After trekking around coastlines all over Australia, Tourism Australia's resident expert has revealed his top 10 for 2026.
The experts on sun, sand, and surf have spoken, and Australia's best beach has been revealed.
Tourism Australia has released the annual Best Australian Beaches study for 2026, curated by the body's "beach ambassador" and conservationist Brad Farmer AM.
And after the arduous task of checking out coastlines around the country, Farmer handed the top gong to the beaches of Bate Bay, in Sydney's south.
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"The community-minded Bate Bay Beaches are, quite simply, stunning with the vast 4.8 kilometre stretch of undeveloped sand at Greenhills, Wanda and Elouera (Sydney's longest) and to many other beaches such as Cronulla, Oak Park Beach and four more," Farmer said.
"With glorious golden sands and a cosmopolitan vibe, this picturesque stretch of coastline feels like a hidden gem right under your nose but is easily accessible by train from the city centre."
If Sydney's a bit far to go, never fear - every state and territory save the landlocked ACT is well-represented in the top 10.
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Tourism Australia's Top 10 Beaches for 2026
1. Bate Beaches, Bate Bay, NSW
2. Pinky Beach, Rottnest Island, WA
3. Beachcomber Cove, Cape Hillsborough, Queensland
4. Tallow Beach, Byron Bay, NSW
5. Hellfire Bay, Cape Le Grand National Park, WA
6. Godfrey's Beach (The Nut), Stanley, Tasmania
7. Inskip Point, Inskip, Queensland
8. Mount Martha Beach, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria
9. Smoky Bay Beach, Smoky Bay, SA
10. Ellery Creek Big Hole, Northern Territory
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The NT's contribution is not a coastal beach but a stunning waterhole found to the west of Alice Springs.
Farmer noted that the 2026 list has a selection of off-the-beaten-track gems that offer authentic experiences and "quiet, soulful spots".
"Whether it's the remote allure of Beachcomber Cove or Hellfire Bay, these beaches offer a 'slow-travel' experience," he said.
"They are places where you can still hear the wind and the waves rather than the crowds, providing a deep, authentic connection to the land and sea, with many First Nations stories."
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Tourism Minister Don Farrell, this week in the US to promote Australia as a destination, said the country's beaches were a powerful lure for visitors.
"The flow of tourists between Australia and the US has never been stronger, with a whopping 745,000 Americans making the trip down under and spending over $2 billion in Australia last year," Farrell said.
Tourism Australia general manager Robin Mack said the beaches were also prime destinations for locals to explore.
"From the stunning sands of Bate Bay in NSW and Pinky Beach in WA to the iconic backdrop of The Nut in Tasmania and Ellery Creek Big Hole in the NT, these locations encourage both Australians and international visitors to explore more of Australia beyond the traditional hotspots," he said.
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