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We are so blessed in Australia to have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and in my home state Queensland there are so many to choose from. This list of the best beaches in Queensland would be perfect for those planning a roadtrip, or if you are looking to get away for a short break.
Most of the options in this list are perfect for swimming, with a focus on calm beaches with clear, blue water, although some are best for taking photos or seeing wildlife.
Read on to see some of Queensland’s best beaches, as told from someone who actually lives in Queensland.
Tallebudgera Creek, Gold Coast
I talk about Tallebudgera Creek so often that every time my sister hears it she groans. Technically its not a ‘beach’ but it does look like one and it shares the same water as the nearby ocean, so I’m including it. So, why does it warrant a place on this list?
First of all, if you have a drone and visit at low tide you can get a photo from above that has different coloured sections, as the water can be quite shallow in places. The water is clear and different shades of blue.
Secondly the water is perfect for swimming as there’s no waves, and again, its clear so perfect for those who prefer seeing what they’re walking on. There are actually a few different places to swim along the creek, and while I haven’t been to them all, I have been to the section near the beach and the caravan park. Parking was easy enough (although I did arrive early), and the ‘beach’ of the creek is right near the car park.
You can also walk down the creek on a waterside footpath, which is nice if its not too hot. If you get hungry there’s a café right next to the parking lot so you don’t have to risk loosing your park when you get peckish.
Elliot Heads, near Bundaberg
Elliot Heads beach is a changing beach, meaning it can look vastly different depending on the tides. At higher tides the water takes over parts of the sandy head, creating a waveless swimming area. There is normally a decent sized swimming area with shallow water on the right side of the main sandy area. You wont have it to yourself but it’s a great place to swim.
At mid to lower tides you can find rock pools to explore or float in. During this time you can get some great Instagram pictures, especially if you have a drone. The rock pools closest to the beach would also be nice for children as they tend to have sandy bottoms. The deeper pools are further out.
There is also a section of deeper calm water where you can kitesurf or dip you feet in the shallows, right at the end of the main sandy area. We didn’t swim in this area because of the kitesurfing, but also it got deep real quick. Noone else seemed to be swimming here and its possible there may be strong tides here as at high tide it joined with the river mouth.
Gray’s Bay, Bowen
This beach in Bowen was right next to a car park and just off one of the main roads. Despite this it was definitely the prettiest beach we saw in Bowen. The water was very calm, even though it was a windy day, and would have been a great place to swim. We had spent the morning snorkeling at a nearby cove, so one of us was a bit oceaned-out, so we only took a few photos but it looked gorgeous.
Casuarina Beach, Cape Hillsborough
This beach is unique in the fact that you can see wallabies here as the sun rises over the beach. This is probably one of the coolest, free, wildlife experiences in queensland. There are rangers on the beach to keep things under control but you can get quite close to the wallabies as they hop around.
To see this spectacle, you’ll want to stay nearby as you have to get there before sunrise. When we visited the main campsite was booked out but we booked a campsite in a nearby location called Ball Bay campsite. I wouldn’t want to be too much further away though.
Whitehaven Beach, Whitsundays
The combination of its striking white sand, clear blue waters, and protected status makes Whitehaven Beach one of the top beaches in Queensland.
Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays is one of the most well known beaches in Australia. Its powdery white sand is made of 98% pure silica, giving it a unique, soft texture. The beach stretches over 7 kilometers, so there’s always a spot you can have to yourself. The water itself is very clear and normally very calm, so perfect for swimming and snorkeling.
Apart from the beach, Whitehaven is also famous for its swirling sands. Many tours will take you to both the main beach and the lookout so you can see the sandy swirls from above. Another great option, if you can afford it, is to book a flight over the area.
It’s located within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, so it takes a boat or a seaplane to get to. This limits the amount of visitors, although being super popular, you’ll definitely find other’s there. You can also stay on the island overnight in a tent though, if you wanted it almost-to-yourself.
Note: The title image of this article is also of Whitehaven beach from the very long main beach area.
Etty Bay, near Innisfail
(Pending Picture as I can’t find it at the moment)
There is one very unique thing about this little known beach and that is that there are cassowaries often spotted around here.
What is a cassowary you ask?
Well, its like a giant bird with a colour head. I’m talking human sized, well my size (158cm). Kind of like an ostrich, but not really.
You’re not guaranteed a sighting but you have a good chance, especially if visiting early in the morning (6-9am) or late afternoon (3-6pm). I went to the beach with my sister and we saw one just as I parked my car. I had gotten out and closed my door when my sister alerted me that one was stalking around the car. My sister offered no help as I tried to outpace it as it followed me around for less than 10 seconds before loosing interest.
The birds don’t seem o be dangerous, but I wouldn’t want to get too close to them. You should keep your distance and give them the space they deserve as wild animals. It wasn’t too interested in me, and we got to watch it walk through the parking lot and head down to the beach, before changing its mind and shuffling into some nearby bushes.
The beach itself is nice, and is more wild looking than some of the other beaches on this list, being surrounded by bush. There is parking right next to the beach which wasn’t too crowded. Personally I would be careful swimming in beaches in northern queensland, but the beach is worth visiting for the chance to see a cassowary and to take pictures. I don’t know if there’s been any sightings here, but anywhere north of Townsville is a bit risky for me.
Hideaway Beach, near Airlie Beach
Hideaway Bay is literal paradise. It’s a quiet beach town about an hour from Airlie Beach and depending on when you visit, you may have a beach almost entirely to yourself. I visited in December, and we didn’t see anyone else on the beach for a good 2 hours. Granted, this was probably due to it being jellyfish season, but the town isn’t well known, so I can’t imagine it gets too much busier.
The main beach is shallow, calm and a great place to float about. If you are like me and are visiting during jellyfish season, I recommend heading to nearby Dingo beach which has a jellyfish net, or wearing a stinger suit if you are swimming at the main beach. Although in saying that, a lot of people don’t wear stingersuits during jellyfish season.
Otherwise between June and September would be a great time to visit and go for a swim without having to worry about jellyfish. Before going for a swim I would recommend climbing up the town’s unofficial lookout and catching an epic view over the clear waters and surrounding greenery. There’s no official name for it but you can find it’s location with a bit of internet searching.
Tangalooma Beach, Moreton Island
I have been to Moreton Island a few times, once camping and once staying at the resort, and the beach there is gorgeous. The beach I recommend is the main one, where the ferries drop you off and which the resort is near. It’s a long beach that stretches down the side of the island.
Unless you’re visiting on a windy day the beach is often calm, with only gentle lapping waves. From memory it was also shallow for the most part. One of the highlights of this beach though is the shipwrecks which are just off shore.
I can’t see why you couldn’t swim out to them by yourself, but when I visited I booked a tour where a boat took us out to them. The tides around the shipwrecks can push you around a tiny bit so you wont want to linger in the tighter areas, but apart from that the current wasn’t strong and it was a fun experience (I’m not a strong swimming but I can swim). It did seem suitable for children (there was a 7ish year old in our tour group), as long as they can swim.
If you have kids, or love dolphins, I would recommend staying at the Tangalooma Resort as you get to feed the dolphins for free on one night of your stay. I believe there is one room package which does not include it (I could be wrong), so check the terms when you book.
1770 Foreshore near the Captain Cook Memorial
This place was absolutely gorgeous- both the views from the lookout area and down by the shore. From the lookout you can see the clear water and sandy banks in the distance. I had a little trouble finding the exact location of the beach to include here, but we parked in the Captain Cook Memorial car park area and it was very close by.
The beach looked very calm and there were people (including families) swimming here so it looked like a nice spot for a swim. There must have been a boat ramp somewhere nearby too as there were a number of boats hanging around the sandbank just off shore.
Nudey Beach, Fitzroy Island
Nudey Beach on Fitzroy Island is considered one of the best beaches in Queensland for several reasons. Its small size and secluded location make it a peaceful escape from busier tourist spots. The beach features soft, white sand and crystal-clear water, ideal for swimming and snorkeling. The vibrant coral reefs close to shore offer fantastic opportunities to see colorful marine life up close.
Additionally, Nudey Beach is surrounded by lush tropical vegetation, which adds to its charm and natural beauty. Because it’s on a national park island, the beach is well-preserved and free from commercial development. This pristine environment allows visitors to enjoy a serene and picturesque setting, making Nudey Beach a standout destination in Queensland.
This is one of the most gorgeous beaches in Queensland and unfortunately, I haven’t been here yet.
Any Beach on the Coastal Walk in Noosa
The beaches along the Noosa Coastal Walk are beautiful and you really can’t go wrong with picking any of them to swim at. Some beaches are popular with surfers but there are a lot that a perfect for swimming. I believe this photo was of Palm Cove, but they all look very similar. The beaches are probably better at mid-high tide as at low tide it looks more rocky.
I did this track with my sister a few years ago and while we didn’t get far (it started raining), we passed a number of beautiful coves in the 30 or so minutes of our walk. I swear my sister was plotting my death on this walk, but I wont blame that on the beaches or the walk itself.
Palm Cove, near Cairns
Palm Cove is a really pretty beach near Cairns where the highlight is the palm trees lining the beach. The beach itself is pretty, but it those tree’s that have gotten it onto Best Beaches lists everywhere. The beach has a real tropical vibe and is surrounded by trees and bushland.
I’d recommend visiting at sunrise or sunset to get a pretty shot of the beach and its surrounding palm trees and hills in golden light. Personally, I did not swim here due to my north of Townsville rule, but we definitely saw people swimming here. I would check for signs warning of crocodiles or jellyfish before hoping in the ocean, and a quick internet search incase there’s been a crocodile sighting.
So there you have it, a list of the best beaches in Queensland. The thing is, Queensland has so many beautiful beaches but they’re not always suitable for swimming depending on the time of year and the crocodile situation in the far north. I mention this a few times not to scare anyone, but to highlight that you should research if swimming is advised ahead of time.
Apart from that though there are a mix of beaches in Queensland that should definitely be on your bucket list, whether you take a dip or not. From the unique pools of Elliot Heads to the clear waters of 1770 foreshore, there are so many options to stop at on a weekend getaway or road trip through Queensland.
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