# Beach Day - Complete Beach Guide > Comprehensive guide to 101 curated Australian beaches with descriptions, local tips, events, facilities, and hazards. For live conditions and scores, visit beachday.au or use the MCP server at https://beachday.au/api/mcp ## About Beach Day Beach Day helps Australians find the best beach to visit right now. It scores and ranks nearby beaches using live weather and marine data (wind speed and direction, swell height and period, tide state, UV, temperature) from Google Weather and Open-Meteo Marine APIs. Users search by beach name, postcode, or suburb, choose Swim or Surf mode, and get ranked results with plain-English explanations and 10-day hourly forecasts. Live at: https://beachday.au MCP Server: https://beachday.au/api/mcp (Streamable HTTP, tools: list_beaches, get_events, search_events) ## Beaches ### Angourie Point Beach **Location:** Angourie, NSW | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Northern Rivers **Page:** https://beachday.au/angourie/angourie-point-beach Angourie Point is arguably Australia's best right-hand point break and the world's first gazetted National Surfing Reserve. You'll find consistent waves March through October, but the rocky entry's unpatrolled and unsafe for swimmers. You'll need real experience to get in this serious, competitive break with crowds. Angourie Point is serious surf territory. You're looking at arguably Australia's best right-hand point break, backed by its status as a the world's first gazetted National Surfing Reserve (2007). If you're an experienced surfer chasing consistent shape, come March through October when the swell lines up. April's the peak month. But this isn't a swimming beach. Rocky seafloor and a boulder-lined entry make wading rough, and there's no lifeguard patrol here. For a safe swim, head to Angourie Blue and Green Pools instead, deep freshwater quarry pools just metres from the beach. Unique to this village. The headland setting is stunning. You get views back across Yamba to the north, and headlands fade southward into Yuraygir National Park. There's a headland walk, fishing spots, and seasonal whale watching from the rocks. Expect crowds in peak season. The local lineup is competitive, and rocks combined with strong swell mean you need solid experience. **Local tip:** Rocks, rips, and a tight local crew mean this isn't a casual swim spot. Head to the quarry pools by the carpark instead, that's where locals go. **Facilities:** Parking **Hazards:** Rocks / Reef, Rip currents, Sharks, Advanced conditions --- ### Austinmer Beach **Location:** Austinmer, NSW | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Wollongong **Page:** https://beachday.au/austinmer/austinmer-beach Compact beach with golden sands and two ocean rock pools on the southern headland; cafes sit right opposite, so you're never far from a coffee. Strong rips frame both ends, so swim between the flags, but the rock pools are calmer for families and you'll want to mind the mossy stairs. Austinmer's a compact 250-metre beach wedged between two headlands with golden sands and rock formations at each end. The real highlight is the twin ocean pools on the southern headland. You'll find them popular year-round, calmer than the main beach, and teeming with marine life at low tide, where locals spot octopuses in the rocks. The main beach has strong, permanent rips at both ends, so always swim between the flags when lifeguards patrol (September to April). Don't let that scare you. The rock pools are brilliant for families and less confident swimmers. Just wear sturdy shoes, the stairs are mossy and slippery after rain. Head straight across the road and you've got cafes, shops, and the beachfront hotel. You're 20-25 minutes north of Wollongong, roughly an hour from Sydney. Summer weekends get packed, so get there early or come on a weekday. Surfers dig the beginner-friendly beach break, best in east swell and low tide. **Local tip:** Head to the rock pools at low tide to spot octopuses and avoid the main beach's permanent rips. Local cafes close by for quality coffee and good eats. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Strong rips, Rocks, Shallow sandbars, Sharks **Safety:** Patrolled beach --- ### Avalon Beach **Location:** Avalon Beach, NSW | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Sydney **Page:** https://beachday.au/avalon-beach/avalon-beach Avalon's rich orange sand and towering sandstone cliffs make it one of the Northern Beaches' most striking stretches, about an hour north of Sydney's CBD. You'll find three surf breaks covering everything from mellow longboard corners to fast reef barrels, plus a free 25-metre ocean rock pool at the south end for a calmer swim. It's patrolled daily September to April, and shore break and rips can catch swimmers off-guard. Avalon's sand is the first thing you notice. It's rich orange, coloured by iron oxide, nothing like the pale yellow at Bondi or Manly. The 500-metre beach sits between 60-metre sandstone cliffs, Bilgola Head to the north and the lower Newport Head rocks to the south. Three breaks in one bay. North Avalon is a left-hand point break popular with longboarders. South Avalon's sandbank is more forgiving if you're still learning. Little Avalon fires over a shallow rock shelf at the south cliff and is for experienced surfers only. June brings the most consistent clean swell. The shore break can be heavy and rips are possible. Professional lifeguards patrol weekdays during the season, with volunteer surf lifesavers on weekends and public holidays, September to April. For calmer water, the free 25-metre saltwater rock pool at the south end is a good option if you're swimming with kids. The village adds character. A literary café a short walk from the sand has been part of the scene since the early 1990s. The community knocked back a Baywatch TV relocation in the late 1990s to stay quiet. It's worked. **Local tip:** Street parking on Surfside Avenue is your best bet but fills fast on weekends. The Avalon Parade car park is pay-and-display. When the surf's too rough for a swim, the free saltwater rock pool at the south end is always sheltered and calm. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Strong rips, Rocks, Shore break, Sharks, Bluebottles **Safety:** Patrolled beach --- ### Balmoral Beach **Location:** Mosman, NSW | **Type:** Protected/Sheltered | **Region:** Sydney **Page:** https://beachday.au/mosman/balmoral-beach A sheltered harbour beach in Mosman with flat, calm water and no surf at all. You'll find the shark-netted Balmoral Baths at the southern end, great for kids and less confident swimmers, plus a heritage esplanade with the 1929 Bathers' Pavilion and Moreton Bay figs. Not patrolled, so keep an eye on young ones, and get there early on busy summer days. Balmoral is a sheltered harbour beach in Mosman, split in two by Rocky Point Island, connected by a concrete bridge built in 1930. It faces northeast across Middle Harbour, so you watch ferries and yachts drift past. Moreton Bay figs shade the esplanade, full of parrots and cockatoos. No rips, no waves. The water stays flat and shallow, well-suited to kids and less confident swimmers. Head to the southern end for the shark-netted Balmoral Baths, an enclosed swim off a pier. There's a rock pool at the northern end too. No lifesavers patrol here, so watch children yourself. Kayakers, SUP boarders and snorkellers make good use of the calm bay. Gear hire is available from the water sports centre on the esplanade. The heritage Bathers' Pavilion does fine dining and an upstairs champagne terrace. For something cheaper, there's a fish and chips takeaway nearby. Parking is expensive and fills fast in summer. Metered spots on Awaba Street uphill from the beach are slightly cheaper. Bus 246 from the CBD is the smarter option on a hot day. **Local tip:** Parking is metered everywhere near the beach. Awaba Street uphill is slightly cheaper than the esplanade car park. The shark-netted baths at the southern end are the pick for a calm, safe swim. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Sharks, Rocks, Moored Boats --- ### Bondi Beach **Location:** Bondi Beach, NSW | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Sydney **Page:** https://beachday.au/bondi-beach/bondi-beach A one-kilometre crescent of golden sand backed by sandstone headlands, seven kilometres from Sydney's CBD. The surf is consistent year-round, north end is calmer for families, south end has bigger waves and stronger currents. The Bondi to Coogee coastal walk starts from the southern headland. Bondi Beach is Australia's most iconic urban beach, a crescent of golden sand just seven kilometres from Sydney's CBD. The surf is consistent, the atmosphere is vibrant, and the coastal setting is genuinely stunning. Year-round patrols from the Bondi Surf Life Saving Club, made famous by TV series "Bondi Rescue", keep the water safe. The beach attracts millions of visitors every year. Parking is extremely limited. Arrive before 7am or use public transport instead. The public transport links are genuinely easy from Bondi Junction station, with regular bus services running every ten minutes. Early mornings are also the best time to avoid peak crowds. Head south along the headland and you'll find the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk and the Icebergs ocean pool. Campbell Parade runs along the beachfront with cafes, restaurants, and shops. It's busy and lively. The north end of the beach is calmer and suits families, while the south end picks up more swell and attracts experienced surfers. **Local tip:** Head to the north end for calmer water, especially with kids. The middle section has serious rips. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Strong rips, Shore break, Bluebottle stingers, Sharks **Safety:** Patrolled beach **Upcoming events:** - Bondi Aboriginal Experiences (2026-03-15) to 2026-05-09 [Weekly] A weekly cultural experience at Bondi Pavilion featuring Walangari Karntawarra and Diramu Aboriginal Dance and Didgeridoo performances for visitors of all ages. --- ### Bronte Beach **Location:** Bronte, NSW | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Sydney **Page:** https://beachday.au/bronte/bronte-beach Bronte is a compact, patrolled Sydney beach where you'll find good surf, bodyboarding, and snorkelling, plus cafes right on the esplanade. The hazards are real though, strong rips, rocks, and a punchy shore break, so size it up before you get in. Bronte Beach is a compact 250m open beach in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs, facing east into the Pacific. Waverley Council lifeguards patrol daily year-round, with parking, toilets and cafes right by the beach. Easy to get to, easy to stay at. The water demands respect. Strong rips, including the notorious Bronte Express, and a heavy shore break can catch you off guard, and rocks plus a cave at the northern end that traps swimmers add serious risk when swell builds. Always swim between the flags and check conditions before you wade in. At the southern end you'll find the Bronte Baths, a 38m ocean pool built into the sandstone cliffs in the 1880s, plus the Bogey Hole, a smaller natural rock pool. On calmer days, the snorkelling around the rocks is genuinely rewarding. The shore break suits bodyboarding when the waves cooperate, and there's surf on offer too. It's a popular family beach, busy on weekends but worth it. Behind the beach, Bronte Park has BBQs, a shaded playground, and picnic tables spread across a big lawn under Norfolk pines. It's also worth lacing up for a walk. Bronte sits in a stretch of Sydney coastline well-suited to it, and Bronte sits midway along the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk, a 6km clifftop route passing five beaches. **Local tip:** The cave trap is a genuine hazard here, so stay within the flags even if you're a confident swimmer. On calmer days, the rocks are worth exploring for a snorkel. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Strong rips (including the Bronte Express), Rocks, Shore break, Cave trap at northern end **Safety:** Patrolled beach --- ### Brunswick Heads Main Beach **Location:** Brunswick Heads, NSW | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Northern Rivers **Page:** https://beachday.au/brunswick-heads/brunswick-heads-main-beach Head down to this sprawling 10km beach with soft golden sand and the legendary Bruns Bar break. You'll find it far less crowded than Byron, with good facilities and patrolled swimming Sep-Apr. Just watch for the rips outside patrol season. Head down to Brunswick Heads Main Beach and you'll find 10.5 km of wide, flat coastline with soft golden sand and a firm bottom underfoot. The dunes are tree-shaded with native vegetation bordering the beach and picnic areas tucked alongside. It's far less crowded than Byron Bay, with a genuine village atmosphere that's crusty and characterful. The water has rip currents, so stick to the patrolled zone when lifeguards are around (weekends and public holidays, September to April). Outside patrol season it's unpatrolled, so you need to be careful. Surfers come year-round for Bruns Bar, a legendary break near the river mouth that works for all skill levels. Check tide charts before heading out, as conditions shift daily. You can rent boards at the local surf shop. The firm sand and gentle gradient make it brilliant for families and people with mobility needs. Sand-cruiser wheelchairs are free to hire from the Community Centre (book 24 hours ahead, 02 6685 1498). Showers and toilets are at multiple entrances. Grab a sourdough from Bruns Bakery or explore the other eateries in this walkable town. **Local tip:** Bruns Bar shifts with the tide so check conditions before you go. Way quieter than Byron and genuinely local, but rips are serious if you're not a strong ocean swimmer. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Rip currents, Sharks, Bluebottle stingers **Safety:** Patrolled beach **Upcoming events:** - Brunswick Heads Monthly Markets (2026-05-30) to 2026-06-03 [First Saturday of each month] Community market at Memorial Park featuring artisan stalls, fresh produce, handmade goods, clothing, plants, soaps, coffee, and hot food. - Old and Gold Festival (2026-06-06) Annual festival celebrating all things old, secondhand and recycled, featuring multiple fairs, garage sales, traditional entertainment, and live music. --- ### Bulli Beach **Location:** Bulli, NSW | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Wollongong **Page:** https://beachday.au/bulli/bulli-beach Head down to Bulli for a rare pair of 1930s ocean pools at 900m of beach under the Illawarra escarpment. Families love the calm pools, surfers get good reef breaks at Sandon Point, and walkers love the paved path to Fairy Meadow. Head down to Bulli and you'll find 900 metres of golden sand backed by the dramatic Illawarra escarpment. The real drawcard is the 1930s ocean pool on the northern headland, a two-pool setup with a full-sized pool and shallow toddler pool sheltered from the waves. Great if you want to swim without the swell. The open beach gets good swell and has both sand and reef breaks. Sandon Point hosts surf competitions and draws intermediate to advanced surfers. Stay between the red and yellow flags in summer when lifeguards patrol. Beyond swimming, you've got a café right on the sand, grassed picnic area, playground, and showers. Parking's free and usually easy. The paved coastal path to Fairy Meadow is one of the most accessible scenic walks near Sydney: flat, wheelchair-friendly, and open to cyclists. Watch for rocks around the headland and reef sections. Rips can form near the creek mouth and rocks, so respect the flags. Come weekday mornings if you want to avoid crowds. **Local tip:** The rock pool at the northern end's your shelter when the open beach is rough. Weekday mornings mean parking's actually sorted. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Rips near creek mouth and rocks, Rocks and reef around northern and southern headlands, Shore break **Safety:** Patrolled beach **Upcoming events:** - Bulli Village Market (2026-05-17) to 2026-06-06 [Every second Sunday of the month] Monthly artisan and produce market held at Bulli Showground featuring 90+ stalls, live music, food vendors, and family activities. --- ### Byron Bay Main Beach **Location:** Byron Bay, NSW | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Northern Rivers **Page:** https://beachday.au/byron-bay/byron-bay-main-beach Byron's most central beach gives you 3 km of white sand, clear turquoise water, and views to Cape Byron Lighthouse. It's patrolled every day of the year, which is genuinely rare in the area. No natural shade on the sand, so bring sunscreen and always swim between the flags. Byron Bay Main Beach sweeps from the town center all the way to Cape Byron, Australia's most easterly point. It's the heart of Byron's alternative culture. Organic cafes, vibrant markets, and that iconic laid-back energy are all within easy reach of the sand. You'll find beginner-friendly waves near town, the protected waters of Clarkes Beach for calmer sessions, and more challenging surf as you head toward the cape. Main Beach is patrolled year-round, but real hazards exist. Watch for rip currents, rocks, and the break wall. Head down early. Morning gives you the best surf conditions of the day and your best shot at spotting dolphins. Parking is a genuine challenge during peak times, so walking or cycling in from town is the smarter move. The Cape Byron lighthouse walk starts close by, and the hinterland rainforests are easy to reach when you want a proper break from the beach. **Local tip:** It's patrolled every day of the year, which is rare for Byron, but it still gets crowded fast. No shade on the sand, so load up on sunscreen. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Rip currents, Longshore currents, Seawall/rocks, Shore dump, Shallow sandbars, Coastal erosion **Safety:** Patrolled beach --- ### Cabarita Beach **Location:** Cabarita Beach, NSW | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Northern Rivers **Page:** https://beachday.au/cabarita-beach/cabarita-beach Head down to Cabarita for white sand, turquoise water, and a long right-hand point break that draws surfers from across northern NSW. Whale watching and rainforest walks off Norries Headland round it out. The nature reserve keeps the village low-key, though watch for rips and rocks in the water. Cabarita's got a proper point break that draws surfers from across the north coast. The long right-hand peeler wraps Norries Headland, and when conditions line up you get fast, hollow sections worth the drive. Fair warning: the break's sand-dependent and gets crowded when it fires. The beach is gorgeous. Crystal-clear water, white sand, and panoramic views along the coast. Eastern side stays shallow for a stretch, which is great with kids. Northern section's patrolled for swimmers. Watch for rips, rocks, and sharp shells underfoot. Water shoes help. Cabarita stays undeveloped because a nature reserve wraps the whole area. No chain stores or hotel towers. Head up Norries Headland's boardwalk for littoral rainforest walks and whale watching (June to November). The park's got free BBQs and playgrounds. Grab fish and chips or hit proper restaurants in the village. Winter's best for surfing; summer suits swimmers when water temps sit around 25°C. It's 45 minutes from the Gold Coast, 30 from Byron. **Local tip:** Get there early if swell's coming, the carpark fills fast and the break gets busy. Summer's better for swimming, just wear water shoes, sharp shells everywhere. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Strong rips, Rocks, Sharks **Safety:** Patrolled beach --- ### Clovelly Beach **Location:** Clovelly, NSW | **Type:** Protected/Sheltered | **Region:** Sydney **Page:** https://beachday.au/clovelly/clovelly-beach Clovelly is a narrow enclosed bay, more ocean pool than beach, where flanking rock ridges cut out almost all wave energy to make it Sydney's calmest patrolled swim spot. You enter via concrete steps rather than sand, and there's more promenade than beach. It's a go-to for small kids, beginner swimmers, and snorkellers, with a marine reserve right at your feet. Clovelly, known locally as Cloey, doesn't look like a typical Sydney beach. Two sandstone ridges nearly enclose the bay, blocking almost all wave energy. You enter via concrete steps off wide promenades, not a sandy shoreline. The actual sand is tiny. Think more ocean pool than beach. The upside: no surf, no rips, and usually flat calm water. It's the calmest patrolled beach in Sydney, which makes it ideal for young kids, beginner swimmers, and snorkellers. The bay sits inside the Bronte-Coogee Aquatic Reserve, so marine life is protected and easy to spot. Swim out to the rock wall and you'll find fish, sea urchins, and lobster. The Geoff James Pool, a 25-metre saltwater pool on the southern side, rounds out the swimming options. On-site you'll find a café and takeaway kiosk, change rooms, toilets, and free parking in the southern car park. Get there early on weekends, the car park fills up. Scuba diving is banned from October to April between 8am and 6pm. A ramp on the northern side provides wheelchair access to the water. Check with council for beach wheelchair availability. **Local tip:** Bring a mask and fins and swim out to the rock wall. The marine reserve means the fish are bold and unafraid here, so you'll see far more underwater life than at most Sydney beaches. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Slippery rocks, Sharp rocks, Surge in heavy swell, Sea urchins **Safety:** Patrolled beach --- ### Collaroy Beach **Location:** Collaroy, NSW | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Sydney **Page:** https://beachday.au/collaroy/collaroy-beach A 3.6km stretch of golden sand that's calmer than neighbouring Narrabeen, making it a solid pick for families and beginner swimmers. You'll find a 50m lap pool at the southern end and a B-Line bus stop right out front with direct runs to the CBD. Rips are unpredictable though, so stick between the flags when lifeguards are on. Collaroy runs about 3.6km of golden sand north into Narrabeen, forming one of Sydney's longest unbroken beach stretches. Long Reef headland partly shelters the beach from southern swells, making conditions calmer than Narrabeen to the north. It's a solid choice for families, beginner swimmers, and those learning to surf. At the southern end you'll find a 50m, 7-lane ocean pool with a separate toddler pool and ramp entry, one of the bigger lap pools on the Northern Beaches. Just south, Long Reef Aquatic Reserve has been protected since 1980 and is great for snorkelling or the 3km coastal walk with views toward the Central Coast. Getting here without a car is genuinely easy. A B-Line bus stops directly opposite the beach, running to the CBD every 5-10 minutes. Rips are unpredictable, so always swim between the flags. The beach is a designated coastal erosion hotspot and sand width can vary a lot after storms. Lifeguards are on from October to April, 9am to 5pm, until 6pm in summer. **Local tip:** Head south along Anzac Ave to Long Reef Aquatic Reserve for solid reef snorkelling over nudibranchs, sea hares, and wobbegong sharks. It's been a protected marine area since 1980 and is easy to walk straight past if you don't know it's there. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Topographic rips, Strong rips, Seaweed, Bluebottle stingers, Sharks **Safety:** Patrolled beach --- ### Coogee Beach **Location:** Coogee, NSW | **Type:** Protected/Sheltered | **Region:** Sydney **Page:** https://beachday.au/coogee/coogee-beach Coogee is Sydney's calmer, less crowded answer to Bondi, a sheltered crescent bay where Wedding Cake Island takes the edge off incoming swells. You'll find four ocean pools dotted around the headlands and a lively cafe strip right behind the sand, making it a solid choice for families. Just watch the shore break, it hits harder than you'd expect even on quiet days. Coogee is a crescent-shaped bay between two rocky headlands. Wedding Cake Island sits roughly 1 km offshore and shelters the bay from big swells, keeping conditions noticeably calmer than most Sydney beaches. It's quieter than Bondi, with cafes and dining options right beside the sand. Don't let the calm look fool you. The shore drops off steeply and the shore break hits hard. You can lose your footing within a few steps. Rips also form at both headland ends. Swim between the flags. Lifeguards patrol year-round. You'll find four ocean pools scattered around the headlands. One, built in 1886, is exclusively for women and children. You're at the southern end of the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk, a 6 km clifftop route. Head north five minutes to Gordons Bay for an underwater nature trail popular with snorkellers. Parking gets tight on weekends, but buses from the city take around 25 minutes. **Local tip:** For snorkelling, walk five minutes north to Gordons Bay. It has an underwater nature trail and is far quieter than the main beach. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Strong rips, Shore break, Rocks, Bluebottle stingers, Water quality **Safety:** Patrolled beach --- ### Cronulla Beach **Location:** Cronulla, NSW | **Type:** Protected/Sheltered | **Region:** Sydney **Page:** https://beachday.au/cronulla/cronulla-beach Cronulla is the only Sydney beach you can reach directly by train, making it genuinely easy to get to from the CBD. The beach faces northeast and catches solid swell, so surfers are a constant presence. Head down early on weekends. Cronulla Beach sits at the end of Sydney's Cronulla train line, about 50 minutes south of the CBD in the Sutherland Shire. It's the only Sydney surf beach you can reach directly by train, and that easy access shapes everything about the place. The beach picks up solid swells and draws a steady surfing crowd most mornings. The Alley, the main surf break, sits on the rock platform between South and North Cronulla. Weekends get busy, particularly near the station end, so head down early or walk further along the shore if you want more space. Behind the beach you'll find a relaxed strip of cafes, takeaways and surf shops. Nothing fancy, just the kind of setup that works well for a full beach day. One honest downside: Cronulla fills up fast on hot summer days precisely because it's so easy to get to from the city. A midweek visit is a much quieter experience. **Local tip:** Cronulla's the only Sydney beach you can reach by direct train from the CBD, so leave the car and take the T4 from Central. It gets packed on summer weekends, so you'll want to get there early. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Strong rips, Bluebottle stingers, Stingrays, Shifting sandbars **Safety:** Patrolled beach **Upcoming events:** - Cronulla Jazz and Blues Festival (2026-05-27) to 2026-05-31 A five-day coastal festival featuring over 200 artists across outdoor beachside parks, food and retail stalls, a film festival, and family entertainment along the Cronulla foreshore precinct. --- ### Dee Why Beach **Location:** Dee Why, NSW | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Sydney **Page:** https://beachday.au/dee-why/dee-why-beach Dee Why runs 1.2 km of golden sand about 18 km north-east of the CBD, with Dee Why Point at the southern end, a heavy right-hand break that intermediate and advanced surfers rate highly. The lineup gets crowded on good days, but if surf isn't your thing, the 50-metre ocean pool and adjacent toddler pool have you sorted. The Strand strip has cafes and restaurants close by. Dee Why runs 1.2 km of golden sand about 18 km north-east of Sydney's CBD. You'll find the Dee Why Lagoon Wildlife Refuge behind the northern end, and the promenade along The Strand lines you up with cafes, restaurants, and fish-and-chip shops. The main surf spot is Dee Why Point, a right-hand barrel breaking over a shallow rock platform. Expect crowds on solid swells, and the rocks are unforgiving. If you're learning, the beach break inside the point is calmer and there's a surf school on site. If you'd rather skip the surf, head to the southern end where there's a 50m ocean pool and an enclosed toddler pool. Rip currents run through the main beach, so swim between the flags. Lifeguard patrols run from early September to late May. Ted Jackson Reserve next door has BBQs, a fenced playground, and an outdoor table tennis table. Parking gets tight and pricey on weekends. The B1 express from the city takes about 35 to 40 minutes. **Local tip:** Grab a lane in the 50m rock pool at the southern end and you've got a front-row view of surfers getting barrelled at Dee Why Point. After a big swell it drains out and won't refill until the next high tide comes through, so check conditions before you make the pool the whole plan. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Strong rips, Shore break, Submerged rocks, Bluebottle stingers **Safety:** Patrolled beach --- ### Freshwater Beach **Location:** Freshwater, NSW | **Type:** Protected/Sheltered | **Region:** Sydney **Page:** https://beachday.au/freshwater/freshwater-beach A sheltered headland bay just north of Manly, Freshwater runs calmer and less crowded than its famous neighbour. The north headland blocks the summer nor'easter, giving you gentler surf and consistent beginner-friendly waves. It's also where Duke Kahanamoku brought surfboard riding to Australia in the summer of 1914-15, a history commemorated by a statue on the northern headland. Freshwater sits in a bay between two headlands on Sydney's Northern Beaches. The north headland blocks the summer nor'easter, so the water runs calmer than Manly just down the road. At the north end you'll find a 50-metre, eight-lane saltwater pool and a rock pool alongside the surf. The beach break works on east-northeast swells with northwest offshores, and fires at all tides. The north and middle sections suit beginners, with waves typically 1-2 metres. Head south when the swell builds if you want more punch. Winter delivers the cleanest runs. Watch the rocks near the point. In the summer of 1914-15, Duke Kahanamoku introduced surfboard riding to Australia here, with demonstrations on 24 December 1914 and 10 January 1915. A life-size statue on the northern headland marks the spot, and the beach is part of the Manly-Freshwater World Surfing Reserve, designated in 2012. An upscale Sardinian restaurant sits on the headland overlooking the sand. A 2 km clifftop track leads north to Curl Curl. Summer weekends get busy but it stays quieter than Manly or Bondi. Dogs are welcome, and lifeguards can loan a beach wheelchair. **Local tip:** The north headland shelters the beach from the summer nor'easter, so when Manly is blown out and crowded, Freshwater is often still clean. Worth the short walk up the coast. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Strong rips, Rocks near the point, Shore break **Safety:** Patrolled beach --- ### Lady Bay Beach **Location:** Watsons Bay, NSW | **Type:** Protected/Sheltered | **Region:** Sydney **Page:** https://beachday.au/watsons-bay/lady-bay-beach Lady Bay is Sydney's best-known clothing-optional beach, sitting below the cliffs at Watsons Bay near South Head. It's small and west-facing, so you'll get good afternoon sun but mornings stay shady. You'll find a relaxed, unpretentious crowd and solid harbour views. Lady Bay is a tiny clothing-optional beach tucked below the cliffs between Camp Cove and South Head, inside Sydney Harbour National Park. Legal nudity has been permitted here since 1976, and it draws a relaxed, mixed crowd year-round. The beach faces west across the harbour toward Middle Head, so mornings stay shady and the sun hits properly from midday onward. The water is calm harbour water with no surf and no rips, but there are no lifeguards either, so you swim at your own risk. Getting here takes a bit of effort. The ferry from Circular Quay to Watsons Bay is the easiest option, then it is a 15-minute walk along the South Head Heritage Trail past Camp Cove and down steep steps to the sand. There are no toilets, no shops, and no fresh water on the beach, so bring what you need. The beach is small, maybe 80 metres of sand, and gets busy on warm weekends. If you want space, come on a weekday or arrive early. **Local tip:** Lady Bay is Sydney's most popular clothing-optional beach, so you'll see plenty of nudity and that's completely normal here. It faces west, so afternoons get the best sun. **Hazards:** Unpatrolled, Steep access steps, Rocks --- ### Little Wategos Beach **Location:** Byron Bay, NSW | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Northern Rivers **Page:** https://beachday.au/byron-bay/little-wategos-beach Little Wategos sits in a quiet sheltered corner of Byron Bay, with calm waters perfect for swimming and snorkelling. No car park or toilets at the beach though, so you'll walk 600m from nearby facilities. It's unpatrolled with no lifeguards, and strong currents plus rocks mean you need proper water confidence here. Little Wategos Beach sits in a quiet sheltered corner of Byron Bay. The north-facing aspect keeps swells manageable, so you'll find calm waters here that are great for a quiet swim or snorkel when conditions align. The sheltered conditions also mean good visibility for exploring the rocky reefs. There's no car park at the beach, so it's a 600-metre walk from nearby facilities. No toilets either, and getting down to the sand isn't straightforward. Rocks and strong currents make this a place where you need proper water sense. This isn't a swim-anywhere beach. No lifeguards patrol here, so you're responsible for your own safety the moment you enter the water. Head down when conditions favour you and you're confident in what you're doing. You'll find decent fishing opportunities and a scenic rocky coastal walk. Come prepared, respect the conditions, and you'll have a proper local experience away from the crowds. **Local tip:** You'll find calm, sheltered waters here for snorkelling and swimming. The difficult access keeps it quiet, but watch out for rocks and strong currents. **Hazards:** Rocks, Strong currents, No lifeguards, Difficult access --- ### Manly Beach **Location:** Manly, NSW | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Sydney **Page:** https://beachday.au/manly/manly-beach Manly Beach is around 2km of open ocean, best reached by the 30-minute ferry from Circular Quay, with harbour views that make the trip worth it alone. You'll find solid surf, year-round patrols, and a relaxed beach town vibe, though it gets crowded on weekends. When the swell's too heavy, the sheltered harbour beaches on the other side of the peninsula are just a short walk away. Manly Beach is one of Sydney's finest beach experiences. The 30-minute ferry from Circular Quay is the recommended way to get there, and the harbor views on the crossing are genuinely stunning. Year-round surf patrols are in place, so the water's always covered. The beach stretches 1.5 kilometers along the ocean side of the Manly peninsula. You'll find excellent surf conditions, along with a laid-back beach town atmosphere that feels well removed from the CBD, despite Manly being technically within Sydney's boundaries. When the swell is too much, head to the sheltered harbor beaches on the opposite side of the peninsula for calm water swimming. The Corso pedestrian mall connects harbor to ocean, lined with shops, cafes, and restaurants. It does get crowded on weekends, so if you can manage a weekday morning, you'll find better conditions and fewer people. Manly is also the gateway to the Manly Scenic Walkway and North Head, where the coastal hiking is spectacular. **Local tip:** Take the ferry from Circular Quay rather than driving, the harbour crossing is half the experience. If the swell's too heavy, the sheltered harbour beaches on the other side of the peninsula are just a short walk away. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Strong rips, Rocks/Reef, Bluebottle stingers, Crowds **Safety:** Patrolled beach **Upcoming events:** - Manly Markets (2026-05-16) to 2026-05-30 [Every Saturday and Sunday] Regular weekend markets at Manly running every Saturday and Sunday with a variety of stalls and vendors. --- ### Mona Vale Beach **Location:** Mona Vale, NSW | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Sydney **Page:** https://beachday.au/mona-vale/mona-vale-beach A 1km beach that feels more natural and less crowded than Manly or Freshwater, backed by a golf course rather than development. The main beach has permanent rips, so stick to the patrolled zone near the surf club. If you'd rather skip the surf, the free 30m ocean lap pool on the rock platform is one of the best on the Northern Beaches. Mona Vale sits 28km north of Sydney. A broad rock platform splits the beach into two sections: a 1km main beach to the south, with a golf course keeping the foreshore open, and the smaller sheltered Basin to the north. The main beach has permanent rips running against the rocks. Swim between the flags near the surf club at the northern end, where lifeguards patrol daily from late September to late April. Not keen on rips? The free 30m ocean pool on the rock platform is a solid option, with a children's pool alongside. Surfers get a few breaks here. The Basin north of the rock platform has a mellow right-hand reef break, well-suited to longboarders. Cooks Terrace toward Warriewood has uncrowded beach breaks. The Basin suits longboarders but is unpatrolled. Free parking at the south end off Coronation Street is rare on the Northern Beaches. There's a café at the surf club plus BBQs and a shaded playground at Apex Park. Get there early in summer as the northern end fills fast. **Local tip:** Park via Coronation Street at the south end for free parking, which is rare on the Northern Beaches. If the surf looks too heavy, the free 30m ocean pool on the rock platform is a solid alternative to the rip-heavy main beach. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Strong rips, Rocks/reefs, Shore break, Beach erosion **Safety:** Patrolled beach --- ### Narrabeen Beach **Location:** Narrabeen, NSW | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Sydney **Page:** https://beachday.au/narrabeen/narrabeen-beach Sydney's only National Surfing Reserve, Narrabeen is known for its left-breaking sandbar wave and a string of surf champions who trained here. Narrabeen Lagoon sits directly behind the northern tip, so you get calm water for paddling or a swim right alongside the surf beach. Rips run strong across the whole stretch, worst near the lagoon mouth, so stay between the flags. Narrabeen is a National Surfing Reserve, designated in 2009. The left-breaking sandbar peak at the north end has produced multiple surfing champions and draws a competitive crowd. Narrabeen Lagoon's outflow shapes the sandbar, but sand shifts frequently, so local knowledge counts. Autumn brings quality waves, and the break works at any tide. That same lagoon sits directly behind the beach, Sydney's largest coastal lagoon. Near the lagoon bridge you'll find calm swimming spots, safer for kids. At the northern tip, the 1930s ocean pool has a 50m lap lane and family wading pool, both sheltered from coastal winds. Rips are the main danger. The north end near the lagoon mouth is most hazardous. Swim between the flags. Lifeguards patrol weekends and public holidays only, so weekday swimmers need to be extra careful. Parking fills early on weekends. Get there before 9am or catch the B-Line bus from the city centre. **Local tip:** The lagoon outflow at the northern tip shapes the sandbar and feeds the nastiest rips on the beach. If you're not surfing, the 1930s ocean pool right at the north end is the smarter swim. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Strong rips, Lagoon current, Shore break, Shallow sandbars, Slippery rocks **Safety:** Patrolled beach --- ### North Wollongong Beach **Location:** North Wollongong, NSW | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Wollongong **Page:** https://beachday.au/north-wollongong/north-wollongong-beach Head to Wollongong's only year-round patrolled beach for golden sand, rock pools, and forgiving waves perfect for learning surfers. It's the busiest beach in town, so expect weekend crowds, but mornings and weekdays are sweet. Grab a coffee on the foreshore, walk the Blue Mile, or let the kids loose at Stuart Park's new all-abilities playground. Head to North Wollongong for Wollongong's busiest beach, the real heart of the scene. Golden sand meets rocky platforms with sweeping coastal views. You're 2km from the city on the Blue Mile coastal walk, with proper foreshore amenities: shade, grassed picnic areas, BBQs. What makes it special: year-round lifeguard patrol. It's the only beach in Wollongong with that guarantee. Winter patrol hours are 9am–4pm daily. Rock pools give you calmer water for less confident swimmers. Free beach wheelchairs are available, and the new all-abilities playground in Stuart Park next door is genuinely brilliant for families with diverse needs. Surfers find reliable beach break here. Handles most swell sizes at any tide, best in winter with northeast groundswell and southwest wind. Beginners through intermediate love it. Fair warning: gets crowded on good days and weekends. Early mornings and weekdays are quieter. Free parking, showers, and cafes nearby on Cliff Road. Dogs aren't allowed on the sand itself, but there's an off-lead area across the lagoon to the north. **Local tip:** Get to the rock pools early and you've got the place to yourself. It's Wollongong's busiest beach, so weekday mornings are the way to go. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Travelling rips, Gutters, Littoral currents **Safety:** Patrolled beach --- ### Palm Beach **Location:** Palm Beach, NSW | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Sydney **Page:** https://beachday.au/palm-beach-nsw/palm-beach Sydney's northernmost ocean beach sits at the tip of a narrow peninsula, with 2.3 km of surf on one side and calm Pittwater just minutes away on the other. Head up to Barrenjoey Lighthouse for sweeping coastal views, or catch the Home and Away crew filming on location. Budget around an hour from the city each way, and swim between the flags, rips are a real hazard here. Palm Beach is Sydney's northernmost ocean beach, about 41 km from the CBD. The sand runs 2.3 km between Barrenjoey Headland to the north and rocky Little Head to the south. Locals call it Palmy, and the village feel is genuinely laid-back. The surf is a consistent beach break that works at all tides. Head to the northern end if you're an intermediate surfer; the southern corner, known as Kiddies Corner, is calmer for beginners. Rips are the main hazard here, so stick between the flags. At the southern end you'll find a free 50-metre ocean rock pool, open around the clock. You reach it via a staircase from Ocean Road, so it's not suitable for prams or wheelchairs. There's no lifeguard at the pool itself. The peninsula setting is what makes Palmy different. Walk a few minutes west and you're on calm Pittwater, good for paddleboarding or a relaxed swim. The Barrenjoey Lighthouse walk is worth the effort for the views. Parking runs $8-10/hr depending on season and cafes are pricey, so come on a weekday to avoid the squeeze. **Local tip:** Pittwater is a short walk from the surf beach and the water is flat and calm, perfect for kids or a relaxed swim when the ocean's messy. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Strong rips, Shore break, Rocks at Little Head **Safety:** Patrolled beach --- ### Seven Mile Beach **Location:** Lennox Head, NSW | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Northern Rivers **Page:** https://beachday.au/lennox-head/seven-mile-beach Seven Mile Beach runs 8.5 kilometres of open sand from Lennox Head south, with a right-hand point break at the northern end and far fewer crowds than Byron Bay. Snorkel the Boat Channel reef, swim Lake Ainsworth's freshwater tea-tree lake, or walk up to Pat Morton Lookout. Patrolled in summer until 5pm, watch the rips. Seven Mile Beach stretches 8.5 kilometres of open sand from Lennox Head south toward Ballina. The name is a slight exaggeration but the scale is real, and the crowds are nothing like Byron Bay 20 kilometres to the north. Lennox Point anchors the northern end with one of Australia's best right-hand point breaks. Designated a National Surfing Reserve in 2008, Australia's third. Rock bottom, long walling rides, best on SE swell with SW offshore winds. June is the prime month and mid-tide rising the sweet spot. The lineup is experienced and tight, so know what you're doing before paddling out. Lake Ainsworth sits right next to the surf club, a freshwater tea-tree lake with no motorised craft, calm and safe for kids when the ocean's rough. Boat Channel runs 1.5 kilometres of reef along the northern end, crystal clear for snorkelling. Lifeguards patrol in summer but only until 5pm. Rips run the full length of the beach, especially around the point, and they can be strong. Swim between the flags. **Local tip:** Lake Ainsworth is right next to the surf club. When the ocean is rough or the rips are up, that is where locals take the kids. Freshwater, no motorised craft, completely calm. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Rip currents, Rocks, Sharks, Strong currents **Safety:** Patrolled beach **Upcoming events:** - Love Lennox Festival (2026-06-13) [Annual] Community celebration in Lennox Head featuring live music, local food, surf, and art. --- ### Shark Beach **Location:** Vaucluse, NSW | **Type:** Protected/Sheltered | **Region:** Sydney **Page:** https://beachday.au/vaucluse/shark-beach You'll find calm, flat harbour water and city skyline views at this crescent-shaped bay inside Nielsen Park, with heritage fig trees and a big lawn for picnics. Great for families with small kids, and a shark net goes in from October to April. No lifeguard patrol, so swim aware. Shark Beach is a small harbour beach inside Nielsen Park, Sydney Harbour National Park, about 9 km north-east of the CBD. Light brown sand, backed by old fig trees and a wide lawn, with views across to Shark Island and the city skyline. The name comes from the island, not the wildlife. The water is calm and shallow with no surf, making it a solid pick for young kids or non-confident swimmers. A shark net runs October through April, marked with yellow buoys. No lifeguards patrol here, so you swim at your own risk. You'll find a kiosk (check hours), BBQs, showers, changing rooms, and a playground. Entry is free. Parking on Greycliffe Avenue fills fast on warm days, so get in early or take the 325 bus from Circular Quay (around 35 minutes). No dogs allowed. Fancy a walk after? The Hermitage Foreshore Walk starts from the park, a 2.2 km one-way coastal trail with harbour views taking about an hour each way. **Local tip:** Street parking on Greycliffe Avenue fills fast on warm weekends, so catch the 325 bus from Circular Quay instead. It takes about 35 minutes and drops you right at the park entrance. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Unpatrolled, Rocks --- ### South Curl Curl Beach **Location:** Curl Curl, NSW | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Sydney **Page:** https://beachday.au/curl-curl/south-curl-curl-beach South Curl Curl is a Northern Beaches open beach patrolled by lifeguards, good for surf, bodyboarding, and a family swim. Watch out for strong rips, including a permanent southern rip known as the Garbage Bowl, plus rocks and reef. Parking, toilets, and cafes are all on-site. South Curl Curl is a wide open stretch on Sydney's Northern Beaches, facing east-southeast into the Pacific. It gets good morning light and picks up plenty of swell, which is why surfers and bodyboarders make it a regular stop. The hazards here are real and worth knowing before you go in. Strong rips run across the beach, and the southern end has a permanent rip called the Garbage Bowl that can catch people out. Rocks and reef are also in play, so swimmers should stick between the flags and stay away from the edges. At the southern end you'll find a 50m, 8-lane ocean rock pool plus a separate toddler wading pool with ramp access. The beach is patrolled in season, which makes it a more comfortable day out for families. You'll find parking, toilets, and a cafe close by. It's also a good spot for a walk along the beach if you're keeping out of the water. If you're into fishing or just want a solid surf, South Curl Curl is a dependable choice on the Northern Beaches. Just check the conditions before you go in. **Local tip:** Locals call the permanent southern rip the Garbage Bowl, and it lives up to the name. Stick between the flags and you'll have a great surf or swim. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Strong rips, Permanent southern rip (Garbage Bowl), Rocks and reef, Heavy surf and frequent swim closures **Safety:** Patrolled beach --- ### Tallow Beach **Location:** Byron Bay, NSW | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Northern Rivers **Page:** https://beachday.au/suffolk-park/tallow-beach Tallow stretches 6.5 km of quiet, firm sand backed by dunes with Cape Byron and Broken Head views. You'll find mostly locals, not the Byron Bay crowds, and it's good for long walks, your dog, and winter swells. Just watch the rips: they're serious and you can only safely swim in patrolled summer zones. Tallow's a 6.5 kilometre stretch of firm sand backed by dunes, running from Cape Byron Lighthouse down to Broken Head. Building restrictions mean you won't spot houses from the beach, which is why it feels wild and quiet despite being near Byron Bay. The beach splits into three: the left point break at Cosy Corner (north, no dogs), the secluded Dolphins section (middle), and the family-friendly Suffolk Park end (south, dogs welcome). The main thing to know is rips. They're dangerous and unpredictable along the full beach, so only swim where lifeguards patrol in summer: Cosy Corner, the Suffolk Park section, or Broken Head. You're on your own the rest of the year. Bring your own water. There's none at the beach. Download an emergency services app too (mobile reception is sketchy). Winter's your best bet for surfing. Cosy Corner gets technical shortboard waves under the lighthouse. The main beach break suits mixed abilities and doesn't get crowded. Summer brings whale migrations, dolphins, and sea eagles. The Suffolk Park end is accessible: flat, firm sand and obstacle-free. **Local tip:** You'll find mostly locals here, not Byron crowds, across 6.5 km of firm sand perfect for walking dogs and finding solitude. Don't swim outside the patrolled zones in summer, the rips are serious. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets **Hazards:** Strong rips, High surf, Rocks, Bluebottles, Unpatrolled zones **Safety:** Patrolled beach --- ### Thirroul Beach **Location:** Thirroul, NSW | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Wollongong **Page:** https://beachday.au/thirroul/thirroul-beach Thirroul's got a solid 1km beach with consistent year-round surf and Sandon Point reef at the south, one of NSW's best right-handers. A free 50m saltwater pool sits right beside it, the village has proper character, and trains run from Sydney in about 1.5 hours. Watch the rips in the ocean; families and less confident swimmers should stick to the pool. You'll find a kilometre of sandy beach backed by parkland and a charming village. The free saltwater pool sits right beside it, open from 6am with 10 lanes and a toddler pool. It's perfect for lap swimmers and families dodging the rips. Thirroul Station is a quick walk away, so you can train from Sydney without parking stress. The village has real character: boutique shops, independent cafes, and Anita's Theatre, a heritage 1925 building with live music. Sealed parking's at The Esplanade, but it fills fast on summer weekends, so come early or head down on a weekday. Consistent swell all year draws surfers. The main beach break suits beginners and intermediates, while Sandon Point at the south end is one of NSW's best right-handers. Grab lessons or boards from Illawarra Surf Academy. Lifeguards patrol the beach, but six rips across the sandbar, especially down the southern end, make the ocean serious. Stay between the flags or use the pool. Weekday mornings beat the crowds. Rock platforms attract fishers, and dogs are welcome on-leash at certain times. **Local tip:** Serious rips here, so locals use the free saltwater pool next door instead. Experienced surfers come to Sandon Point for one of the coast's best reef breaks. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Strong rips, Rocks, Creek stones, Pool outlet **Safety:** Patrolled beach --- ### Warriewood Beach **Location:** Warriewood, NSW | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Sydney **Page:** https://beachday.au/warriewood/warriewood-beach A 500-metre stretch of orange-pink sand framed by headlands at both ends, Warriewood stays quieter than nearby Narrabeen or Mona Vale thanks to its tricky road access. Head to the northern end for reliable autumn surf, or let the kids explore the rock pools near the headland. Just know that rips run the full length and professional lifeguards patrol weekdays Sep-Apr, volunteers on weekends. Warriewood is a 500-metre arc of orange-pink sand between Mona Vale Headland and Turimetta Head. The headlands frame both ends, giving a sheltered, enclosed feel. The steep driveway down from Narrabeen Park Parade keeps crowds down, making it quieter than nearby Narrabeen and Mona Vale. Head to the northern end for the best surf. A beach break with a left off the point, it works best on an east-southeast swell in autumn, with south-southwest offshore winds. The southern end is gentler and good for learners. Rips run the full length, and the shore break can be heavy. Professional lifeguards patrol weekdays September to April, with volunteer patrols on weekends and public holidays. At the southern headland near Turimetta Head you'll find rock pools and a small waterfall dropping onto mossy rocks. At low tide, the sand connects north to Mona Vale Beach. The Blowhole below the cliff is known from Home and Away as Jump Rock. View it from above only. Jumping in has killed people. There's a café at the southern end for coffee and lunch with sea views. **Local tip:** Park on Narrabeen Park Parade for free instead of paying at the lot right on the sand. Come on a weekday morning if you want the place mostly to yourself. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Strong rips, Rocks, Shore break, Dangerous blowhole, Water pollution **Safety:** Patrolled beach **Upcoming events:** - Anna's Walk (2026-05-17) A community charity walk to raise awareness of Bladder Cancer, organised by Warriewood SLSC. --- ### Wategos Beach **Location:** Byron Bay, NSW | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Northern Rivers **Page:** https://beachday.au/byron-bay/wategos-beach Skip the Byron crowds and head to this sheltered crescent cove. You'll find calmer water, a mellow point break for longboarders and beginners, dolphins riding the waves, and a quiet vibe that's hard to beat. Catch it at low tide, arrive early for parking, and you score an intimate spot below the Cape Byron Lighthouse. You'll find one of Byron's most intimate beaches tucked below the Cape Byron Lighthouse. Wategos is a compact crescent of pale sand that shrinks at high tide, so visit at low-to-mid tide. The headland shields you from ocean swells, giving you calmer water than Main Beach or The Pass. Despite the upscale hotel fronting the beach, the vibe stays relaxed and welcoming. Swimming is safer here for families. Watch for rips, especially on the eastern side; lifeguards only patrol summer months. The soft right-hand point break is made for longboarders and beginners. You'll often see bottlenose dolphins riding the waves alongside you. The main drawback: the car park is tiny and fills fast on weekends. Metered parking costs $5/hour, maximum 4 hours, enforced 9am to 6pm daily. Arrive early or walk from The Pass. Free BBQs, showers, and café facilities are on-site. Walk to the lighthouse in 15 minutes for panoramic coastal views. Best visited in autumn or on quiet weekday mornings. **Local tip:** Head down before 9am on weekends or walk from The Pass, the car park's tiny and rangers are relentless. High tide wipes out the sand, so check tides before you visit. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Longshore current, Rocks, Ocean currents, Rips, Sharks **Safety:** Patrolled beach --- ### Whale Beach **Location:** Whale Beach, NSW | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Sydney **Page:** https://beachday.au/whale-beach/whale-beach Whale Beach stands out on the Northern Beaches with its deep, orange-tinted sand and dramatic sandstone headlands framing a 600-metre crescent. You'll find the Wedge, a well-known surf break at the northern end for experienced surfers, plus a calm 25-metre rock pool at the southern end that's great for families. It's quieter than Palm Beach just up the road, though parking runs around $10 an hour, so arrive early. Whale Beach sits between Palm Beach and Avalon on the Barrenjoey Peninsula, about 50 minutes north of Sydney. The sand runs deep, orange-tinted, noticeably warmer in tone than nearby beaches, and the 600-metre crescent is backed by sandstone cliffs and pines. It feels much further from the city than it is. Surfers come for the Wedge, a named break at the northern end suited to experienced riders. The beach breaks along the main stretch work well in north-east and east swells. The shore break can get heavy, so when conditions look rough, head to the 25-metre tidal rock pool at the southern end. Carved into the rocks with a sandy base, it stays calm at low tide and gets a wash of ocean water at high tide. Quieter than the rock pools at Palm Beach or Avalon, but unpatrolled at all times. Professional lifeguards patrol weekdays during the season, with volunteer surf lifesavers on weekends and public holidays, September to April. Outside that, you're swimming unpatrolled. Parking costs around $10 an hour and the car park fills fast on summer weekends, so arrive early. **Local tip:** Head to the rock pool at the southern end when the shore break is up, it's calmer than the open beach and quieter than the pools at Palm Beach or Avalon. Parking fills fast on summer weekends and costs around $10 an hour, so get there early. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Strong rips, Shore break, Rocks at northern end **Safety:** Patrolled beach --- ### Wollongong City Beach **Location:** Wollongong, NSW | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Wollongong **Page:** https://beachday.au/wollongong/wollongong-city-beach Pick your vibe on this 3 km city beach: patrolled swimming and playground if you head north, reliable winter swell if you head south. Golden sand throughout. Just watch the rips. They develop fast here, so stay between the flags. You'll find 3 km of golden sand and turquoise Tasman Sea running through the city centre. The northern end is your safest bet for swimming, with a patrolled flagged zone and Lang Park right behind offering playgrounds and picnic spots. Want proper waves? Head south, where keen surfers hunt the swells, especially in winter. July's peak season. Just be aware, rips develop quickly here, so stick between the flags. Patrol season is September through April only, so you're swimming at your own risk outside that window. Free 2-hour parking on Marine Drive but it fills fast on weekends and summer days. You get showers, toilets, and heaps of cafés within walking distance. The Flagstaff Point Lighthouse walk at the northern headland is worth a visit for proper ocean views. The tower is closed to all visitors, but the grounds and headland walk are accessible. You're looking at roughly 1.5 hours from Sydney by train, or about 80–90 minutes by car for a day trip. **Local tip:** Swim the northern end between the flags Sep–Apr (patrol hours vary by season), head to the southern end when winter swells hit in July. Don't go in for 72 hours after heavy rain and grab parking early – weekends fill fast. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Strong rips, Waves, Sharks, Rocky headland **Safety:** Patrolled beach --- ### Casuarina Beach **Location:** Casuarina, NT | **Type:** Protected/Sheltered | **Region:** Darwin **Page:** https://beachday.au/casuarina/casuarina-beach Casuarina Beach sits about 15 km north of Darwin's CBD, facing northwest across the Timor Sea. You'll get classic Top End sunsets from the waterline, but like all Darwin beaches, box jellyfish make swimming off the table from October to May. Casuarina Beach sits along Darwin's northern coastline, about 15 km from the CBD. It's a favourite stretch for locals on dry season afternoons. The beach faces northwest, so you get long views out to sea and some of Darwin's best sunset light hitting the water in the evenings. Like all Darwin beaches, the wet season brings box jellyfish and other stingers, making swimming genuinely risky from around October through May. Saltwater crocodiles are also in these waters year-round, with confirmed sightings at this beach. Outside stinger season the water is much safer, and the dry season weather makes it hard to beat. Come the dry season, you'll find the place buzzing with families, walkers, and people winding down after work. It's a straightforward beach, no frills, but that's part of the appeal for the regulars who come back every week. Head down in the late afternoon. The northwest aspect means the sun tracks right down toward the horizon in front of you, and the colours can be genuinely spectacular. **Local tip:** Stingers make the water off-limits most of the year, so aim for the dry season (May to September) if you want a swim. There's a clothing-optional section (Free Beach) in the central part of the beach near Sandy Creek. Worth knowing before you wander down. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets **Hazards:** Box jellyfish, Saltwater crocodiles, High tidal range **Safety:** Patrolled beach --- ### Mindil Beach **Location:** The Gardens, NT | **Type:** Protected/Sheltered | **Region:** Darwin **Page:** https://beachday.au/the-gardens/mindil-beach Mindil Beach is Darwin's go-to for the dry season sunset markets, running Thursday and Sunday nights from late April through October. Head down and you'll find around 200 stalls, 60-plus food options, fire twirling, and camel rides while the sun drops over the water. Looks the part for a swim, but box jellyfish and saltwater crocodiles make this one you check conditions for first. Mindil Beach sits about 2 km from Darwin's CBD, a west-facing strip of yellow sand backed by the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens. You'll be surprised how pretty it is this close to a city. Most people come here for the Mindil Beach Sunset Markets, not the water. Thursday and Sunday evenings through the dry season (late April to late October, 4 to 9 pm), around 200 stalls take over the beach reserve with 60-plus food stalls covering everything from Sri Lankan and Filipino to Indonesian and Aboriginal Australian. Grab a camel ride at sunset, catch fire twirling, and browse Aboriginal art and handmade crafts. Swimming is possible in the dry season but take it seriously. Saltwater crocodiles are in these waters, and box jellyfish are active from around October through May. Check current patrol times with Surf Life Saving NT before getting in. On market nights, arrive early. Free parking fills fast and good sunset spots go quickly. Bring a blanket, cash for the stalls, and mosquito repellent for dusk. **Local tip:** Head down early on market nights as the free car park fills well before sunset and the best sand spots go with it. Bring cash too, it moves faster at the food stalls than card. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Box jellyfish, Irukandji, Saltwater crocodiles, High tidal range, Shallow water **Safety:** Patrolled beach **Upcoming events:** - BASSINTHEGRASS 2026 (2026-05-16) The Northern Territory's biggest all-ages outdoor music festival at Mindil Beach, headlined by Denzel Curry, Galantis, and The Living End. - Mindil Beach Sunset Market (2026-05-21) to 2026-05-25 [Every Thursday and Sunday] Darwin's iconic beachside market with 300+ stalls of global street food, Indigenous art, handmade crafts, live entertainment and fire performers, set against the Mindil Beach sunset. --- ### Alexandra Headland **Location:** Alexandra Headland, QLD | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Sunshine Coast **Page:** https://beachday.au/alexandra-headland/alexandra-headland Everyone calls it Alex. The headland creates one of the best right-hand point breaks on the Sunshine Coast, a long, walling wave that wraps around the rocky point on SE swells. The beach break south of the headland is more forgiving. More surf-focused and quieter than neighbouring Mooloolaba. Everyone calls it Alex. The headland here creates one of the best right-hand point breaks on the Sunshine Coast, a wave that wraps around the rocky point and peels along the inside section when a solid southeast swell hits. On its day, it's a long, walling right-hander that draws surfers from all over southeast Queensland. You'll know it's working when the car park fills up before sunrise. The point break is for experienced surfers, but the beach break south of the headland is more forgiving. The waves there break over sand and the Alexandra Headland Surf Club sits right on the beach, a local landmark you can't miss. Alex sits between Mooloolaba to the south and Maroochydore to the north, connected by a coastal path that runners and walkers use constantly. The headland itself is a grassy park with benches and views in both directions, and it's one of the better spots to watch a sunrise without committing to a hike. The vibe here is more surf-focused than Mooloolaba. There's no esplanade strip of shops and restaurants, just a quiet residential area, the surf club, and the waves. Surfers who've been coming here for decades still rate Alex as one of the most reliable waves between the Gold Coast and Noosa, especially when the rest of the Coast is blown out by northerlies and Alex gets clean offshore winds from the southwest. **Local tip:** You'll know the point is working when the car park fills before sunrise. The beach break south of the headland is sandier and better suited to intermediate surfers if the point looks too heavy. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Strong rips, Rocks at headland, Powerful shore break **Safety:** Patrolled beach **Upcoming events:** - Alex by the Sea 2026 - Day 1 (2026-06-06) Day 1 of the two-day Alex by the Sea beachfront music festival at Alexandra Headland, headlined by Beddy Rays alongside The Buoys, Letters to Lions, Vlads, and Camino Gold performing indie and surf-rock. - Alex by the Sea - Legends and Anthems Night (2026-06-07) An outdoor coastal music festival at Buhk Family Park featuring live music, pop-up bars, and food trucks overlooking the ocean at Alexandra Headland. - EVA Air Sunshine Coast Marathon Festival (2026-08-01) to 2026-08-02 A multi-distance running festival featuring full marathon, half marathon, 10km, 5km, and 2km fun runs along the Alexandra Headland coastline. --- ### Bilinga Beach **Location:** Bilinga, QLD | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Gold Coast **Page:** https://beachday.au/bilinga/bilinga-beach Bilinga Beach is a patrolled Gold Coast strip where you'll find good surf, family swimming, and bodyboarding. Strong rips, gutters, and a deep trough are real hazards, so stay between the flags. Parking, toilets, and cafes are all close by. Bilinga Beach sits on the southern Gold Coast in Bilinga, QLD, close to the NSW border. It faces east-northeast with an open aspect, picking up swell that keeps surfers and bodyboarders coming back. The beach is patrolled, so you'll have flags to swim between. The hazards here are genuine. Strong rips, gutters, a deep trough, and a littoral drift current all run through this stretch. Check conditions before you enter the water and always swim between the flags, especially after rain or big swells. You'll find parking and toilets nearby, with cafes close by too, which makes it easy to spend a few hours here. Families do visit, but younger kids need close supervision given the water conditions. Walking the beach is a relaxed option when the surf is running. It's a solid open beach without much fuss, and a good base for a morning on the southern Gold Coast. **Local tip:** Strong rips and a deep trough make this one trickier than it looks, so always swim between the flags. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Strong rips, Gutters, Littoral drift current, Deep trough **Safety:** Patrolled beach --- ### Broadbeach **Location:** Broadbeach, QLD | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Gold Coast **Page:** https://beachday.au/broadbeach/broadbeach Broadbeach is a patrolled open beach on the Gold Coast, good for surfing, bodyboarding and a family swim. Strong rips, gutters and longshore currents make it genuinely hazardous, so always swim between the flags. You'll find parking, toilets and cafes close by. Broadbeach sits on the Gold Coast, facing east into the Pacific. It's a classic open beach where the surf rolls in consistently, drawing boardriders, bodysurfers, and families in equal measure. Lifeguard patrols run here year-round, so you can swim between the flags with confidence. The ocean demands respect though. Strong rips, longshore currents, and gutters make this a genuinely hazardous stretch if you're not careful. The rips shift constantly too, so always swim between the flags. Sharks are a known presence in these waters. Stick to the patrolled zone and read the conditions before you get in. You'll find parking, toilets, and cafes close by, making a full day here easy to pull off. It's also a solid stretch for a long walk or a bodyboard session when conditions allow. Crowds are part of the deal, especially on weekends. Come early or head down mid-week if you want more room on the sand. **Local tip:** The rips here are strong and shift constantly, so always swim between the flags. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Strong rips, Longshore currents, Gutters, Hazardous surf, Sharks, Crowds **Safety:** Patrolled beach **Upcoming events:** - Blues on Broadbeach 2026 (2026-05-14) to 2026-05-17 A free, multi-stage outdoor blues and roots music festival held across the public spaces of the Broadbeach entertainment precinct, celebrating its 25th anniversary edition in 2026. --- ### Buddina Beach (Kawana) **Location:** Buddina, QLD | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Sunshine Coast **Page:** https://beachday.au/buddina/buddina-beach Nine kilometres of sand from Point Cartwright to Currimundi Lake, long enough to find an empty peak, even on weekends. Fully exposed to ocean swells and backed by parkland rather than esplanades, so it feels more spacious than the built-up beaches north. Buddina, or Kawana depending on who you ask, is a 9-kilometre stretch of sand running from Point Cartwright at the southern end all the way north to Currimundi Lake. That length is the whole appeal: there's enough space here that you can almost always find an empty peak, even on a weekend. The beach is fully exposed to the open ocean, so when a solid east swell is running, the waves are consistent up and down the entire stretch. Most surfers pick a spot near the Kawana Surf Life Saving Club at Coopers Lookout Park, but walk ten minutes in either direction and you'll have the bank to yourself. The beach break works on most tides, though low tide can get shallow and close out on bigger days. Behind the dunes you've got the Kawana Sports Precinct and plenty of green space. It feels more open and spacious than the built-up beaches to the north. The residential streets are set back from the beach with parkland in between, so there's a buffer from traffic and development that you don't get at Mooloolaba or Alex. Point Cartwright at the southern tip is worth the detour. The lighthouse walk gives you views north along the beach toward Coolum and south down to Mooloolaba, and the rock platforms below the point are popular for fishing. **Local tip:** Walk ten minutes in either direction from the surf club and you'll likely have a bank to yourself. Point Cartwright at the southern end is worth the detour for lighthouse views and rock-platform fishing. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets **Hazards:** Rips between sandbars, Strong shore break at times **Safety:** Patrolled beach **Upcoming events:** - Kawana Farmers Market (2026-05-16) to 2026-05-23 [Every Saturday] A weekly beachside farmers market in the Kawana precinct offering fresh produce, artisan baked goods, locally-roasted coffee, and live music, with beach-picnic supplies available. --- ### Bulcock Beach **Location:** Caloundra, QLD | **Type:** Protected/Sheltered | **Region:** Sunshine Coast **Page:** https://beachday.au/caloundra/bulcock-beach Bulcock Beach sits on the sheltered Pumicestone Passage, so you get calm, flat water and no surf. It's the Sunshine Coast's only patrolled non-surf beach, and at low tide the sandbar spreads into shallow tidal pools that toddlers love. Go at high tide and the sand almost disappears, so check the tides before you head down. Bulcock Beach sits inside the Pumicestone Passage, a sheltered waterway between the Caloundra headland and Bribie Island. You won't find surf here. It's the only patrolled beach on the Sunshine Coast that faces flat, calm water, and that's exactly the point. At low tide, the sandbar exposes shallow tidal pools just deep enough for toddlers to splash around in. The water is warm, clean and turquoise. At high tide the usable sand shrinks considerably and currents pick up further from shore, so check tide times before you go. The boardwalk runs the length of the foreshore and at sunset you get an unobstructed view across the passage to the Glass House Mountains. Cafes and restaurants line the street directly opposite. Facilities are solid: BBQs, showers, a playground and a lower fishing deck off the boardwalk. Patrols run weekends, school holidays and public holidays from September to May. Parking along the Esplanade is free but fills fast on weekends. Arrive early or walk from the town centre, which is just minutes away. **Local tip:** Time your visit around low tide, when the sandbar opens up into shallow splash pools and the beach is at its best. On weekends, parking along the Esplanade fills fast, so get there early. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Strong tidal currents, Deep water channels, Shallow sandbars **Safety:** Patrolled beach **Upcoming events:** - Downunder Beachfest (2026-05-27) to 2026-05-31 A multi-day celebration of classic cars, rock 'n' roll and community on the Caloundra beachfront, including a Beachfest Street Party (Wed 27 May, 5-8pm), a Super Cruise (Fri 29 May, 5-8pm) and a Car Show n Shine (Sun 31 May, 8am-12pm). --- ### Burleigh Heads Beach **Location:** Burleigh Heads, QLD | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Gold Coast **Page:** https://beachday.au/burleigh-heads/burleigh-heads-beach Burleigh Heads is the Gold Coast's soul, with long, hollow right-handers that rank among Australia's best waves and a main beach that works for swimmers and beginners too. You'll find rainforest walks through the national park headland, whale watching in season, and James Street's cafe and restaurant strip right nearby. Parking gets brutal on good swell days, so arrive early. Burleigh Heads represents the Gold Coast's soul, with long, hollow right-handers that rank among Australia's best waves, while the main beach offers more approachable conditions for swimmers and beginner surfers. The point break fires on east to south-east swells, best from March through September when consistent groundswell lines wrap around the headland. Experienced surfers only at the point; it's crowded and localism runs deep. The park is Burleigh Head National Park, and the headland rainforest walk delivers stunning ocean views and regular whale sightings during migration season from June to October. Burleigh maintains a village atmosphere despite being part of the Gold Coast. James Street's cafes and restaurants create a sophisticated yet relaxed dining scene just a few minutes walk from the sand. Parking is extremely limited on good swell days and weekends. Arrive before 7am or park further south along the Esplanade and walk in. Access to Cannon Rock and the cliff line boulder fields at Burleigh Head National Park is strictly prohibited due to ongoing rockfall risk. **Local tip:** Dawn patrol is the move on good swell days as parking gets brutal fast. Cannon Rock and the cliff line boulder fields are closed due to ongoing rockfall risk, so stick to the marked national park trails. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Rip currents, Rocks, Strong currents, Shore break **Safety:** Patrolled beach --- ### Coolangatta Beach **Location:** Coolangatta, QLD | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Gold Coast **Page:** https://beachday.au/coolangatta/coolangatta-beach Coolangatta Beach is a sheltered, north-facing spot on the Gold Coast, patrolled and good for swimming, bodyboarding, and snorkelling. It's generally calm, but flash rips, heavy shorebreak, and rocks mean you can't fully switch off. You'll find parking, toilets, and cafes close by. Coolangatta Beach faces almost due north at the southern end of the Gold Coast. That protected, north-facing aspect keeps conditions calmer than many exposed beaches along this coast, and it draws a steady mix of families, bodyboarders, and easy-going swimmers looking for a more relaxed day out. There's more going on here than just a swim. You can snorkel around the rocks, fish from the shore, or walk the length of the beach. Surf is on the cards when conditions allow. Patrolled swimming keeps the main zones covered, and parking, toilets, and cafes are all close by. Don't let the sheltered feel put you off guard. Heavy shorebreak, flash rips, travelling rips, rocks, and submerged objects are all live hazards here. Swim between the flags and check conditions before you head in. Parking is available on site, making it easy to get down here. A solid choice for a calm beach day on the southern Gold Coast. **Local tip:** When the rest of the Gold Coast is blown out, you'll find this north-facing bay sheltered and swimmable, just watch for flash rips even on the calm days. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Heavy shorebreak, Flash rips, Travelling rips, Rocks, Submerged objects **Safety:** Patrolled beach **Upcoming events:** - Cooly Classic Ocean Swim Festival (2026-05-16) to 2026-05-17 Iconic point-to-point ocean swim along Coolangatta's world-famous breaks, offering four distances from 1km to 5km with the flagship 2km course running from Snapper Rocks to Kirra Beach. - Coolangatta Beachside Market (Art and Craft on the Coast) (2026-05-17) to 2026-05-22 [Every 2nd Sunday of the month] Over 100 stalls of local artisans, handmade crafts, and street food at Queen Elizabeth Park on the Coolangatta beachfront esplanade. - Cooly Rocks On (2026-06-03) to 2026-06-07 Five-day rock and roll, rockabilly and vintage lifestyle festival in Coolangatta, featuring a Show N Shine car display with over 900 vehicles, live music, and daily markets along the beachfront. --- ### Coolum Beach **Location:** Coolum Beach, QLD | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Sunshine Coast **Page:** https://beachday.au/coolum-beach/coolum-beach Mt Coolum, a 208-metre volcanic dome, dominates the skyline behind this long, exposed beach. Consistent surf picks up almost any swell direction, and the surf club has been part of the community since 1919. The village feels like a small coastal town that hasn't been overdeveloped. You can't miss Coolum. Mount Coolum sits right behind the beach, a 208-metre ancient volcanic dome that dominates the skyline from every angle. The 1.6-kilometre return hike up the mountain has around 600 stone steps and rewards you with 360-degree views from the summit: north to Noosa, south to Moreton Island, and west to the hinterland ranges. Get up there at sunrise and you'll understand why locals never get tired of it. The beach itself runs long and straight, fully exposed to ocean swells, with multiple peaks spread out along the sand. Coolum picks up almost any swell direction, which means there's usually something to surf here even when other spots are flat. The surf culture here runs deep. The Coolum Surf Club has been part of the community since 1919 and is a genuine local hub. The village behind the beach has the relaxed feel of a small coastal town that hasn't been overdeveloped. David Low Way runs parallel to the beach with cafes, a few restaurants, and local shops. It's less polished than Noosa and less busy than Mooloolaba, which is exactly how the locals like it. Families tend to set up near the surf club, while surfers spread out along the beach in both directions. The northern end toward Point Arkwright is quieter and more exposed. If you're visiting the Sunshine Coast and want a beach that feels like a real community rather than a tourist destination, Coolum is hard to beat. **Local tip:** Hike Mt Coolum at sunrise for 360-degree views from Noosa to Moreton Island. The 600-step, 1.6km return track is steep but quick, so get up there before the heat kicks in. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Persistent rips, Strong shore break on bigger swells **Safety:** Patrolled beach --- ### Currimundi Beach **Location:** Currimundi, QLD | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Sunshine Coast **Page:** https://beachday.au/currimundi/currimundi-beach Currimundi is a consistent east-facing beach break with lefts and rights, though you'll find wave quality is frequently compromised by onshore winds. Kathleen McArthur Conservation Park lines the northern shore with wallum heath walking tracks and solid birdlife. Watch out for strong currents near the lake entrance and rips. Currimundi Lake drains out through a channel that shifts position with the seasons and the sand movement. Sometimes the entrance is wide open and flowing hard, other times it narrows to a trickle. Watch for strong currents near the lake mouth, and rips elsewhere along the beach. The surf is a consistent beach break on an east-facing open beach, picking up east and east-southeast swells well. Westerly winds go offshore here, but onshore winds can kill the quality fast. You'll get lefts and rights, though conditions are hit and miss. Kathleen McArthur Conservation Park runs along the northern shore with walking tracks through wallum heath and solid birdlife. Walk the track from Coongarra Esplanade through the conservation park and trees before you pop out onto the sand. Beach is patrolled on weekends, school holidays, and public holidays year-round. Street parking along Coongarra Esplanade, toilets on site, no cafes. Dogs aren't allowed to cross the lake mouth between Beach Access 253 and 254. **Local tip:** Walk the track from Coongarra Esplanade through the conservation park, through the trees, before you pop out onto the sand. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Strong currents near lake entrance, Rips **Safety:** Patrolled beach --- ### Currumbin Beach **Location:** Currumbin, QLD | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Gold Coast **Page:** https://beachday.au/currumbin/currumbin-beach Currumbin is a compact southern Gold Coast beach enclosed between Currumbin Rock and Elephant Rock, with a right-hand break that's part of a World Surfing Reserve. The main beach runs active rips and regular 1.5m waves, so if you're not a strong swimmer, head to the Alley, a calm creek-mouth estuary just around the corner that suits families and paddlers. Currumbin is a compact 750-metre beach framed by two rocky headlands. Elephant Rock at the south, Currumbin Rock at the north. That enclosed feel sets it apart from the long open strips further up the Gold Coast at Broadbeach or the Surfers strip. Climb the Elephant Rock platform and you'll see the highrise skyline to the north, Coolangatta to the south. The main beach is active. Four rips cut through a double sandbar, and there's a permanent rip sitting against Currumbin Rock. Confident swimmers only on this stretch. If you've got young kids or you're not a strong swimmer, head to Currumbin Alley instead. That calm estuary at the creek mouth is sheltered and suits families, SUP and kayaking. Both zones are patrolled from 8am to 5pm daily. Surfers know this break. Right-hand point/beach break, part of the Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve, excellent for longboarding. Best on winter groundswells from June to August. It's quieter and less commercial than the northern Gold Coast. Only 5km from Gold Coast Airport, and come September, the SWELL Sculpture Festival fills the sand with large-scale artworks and bigger crowds than usual. **Local tip:** Head down to The Alley, the calm estuary near Currumbin Creek mouth, if you're with kids or not a confident swimmer. The main beach runs four active rips and has a permanent rip against Currumbin Rock at the northern end, so it's for competent swimmers only. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Strong rips, Rocks, Sharks, Jellyfish, Large swells **Safety:** Patrolled beach --- ### Cylinder Beach **Location:** Point Lookout, QLD | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** North Stradbroke Island **Page:** https://beachday.au/point-lookout/cylinder-beach Cylinder Beach is a patrolled headland break on North Stradbroke Island at Point Lookout, popular with swimmers, bodyboarders and snorkellers. Head down and you'll find parking, toilets and a cafe right there. Watch for rips, rocks, bluebottles and sharks before you get in. Cylinder Beach sits at Point Lookout on North Stradbroke Island, part of the Redlands Coast. It's a north-facing headland break that picks up swell while staying more sheltered than the open ocean beaches nearby, so you'll find it works across a range of conditions. It's patrolled, making it a solid choice for families. You'll find calmer sections good for snorkelling around the reef and rocks when the water's clear, while the break suits bodyboarding and surfing. The headland also gives you access to fishing spots and coastal walking tracks that connect with other Point Lookout beaches. The hazards here are real. Rips form near the rocks and reef, bluebottles roll in after onshore winds, and sharks are present in these waters. Swim between the flags and check conditions before you get in. Getting here takes a ferry from Cleveland to Dunwich, then a drive out to Point Lookout. Once you arrive, parking, toilets and cafes are all close by, so you're set for a full day. **Local tip:** The reef and rocks are worth a snorkel when the water's clear, but swim between the flags as rips near the headland can catch you out. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Bluebottles, Sharks, Rips, Rocks/Reef **Safety:** Patrolled beach **Upcoming events:** - Straddie Salute 2026 (2026-05-16) to 2026-05-17 Multi-sport beach event at Point Lookout featuring ocean swims at Cylinder Beach, trail runs, sprint triathlons, and kids duathlon and triathlon competitions. --- ### Dicky Beach **Location:** Dicky Beach, QLD | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Sunshine Coast **Page:** https://beachday.au/dicky-beach/dicky-beach Named after the SS Dicky shipwreck, which sat on the sand from 1893 until council cut away the exposed sections and buried the remainder in 2015. One of the more consistent beach breaks on the Sunshine Coast, best on east to northeast swells over sand. The memorial precinct above the beach has the original propeller on a stone cairn. Dicky Beach takes its name from the SS Dicky, a vessel deliberately driven ashore here on 4 February 1893 by Captain John Beattie during a fierce gale to avoid the rocks at Moffat Beach. She sat rusting on the sand for over 120 years, close enough to walk up and touch the hull. By 2015 the wreck had corroded to the point where it was a safety hazard, and Sunshine Coast Council removed the exposed remnants in July of that year. A 40-metre section of beach around the wreck site is currently closed and marked with red flags, with no announced reopening date. What remains is a memorial precinct above the beach: the original propeller mounted on a stone cairn, plus a purpose-built memorial deck with interpretive signage and recovered wreck pieces that opened in early 2024. Big storms like Cyclone Alfred in March 2025 occasionally re-expose buried fragments in the sand, but the wreck itself is no longer a permanent feature. **Local tip:** The beach break picks up east to northeast swells reliably, which is why locals rate it as one of the more consistent waves in Caloundra. The skate park behind the precinct has a kidney bowl with pool coping worth a session. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Strong rips, Partial beach closure around SS Dicky wreck site (40 metres, marked with red flags) **Safety:** Patrolled beach --- ### Golden Beach **Location:** Golden Beach, QLD | **Type:** Protected/Sheltered | **Region:** Sunshine Coast **Page:** https://beachday.au/golden-beach/golden-beach Tucked behind Pumicestone Passage with zero surf, Golden Beach is about as calm as the Sunshine Coast gets. The shallow, flat water stretches along Landsborough Parade backed by Norfolk pines, ideal for little kids, kayakers, and anyone who just wants to float without worrying about rips. If you want waves, Golden Beach is not your spot, and that's exactly the point. Zero surf, sheltered by Bribie Island along the 35-kilometre Pumicestone Passage. The water is flat, shallow, and warm. Great for families with small kids, kayakers, and anyone happy to float without worrying about rips. You'll find free parking on Landsborough Parade, backed by Norfolk pines and parks with BBQs, playgrounds, toilets, and cafes nearby. It's a different energy to the surf beaches further north. Quieter, slower. Stand-up paddleboarding is huge here, especially early morning when the passage goes glassy and stingrays cruise underneath. The boat ramp at the southern end gets busy on weekends with tinny fishers. Paddle north from there toward Bribie Island for the best of the passage. Keep in mind the beach is unpatrolled, with boat traffic and submerged rocks near the breakwall to watch for. One heads-up: the CSD Arnhem dredger has been working the passage since February 2026 with works expected through April, limiting access to smaller vessels. **Local tip:** Paddle north from the boat ramp toward Bribie Island for the best bird spotting. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Boat traffic in channel, Submerged rocks near breakwall **Upcoming events:** - Downunder Beachfest (2026-05-27) to 2026-05-31 A multi-day celebration of classic cars, rock 'n' roll and community on the Caloundra beachfront, including a Beachfest Street Party (Wed 27 May, 5-8pm), a Super Cruise (Fri 29 May, 5-8pm) and a Car Show n Shine (Sun 31 May, 8am-12pm). --- ### Greenmount Beach **Location:** Coolangatta, QLD | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Gold Coast **Page:** https://beachday.au/coolangatta/greenmount-beach North-facing and sheltered from southerly winds, Greenmount is one of the Gold Coast's calmer beaches and patrolled year-round. You'll find a relaxed foreshore, low-tide rock pools at the headland, and free parking steps from the sand. Stay between the flags though, the groyne rip at the western end catches people out. Greenmount is an 800-metre north-facing beach at Coolangatta, five minutes from Gold Coast Airport. The headland blocks southerly swells, so the water runs calmer here than at most Gold Coast beaches. At low tide, rock pools open up at the headland base. Head up to the Rainbow Bay Lookout and you get panoramic views over two bays at once. The Tweed Heads and Coolangatta Surf Life Saving Club, Queensland's oldest (est. 1911), sits right on the beach with patrols running year-round. Free parking is plentiful, though on summer weekends it fills fast, so arrive early. A paved Oceanway trail runs around the point, good for strollers and wheelchairs alike. One thing to take seriously: a strong permanent rip sits against the Greenmount groyne at the western end. Swim between the red and yellow flags. If you're a serious surfer, Snapper Rocks is right next door. Beginners can get lessons through local surf schools on Marine Parade, where the south end waves are gentler. **Local tip:** When southerlies blow out the rest of the Gold Coast, you'll find Greenmount stays calm thanks to its north-facing aspect. Give the groyne on the western end a wide berth though, there's a permanent rip there that catches people even on quiet days. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Strong rips, Shallow sandbars, Rocks, Bluebottle stingers, Sharks, High surf **Safety:** Patrolled beach **Upcoming events:** - Cooly Classic Ocean Swim Festival (2026-05-16) to 2026-05-17 Iconic point-to-point ocean swim along Coolangatta's world-famous breaks, offering four distances from 1km to 5km with the flagship 2km course running from Snapper Rocks to Kirra Beach. - Cooly Rocks On (2026-06-03) to 2026-06-07 Five-day rock and roll, rockabilly and vintage lifestyle festival in Coolangatta, featuring a Show N Shine car display with over 900 vehicles, live music, and daily markets along the beachfront. --- ### Happy Valley **Location:** Caloundra, QLD | **Type:** Protected/Sheltered | **Region:** Sunshine Coast **Page:** https://beachday.au/caloundra/happy-valley Head to Happy Valley in Caloundra for a sheltered foreshore where low tide exposes shallow tidal pools, great for young kids to wade and splash. There's a nautical lighthouse playground on site and a 235-metre boardwalk with sweeping views to Bribie Island. The ocean-facing 'Happys' break is one of the Sunshine Coast's best spots to learn to surf, with local schools running lessons here. Happy Valley sits between Kings Beach and Bulcock Beach on Caloundra's Esplanade with two distinct sides. The Clarke Place Park foreshore is sheltered from big surf. At low tide, you'll find large sandbars exposed, creating shallow pools that suit a toddler's first beach day. Crabbing is possible too. The ocean-facing "Happys" is a sand-bottom break producing waves up to 200 metres long, waist-high to triple overhead. Consistency is low, so don't plan a surf trip around it. Winter with a northwest offshore is your best window, NE to SE swells the pick. Local surf schools run lessons here and the rolling waves make it one of the better beginner spots on the Sunshine Coast. The 235-metre elevated timber boardwalk from Clarke Place Park to Kings Beach gives you views from Caloundra Head to Bribie Island. The nautical lighthouse-and-ship playground draws families here. Lifeguard patrols run daily from the September school holidays to early May, plus weekends and school holidays in winter. Conditions change daily, so always check current conditions before swimming. Parking off Esplanade and Ian Street gets tight on busy weekends. **Local tip:** Go at low tide and the sandbars expose into shallow wading pools, making this the calmest family spot in Caloundra. The ocean-facing side runs a proper surf break the locals call Happys, so check which side suits you before you set up. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Rips, Rocks, Stonefish, Strong currents, Drop-offs, Slippery rocks **Safety:** Patrolled beach **Upcoming events:** - Downunder Beachfest Street Party (2026-05-27) The opening evening of Beachfest week, a classic car and rock and roll street party in the Caloundra beachfront precinct. - Downunder Beachfest Super Cruise (2026-05-29) A classic car super cruise along the Caloundra coastal roads, part of the Beachfest 2026 celebration week. - Downunder Beachfest Car Show n Shine (2026-05-31) The flagship finale of the Downunder Beachfest, a classic car show-and-shine held on the Esplanade at Happy Valley carpark, Caloundra, celebrating classic cars, community and rock and roll on the foreshore. --- ### Kings Beach **Location:** Caloundra, QLD | **Type:** Protected/Sheltered | **Region:** Sunshine Coast **Page:** https://beachday.au/caloundra/kings-beach Kings Beach is Caloundra's main patrolled beach. The free 25-metre saltwater pool at the northern end is open year-round from 4am, with a kids' wading area right beside it. On clear days you can see the Glass House Mountains from the headland lookout. Kings Beach is Caloundra's main patrolled beach, and it earns that status. The beach faces southeast at 135 degrees, which means it picks up small south-southeast swells well, making it a solid spot for learner surfers. Afternoon onshore winds can mess things up, so mornings are your best bet. Head up to the northern end and you'll find a free 25-metre saltwater pool, open year-round from 4am. There's a kids' wading area right beside it. At high tide, waves wash over the pool wall, keeping the water fresh. Rock pool regulars are doing laps at dawn before families arrive. From the headland lookout nearby, you can see the Glass House Mountains on a clear day. Be aware of the hazards. Strong rips sit at both ends of the beach, and there are rocks at the northern and southern ends. Lifeguards patrol daily year-round, so swim between the flags. Parking is paid and metered, check the signage for any free-period zones nearby. Toilets and cafes are on site. **Local tip:** The rock pool regulars do laps at dawn before the families arrive. High tide sends waves over the pool wall, which keeps the water fresh and adds a bit of excitement to your swim. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Strong rips at both ends, Rocks at northern and southern ends **Safety:** Patrolled beach **Upcoming events:** - Downunder Beachfest (2026-05-27) to 2026-05-31 A multi-day celebration of classic cars, rock 'n' roll and community on the Caloundra beachfront, including a Beachfest Street Party (Wed 27 May, 5-8pm), a Super Cruise (Fri 29 May, 5-8pm) and a Car Show n Shine (Sun 31 May, 8am-12pm). --- ### Kirra Beach **Location:** Kirra, QLD | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Gold Coast **Page:** https://beachday.au/kirra/kirra-beach Kirra's compact, north-facing beach is rated the safest swimming spot on this Gold Coast stretch, with low waves and generally no rips close to shore. That same groyne shapes Kirra Point, the northern end of the Superbank, so you'll find long barrelling rights for experienced surfers right next to calm water for families. Stay clear of the groyne when swimming though; there's a deep trough with a northward current. Kirra is a compact, north-facing beach, unusual on the Gold Coast. That orientation shelters it from southeast swells, giving you calmer water than east-facing neighbours. The 300-metre stretch of golden sand fronts turquoise Coral Sea water, with rock pools visible at low tide. The vibe is local rather than resort-strip. Lifesaving Australia rates this the safest swimming area along the stretch: lowest waves, usually no rips inshore. A shallow creek inlet at the southern end suits very young children. One caveat: avoid the groyne. There's a deep trough with a northward current. Patrolled daily, 8am to 5pm year-round. The same groyne creates Kirra Point, the northern end of the Superbank. In a solid southeast swell it produces long, hollow, barrelling waves. Experienced surfers only at the point in bigger conditions. The Kirra Surf Life Saving Club dates to 1916, the second oldest in Queensland. Mick Fanning called Kirra his home break and competed with the Kirra Surfriders Club through his formative competitive years. You're about 3km from Gold Coast Airport. Street parking fills fast on weekends, so arrive early or take the bus. Musgrave Street has a solid run of cafes and eateries. **Local tip:** Head to the southern bay for the calmest, most rip-free swimming on this stretch, a side effect of the same groyne that shapes the Superbank surf break at the northern end. Just stay well clear of the groyne itself when you're swimming, there's a deep trough and a northward current that catches people out. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Shallow water, Exposed seawall / groyne, Surf crowds, Rips near groyne, Bluebottle stingers **Safety:** Patrolled beach **Upcoming events:** - Kirra Parkrun (2026-05-16) to 2026-05-17 [Every Saturday] A free, timed 5km community run along the beach starting 150 metres south of North Kirra Surf Life Saving Club, attracting local runners, families, international visitors, prams and dogs each Saturday morning at 7:00 AM. --- ### Main Beach **Location:** Main Beach, QLD | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Gold Coast **Page:** https://beachday.au/main-beach/main-beach Head down to Main Beach for surf, bodyboarding, and a family swim, but watch yourself. Strong rips, shore break, and bluebottle stingers make this one unforgiving, so stick between the flags. Parking, toilets, and cafes are right there when you need them. Main Beach is a patrolled open beach in Queensland, with an east-facing aspect that draws in consistent swell. The surf gets punchy here, with shore break and shallow sandbars that keep things interesting for bodyboarders. If you're after a casual swim, the conditions demand some respect. Stick between the flags. Strong rips run along this stretch, so stay in the patrolled zone. Bluebottle stingers are a regular presence, particularly after onshore winds, and sharks appear on the hazard list. None of that should stop you coming, but go in with eyes open. You'll find parking, toilets and cafes close by, making it a comfortable base for a family day. The foreshore is good for a long walk when the swell is too big to swim in. Fishing is popular along this stretch too. A solid beach for surfers, bodyboarders and families, as long as you stay switched on in the water. **Local tip:** The rips here are strong and the shore break can catch you off guard, so always swim between the flags. After onshore winds, bluebottles often wash in, so scan the water's edge before you head in. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Strong rips, Shore break, Shallow sandbars, Bluebottle stingers, Sharks **Safety:** Patrolled beach **Upcoming events:** - GC30 Main Beach (2026-05-17) Beachfront running event featuring 30km, 15km, 7.5km and kids' dash races with ocean views, food trucks, live music, and entertainment. --- ### Main Beach **Location:** Point Lookout, QLD | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** North Stradbroke Island **Page:** https://beachday.au/point-lookout/main-beach Main Beach at Point Lookout faces east and picks up solid swell, making it a go-to for surfers and bodyboarders. You'll find it patrolled, with parking, toilets, and cafes handy. Strong rips, shore break, and sharks are real here though, so stay switched on. Main Beach sits at Point Lookout on North Stradbroke Island. It faces east and catches the full force of Pacific swell, which makes it a solid choice for surfing and bodyboarding. Swimming is possible, but this is not a gentle stretch of water, so come with your eyes open. The hazards are real. Strong rips and strong littoral currents make conditions challenging, and the shore break can catch you off guard. Sharks are a known presence in these waters. Stick to the patrolled area and swim between the flags. Lifesavers patrol the beach, so help is on hand if you need it. You'll find parking, toilets, and cafes at the beach. Everything you need is close, so bringing the family here for the day is straightforward. Fishing and walking are both popular if you'd rather stay dry. It's a wide, open stretch of coast with a laid-back Point Lookout atmosphere. **Local tip:** Watch out for the rips, they're strong, so you'll want to stay between the flags. When there's swell running, it's a solid spot for surf and bodyboarding. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Strong rips, Shore break, Strong littoral currents, Sharks **Safety:** Patrolled beach **Upcoming events:** - Straddie Salute 2026 (2026-05-16) to 2026-05-17 Multi-sport beach event at Point Lookout featuring ocean swims at Cylinder Beach, trail runs, sprint triathlons, and kids duathlon and triathlon competitions. --- ### Maroochydore Beach **Location:** Maroochydore, QLD | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Sunshine Coast **Page:** https://beachday.au/maroochydore/maroochydore-beach Right at the Maroochy River mouth, with consistent surf and currents that shift after rain. The Cotton Tree section has shady parks, BBQs, playgrounds, and a caravan park on the sand, one of those all-day spots where you rotate between surf, park, and river. Maroochydore Beach sits where the Maroochy River meets the ocean, and that river mouth shapes everything here. Currents can run hard after rain. The outgoing tide creates strong rips near the channel that catch people off guard. Respect the flags if it's been wet. The Cotton Tree section, just south of the river mouth, is where most families set up. Cotton Tree Park runs right along the beach with shady trees, BBQs, playgrounds, and a caravan park that's been there for decades. You can rotate between the surf, the park, and the river all day. The surf is consistent. Several named breaks line the beach, and banks shift with sand pumping and river flow, so local knowledge pays off. After heavy rain the river pushes sand around and banks can change overnight. What worked last week might be a close-out. Ocean Street and the new Maroochydore City Centre development are adding cafes, shops, and apartments. Maroochydore is the commercial hub of the Sunshine Coast, so there's more going on behind this beach than anywhere else on the Coast. **Local tip:** After heavy rain the river pushes sand around and banks can change overnight. The outgoing tide creates rips near the river mouth that catch people off guard. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Rips, Currents near Maroochy River mouth **Safety:** Patrolled beach **Upcoming events:** - Horizon Festival (2026-05-01) to 2026-05-10 [Annual] A major arts and culture festival held across Maroochydore, exploring the intersections of art, people, and place, with programming at beachfront, waterfront, and esplanade locations. - Cotton Tree Markets (2026-05-17) to 2026-05-27 [Every Sunday] A volunteer-run beachfront market on King Street in Cotton Tree, directly across from Cotton Tree Beach, featuring local artisans, designers, fresh produce, coffee, and handmade goods, with all proceeds supporting Bloomhill Cancer Care. --- ### Mermaid Beach **Location:** Mermaid Beach, QLD | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Gold Coast **Page:** https://beachday.au/mermaid-beach/mermaid-beach Mermaid Beach is a patrolled Gold Coast open beach where you'll find good surf, bodyboarding, and room for a family swim. Strong rips and longshore drift are real hazards here, so stick between the flags. Parking, toilets, and cafes are all on hand. Mermaid Beach is an open beach on Queensland's Gold Coast, east-facing and patrolled. It sits in its own suburb of the same name, part of the continuous stretch of surf beach that defines this coastline. The water demands respect. Strong rips and longshore drift are regular features, so stick between the flags. Sand scarps drop off sharply near the water's edge, and sharks are a known hazard in these waters. Take the warnings seriously. It's a solid beach break. June through September is the pick, with east swells and westerly offshore winds cleaning it up nicely. Surfers and bodyboarders work the breaks out front, while families set up further along and anglers try their luck near the shore. You'll find parking, public toilets, and cafes close by, so a full day is easy to pull off. The east-facing aspect means morning sun hits early and crowds are still thin. Get in before the sea breeze swings around. **Local tip:** The rips here are strong, so stick between the flags. East-facing beach means morning sun is your sweet spot before the crowds roll in. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Strong rips, Longshore drift, Sand scarps, Sharks **Safety:** Patrolled beach --- ### Miami Beach **Location:** Miami, QLD | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Gold Coast **Page:** https://beachday.au/miami/miami-beach You'll find a quieter Gold Coast beach with a retro, local feel that sets it apart from the busier tourist strips. The open break suits surfers and bodyboarders of all levels, while Miami Headland buffers southerly winds. Head up the rainbow staircase for panoramic views, and watch out for rips that run whenever waves are breaking. Miami Beach sits 9km south of the Surfers strip, between Nobby Beach and Burleigh Heads. You'll find it consistently quieter than both neighbours, with a retro feel shaped by caravan parks, beach bungalows, and sculptures including "The Joggers" and "The Sea Lion" along the foreshore. It's an open beach break for surfers and bodyboarders of all levels. The outer bar works best on offshore winds, and Miami Headland at the southern end shelters the beach from southerlies. Rip currents run whenever waves are breaking, so stay close inshore on the attached bar and avoid the outer trough. From the southern end, rainbow-coloured stairs climb to Lores Bonney Lookout for panoramic views north to the Gold Coast skyline. The Gold Coast Oceanway runs the full length of the foreshore for walking or cycling. Tower 21 at the Hythe St end is patrolled year-round, 8am to 5pm daily. Parking at the SLSC and on Marine Parade can be tight on weekends, so get there early. **Local tip:** On a southerly day, head here instead of the exposed beaches to the north. Miami Headland shelters the break, and the rainbow stairs at the southern end climb up to Lores Bonney Lookout with views all the way to Surfers Paradise. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Strong rips, Heavy shorebreak, High surf, Beach erosion **Safety:** Patrolled beach **Upcoming events:** - Blues on Broadbeach 2026 (2026-05-14) to 2026-05-17 A free, multi-stage outdoor blues and roots music festival held across the public spaces of the Broadbeach entertainment precinct, celebrating its 25th anniversary edition in 2026. - Miami Marketta Night Market (2026-05-15) to 2026-05-23 [Every Friday] Miami Marketta is a popular open-air Friday night market in Miami, Gold Coast, featuring over 40 street food vendors, live entertainment, and artisan stalls close to Miami Beach. --- ### Moffat Beach **Location:** Moffat Beach, QLD | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Sunshine Coast **Page:** https://beachday.au/moffat-beach/moffat-beach Compact stretch of sand between Dicky Beach and Shelly Beach, backed by a small grassy park. The headland at the southern end has rock pools worth exploring at low tide. The right-hand point break can be punchy on solid east swells at mid-tide, and the crowd skews heavily local. Moffat is squeezed between Dicky Beach to the north and Shelly Beach to the south. No esplanade, no high-rises, no crowds. Just a compact stretch of sand backed by a small grassy park and a handful of houses. A proper neighbourhood beach. The headland at the southern end is worth exploring. Walk around the rocky point at low tide and you'll find rock pools full of crabs, sea urchins, and small fish. The headland walk connects through to Shelly Beach, with elevated views back along the coast. Surf-wise, Moffat picks up a similar swell window to Dicky Beach. The right-hand point break here can be punchy, especially on a solid east swell at mid-tide. The crowd skews heavily local and beginners are rare. It's unpatrolled, so watch for strong rips, the rocky headland at the southern end, and the rock platform at the northern end. Facilities are basic. Head up to Seaview Terrace for a brewery and a strip of cafes, a short walk from the sand. **Local tip:** Walk around the rocky point at low tide to find rock pools full of crabs, sea urchins and small fish. Head up to Seaview Terrace for a brewery and a strip of cafes, just a short walk from the sand. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets **Hazards:** Strong rips, Rocky headland at southern end, Rock platform at northern end --- ### Mooloolaba Beach **Location:** Mooloolaba, QLD | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Sunshine Coast **Page:** https://beachday.au/mooloolaba/mooloolaba-beach Mooloolaba's esplanade is one of the most developed beachfront strips on the Sunshine Coast, with cafes, parking, showers, and BBQs right behind the sand. The NNE-facing beach is shielded from southerly swells by Point Cartwright and patrolled year-round, though rips form near the rock groyne. Stage 2 foreshore works are running through 2026 into early 2027, so expect some fenced beach areas. Mooloolaba is one of the most developed beachfront strips on the Sunshine Coast. The beach faces NNE, so Point Cartwright blocks most southerly swells and keeps conditions manageable when other beaches are choppy. It's a busy spot, and it shows. It's patrolled year-round, which is reassuring. Watch for rips near the rock groyne, and expect big crowds in peak season. Head to the Spit end if you've got young kids, where the water stays calm and shallow well out from shore. You'll find showers, toilets, changing rooms, BBQs, parking, and cafes right on site. Dolphins are commonly seen around the Mooloolah River mouth, especially in the early morning. Stage 2 of the foreshore revitalisation started in July 2025 and runs through 2026 into early 2027. Some beach areas are fenced off for seawall replacement, and the seawall opening has been pushed back to May 2026 due to longer-than-expected concrete curing, with 450+ piles already in place. Worth knowing before you head down. **Local tip:** Head to the Spit end if you've got young kids -- the water is sheltered by the river entrance and rarely above knee height for twenty metres out. Dolphins are commonly seen around the Mooloolah River mouth, especially early morning. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Rips near rock groyne, Crowds in peak season **Safety:** Patrolled beach --- ### Mudjimba Beach **Location:** Mudjimba, QLD | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Sunshine Coast **Page:** https://beachday.au/mudjimba/mudjimba-beach Old Woman Island sits a kilometre offshore, bending swells into genuinely interesting wave patterns. A left-hand reef break fires on the south side, a right on the north. Back on the beach, the sandy break is more approachable and the crowd is mostly locals. The first thing you notice at Mudjimba is Old Woman Island sitting about a kilometre offshore. Locals call it Mudjimba Island. It does more than look good in photos. The island bends and refracts incoming swells, creating genuinely interesting waves. A left-hand reef break fires on the south side for around 200 metres. The north side produces a right-hander. Both are intermediate-to-advanced waves that demand respect and local knowledge. Back on the beach the surf is more forgiving. The sandy beach break picks up swell from almost any direction and the banks are generally reliable. The crowd is mostly locals. Families from the surrounding streets and surfers who've worked out that Mudjimba gets good waves without the Alex Headland car park battle. The village is tiny. Cottonwood Street has a small cluster of shops and cafes. No high-rises, no tourist strip. Just a quiet residential community where people walk their dogs along the sand at dawn. It's the kind of place you drive through without stopping unless someone's told you about the waves. Consider this your tip. **Local tip:** The island breaks are intermediate-to-advanced and demand local knowledge. Stick to the sandy beach break if you're unsure, it's more forgiving and picks up swell from almost any direction. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets **Hazards:** Rips, Old Woman Island creates lateral currents **Safety:** Patrolled beach --- ### Nobby Beach **Location:** Nobby Beach, QLD | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Gold Coast **Page:** https://beachday.au/nobby-beach/nobby-beach Tucked between Mermaid Beach and Miami at the foot of Nobby's Bluff, this is one of the quieter stretches on the Gold Coast despite sitting right on the main strip. The beach break runs left and right at all tides and rarely gets crowded, so swim between the flags. Off the sand, you'll find one of the best cafe and dining strips on the coast. Nobby Beach sits at the foot of Nobby's Bluff headland, about 15 minutes south of Surfers Paradise between Mermaid Beach and Miami. Tourist maps regularly miss it because local businesses list under neighbouring suburb addresses. That keeps the crowds down and the vibe relaxed. The surf is a beach break that runs the full length of sand and works at all tidal stages. Waves are rarely crowded by Gold Coast standards, with June producing the most consistent clean conditions. Swimming is a different story. Fixed rips, gutters, shallow sandbars and rocks are all documented. Swim between the flags and stay close inshore. Once off the sand, head to the Chairlift Avenue dining strip. It's been through a revival, with a health cafe, a Peruvian-Japanese fusion restaurant, a rooftop bar and a rum and whisky bar with live music. Not your typical tourist strip. You'll find BBQs, a playground and fitness equipment at the southern end, plus beach wheelchairs and matting. Tower 23 near Lavarack Road patrols daily year-round. **Local tip:** Most tourists skip it because local businesses list under neighbouring suburb addresses, so you'll often have the break to yourself. Head up to Chairlift Avenue after your swim for one of the best café strips on the coast. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Rip currents, Shallow sandbars, Shore break, Rocks **Safety:** Patrolled beach --- ### Noosa Main Beach **Location:** Noosa Heads, QLD | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Sunshine Coast **Page:** https://beachday.au/noosa-heads/noosa-main-beach North-facing into Laguna Bay, Noosa Main is sheltered from southerlies and stays calm most days. Walk east toward the National Park headland for five right-hand point breaks, including First Point, one of the most famous longboard waves in Australia. Noosa Main Beach faces north into Laguna Bay, and that rare orientation is what makes everything here work. Southerly swells and winds, which chew up most of the Queensland coast, barely touch this beach. You get calm, clear water most days, the kind of conditions where you can wade out chest-deep and still see your feet. But walk east along the beach toward the Noosa National Park headland and the picture changes completely. The headland produces five distinct right-hand point breaks that are famous worldwide: First Point, Johnsons, National Park, Tea Tree Bay, and Granite Bay. First Point is the most accessible and the most crowded. On a clean northeast swell it peels for a hundred metres and every longboarder in southeast Queensland seems to be on it. The breaks further around the headland get progressively more powerful and less crowded, with Granite Bay at the far end reserved for strong surfers comfortable with rocks and isolation. Back on the main beach, Hastings Street runs one block from the sand with restaurants, boutiques, and resorts. It's the most upmarket beach strip in Queensland, which means the parking is expensive and the coffee is more expensive. The main beach is where families set up, and you'll hear more international accents here than anywhere else on the Coast. The national park headland walk is free and takes about two hours return. You'll see koalas in the trees if you look up, and between June and November, humpback whales breaching offshore. For most people, Noosa is the Sunshine Coast, and it's hard to argue with them. **Local tip:** Park at Noosa Junction and take the bus down during peak season, since Hastings Street parking is expensive and fills fast. The national park headland walk is free and takes about two hours return, with koalas if you look up. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Crowds, Rocks near headland on low tide **Safety:** Patrolled beach **Upcoming events:** - Noosa Eat & Drink Festival (2026-06-11) to 2026-06-14 A four-day food, wine and culinary festival at the Noosa Heads beachfront, featuring a Festival Village with pop-up restaurants, a culinary stage, lounge spaces, and live entertainment along the foreshore. --- ### North Burleigh Beach **Location:** Miami, QLD | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Gold Coast **Page:** https://beachday.au/miami/north-burleigh-beach Just north of Burleigh Heads, you'll find a local beach backed by Ed Hardy Park's coastal reserve rather than high-rises. It's patrolled year-round 8am to 5pm, but rips are serious with 6 to 8 channels and permanent rips at both ends, so stick between the flags. Good for families, intermediate surfers, and walkers. North Burleigh sits at the northern foot of the Burleigh bluff, backed by Ed Hardy Park's coastal reserve rather than high-rises. Head up to Mick Schamburg Park and you'll find three lookout platforms with panoramic views along the coast. It's quieter than Surfers Paradise and less crowded than the point break just to the south. The rips are significant. There are 6 to 8 rip channels along the beach, plus permanent rips at both ends. Lifeguards patrol 8am to 5pm, seven days a week, all year round, and they're kept busy: 344 rescues over five years. Swim on the inner sandbar, between the flags. Don't swim here unguarded. The surf is a variable beach break that shifts with the sandbars. Winter brings the most consistent waves. Water sits around 26.7°C in summer, so no wetsuit needed. Parking on The Esplanade fills fast on weekends. Arrive before 8am or catch public transport. The SLSC café is on-site for breakfast, and the paved Oceanway connects you to Burleigh Heads on foot. **Local tip:** Parking along The Esplanade fills fast on weekends, so get here before 8am or take the bus. Rips are serious at this beach, with 6 to 8 channels along the sand plus permanent rips at each end, so stick between the flags. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Strong rips, Shore break, Large waves, Rocks, Littoral currents, Gutters, Beach erosion **Safety:** Patrolled beach **Upcoming events:** - Art and Craft on the Coast Beachfront Markets, Burleigh Heads (2026-05-17) to 2026-05-17 [Every last Sunday of the month] Beachside art and craft market held in Justins Park on The Esplanade, between Burleigh Headland and North Burleigh along the Ocean Way Path, featuring local artisan stalls. --- ### North Kirra Beach **Location:** Bilinga, QLD | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Gold Coast **Page:** https://beachday.au/bilinga/north-kirra-beach You'll find the same long right-hand barrels here as at Kirra Point, part of the Gold Coast Superbank, just with far fewer people in the water. Rated #4 in Australia for 2025, North Kirra is one of the Gold Coast's least crowded beaches and keeps a genuinely local feel. Always swim between the flags. North Kirra sits on the Gold Coast Superbank, one of the longest right-hand point breaks in the world. The beach runs about 2.5 km through Bilinga and is noticeably wider than Kirra Beach to the south, sheltered from the dominant southeast swell. Locals call it the same waves as Kirra Point, just fewer people. A deep trough parallels the shore with a current that sweeps northward past the groyne, so swim between the red and yellow flags. Tower 05 lifeguards patrol daily in season, November to April and school holidays. If you're bringing toddlers, head to Kirra Beach instead, which is calmer. If you're here to surf, aim for autumn or winter. August is the most consistent month, with southeast to east swells and southwest winds producing long, hollow barrels. You can manage on smaller days; bigger swells favour experienced surfers. The Gold Coast Oceanway runs along the seawall. Parking's at the surf club on Pacific Parade and surrounding streets. Check pricing before heading down. BBQs, showers, playground on site. No dogs. **Local tip:** Skip the crowds at Kirra Point and paddle out here instead. You'll get the same Superbank right-handers with a lot fewer people in the water. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Strong rips, Shore break, Gutters, Longshore currents, Beach erosion, High surf, Bluebottle stingers, Sharks **Safety:** Patrolled beach **Upcoming events:** - Kirra Parkrun (2026-05-16) to 2026-05-17 [Every Saturday] A free, timed 5km community run along the beach starting 150 metres south of North Kirra Surf Life Saving Club, attracting local runners, families, international visitors, prams and dogs each Saturday morning at 7:00 AM. --- ### Ocean Beach **Location:** Woorim, QLD | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Bribie Island **Page:** https://beachday.au/woorim/ocean-beach Ocean Beach runs approximately 23km along Bribie Island's eastern coast, and you'll need a high-clearance 4WD with low range just to get on it. It's east-facing and picks up open ocean swell, giving you decent surf on the right day. Come prepared: it's unpatrolled, rips are strong, and a rising tide can cut off your exit. Ocean Beach is 4WD access only. You'll need to air down your tyres and take the right track in. It's not a trip you can do in a regular car, and that filters out most of the crowd before you even arrive. The beach faces east, picking up open ocean swell without much to soften it. That makes for solid surf on the right day, but conditions can shift quickly. Read the water before you commit to getting in. The 4WD access keeps the numbers down. You're more likely to share the sand with fishos and other four-wheel drivers than a packed summer crowd. That's the appeal, but it comes with a trade-off: fewer services and more distance from help if something goes wrong. Come prepared. Watch your tide times before heading in. Soft sand and a rising tide can make the drive out a lot harder than you expect. **Local tip:** Air down your tyres before hitting the sand and carry a tyre deflator and compressor. The soft sand past Track P catches people out, especially on a rising tide. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets **Hazards:** Strong rips, No patrol, Soft sand 4WD hazard, Rising tides can cut off access --- ### Palm Beach **Location:** Palm Beach, QLD | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Gold Coast **Page:** https://beachday.au/palm-beach/palm-beach You'll find 4 km of white sand at the Gold Coast's southernmost patrolled beach, quieter than the tourist strip to the north and a three-time winner of Queensland's cleanest beach. It's a World Surfing Reserve with consistent breaks that suit intermediate surfers, plus calm creek water at Tallebudgera for families. Check the tide before you go, since at high tide the seawall cuts into the dry sand. The Gold Coast's southernmost patrolled beach sits ten minutes north of the NSW border, flanked by Tallebudgera Creek to the north and Currumbin Creek to the south. It's quieter than the northern strip, and has been named Queensland's cleanest beach three times. Check the tide before you go: a seawall runs behind the beach and at high tide the dry sand can disappear entirely. The surf here sits inside a World Surfing Reserve, one of only a handful globally. Named breaks include Laceys near the south entry and a jetty break at Twenty First Avenue. June brings the cleanest conditions, but the line-up gets crowded enough to be hazardous when swell fires. Stay clear of the groynes at each end where rips run strong, and always swim between the flags. For calm water, head to Tallebudgera Creek at the northern end. The pirate ship playground at Palm Beach Parklands is a local favourite for families. Rock pools at the northern end are worth a look, and a farmers market sets up along the esplanade on Saturday mornings. **Local tip:** Check the tide before you go. At high water the seawall swallows the dry sand completely, so aim for low to mid tide if you want room to set up. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Strong rips, Rock groynes, Shore break, Bluebottle stingers, High tide seawall **Safety:** Patrolled beach **Upcoming events:** - Sessions Surf Festival (2026-05-23) to 2026-05-30 Week-long Gold Coast surf culture festival featuring live music, films, art, and Surf of Origin competition, headlined by Dope Lemon, but exact location within Gold Coast not confirmed. --- ### Peregian Beach **Location:** Peregian Beach, QLD | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Sunshine Coast **Page:** https://beachday.au/peregian-beach/peregian-beach A tight-knit village beach between Coolum and Noosa with a reliable beach break and none of the Noosa crowds. The village square has good cafes and a proper community feel. Markets run every 1st and 3rd Sunday and pull a local crowd rather than a tourist one. Peregian Beach runs about 4km along the coast between Coolum and Noosa, backed by the low-key village that gives it its name. The beach faces due east and picks up plenty of swell, with a double-bar surf zone that produces consistent beach breaks. Rips form between the sandbars, so swim between the flags. The Peregian Beach SLSC has been here since 1962, with volunteer lifesavers patrolling on Sundays in September and May. Behind the dunes, the village square is the heart of it all. A handful of good cafes, a couple of restaurants, and the surf club looking straight out to sea. The Sunday markets on the 1st and 3rd of the month are a local institution. Peregian sits in the Noosa Shire, which means the development stays low and the bushland buffer between the village and the beach is protected. No high-rises, no chain stores. If you want a Sunshine Coast beach without the Noosa price tag or the Maroochydore traffic, this is it. **Local tip:** The Sunday markets are the real draw. Arrive early for the best picks and grab a coffee from the village square while you browse. The beach itself is usually quieter than Noosa to the north. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Rip currents between sandbars, Double-bar surf zone, Occasional bluebottles **Safety:** Patrolled beach --- ### Point Cartwright Beach **Location:** Buddina, QLD | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Sunshine Coast **Page:** https://beachday.au/buddina/point-cartwright-beach Point Cartwright is a headland break on the Sunshine Coast, drawing surfers and bodyboarders year-round. It's unpatrolled, so strong rips, river mouth currents, and rocks mean you'll want to know what you're doing before paddling out. You'll find parking, toilets, and cafes nearby. Point Cartwright Beach is a raw headland break on the Sunshine Coast, sitting at the southern tip of Buddina. The north-northwest facing aspect picks up swell from a wide arc, and on the right day you'll find quality waves for surfing and bodyboarding. It rewards those who know how to read a break, and it punishes those who don't. This beach is unpatrolled. No lifeguard, and the hazard list is serious. Strong rips, river mouth currents, shore break, and rocks and reef are all in play. Sharks and jellyfish add to the picture. If you're not a confident, experienced water user, stay out of the water. Away from the surf, there's still good reason to visit. Walk the headland for coastal views or fish off the rocks. Parking, toilets, and cafes are all close by, making it a comfortable spot to spend a few hours even if you're keeping your feet dry. **Local tip:** Strong rips and river mouth currents make this headland break one for experienced surfers only, and there's no lifeguard on duty. Head up the headland for a walk or grab a coffee at the cafe if the surf looks too sketchy. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Strong rips, River mouth currents, Rocks/reef, Shore break, No lifeguard, Sharks, Jellyfish --- ### Rainbow Bay Beach **Location:** Rainbow Bay, QLD | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Gold Coast **Page:** https://beachday.au/rainbow-bay/rainbow-bay-beach Rainbow Bay is one of the Gold Coast's only north-facing beaches, a small sheltered crescent that stays calm even when southerlies rough up the rest of the coast. You'll often find a shallow sandbank pool forming between the break and shore, making it a genuine go-to for families with young kids. Snapper Rocks sits right at the southern tip, the start of the Superbank, but the point break here is fast and technical, experienced surfers only. Rainbow Bay is a compact, north-facing crescent tucked between Snapper Rocks and Greenmount Point in Coolangatta. That north-facing aspect is what sets it apart. Greenmount Hill blocks the southerly breezes that hit every other local beach, so you get genuinely calm, turquoise water. A shallow sand-banked pool often forms between the surf break and shore, which is great for young kids. Step south to Snapper Rocks and the vibe shifts completely. It's the gateway to the Superbank, an officially recognised World Surfing Reserve and home break of Stephanie Gilmore and Joel Parkinson. The point break is fast and technical, for experienced surfers only. Not your level? The SLSC upstairs deck looks straight out over the break. Between May and September, humpback whales pass roughly 50 metres offshore. Point Danger is also where the 36km Gold Coast Oceanway starts if you're up for a walk. Parking fills fast on weekends. Dogs aren't allowed here. Swim between the red and yellow flags, and know that rips can develop near the southern end when sandbars shift. **Local tip:** When the southerly blows and every other local beach turns messy, head here. Rainbow Bay faces north and Greenmount Hill blocks the wind, so it stays calm while the rest of the coast gets chopped up. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Flash rips, Rocks, Shallow water & sandbars, Submerged objects, Beach erosion, Surf crowd **Safety:** Patrolled beach --- ### Seventy Five Mile Beach **Location:** K'gari, QLD | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Fraser Coast **Page:** https://beachday.au/kgari/seventy-five-mile-beach Seventy Five Mile Beach runs 120km up the eastern coast of K'gari (Fraser Island), and you'll need a 4WD to explore it properly. It's a gazetted road, so watch for vehicle traffic on the sand. There are no lifeguards, and the surf can be strong with dangerous rips, so take care if you're thinking about a swim. Seventy Five Mile Beach stretches 120 kilometres up the eastern coast of K'gari (Fraser Island). It's a gazetted highway, so you'll share the sand with 4WD traffic moving fast all day long. Time your creek crossings carefully at low tide. The surf here is powerful and completely unpatrolled. Strong rips, shore breaks, and sharks are genuine hazards in these waters. Add bluebottle stingers, strong currents, and high tides to the mix. No wonder most people stick to wading at creek mouths or floating down Eli Creek instead of risking the open surf. You'll drive past the rusting hull of the Maheno shipwreck, stranded since 1935, and Indian Head, a rocky headland where you can spot turtles, rays, and whales in season if you're patient and keep an eye out. Dingoes roam the island and they're wild animals, not pets. Keep food secured and stay clear of them, especially with kids in tow. **Local tip:** The beach is K'gari's main eastern highway, so time your drive around low tide and watch for light aircraft using the sand strip near Eurong. Swimming's not recommended here, so head to the freshwater lakes inland for a dip. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Strong rips, Sharks, Bluebottle stingers, Strong currents, Dingoes, High tides **Upcoming events:** - K'gari Island Beach Clean Up 2026 (2026-05-08) to 2026-05-11 [Annual] Australia's largest annual beach clean-up event where volunteers clean K'gari's beaches, campsites, and tracks removing marine debris from the World Heritage-listed island. - Red Bike Adventures K'gari 2026 (2026-05-14) to 2026-05-16 A 3-day charity postie bike riding event on K'gari (Fraser Island), riding along Seventy Five Mile Beach and raising funds for mental health services and suicide prevention, now in its 7th year. --- ### Shelly Beach **Location:** Caloundra, QLD | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Sunshine Coast **Page:** https://beachday.au/caloundra/shelly-beach Tucked between Moffat Beach and Kings Beach headlands, Shelly gets a filtered, smaller and mellower version of the swell. Rock platforms at both ends turn into natural aquariums at low tide. Whale watching from the headland June through November. Shelly Beach is tucked into the base of the headland between Moffat Beach and Kings Beach, and that sheltered position changes everything about the water. While the open beaches cop the full brunt of the swell, Shelly gets a filtered, smaller and mellower version of the swell. Swimming is not recommended due to unpredictable waves and submerged rocks, so families with young kids are better off at Kings Beach. The rock platforms at both ends of the beach are what set Shelly apart. At low tide they turn into natural aquariums. You can spend an hour poking around the pools finding sea stars, anemones, and small reef fish without getting your knees wet. Bring an old pair of shoes because the rocks can be sharp. From June through November, the headland lookout above Shelly Beach is one of the best whale watching spots on the Sunshine Coast. Humpbacks migrate north along the coast and you can often spot them breaching and blowing from the boardwalk without needing binoculars. The coastal boardwalk connects Shelly to Kings Beach in one direction and Moffat in the other, so you can walk the full stretch and pick your favourite. Parking is easier here than at Kings Beach, especially the free spots up near the headland car park. **Local tip:** The rock pools at low tide are full of sea stars and anemones, so bring old shoes for the sharp rocks. Humpback whales are visible from the headland boardwalk without binoculars during migration season. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Rocks at both ends of beach, Slippery rock platforms **Upcoming events:** - Downunder Beachfest (2026-05-27) to 2026-05-31 A multi-day celebration of classic cars, rock 'n' roll and community on the Caloundra beachfront, including a Beachfest Street Party (Wed 27 May, 5-8pm), a Super Cruise (Fri 29 May, 5-8pm) and a Car Show n Shine (Sun 31 May, 8am-12pm). --- ### Sunrise Beach **Location:** Sunrise Beach, QLD | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Sunshine Coast **Page:** https://beachday.au/sunrise-beach/sunrise-beach The raw, exposed side of Noosa. While Main Beach hides behind its headland, Sunrise cops the full Pacific, powerful shore breaks and serious rips that separate confident swimmers from tourists. Purely residential with no shops on the sand, just quiet streets backing onto the dunes. Sunrise Beach is the raw, exposed side of the Noosa area. While Noosa Main Beach hides behind its north-facing headland, Sunrise cops the full force of the open Pacific. East swells hit the beach unobstructed and produce powerful, thumping shore breaks that separate the confident swimmers from the tourists. The beach runs between Sunshine Beach to the south and Peregian to the north, and it's a long, straight stretch with no headlands or reefs to break up the swell energy. That makes it one of the more consistent and powerful beach breaks in the Noosa shire. Surfers who know what they're doing come here specifically because the waves have more punch than the sheltered main beach. If you're not a strong swimmer, stick to the flagged area. The rips here can be serious. What you won't find is any commercial development. Sunrise is purely residential, quiet streets with nice houses backing onto the dunes. There's no cafe strip, no shops on the beach, no tourist infrastructure beyond the surf club and a car park. That residential quiet is the whole appeal for the people who live here. The name is earned. Facing due east with an unbroken ocean horizon, Sunrise Beach gets some of the best dawn light on the Coast. Plenty of locals walk the beach at first light just for the colours, even if they're not getting in the water. **Local tip:** Facing due east with an unbroken horizon, the sunrise here is genuinely spectacular. Plenty of locals walk the beach at first light just for the colours, even if they're not getting in the water. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets **Hazards:** Rips between sandbars, Strong currents **Safety:** Patrolled beach --- ### Sunshine Beach **Location:** Sunshine Beach, QLD | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Sunshine Coast **Page:** https://beachday.au/sunshine-beach/sunshine-beach Sunshine Beach is a patrolled open beach in Noosa, solid for surf, bodyboarding, and long walks down the sand. You'll find parking, toilets, and cafes close by. Strong rips, shorebreak, and bluebottles are worth knowing about before you paddle out. Sunshine Beach is a long, open stretch of east-facing sand in the Noosa region of Queensland. It sits in its own suburb just south of Noosa Heads, and you'll find far fewer crowds here than on the main Noosa strip. Parking, toilets and cafes are all close by, so you can easily settle in for the full day. You can surf, bodyboard or swim here, and bodyboarding is popular along this stretch. There's also room to walk the beach if you want a quieter day. The beach is patrolled, so families can swim between the flags. Come in knowing the hazards. Strong rips, gutters, shorebreak and strong currents are all common here. Bluebottle stingers wash up regularly. Sharks are in these waters. This is a beach that demands some respect, so always swim between the flags and check conditions before you get in. It's a good option if you want waves and a bit more space than Noosa Main Beach allows. **Local tip:** Strong rips and gutters are the norm here, so always swim between the flags. The cafes up from the beach sort you out after a session. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Strong rips, Shorebreak, Gutters, Strong currents, Sharks, Bluebottle stingers **Safety:** Patrolled beach --- ### Surfers Paradise Beach **Location:** Surfers Paradise, QLD | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Gold Coast **Page:** https://beachday.au/surfers-paradise/surfers-paradise-beach Two kilometres of wide golden sand backed by a wall of high-rises, with up to 20,000 people a day. You'll find surf schools and board hire right on the beach, making it good for beginners and intermediates. Patrolled daily year-round, but rip hazards are real, so swim between the flags. Surfers Paradise Beach is the iconic Gold Coast strip. High-rises stack up along the entire foreshore, the beach itself is wide and open, and the vibe is relentlessly full-on. This isn't a quiet getaway. It's one of Australia's most recognisable stretches of sand and it leans hard into that. Surf runs consistent year-round. Head down early, before the sea breezes develop, and you'll find the cleanest conditions of the day. Once the wind picks up mid-morning, the water gets choppier and conditions for surfing drop off pretty quickly. Beach patrols are extensive and well-organised. There's a designated patrolled swimming area and you should stick to it. Rip hazards are present and they're real, so swim between the flags and pay attention. Parking is paid throughout Surfers Paradise. There are plenty of car parks spread right through the area, so you'll find a spot without too much hassle on most days. **Local tip:** Despite the name, experienced surfers head to Burleigh Heads or Snapper Rocks instead. Don't let the packed beach and resort towers fool you about the rips, they're real and serious. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Strong rips, Sweeps & currents, Bluebottle stingers, Sharks, Shore break **Safety:** Patrolled beach --- ### Tallebudgera Creek Beach **Location:** Palm Beach, QLD | **Type:** Protected/Sheltered | **Region:** Gold Coast **Page:** https://beachday.au/palm-beach/tallebudgera-creek-beach Tally Creek is where a calm turquoise estuary meets a surf beach, backed by Burleigh Head National Park. The creek is shallow and protected from waves and currents, making it one of the safest family swims on the Gold Coast. Parking fills fast, so get there early. Tally Creek is where a calm estuary meets a sandy beach, all in one walkable spot. The turquoise water sits against Burleigh Head National Park's rainforest. The rock groin lookout stretches from Palm Beach to Coolangatta. The estuary is one of the Gold Coast's safest family swims, shielded from ocean swells. Neptune Royal SLSC patrols from November through April and school holidays. Keep to the shallows near the bank though, the middle drops off sharply with a strong current, and the creek mouth is dangerous at any tide. Head across to Tallebudgera Beach, part of the Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve. Winter swells (June, July) bring the best waves with westerly winds and a south swell. The Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre sits right next door. Parking fills fast from 11am weekends, so get there early or catch the bus. Park at Burleigh Hill and walk the Oceanview Track if you prefer, about 30 minutes down. **Local tip:** Parking fills from about 11am, so get there early or park at Burleigh Hill and walk down via the Oceanview Track. Keep the kids near the bank, the creek looks calm but the middle has a strong current and a steep drop-off. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Strong currents, Deep water, Drop-offs, Boat traffic, Submerged objects, Bull sharks **Safety:** Patrolled beach --- ### Tangalooma Beach **Location:** Tangalooma, QLD | **Type:** Protected/Sheltered | **Region:** Moreton Island **Page:** https://beachday.au/tangalooma/tangalooma-beach A west-facing bay beach on Moreton Island, with calm turquoise water and 15 scuttled ships just offshore for snorkelling. You'll get genuine over-water sunsets and wild dolphins feeding at the jetty each evening. Access requires a resort or day cruise booking, there are no lifeguards, and the tidal current near the wrecks is strong. Tangalooma Beach sits on the sheltered western side of Moreton Island, one of the world's largest sand islands. The bay-facing position keeps the water flat and calm, with no open-ocean swell. You get clear, turquoise water perfect for wading, swimming, and snorkelling. Best bit, genuine over-water sunsets. Most east coast beaches can't claim that. Just offshore, 15 ships were deliberately scuttled between 1963 and 1984. The Tangalooma Wrecks are visible from the sand and easy to snorkel. Visibility peaks June to September. A strong tidal current runs between the wrecks and shore, and the rusted metal edges are sharp. Take the guided tour rather than swimming out independently. Every evening at dusk, wild bottlenose dolphins come to the jetty to be fed. You wade in waist-deep. Bring a change of clothes. No lifeguards patrol. You'll need a resort catamaran from Pinkenba, roughly 75 minutes away, with adult return fares at $84. Day cruise or accommodation booking gets you beach access. **Local tip:** Pack a dry change of clothes for the evening dolphin feeding, as you wade waist-deep into the water to hand-feed them. If you're snorkelling the wrecks, June through September gives the best visibility, sometimes up to 30 metres. **Facilities:** Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Rips, Sharks, Boat traffic, Marine stingers, Drop-offs, Beach rocks --- ### Tugun Beach **Location:** Tugun, QLD | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Gold Coast **Page:** https://beachday.au/tugun/tugun-beach Head down to Tugz and you'll find the Gold Coast's last 70s throwback: hard-packed sand, original beach shacks, and a fraction of the crowds from Kirra or Burleigh. The beach break is consistent, uncrowded, and works across all tides. Stick to the flags near Tugun SLSC for swimming; permanent rips sit at both rocky ends. Tugz, as locals call it, is the Gold Coast's 70s throwback. Original beach shacks and retro holiday flats still line the beachfront, and the crowd is almost entirely local. If you're after Surfers Paradise energy, look elsewhere. The hard-packed sand stretches long and flat, with northward views of the Surfers Paradise skyline. Elephant Rock sits at the northern end, Flat Rock at the southern. Swim between the flags near Tugun SLSC and it's great for families, toddlers included. But stay clear of the ends. The permanent rip at Elephant Rock on the northern end is no joke, and Flat Rock channels rips across the inner bar. It's a consistent beach break with lefts and rights along the full length, uncrowded year-round. June is peak, when clean east swells combine with southwest offshore winds on roughly half the days. The Oceanway coastal path runs directly behind the beach if you're on foot or bike. **Local tip:** Tugz is the Gold Coast's quietest surf beach, consistently uncrowded while Kirra and Burleigh get packed. Stick between the flags near the surf club, the permanent rip at Elephant Rock on the southern end is no joke. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Strong rips, Permanent rips, Undertow **Safety:** Patrolled beach --- ### Whitehaven Beach **Location:** Whitsunday Island, QLD | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Whitsundays **Page:** https://beachday.au/whitsunday-island/whitehaven-beach Seven kilometres of 98% pure silica sand that stays cool underfoot even in full tropical heat. Head to the northern end and you'll find Hill Inlet, where white sand and turquoise water swirl into patterns that shift with every tide. No road in, so you're arriving by boat, seaplane, or chopper. Whitehaven Beach stretches seven kilometres along uninhabited Whitsunday Island, and there's no road in. Your only options are boat, seaplane, or helicopter. That inaccessibility is part of the deal, so plan your trip well ahead. The sand is 98% pure silica, which is why it stays surprisingly cool underfoot even in the tropical heat. It's consistently rated among the world's most beautiful beaches. Looking out over the brilliant blue waters of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, that's not hard to believe. Head to the northern end and you'll find Hill Inlet. The swirling patterns of white sand and turquoise water here are iconic, and the Tongue Point lookout is the best vantage point to take it all in. There's no development on the island and no facilities at the beach itself. No lifeguard, no patrol service. Come prepared. But you'll have one of the world's genuinely great beaches almost entirely to yourself. **Local tip:** Time your visit to Hill Inlet around mid-tide, that's when the swirling sand and water patterns are at their best from Tongue Point lookout. Don't swim in the inlet itself though, the tidal currents are strong. **Facilities:** Toilets **Hazards:** Marine stingers, Sharks, Crocodiles **Upcoming events:** - Great Whitehaven Beach Run 2026 (2026-05-24) Annual beach run on the white silica sands of Whitehaven Beach offering a Half Marathon, 10km, 5km, and Junior Fun Runs, with participants ferrying from Port of Airlie. --- ### Woorim Beach **Location:** Woorim, QLD | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Bribie Island **Page:** https://beachday.au/woorim/woorim-beach Brisbane's closest surf beach sits on the ocean side of Bribie Island, just 75 km north with no ferry required. Moreton Island's swell shadow keeps waves gentle (typically 0.5 to 1 m), making it a solid pick for families and beginners, though shore break and rips can develop quickly when swell exceeds 1 m. Cafés, a pub, and a playground are right behind the beach. Woorim sits on the ocean-facing east side of Bribie Island, about 75 km north of Brisbane, making it the closest surf beach to the city. Drive straight on via the Bribie Island Bridge. No ferry, no entry cost. Moreton Island blocks most of the swell, so you'll typically get gentle shore-break waves of 0.5 to 1 metre, good for beginners and bodyboarders. At low tide the sandbar exposes and the beach widens nicely. When waves push past 1 metre, shore break and rips develop fast, so check conditions. The Bribie Island Surf Life Saving Club patrols weekends and school holidays from September to May, always swim between the flags. Behind the beach you'll find cafés, a pub, and a fenced playground within easy walking distance. Dolphins regularly enter the surf zone, kangaroos wander down at dusk, and white-bellied sea eagles cruise overhead. If you've got a 4WD, drive 23 km north along the beach to Fort Bribie's WWII bunkers. Parking is free but fills fast on sunny weekends, arrive early. **Local tip:** Get there early on weekends before the parking fills, and you'll often catch kangaroos on the sand and dolphins in the break. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Drop-off, Strong northward longshore current, Shore break, Rip currents, Tidal currents **Safety:** Patrolled beach --- ### Yaroomba Beach **Location:** Yaroomba, QLD | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Sunshine Coast **Page:** https://beachday.au/yaroomba/yaroomba-beach Unpatrolled and uncrowded, Yaroomba is for experienced swimmers who don't mind a raw, undeveloped beach. Point Arkwright headland anchors the northern end with rock pools worth exploring at low tide. Even on good days, relatively few surfers bother making the trip, which is part of the appeal. Yaroomba Beach is one of those Sunshine Coast strips that the locals would rather keep quiet about. Tucked between Coolum and Mudjimba, this 1.3-kilometre stretch of clean white sand runs south from the rocky headland of Point Arkwright, where a coastal walking trail delivers panoramic views from Noosa to Moreton Island. The headland shelters a cluster of rock pools at the northern end that come alive at low tide, small crabs, anemones, and fish darting between the ledges make it a favourite spot for families with curious kids. The surf here is an exposed beach break offering lefts and rights across shifting sandbars, and even on solid days you'll find remarkably few people in the lineup. That uncrowded feel extends to the sand itself. Yaroomba hasn't been overdeveloped with esplanades and high-rises, so the backdrop is still mostly pandanus, dune grasses, and the odd Norfolk pine. Endangered loggerhead turtles nest along this stretch during summer, a sign of just how undisturbed the beach remains. It's not the place for beginners. Permanent rips run the length of the beach and there's no year-round patrol. But for confident ocean swimmers and intermediate-plus surfers who value space and a raw coastal feel, Yaroomba is hard to beat. **Local tip:** Head up to the northern end around low tide and poke around the rock pools near Point Arkwright. Permanent rips run the length of this beach though, so only get in the water if you know what you're doing. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets **Hazards:** Permanent rips along beach length, Rocks at northern Point Arkwright end, Seasonal patrols only, not year-round --- ### Brighton Beach **Location:** Brighton, SA | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Adelaide **Page:** https://beachday.au/brighton-adelaide/brighton-beach You'll find fine golden sand and shallow water that extends far out from shore, perfect for families. The 200m jetty's a ripper for sunset walks and fishing, with cafes and restaurants all along Jetty Road. It's quieter than Glenelg but just as well set up, though watch for sandbar rips when the sea gets rough. Brighton's got fine golden sand and shallow water brilliant for kids on calm days. But here's the thing: a summer sandbar catches you off guard with unexpected waves. The jetty's iconic, with the Arch of Remembrance war memorial standing at its shore end. Sculptures line the Esplanade, and sunsets over the Gulf are hard to beat. You're between Glenelg and Seacliff, so fewer crowds but solid facilities. Respect the water here. Rip currents form between shore and sandbar in bigger surf. Patrols only run weekends and public holidays November to March, and jellyfish show up seasonally. You need to know what you're doing, or stick to calm days. If you're into open water swimming, time a visit for the Brighton Jetty Classic in February. Grab coffee on Jetty Road, walk the coastal trail to Seacliff or Glenelg, check out the active dune restoration program. Dogs welcome except in hooded plover zones. You're about 25 minutes from central Adelaide by car, free parking available (gets competitive on hot days), or hop on the Glenelg tram to Brighton Rd. **Local tip:** You'll find golden sand and fewer crowds than Glenelg, but watch the summer sandbar. It kicks up rolling waves that catch swimmers off guard. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Rip currents, Sandbar, Jellyfish **Safety:** Patrolled beach --- ### Christies Beach **Location:** Christies Beach, SA | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Adelaide **Page:** https://beachday.au/christies-beach/christies-beach You'll find this family-friendly beach about 30 km south of Adelaide backed by the golden Witton Bluff cliffs, with calm water for swimming, decent surf when the swell's running, and Horseshoe Reef for snorkelling. Head up the bluff at sunset for the best coastal views. Patrolled weekends, public holidays, and school holidays October to mid-March. Christies Beach sits about 30 km south of Adelaide on Gulf St Vincent, backed by the golden Witton Bluff cliffs that make it one of the more distinctive-looking beaches on the Adelaide coast. You get around 1.5 km of fine white sand, a west-facing aspect for solid sunsets, and a lively strip of cafes and restaurants along Beach Road. The water is generally calm and good for families, though rips are present around the break and near Horseshoe Reef, which sits 200 metres offshore and is exposed at low tide. The reef is also a decent snorkel and dive spot with nudibranchs, sponges, and Port Jackson sharks. When a southwest swell is running and the banks are right, Christies Reef produces a decent beach break best suited to experienced surfers when it fires. Patrolled by Christies Beach SLSC on weekends, public holidays, and school holidays from October to mid-March. Water quality can be affected by stormwater and local drainage. Check conditions before swimming after heavy rain. **Local tip:** Walk up to Witton Bluff for the best view of the coast at sunset. Horseshoe Reef is worth a look at low tide if you have a mask and snorkel. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Rip currents, Shallow reefs, Sandbars, Gutters, Littoral currents, Beach erosion **Safety:** Patrolled beach --- ### Glenelg Beach **Location:** Glenelg, SA | **Type:** Protected/Sheltered | **Region:** Adelaide **Page:** https://beachday.au/glenelg/glenelg-beach Adelaide's most popular city beach, Glenelg sits on sheltered Holdfast Bay with wide golden sand and calm, clear water gentle enough for young kids. The tram from the CBD drops you right at the sand in about 25 minutes. Expect crowds on summer weekends, but you'll find a patrolled stretch, an iconic 215-metre jetty, and a lively foreshore strip. Adelaide's most popular city beach is at the end of a tram line, 25 minutes from the CBD. You step off at Moseley Square and you're on the sand. The water is calm and clear, sheltered by Gulf St Vincent. The Glenelg Surf Life Saving Club patrols on weekends and public holidays from October through April. Still, rips form near the jetty and breakwalls, so stick between the flags. The 215-metre jetty is a focal point for anglers and sunset watching. The beach faces west, and late afternoon light here is genuinely good. Next door, an amusement centre runs waterslides, a Ferris wheel and mini golf. In summer, a beach club sets up on the sand itself with a licensed bar right on the beach. Expect crowds on summer weekends. Parking is paid and fills fast. Bottlenose dolphins turn up offshore more regularly than you'd expect. If you want a quieter day, Brighton is 4km south. **Local tip:** Take the tram from the city. It drops you right at Moseley Square with no walking, and the beach faces west so the sunsets here are genuinely worth staying for. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Rip currents **Safety:** Patrolled beach --- ### Henley Beach **Location:** Henley Beach, SA | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Adelaide **Page:** https://beachday.au/henley-beach/henley-beach Head to one of Adelaide's favourite family beaches where you'll find calm water and an iconic jetty for fishing and sunsets. Henley Square's right behind with cafes and parking. Patrolled October to April, but watch for gutters, littoral currents, and shallow sandbars. Henley Beach is Adelaide's go-to family spot. The iconic jetty stretches out over the Gulf and gives you one of the city's best sunset views. Head down at dusk and you'll know why locals keep coming back. It's also a prime fishing spot, so grab a rod if you're keen. Behind Henley Square you'll find cafes, parking, and clean toilets. Everything you need within easy reach. The water's generally calm and good for swimming, making it a solid choice for families and confident swimmers alike. Just watch for gutters and littoral currents when you're in the water, and shallow sandbars will trip you up if you're not careful. After heavy rain, stormwater runoff hits water quality, so check conditions before you swim. Henley SLSC patrols from October to April. Weekends get busy but the beach handles the crowds well. Locals keep coming back for a reason, and you will too. **Local tip:** Walk to the end of the jetty for the best sunset views in Adelaide. Get there early on hot summer days, Henley Square fills up fast. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Gutters, Littoral currents, Shallow sandbars, Water pollution **Safety:** Patrolled beach **Upcoming events:** - Henley Square Market (2026-05-24) to 2026-06-07 [Last Sunday of each month] Monthly beachfront street market in Henley Square featuring arts, crafts, fashion and handmade goods from local makers, designers and artists. --- ### Moana Beach **Location:** Moana, SA | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Adelaide **Page:** https://beachday.au/moana/moana-beach Head down to Moana, a west-facing beach 36 km south on the Fleurieu Peninsula. You'll find drive-on access at the southern SLSC ramp, but keep to 10 km/h, strictly enforced. It's good for families and fishing, with patrols November to March, though watch for rip currents and choppy southerly swells. Moana is a west-facing beach on the Fleurieu Peninsula, about 36 km south of Adelaide. You get a wide stretch of sand and direct vehicle access at the southern ramp near the SLSC. That makes it massive with families hauling gear, fishing crews, and day-trippers. The northern section stays pedestrian-only, so you've always got a quieter spot if the vehicle zone gets rammed. The beach gets packed on hot days and weekends. Water can get choppy in southerly swells because of the open westerly aspect. Watch for rip currents between the shore and any sandbars. On calmer days though, you've got a proper swim or a fish off the beach. Moana SLSC patrols November to March. Vehicle access is at 10 km/h, and it's seriously enforced, much slower than most SA beaches. The reason's simple: the sand fills up with walkers and kids. Stay in the southern zone and respect the bollards marking the northern boundary. Get there early on hot days because the southern ramp section fills up fast. **Local tip:** The 10 km/h limit is seriously enforced, especially in summer. Get there early on hot days. The southern ramp section fills up fast with families. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Rip currents, Sharks **Safety:** Patrolled beach --- ### Semaphore Beach **Location:** Semaphore, SA | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Adelaide **Page:** https://beachday.au/semaphore/semaphore-beach Semaphore's got genuine seaside character. Calm white sand and shallow water are perfect for families, with iconic 1920s heritage buildings and a 585m jetty as your backdrop. Seaweed comes and goes, but the dusk sunsets and carousel, mini golf, and steam train rides keep locals coming back. Head down to Semaphore for a proper seaside day without the Glenelg crowds. The wide white sand stretches out backed by the iconic 585-metre jetty. You'll find real character in the 1920s Art Deco buildings, the historic Timeball Tower, that old-school seaside resort vibe you don't find much anymore. The water's calm and shallow, brilliant for families. Gentle waves mean this is a swimming beach, not a surf spot. Watch for holes and channels in the sandbars, and bring shoes if bare feet worry you (sharp shells cut). Dolphins show up regularly from the jetty end. Lifeguards are on during summer. There's heaps to do beyond the water. Vintage carousel (southern hemisphere's oldest), steam train, mini golf, waterslide. Walk the foreshore bike track, fish from the jetty, catch the westward sunsets over Gulf St Vincent. It's one of Adelaide's best dog-friendly beaches. Only 14km from the CBD, 20 to 30 minutes by car, or catch the train from Glanville. Heads up: seaweed piles up on shore sometimes, and the foreshore gets heaving during the Kite Festival and peak summer. **Local tip:** Head down weekday mornings and you'll likely spot dolphins off the jetty. Fair warning: seaweed piles up regularly here, especially after rough swells. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Sandbar holes and channels, Sharp shells, Seaweed **Safety:** Patrolled beach **Upcoming events:** - LeFevre Coastal Running Festival 2026 - RUN PINK (2026-06-07) A community fun run along the LeFevre coastal foreshore supporting breast cancer awareness. --- ### Wineglass Bay **Location:** Coles Bay, TAS | **Type:** Protected/Sheltered | **Region:** East Coast **Page:** https://beachday.au/coles-bay/wineglass-bay Tasmania's most photographed beach, Wineglass Bay is a white sand crescent framed by pink granite mountains inside Freycinet National Park. Getting here takes real effort, with a Grade 3 hike of 1 to 1.5 hours to the lookout and another 45 minutes down to the sand. There's no patrol, so you swim at your own risk. Wineglass Bay is Tasmania's most photographed beach, a crescent of white sand framed by pink granite mountains inside Freycinet National Park. It sits 195km northeast of Hobart and is recognised among the world's top 10 beaches. The Hazards mountain range gives the bay its distinctive crescent shape and provides a dramatic backdrop. Getting here takes effort. The Wineglass Bay Lookout track is 2.6km return, Grade 3, and takes 1 to 1.5 hours. From the lookout you'll descend to the beach, adding roughly another 45 minutes. Budget at least a half-day, but the effort pays off with extraordinary beauty and relative solitude. Summer (December to February) gives you the warmest weather and best swimming. There's no patrol here, so you're swimming at your own risk in a remote wilderness setting. A seasonal campfire ban has been in effect across Freycinet National Park since 20 December 2025, covering campfires, pot fires, and all solid fuel burning. **Local tip:** The lookout is only halfway, you've still got a 45-minute descent to reach the sand, so budget at least a half-day. No patrol out here, swim at your own risk. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Deep water close to shore, Steep beach face, Unpatrolled, Cold water, Remote location --- ### Bells Beach **Location:** Torquay, VIC | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Great Ocean Road **Page:** https://beachday.au/torquay/bells-beach Bells Beach is Australian surfing's most iconic break, immortalized in Point Break and home to the Rip Curl Pro every Easter since 1962. It's a powerful reef break over rock shelf, experienced surfers only, with strong rips, rocks, and undercurrents to watch for. Head down in autumn or winter for the biggest, most consistent swells. Bells Beach is a surfing shrine. It holds deep cultural significance in Australian surfing history and was immortalized in the classic film "Point Break". Few breaks in Australia carry this kind of weight. This reef break produces powerful, long-walled waves that break over a rock shelf, making it one of the country's most consistent and respected surf spots. The main break is for experienced surfers only, but you'll find beaches suitable for all levels in the surrounding area. Bells Beach is home to the world's longest-running professional surfing competition. The Rip Curl Pro has been held here every Easter since 1962. Head down during Easter and you'll watch the pros tackle this iconic break from the viewing areas. Autumn and winter produce the biggest, most consistent swells. Free parking at Bells Beach car park accessed via Bells Boulevard. The Surf Coast Walk passes through, connecting Bells to neighboring beaches along dramatic coastal cliffs. **Local tip:** The main break is unpatrolled and strictly for experienced surfers, with serious rips and rocks throughout. Come Easter to watch the Rip Curl Pro from the viewing areas, and bring your own food as there are no cafes on site. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets **Hazards:** Strong rips, Rocks, Shore break, Strong undercurrents, Strong winds **Upcoming events:** - Torquay Parkrun (2026-05-16) to 2026-05-21 [Every Saturday] Free weekly 5km timed community run along the Torquay beachfront and esplanade, open to all ages and abilities. --- ### Brighton Beach **Location:** Brighton, VIC | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Melbourne **Page:** https://beachday.au/brighton/brighton-beach Head down to Brighton for a patrolled swim in calm waters. You'll find parking, cafes, and toilets right there, making it easy for families. Watch out for rips and rocky sections, but it's a solid spot for a swim or stroll. Brighton's a calm bay beach on Port Phillip Bay, perfect for a dip if you're after sheltered waters. You'll find it's patrolled and popular with families, especially on weekends. The water here is generally gentle compared to ocean beaches, making it solid for swimmers of all levels. Head down to see the iconic Brighton Bathing Boxes. These colourful wooden huts line the beach and are total icons of Melbourne's coastline. They're heritage-protected and worth seeing up close, whether you're taking photos or just soaking in the local vibes. You can swim, snorkel, fish, or just walk the foreshore. There's good parking, cafes nearby, and decent facilities. The beach faces west, so afternoon sun hits you well. Watch out for rips and a sandbar that can shift things around. Rocks and reefs are there too, so check conditions before you go in. When the southwest wind picks up, the swell can get rough. Stick to patrolled areas if you're swimming. **Local tip:** Come for a late afternoon swim and stay for the sunset. The west-facing aspect puts on a show over Port Phillip Bay. The bathing boxes are most photogenic in that golden hour light, and the crowds thin out after 5pm. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Rips, Sandbar/trough, Rocks/reefs, SW wind waves **Safety:** Patrolled beach --- ### Squeaky Beach **Location:** Tidal River, VIC | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Wilsons Promontory **Page:** https://beachday.au/tidal-river/squeaky-beach A beach break framed by granite boulders inside Wilsons Promontory National Park, known for ultra-fine quartz sand that squeaks underfoot. One of the Prom's best surf spots when SW swell lines up. Strong rips make swimming risky. A 2.1km walk from Tidal River, about 45 minutes each way. Squeaky Beach is a 300-metre beach break inside Wilsons Promontory National Park, framed by massive granite boulders on both sides. The name comes from the ultra-fine quartz sand that literally squeaks underfoot. Pick up a handful and rub it between your fingers to hear it. The beach faces southwest and picks up swell through a window between Norman Island and the Great Glennie Islands. When conditions line up, it is one of the best surf spots on the Prom with left and right breaks on the sand. Best on a SW swell with offshore easterly winds at high tide. Summer tends to be flat, while spring and winter bring more consistent waves. The granite boulders create channels and rock pools worth exploring at low tide, and the snorkelling around the edges is good on calm days. But this is not a calm swimming beach. Strong rips run through here persistently and the wave conditions make swimming risky. You get here via a 2.1km walk from the Tidal River car park, about 45 minutes each way. The track crosses a ridge with a gentle climb through tea tree scrub. There are no facilities at the beach itself. Toilets, parking, and a small general store are back at Tidal River. **Local tip:** Grab a handful of the sand and rub it between your fingers to hear the squeak. At low tide, climb over the granite boulders at the south end to find hidden rock pools. The boulders catch golden light late in the afternoon for photos. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets **Hazards:** Strong rips, Rocks --- ### St Kilda Beach **Location:** St Kilda, VIC | **Type:** Protected/Sheltered | **Region:** Melbourne **Page:** https://beachday.au/st-kilda/st-kilda-beach Head down to St Kilda for sheltered, calm waters perfect for swimming and family time. You'll find it patrolled, with parking, toilets and cafes within easy reach. Watch for rip currents when the wind picks up, but it's a solid spot. Head down to St Kilda Beach for a sheltered swim that suits families. The water stays calm most days, which is why it's a solid choice when you want a mellow session rather than something gnarly. You'll find everything you need: parking close by, toilets, and cafes along the foreshore for a pre or post-swim coffee. The beach is patrolled by lifeguards, so that's reassuring when you've got kids in tow. Shallow areas are perfect for little swimmers, and there's plenty of room for a walk or fish if you fancy something other than a swim. The bay's sheltered nature means you get smooth, manageable conditions on most days. Watch out for rips and strong winds though. The exposed conditions can whip up some chop pretty fast, especially in summer. Always check the forecast before you head in, and stay close to the lifeguards if you're not 100 per cent sure about the water. It's a solid spot, just respect the conditions and you'll be fine. **Local tip:** It's shallow and sheltered, so you'll get smooth swimming. Grab a coffee at the cafes after. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Rip currents, Strong winds, Submerged objects, Shallow areas, Wind-driven chop **Safety:** Patrolled beach **Upcoming events:** - St Kilda Esplanade Market (2026-05-17) to 2026-06-03 [Every Sunday] Long-running weekly outdoor market showcasing high-quality Australian arts, crafts, handmade jewellery and food stalls directly on the St Kilda Esplanade overlooking the beach. --- ### Cable Beach **Location:** Broome, WA | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Kimberley **Page:** https://beachday.au/broome/cable-beach Cable Beach stretches 22 kilometres of white sand along the Indian Ocean in WA's remote Kimberley region. The sunset camel rides are the real drawcard, and they actually live up to the hype. Swim in the dry season (April to October), and stay out of the water from November to May when box jellyfish and irukandji make it genuinely dangerous. Cable Beach stretches 22 kilometres along the Indian Ocean in Western Australia's Kimberley region, a wide sweep of pristine white sand meeting turquoise water in one of the country's most remote and spectacular settings. The scale is genuinely breathtaking. You can walk for hours and still not reach the end. The real drawcard is the sunset. The beach is famous for camel rides at dusk, where you'll traverse the sand as the sun drops over the water, painting the sky brilliant orange and red. It's one of those experiences that actually lives up to the hype. Coastal breezes keep things comfortable despite the tropical latitude, and the warm waters are swimmable year-round. The dry season, roughly April to October, brings the best beach weather. Just know it's an outback coastal experience, remote and raw. Development along the beach is minimal, which keeps the atmosphere open and uncrowded. It's about 4 km from Broome town centre, so you'll need wheels to get here. **Local tip:** Box jellyfish are a genuine risk outside the dry season, so April to October is the time to come. Watch for 4WDs driving on the sand and check the tides before you set up. The tidal range here is extreme. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Box jellyfish, Irukandji stingers, Crocodiles, Extreme tidal range, 4WD vehicle traffic, Cyclone swells, Rips **Safety:** Patrolled beach **Upcoming events:** - Sunsets and Shorebirds, Free Community Bird-Watching (2026-03-22) to 2026-05-11 [Select dates tied to sunset/tidal conditions, upcoming dates Mar 22, Mar 29, Apr 6, Apr 19] A free community bird-watching event on the Town Beach foreshore where locals and visitors observe migratory shorebirds at sunset, guided by naturalists. - Kyle's Cable Beach Walk (2026-05-31) Community charity walk along Cable Beach raising funds for The Kyle Andrews Foundation, with a sausage sizzle, live entertainment, and kids activities at the finish line. - Ocean Heroes Broome 2026 (2026-06-06) to 2026-06-07 A two-day free surfing event held in front of the Broome Surf Life Saving Club at Cable Beach, giving 100 neurodivergent community participants a 45-minute surf session each day. --- ### City Beach **Location:** City Beach, WA | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Perth **Page:** https://beachday.au/city-beach/city-beach West-facing Perth beach about 10 km from the CBD with two groynes keeping water calm for families and good foreshore facilities with parking, toilets, and cafes. Solid surf when conditions are up, but watch for rips and strong currents, especially in winter. Patrolled weekends and public holidays October to March. City Beach sits on Perth's western shores, about 10 km from the CBD. It's a solid all-rounder that works for families, surfers, and anglers. The two groynes here are key. They create pockets of calmer water that keep young kids safe and happy. Behind the sand, the foreshore is well set up with playgrounds, BBQs, and picnic tables on grass. You'll find Clancy's Fish Bar right on the foreshore, plus Bert's surf kiosk nearby if you need a coffee or a new board. The surf gets serious when conditions are running. Winter brings bigger swell, rips, and strong currents that'll push you around. The shorebreak's heavy and sandbars shift with every tide. Worth checking the forecast before you get in. Not for beginners. The groynes are a fishing hotspot. You'll hook tailor, whiting, and herring off the rocks. The beach is patrolled by City of Perth SLSC on weekends and public holidays from October through March. Outside patrol season, you're on your own, so know your limits. **Local tip:** The groynes are the best spot for fishing and for keeping kids out of the surf. Arrive before 8:30am on summer Sundays or parking fills fast with Nippers. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Beach rips, Heavy shorebreak, Shallow sandbars, Strong currents **Safety:** Patrolled beach --- ### Cottesloe Beach **Location:** Cottesloe, WA | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Perth **Page:** https://beachday.au/cottesloe/cottesloe-beach Perth's most iconic beach, Cottesloe has white sand, a Norfolk pine-lined esplanade, and the heritage-listed Indiana Tea House anchoring the foreshore. Rottnest Island's swell shadow keeps it calmer than most Perth beaches, making it a reliable swim, though the Fremantle Doctor picks up most afternoons and chops things up. Head south for reef breaks, or stick to the centre for a straightforward dip. Cottesloe Beach is Perth's most beloved urban beach. White sand, impossibly blue Indian Ocean water, and a Norfolk pine-lined foreshore backed by the iconic Cottesloe Pylon. It's a place that looks exactly like it should, and the crowds that arrive for sunset every evening know it. Protected by an offshore reef, the water here tends to be calmer than at many other Perth beaches. That makes it a solid pick for a swim even when conditions are rougher elsewhere. The reef doesn't kill the surf entirely though, so you'll still find waves for surfing and bodysurfing when the swell gets through. The Indiana Tea House is a heritage-listed building right on the beach, adding some history to the foreshore. Marine Parade runs along the beach with free parking, though a three-hour limit applies. Each March, Sculptures by the Sea transforms the foreshore into an outdoor gallery, with large-scale artworks dotted along the shore. **Local tip:** Get there in the morning before the Fremantle Doctor kicks in and chops things up. For the calmest water, head to the southern corner near the groyne. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Strong rips, Reefs/submerged rocks, Heavy shorebreak, Submerged objects/drop-offs, Sharks, Bluebottles/jellyfish **Safety:** Patrolled beach --- ### Floreat Beach **Location:** Floreat, WA | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Perth **Page:** https://beachday.au/floreat/floreat-beach You'll find pristine white sand and way fewer crowds than City Beach just to the south. It's brilliant for families with free parking, a playground, café, and weekend lifeguard patrols, but watch out for the rips. The water gets choppy by afternoon, so head down early when it's calm. Head down to Floreat and you'll find white sand backed by dunes, a coastal cycle path, and way fewer crowds than City Beach next door. The rock groyne creates a reliable left-hander for surfers and bodyboarders, especially when autumn and winter swells kick in. On clear days, you can spot Rottnest Island on the horizon. Morning swims are calm, but conditions build through the afternoon as the Fremantle Doctor arrives. Strong rips run along the groyne, so this isn't the place for inexperienced swimmers going solo. Get in early or wait for weekends when the SLSC patrols. Families love it here. You've got a playground, free BBQs, showers, and a café. Head north to Hale Road if you want to bring the dog. It's one of Perth's best dog beaches. Cyclists use the path, volleyball courts are on the foreshore. Summer weekends get packed, but most of the year stays quiet. **Local tip:** Get in early before the afternoon sea breeze kicks up and roughens it. The groyne's got reliable left-handers and you'll find fewer crowds than City Beach, but watch the rips if you're not a confident swimmer. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Rip currents, Choppy afternoon conditions **Safety:** Patrolled beach --- ### Hamelin Bay Beach **Location:** Hamelin Bay, WA | **Type:** Protected/Sheltered | **Region:** Margaret River **Page:** https://beachday.au/hamelin-bay/hamelin-bay-beach Head down to this calm, protected bay in the Margaret River region if you want to see stingrays. You'll find cracking snorkelling over shipwrecks, and the Cape to Cape Track runs nearby. Sheltered waters give you a safe, enjoyable swim. Hamelin Bay is where you come to see wild stingrays. In ankle-deep water, these creatures wade right past you like they own the place. It's genuinely bizarre and unforgettable, the kind of thing you'll tell people about for years. There's nowhere else quite like it in the entire world. You're in Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park here, right on the famous Cape to Cape Track. The protected bay stays calm, with white sand and clear water that feels almost like a lagoon. It's perfect for families with kids who want to wade and explore safely, without the swell throwing them around. There are 11 shipwrecks scattered around the bay, relics from sailing days gone by. It adds a real layer of mystery to your swim. Head down on a calm, still day for the best experience. Don't expect glassy waves, but you won't get dumped on either, which is a nice trade-off. **Local tip:** Wade near the old jetty pylons and boat ramp early morning to spot stingrays, but don't touch them. Cape to Cape Track heads south to Cosy Corner from here. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets **Hazards:** Stingrays with venomous tail barbs (do not touch), Unpatrolled beach, Occasional strong currents, Sharks present in the area, Submerged rocks and algae near boat ramp --- ### Lucky Bay **Location:** Cape Le Grand, WA | **Type:** Protected/Sheltered | **Region:** Esperance **Page:** https://beachday.au/cape-le-grand/lucky-bay You'll find Australia's whitest sand here, scientifically verified as 98.7% pure quartz against turquoise water. The bay's partially sheltered by the Recherche Archipelago, and you'll spot western grey kangaroos at dawn and dusk. Snorkelling around the rocky edges is excellent, but it's unpatrolled, cold year-round, and in a region with great white sharks. Lucky Bay sits inside Cape Le Grand National Park, about 50km east of Esperance. It has been scientifically verified as having the whitest sand in Australia, tested via spectral analysis by Murdoch University researcher Noel Schoknecht. The sand is 98.7% pure quartz, fine-grained and bright white against turquoise water. Western grey kangaroos are regularly seen lounging on the beach, particularly at dawn and dusk, though sightings have become less reliable as visitor numbers have increased. If you want the best chance, come early morning before the crowds. The bay faces south and is partially sheltered by the islands of the Recherche Archipelago offshore. Swimming is good on calm days, with a gentle gradient into the water. Snorkelling around the rocky edges of the bay is excellent in clear conditions. The water is cold year-round, peaking at just 20 degrees in February. This is unpatrolled beach in a region with a documented elevated great white shark presence. Several fatal attacks have occurred at nearby Esperance beaches in recent years. There are no shark nets or patrols. The bay is remote with limited phone reception, so tell someone your plans. **Local tip:** The kangaroos are most likely on the beach before 8am and after 4:30pm. The pure quartz sand is reported to stay cool underfoot even on hot days. Walk east along the beach for quieter stretches away from the car park. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets **Hazards:** Rips after storms, Sharks (great whites in Esperance region), Cold water year-round, No patrol, Vehicles on beach, Remote location, limited phone reception **Upcoming events:** - Second-Hand Markets at Lucky Bay Brewing (2026-05-16) Community second-hand market stalls hosted at Lucky Bay Brewing, a waterside venue near Bandy Creek Boat Harbour on Esperance's coast. --- ### Pinky Beach **Location:** Rottnest Island, WA | **Type:** Protected/Sheltered | **Region:** Rottnest Island **Page:** https://beachday.au/rottnest-island/pinky-beach A sheltered north-facing cove five minutes from the Rottnest Island ferry terminal. The sand turns pink at sunset. Calm, clear water with great snorkelling right off the shore. Pinky's Bar is right on the beach and quokkas wander the paths. Pinky Beach is a sheltered north-facing cove on Rottnest Island, just a five-minute walk from the main settlement and ferry terminal. The sand takes on a pink hue at sunset, which is where the name comes from. The beach is protected from the dominant southwest swell, so the water stays calm and clear most of the year. Snorkelling is excellent here with coral reef and fish right off the shore. Bring reef shoes as the coral can be sharp underfoot, especially at the entry points. Pinky's Bar at Hotel Rottnest sits right on the beach, so you can go from the water to a cold drink in about 30 seconds. Toilets are nearby at the settlement. There are no cars on Rottnest Island, so you get around by bike, bus, or on foot. Quokkas wander the paths and grassy areas around the beach. They are friendly but do not feed them. The beach is unpatrolled, but the sheltered conditions make it one of the more family-friendly spots on the island. **Local tip:** Bring reef shoes for the coral entry. Stay for sunset to see the sand turn pink. The quokkas are friendliest in the late afternoon around the grassy areas behind the beach, but do not feed them (it is illegal and makes them sick). **Facilities:** Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Coral/rocks, No lifeguards, Boat traffic near harbour --- ### Scarborough Beach **Location:** Scarborough, WA | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Perth **Page:** https://beachday.au/scarborough/scarborough-beach One of Perth's best-known beaches, 14 km from the city. You'll find solid Indian Ocean swell and strong rips that make it demanding, but the fully redeveloped foreshore has a heated pool, playground, skate park, and cafes. Patrolled October to March. Scarborough is one of Perth's most popular beaches, about 14 km northwest of the city on the Indian Ocean. The foreshore has been heavily redeveloped in recent years and now has a proper precinct behind the sand: the Whale Playground, Amphitheatre, skate park, climbing wall, public art, and Scarborough Square all sit right here. The beach itself is west-facing and catches solid Indian Ocean swell, making it a genuine surf spot. Rips run strong and waves can get sizeable, so it demands respect. Patrolled October to March. If the ocean is up, the Scarborough Beach Pool is right on the foreshore - a heated beachside pool open year-round that is much more suited to young kids and less confident swimmers. Parking is plentiful along the foreshore, and there is a good range of cafes and restaurants at the precinct. The walk north toward Trigg along the coastal path is worth doing. **Local tip:** If the surf is pumping and you have young kids, skip the ocean and head to the Scarborough Beach Pool instead - it is heated, calm, and right on the foreshore. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Strong rips, Large waves, Sharks **Safety:** Patrolled beach --- ### Swanbourne Beach **Location:** Swanbourne, WA | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Perth **Page:** https://beachday.au/swanbourne/swanbourne-beach Head down to Swanbourne, a solid west-facing beach 12 km from the CBD with good facilities and The Shorehouse cafe. The Swanbourne Nedlands SLSC patrols here, but heavy shorebreak and flash rips mean you should swim between the flags. The northern section's clothing-optional. Swanbourne's a west-facing beach about 12 km from Perth's CBD. You'll find it tucked between Cottesloe to the south and City Beach to the north. The Swanbourne Nedlands SLSC has patrolled here since 1932. Head down to the main patrolled area for free parking, toilets, change rooms, and The Shorehouse cafe just a short walk away. The water here demands respect. Heavy shorebreak and flash rips are real problems, especially after big storms and during winter swells. Rocks dot the southern end near the Cottesloe boundary. Sharks have been spotted on this stretch of coast, so don't ignore that. Always swim between the flags. Just so you know, the northern section of the beach beyond the SLSC carpark is a designated clothing-optional area. It's one of only two places like this in Perth. If you're bringing the kids, stick to the main patrolled area south of the carpark. That's where families belong. **Local tip:** Stick to the main patrolled area south of the carpark if you have kids - the northern section is clothing-optional. The Shorehouse is a solid spot for breakfast before or after a swim. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Heavy shorebreak, Flash rips, Rocks, Sharks **Safety:** Patrolled beach --- ### Trigg Beach **Location:** Trigg, WA | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Perth **Page:** https://beachday.au/trigg/trigg-beach Trigg Beach sits about 16 km north of Perth CBD, just above Scarborough. It's quieter than Scarborough with just as good surf and Trigg Island at the northern end for rock pools, but know the water: strong rips and reef demand attention here. Patrolled October to April. Trigg Beach sits about 16 km north of Perth CBD, just above Scarborough on the Indian Ocean. It is west-facing with a more relaxed feel than its busier neighbour, with less development behind the dunes, fewer crowds, and a local crowd that keeps coming back for that reason. Trigg Island, a limestone outcrop at the northern end, creates rock pools at low tide. Mettams Pool, just north of the beach, is the main snorkelling spot in the area. Conditions here are more demanding than they look. Strong rips run along the beach including around the Blue Hole on the south side of Trigg Island, rocks and reefs are present, and the swell can get sizeable. It suits surfers and bodyboarders who know the water. Patrolled October to April. Swim between the flags. Parking is off West Coast Drive with toilets on the foreshore. A beachside cafe opens from early morning. The coastal path south to Scarborough is a solid walk. **Local tip:** If Scarborough is too busy, Trigg is usually quieter and the surf is just as good. Head south along the coastal path for an easy walk between the two beaches. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets, Cafes **Hazards:** Strong rips, Rocks and reefs, Shallow sandbars, Sharks, Strong currents **Safety:** Patrolled beach --- ### Turquoise Bay **Location:** Cape Range National Park, WA | **Type:** Open Beach | **Region:** Exmouth **Page:** https://beachday.au/cape-range-national-park/turquoise-bay Snorkel the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef directly from the beach. Turquoise water over white sand with the red Cape Range behind. Drift snorkel the southern channel or swim the calm northern lagoon. Turtles, 200+ coral species, and 500+ fish species just metres from shore. Turquoise Bay is inside Cape Range National Park on the Ningaloo Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The water really is turquoise, bright white sand drops into crystal clear reef lagoon, backed by the red limestone ridges of the Cape Range. This is one of the few places in the world where you can snorkel a major reef system directly from the beach. The Ningaloo fringing reef sits just metres offshore, home to more than 200 species of coral and 500 species of fish. Green turtles and hawksbills cruise the shallows regularly. There are two zones. The northern lagoon (Bay Loop car park) is calm and good for families and beginners. The southern end (Drift Loop car park) is where the drift snorkel happens. You walk south, enter the water, and the current carries you north over coral gardens. Exit before you reach the sandbar, look for the post with the life ring. The current is strong and gets worse in the afternoon, so go early, bring fins, and never go solo. The beach is 60km south of Exmouth on a sealed road. No shops, no cafe, no shade. Bring everything from town including water, sun protection, and reef shoes. **Local tip:** Use the Drift Loop car park and walk south to enter the water as far down the beach as possible for the longest drift. Bring fins, they make exiting against the current much easier. Check tide times at Milyering Discovery Centre on the drive in. Aim for high tide above 1.2m for the best depth over the reef. **Facilities:** Parking, Toilets **Hazards:** Strong drift currents (especially afternoon), Shallow reef (risk of coral contact at low tide), No lifeguards, No shade, Marine sanctuary zone (no fishing, no touching coral), Remote location, limited phone reception ## How Scoring Works Beach Day uses a config-driven scoring engine. For Swim mode, safety comes first: wave height, wind, and protection are weighted heavily. For Surf mode, swell quality matters most: swell direction relative to beach orientation, wave period, wind direction, and tide state. The final score blends the activity mode score (85%) with a conditions comfort score (15%) covering UV, air temperature, weather, and water temperature. Scores update with live conditions. A beach scoring 80+ is excellent for the chosen activity right now. 65-79 is good, 50-64 is fair, below 50 is poor. ## Coverage Beach Day covers 101 curated beaches across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia, and Tasmania. All 2,052 Australian beaches are searchable, but only curated beaches have full scoring, descriptions, events, and local tips.