Feeling the need for a road trip to beautiful beaches with crystal-clear turquoise water? Wind down the window of your Mighty Camper and get on your way to some of the incredible 10,685 beaches Australia has to offer. Surfing spots, idyllic white bays, and squeaky sand with stunning sunsets – you can find gorgeous shores in every state.
So here’s your Aussie (you gotta) GO Beach List.
1. FOUR MILE BEACH, QLD
Palm trees waving in the breeze. Boats sailing in the distance. Friends snorkelling along rocky reefs. Welcome to Four Mile Beach. Considered the premier beach of Port Douglas, this destination is a true holiday for the senses, and the perfect place for humble travel bragging. Four Mile Beach has easy walks, spectacular views and snorkelling in the Coral Sea.
This place is a stunning desktop wallpaper IRL. That’s how beautiful it is. The name was given by a Captain Tobias Furneaux who saw the fires of indigenous people on the beaches. And who wouldn’t want to sit down here for a nice campfire dinner and enjoy the white sand, clear blue water and orange-hued granite? An entire aquatic world awaits with local guided diving and snorkelling tours as well, so book your trips underwater before they’re all full.
Speaking of booking, if you’re stopping by and haven’t sorted accommodation for your campervan, you’d do well to check out the BIG4 St Helens Holiday Park.
3. BELLS BEACH, VIC
Bells Beach is best known to surfers as the source of the world’s longest-running surfing competition – the Rip Curl Pro surf and music festival. Bells is famous internationally as one of the best breaks in Victoria, and draws multitudes of surfers every year. So if you’re a brave surfer or are starting out, come and pay Bells a visit. If you’re looking for a nice dip or swim, try one of the many brilliant nearby beaches along the coast.
If you’re looking to stay for the surf, or the festival, make sure you book a camper spot at the nearest park, BIG4 Anglesea Holiday Park, for your Mighty.
4. CABLE BEACH, BROOME, WA
Looking for pure white sand and turquoise water as far as the eye can see? Then you’re after Cable Beach. Book a tour and ride a camel along the beach at sunrise or sunset for the ultimate off-road experience.
The beach is picture-perfect for swimming, sunbathing and beachcombing, but visit the southern end to see a real treat: 130-million-year-old dinosaur footprints. You might even spot dolphins and migrating whales at Gantheaume Point Lighthouse in certain seasons. Or maybe you’d rather a cocktail at one of the beachside bars beside Cable Beach.
5. LUCKY BAY, ESPERANCE, WA
One of Western Australia’s best beachside camping spots and beautiful beaches would have to be Lucky Bay. The pure, white sand and clear turquoise water is so cliché in its perfection that even kangaroos love to laze and sunbathe on the beach beside you.
Yes. Kangaroos in their natural habitat chill out at Lucky Bay, and if it’s good enough for a kangaroo, it’s totally good enough for us. You can even hand-feed them. Just don’t get too excited – they’re on holiday here just as much as you are, so don’t try to bother them.
Lucky Bay even has coastal bush walks with views of many islands, and you might want to keep an eye out for whales out there. If you’d like to stay overnight, the campground offers picnic areas, solar-heated showers and toilets. You can even drive your 4WD or 2WD campervan on the sand too if you don’t feel like getting out!
6. SQUEAKY BEACH, VIC
In Wilsons Prom there’s a beach with sand so fine, it makes a squeaking noise when you walk on it. Now the namesake makes sense, but this is really something you need to experience for yourself.
Of course, there’s a fair bit of science involved (the rounded grain of quartz is what makes the sand squeak) but let’s get real – we just want to Snapchat puppies running on squeaking sand like they’re wearing those noisy little baby shoes.
Anyway. It’s a great place for families, quiet picnics or a simple stop through Wilsons Prom. Enjoy!
7. CASUARINA COASTAL RESERVE, NT
A white, sandy paradise where Casuarina trees and high sandstone cliffs surround clear waters. This nearby escape from the desert has all sorts of cycle paths, unspoilt wildlife and WWII artillery observation posts.
You’ll find perfect shady picnic spots with ospreys, kites and red-tailed black-cockatoos soaring overhead. Stop off here for lunch or a game of beach cricket and discover one of Darwin’s best kept secrets.
Remember, however, to respect the land and do not disturb rocks or remove shellfish, as Casuarina is a sacred and significant land, whom the Larrakia people speak for.
8. PORT WILLUNGA BEACH, SA
If you’re passing through South Australia on your camper trip, stopping by Port Willunga Beach is a must. This glistening beach is one of the region’s best, featuring carved out caves and an old wrecked jetty serving as a reminder of the town’s past as a grain port.
The surrounding cliffs wrap around the brilliant bay and, at sunset, it’s a picturesque sight to behold. Which means there’s probably a wedding photo shoot for you to photo-bomb.
‘The whitest sand in the world’ is a big title to live up to, but live up to it Hyams Beach does. You’ll want to stay as close to the beach as possible so you don’t miss out on all the activities like diving, snorkelling, surfing, sailing, windsurfing, sea kayaking and more. When exploring the underwater, you’ll be treated to octopi, cuttlefish, sea dragons and maybe even friendly seals.
In summary, your friends will be so jealous once you post these pics up online.
10. WHITEHAVEN BEACH, QLD
We’re saving the best for last with this one. Named Best Beach in Australia by TripAdvisor in 2013, it is THE 'must-see' with its pristine silica sand stretching over seven kilometres along Whitsunday Island. Whitehaven Beach is the definition of relaxation and escape.
The Hill Inlet at the northern end is where tide shifts the sand and water to create a beautiful swirling of colours. And if you’re after the best view on the island, head to Tongue Point to experience the vast natural beauty of Whitehaven
Have a great time out there on the road, slap on that sunscreen, and get a couple surfs in there for us. Happy travels!
