details on how to reach them
● Full-page photography showcasing Australia’s coastal beauty in vivid detail
● Expert insights from Lonely Planet’s team of trusted local writers
● Themed top 5 lists for wildlife watching, accessibility, snorkeling, family trips, camping, surfing, bushwalking, and remote getaways
● Trip planning and tips to help travellers craft their perfect coastal adventure
The Top 5
To make life easier, Lonely Planet has offered a themed top 5 list for wildlife watching, accessibility, snorkeling, family trips, camping, surfing, bushwalking, and remote getaways.
The Top 5 Best Beaches for Wildlife Watching
1. Seal Bay, Kangaroo Island, South Australia
2. Mon Repos Beach, Bundaberg, Queensland
3. Ned’s Beach, Lord Howe Island, New South Wales
4. The Basin, Rottnest Island/Wadjemup, Western Australia
5. Pebbly Beach, Murramarang National Park, New South Wales
The Top 5 Best Beaches for Camping
1. Inalong Bay, Bay of Fires/Larapuna, Tasmania/Lutruwita
2. James Price Point/Walmadan, Broome/Rubibi, Western Australia
3. Lucky Bay, Cape Le Grand National Park, Western Australia
4. Squeaky Beach/Tidal River, West Gippsland, Victoria
5. 75 Mile Beach, K’gari, Queensland
The Top 5 Best Remote Beaches
1. Greenly Beach, Coulta, South Australia
2. Turquoise Bay, Ningaloo/Nyinggulu Coast, Western Australia
3. Hellfire Bay, Cape Le Grand National Park, Western Australia
4. 75 Mile Beach, K’gari, Queensland
5. Dolphin Beach, Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia
The Top 5 Best Beaches for Accessibility
1. Bondi Beach, Sydney, New Southwestern Australia
2. Four Mile Beach, Port Douglas, Queensland
3. Monkey Mia Beach, Shark Bay/Gutharraguda, Western Australia
4. Mount Martha Beach, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria
5. Burleigh Beach, Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast, Queensland
The Top 5 Best Beaches for Snorkelling
1. Lady Elliot Island, Southern Great barrier Reef, Queensland
2. Ned’s Beach, Lord Howe Island, New South Wales
3. Stony Point Beach, Whyalla, South Australia
4. Turquoise Bay, Ningaloo/Nyinggulu Coast, Western Australia
5. Manly Beach, Sydney/Warrane, New South Wales
The Top 5 Best Beaches for Families
1. Lucky Bay, Cape Le Grand National Park, Western Australia
2. Hyam’s Beach, Jervis Bay, New South Wales
3. Whitehaven Beach, Whitsundays, Queensland
4. The Pass, Byron Bay, New South Wales
5. Ninety Mile Beach, East Gippsland, Victoria
The Top 5 Best Beaches for Surfing
1. Rainbow Beach, Coolangatta, Gold Coast, Queensland
2. Merewether Beach, Newcastle, New South Wales
3. Bells Beach, Surf Coast, Victoria
4. Crescent Head, Macleay Valley Coast, New South Wales
5. Injidup Beach, Yallingup, Western Australia
The Top 5 Best Beaches for Bushwalking
1. Reef Beach, Sydney Harbour National Park, New South Wales
2. Wreck Beach, Great Otway National Park, Great Ocean Road, Victoria
3. Wineglass Bay, Freycinet National Park, Freycinet Peninsula, Tasmania
4. Misery Beach, Albany/Kinjarling, Western Australia
5. Horseshoe Bay, Bowen, Queensland
