tales of travel

Summer is upon us, which means you’re probably thinking about a beach vacation. If you want to kick up the exotic factor a notch, however, then consider an Australia tour for your beach vacation. Even though it’s actually their winter, the country for the most part is fairly temperate. During its coldest months, its capital, Sydney is typically not colder than 50 degrees Fahrenheit. And, in the northern areas of Australia it’s typically quite warm, and less humid and rainy in the winter.

At ATJ we absolutely love the world’s only country that is also a continent for the amazing diversity and dynamic contrasts — you’ll discover animals and landscapes here that exist nowhere else on earth. And with more than 16,000 miles of coastline, beaches abound in the land down under, offering something for everyone. Below we’ve listed five of the most Beautiful Beaches in Australia.

1. WHITEHAVEN BEACH, WHITSUNDAY ISLANDS

Stretching for more than three miles, Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island in Queensland is possibly the most beautiful beach in Australia. The sand here alone is special, as it’s made from very fine grains that are pillowy soft, nearly pure white and magically doesn’t get hot under bare-feet. But then there is also the color of the water: vivid, shifting shades of turquoise, cerulean and deep ocean blue. And finally, the Whitsundays are an island chain just off the Great Barrier Reef, that are very popular for chartered sailing trips as part of a luxury travel packages in Australia, and as such the surrounding diving and snorkeling is also amazing.  

2. 75 MILE BEACH, FRASER ISLAND

Australia’s largest sand island, famed for its eco-tourism, is Queensland’s beautiful Fraser Island, which is a protected world heritage site that also hosts one of the most uniquely beautiful beaches in Oz. The name comes from the approximate length of the beach — yes it’s really that many miles long — and features a number of different stretches of multi-hued sands ranging in colors from vivid orange to brilliant white. The only downside to this beach is the lack of swimming options in the sea as it’s rather sharky, but you can swim inland in the many freshwater lakes that are walking distance from the shore, crystal-clear and free from predatory fish.    

3. MAIN BEACH, NOOSA HEADS

For endless summer and surf head to Main Beach on the Sunshine Coast. The beach faces north, which means it is more sheltered than other beaches on this coast, and stays pleasant year-round. At ATJ we love the location in picturesque and stylish Noosa, as well as the golden sand and clean, clear waters with waves big enough to surf on one end, and perfect for swimming at the other. Dolphins are often seen frolicking just off shore and during the annual migration season you can also see whales.

4. CABLE BEACH, BROOME

Western Australia is often overlooked when it comes to the best Australian beaches with the eastern half of the country dominating in the summer holiday scene. But, there are some indescribably gorgeous and often deserted beaches here, including Cable Beach in Broome. The sunsets here are stunning. Sitting on the Indian Ocean, rather than the Pacific, the sunsets go on forever and feature a magnitude of colors. Try taking an Australian sunset camel ride for something different.  

5. BONDI BEACH, SYDNEY

Although it’s definitely touristy, there’s no way you can skip Bondi Beach in Sydney, especially if it’s your first time in Australia. There simply is no other beach like it, as it is kind of an Australian beach culture icon. The world’s first Surf Life Saving club is here, and has been in operation for more than 100 years, and it was Bondi, in the early 1900s, that helped pave the way for women to wear bikinis. Today, despite the crowds, it remains a beautiful stretch of shoreline with plentiful options for eating and drinking just minutes away.