Tourism Australia’s annual Best Australian Beaches list is a thing that we all can’t get enough of and for the first time ever, a South Australian beach has taken out top spot.
Australia has that many beaches, that it would take you more than 32 years to see them all! We are blessed with 60,000km (37,282mi) of gorgeous coastline which includes around 12,000 beaches.
This years list, which features at least one beach from every state, was put together by beach expert Brad Farmer AM, who travelled across the country to find the best beaches.
This year, top spot has gone to Stokes Bay on Kangaroo Island. Claiming the top spot from WA’s Misery Beach who took out the prize in 2022.
We’re stoked – Kangaroo Island’s Stokes Bay has been crowned Best Australian Beach! 🥇 Loved for its family friendly nature & tidal swimming pool, the ranking comes as #KangarooIsland made top 10 in the coveted @nytimes' 52 Places to Go list for 2023: https://t.co/a2yHxOIMSS. pic.twitter.com/957FdiyjaZ
— South Australian Tourism Commission (@tourismsa) January 27, 2023
So, what was the criteria? Brad says that it all comes down to the vibe.
“I go to the beach, get to have a swim, talk to the locals and I get a feel for them. I’m much more immersive, and I guess a bit emotionally invested in it,” Mr Farmer said.
“Very much the (criteria) is, what kind of community are you going to experience when you get there?”
Mr Farmer said that he makes a conscious decision to include a wide range of beaches from all across across the country.
Don Farrell, Federal Tourism Minister, said every beach that has made the list is “not just among the best in Australia, but the best in the world”.
“Australia boasts the world’s best coastline and many international travellers, who are returning to our shores in growing numbers, want to explore the idyllic beaches we have to offer,” he said.
So without further ado, here is this years top 10!
TOP 10 BEST BEACHES IN AUSTRALIA
1. Stokes Bay, Kangaroo Island – South Australia
3 years after vicious bushfires, 2023 Best Beach in Australia goes to Stokes Bay, Kangaroo Island: https://t.co/qJCSoYM1C7 via @ABCaustralia pic.twitter.com/uhx5mmzFTa
— philip white (@whiteswine) January 30, 2023
2. Boomerang Beach, Mid North Coast – NSW
Good Morning from boomerang beach pic.twitter.com/YHmN4zi6bV
— Brigid Delaney (@BrigidWD) February 6, 2021
3. Rainbow Beach, Cooloola Coast – Queensland
Rainbow Beach 🌈🥰
— Nichola L Stephenson (@nickystevo) January 21, 2023
Double Island Point 🌈#Queensland #australia 🌈🥰🌈🥰🌈🥰🌈🥰🌈🥰 pic.twitter.com/9VnEQjkoUY
4. Apollo Bay, Great Ocean Road – Victoria
#ApolloBay #Australia pic.twitter.com/uH1e0I2bb5
— Fabrizzio Ponce (@fabrizzioponce) January 28, 2023
5. Adventure Bay, Bruny Island – Tasmania
Top down views along Adventure Bay, #tasmania / July 1st 2017 pic.twitter.com/BziDNRIu2z
— Dominic Anastasio (@domin8tor_1) July 2, 2017
6. Hamelin Bay, South-West, Western Australia
#️⃣2️⃣5️⃣ Counting down your favourite 30 posts of 2018 ⏳⬇️
— Australia (@Australia) December 21, 2018
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"No need to be alarmed, I'm just your friendly neighbourhood ray!" (via IG/emilyteresaward at #HamelinBay in @WestAustralia) pic.twitter.com/UqmBuoLhWq
7. Little Bondi Beach, East Arnhem Land – Northern Territory
8. British Admiralty Beach, King Island, Bass Strait – Tasmania
9. Flying Fish Cove – Christmas Island
You've heard of the Great Wall of China 🧱🇨🇳, but have you heard of the Great Wall of Crabs 🦀? Found on the far right of Flying Fish Cove in Kampong on Christmas Island 🏝️, it's a wall covered with female crabs waiting to spawn in the early hours of the day.
— Parks Australia (@Parks_Australia) November 30, 2021
📷 Nora Abdul Halim pic.twitter.com/qmkE4Po9EU
10. Balmoral Beach, Sydney Harbour, NSW
