My Top Ten Beaches In Australia

So what constitutes a wonderful beach for me? It needs to be long enough to walk for miles, have plenty of sand to lie out on, to be not too crowded so that you can get that wonderful sense of being along with the sea and nature, to be fringed by rainforest or palm trees, and to be hot and sunny! Easy access to snacks and other services is also a great bonus!

It is a little inconvenient when your favourite stretch of sand in the whole wide world (and by default Australia!) is many thousands of miles away in tropical North Queensland, but it makes going back there so special. I first went to Mission Beach in August 2001 and was blown away by the golden sand, the rainforest coming right down to the beach, and the blue of the sky and the sea. Paradise. And they even threw in some cassowaries! I have been back since then and aim to return as often as I can.

After having fallen in love with the lush, tropical paradise of Northern Queensland, I was not prepared to also be so taken by the beaches in Western Australia. But the silver sand, clear blue water and wonderful snorkelling in Turquoise Bay, Osprey Bay and the other surrounding beaches blew me away. Situated outside Exmouth on the Ningaloo Reef, you can snorkel straight off the beach, as the coral bolas are just off shore, sometimes in water so shallow that you can still stand up in it. The main thing you need to look out for is the current. As it is so remote, it is also very quiet with no crowds.

Surprisingly, we are staying on the Western Coast for number 3. Beautiful Kalbarri has beautiful sheltered beaches within the estuary of the Murchison River, and wilder beaches as you head around the point. Again you can walk for miles, encountering very few people. The sunsets are spectacular and the pelicans get fed on the shore every morning.

Back in Queensland for number four - the beautiful beaches of Magnetic Island. When I was travelling in 2007 I stayed in Picnic Bay and took advantage of the amazing walking tracks they have all over the island, some of them giving wonderful views of the beaches and seas below. Picnic Bay is a quiet little spot since the ferries no longer stop there and the building of the new apartments was stopped, but the seafront is beautiful and you could walk right out onto the jetty - especially lovely on a moonlit night.

So we are staying in Queensland for number 5, and going to the Sunshine Coast. I stopped in Maroochydore because I liked the name, and I am glad that I did. The strand starts at the mouth of the river, giving calm, shallow water and the bends round the corner to golden sands and wilder surf. You can walk for miles down to Mooloolaba, with plenty of ice cream opportunities on the way!

For number six, we are back in Western Australia and at the iconic Cable Beach just outside of the town of Broome. What can you say? Miles of silver sand, turquoise sea, camels and even dinosaur foot prints. The sunsets are amazing, although I have yet to see the famous 'Staircase to the Moon'. Again lots of empty sand, so you can find your own private spot!

Number seven is in the beautiful Whitsunday Islands off the coast of Queensland on South Molle Island. The picture perfect tropical island beach. The island also has many walking tracks, birds, snakes, butterflies, turtles and fish. Take a torch, as we lost power for quite a few hours when I stayed there.

The beautiful beaches of Rottnest Island (there are 63 beaches and 20 bays), off the coast of Perth, come in at number eight. They are pristine, with beautiful sand, rocks and cystal clear water. The island is also home to the Quokkas, unique little marsupials that are unique to Rottnest and wander around freely.

Another icon in at number 9 - Fraser Island off the coast of Queensland. The beaches are stunning, but not really suitable for swimming or sunbathing as you are risking being mown down by a speeding 4-wheel drive, being eaten by a shark, being swept away by the powerful current or being affected by the fire weed in the sea!

If you really feel like 'wandering lonely as a cloud', number ten favourite beach is the place to be. Cervantes, a small fishing town in Western Australia, is the jumping off point for the famous Pinnacles desert. But it also has miles of silver sand, where you can walk without seeing anyone, except the sea birds

So this is my Top Ten favourite beaches in Australia. I still have many more to visit and have been to many wonderful places that aren't on this list. If you have an Australian beach that you think should be a contender, let me know!

OK I know the title of the Hub is 'Top Ten', but I keep on travelling and I keep on finding great new Australian beaches! Cape Leveque is on the tip of the Dampier Peninsula about 220 kms north of Broome. It is pretty hard to access as a lot of the road is unsealed and you need a fairly sturdy 4WD. But when you get there it is a stunning panorama of red cliffs, white sand and turquoise sea. There is a camp site there, offering different grades of tented accommodation, and a small cafe and shop. It's easy to find a stretch of beach all to yourself and when the tide is low there is pretty good snorkelling to be had.

There are also really beautiful sunsets - so pour a glass of wine, sit back, relax and enjoy!

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