The Best Hidden Beaches in Australia

Australia is famous the world over for its beautiful coastline, but beyond the likes of Bondi and Surfers there is a wealth of hidden beaches in Australia just waiting to be uncovered.

Dreamtime Beach – Fingal, New South Wales

A little local knowledge is always a good thing. Just a short drive from the southern end of the Gold Coast into the Northern Tweed Rivers area, you’ll find a beach that truly lives up to its name.

Nestled among native scrub and tucked behind a small community of beach shacks, Dreamtime Beach is the place to go when the gnarly northerlies are blustering and the other beaches are all blown out. Sheltered by a massive cliff and impressive ancient rock formations that, from the top, provide breathtaking views up and down the Tweed Coast, this little slice of sandy heaven always delivers the goods.

Whether you’re looking to ride a few waves or catch a few rays, you’ll be forgiven if you lose hours dreaming the day away at Dreamtime Beach.

Getting There: 30min drive from Surfers Paradise and 15min from Gold Coast Airport.

Lucky Bay – Cape Le Grand National Park, Western Australia

Discovered by that ol’ intrepid explorer Matthew Flinders in 1802, Lucky Bay is undoubtedly one of Australia’s most stunning and photogenic beaches.

Think: crystal clear aqua waters that would give even the best tropical islands a run for their money, sand as fine and white as icing sugar and a resident population of native kangaroos lazily languishing along the shoreline. Yep, even the local wildlife likes to get their tan on here.

Located 60km from Esperance and offering the perfect setting for activities like diving, fishing, kayaking, swimming, snorkeling and bushwalking, you’ll consider yourself the lucky one to be able to spend some time in this picturesque part of Australia’s west coast.

If you find yourself falling in love with Lucky Bay and you don’t want to leave, camping sites overlooking the cove are available from just $10 per adult/per night. Just don’t be surprised if you wake up to a new ‘neighbour’ casually hopping past your tent to say hello.

Getting There: 1hour drive from Esperance 

Tallebudgera – Gold Coast, Queensland

Everyone who flocks to the Goldie tends to think that Surfers Paradise is THE beach to hang at.

Take it from a local: They. Are. Wrong.

Do yourself a favour and drive a little further south past Burleigh Heads to find Tallebudgera, a small slice of the Gold Coast that’s rich with Indigenous history.

Named for the Aboriginal word for good fish, Tallebudgera lives up to the hype as a primo spot for throwing in a line. If fishing isn’t your thing, then hit up Talle’s surf beach for a wave with the locals or play with your favourite four-legged mate on the dog-friendly beach.

For those looking for a slower (and shallower) option for their summertime fun, set up your umbrella and towel at Tallebudgera Estuary, a protected inlet that stretches across both sides of the Gold Coast Highway. Patrolled by lifesavers and a favourite of families, the calm and often crystal clear water is perfect for swimming, stand up paddleboarding, kayaking and canoeing enthusiasts. At high tide you can expect to see throngs of local teenagers impressing their mates by hanging off the not-so-high bridge and jumping into the water below.

Affordable accommodation is also available at the adjacent Tallebudgera Creek Tourist Park if you decide to veer away from the typical highrise options to enjoy the natural beauty of this hidden gem on the Goldie.

Getting There: 15min drive from Gold Coast Airport and 25mins from downtown Surfers Paradise.

Radical Bay – Magnetic Island, Queensland

Magnetic Island is drawing guests in from all over and it’s not because of its name (geddit?).

Located 8km offshore from Townsville, Maggie Island (as the locals call it) is right in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef region, so you just know that the beaches are going to be next level.

One of Maggie’s best-kept secrets is Radical Bay, a sheltered and unspoiled cove accessible only by boat, 4WD, or on foot. Once you’ve tackled the overgrown and unforgiving terrain you’ll be rewarded with pristine aqua waters and a beach so secluded that the only footprints you’ll find are your own. If you’ve ever dreamed of having your own hidden beach paradise for the day, then this is what you’ve been waiting for.

Getting There: 20min ferry ride from Townsville.

Pirates Bay – Eaglehawk Neck, Tasmania

Surrounded by Australia’s highest marine cliffs, Pirates Bay is home to one of Tasmania’s best surfing breaks. But before you laugh and say, ‘Surfing? In Tasmania?!?” be aware that there’s more to this idyllic spot than just rad waves; you’ll find shipwrecks, caves, a blowhole and the famous Tessellated Pavement that is truly a masterpiece of nature.

While it may be on the nippy side to go for a swim (especially in winter), Pirates Bay can still be enjoyed year-round, because there’s a lot more to this beach than meets the eye. And with a name that cool, you just gotta check it out!

Getting There: 1hour drive from Hobart.

Lobster Beach – Central Coast, New South Wales

Tucked behind Bouddi National Park in the Central Coast’s Pretty Beach region, you’ll find a breathtaking protected cove that is home to some super friendly and playful dolphins just waiting to make your acquaintance.

Take a short walk through the native stringy barks and banksias that make up the natural headland surrounding Lobster Beach and emerge on to a deserted beach with sparkling waters begging to be explored. Perfect for snorkeling and fishing, Lobster Beach can also be reached by boats coming in from the eastern entrance of Brisbane Water National Park.

Getting There: 90min drive from Sydney and Newcastle.

Pea Soup Beach – Port Fairy, Victoria

Don’t let the name fool you; there’s nothing ‘soupy’ about the water at Pea Soup Beach! In fact, this is the place where local children learn to swim in a sheltered, shallow lagoon fringed by perfect white sand that is perfect for building sandcastles in. Spend hours combing the beach for seashells, explore the rockpools and lagoons for underwater wildlife, or just stroll along the 500m coastline until you find what you’re looking for. Head into the adjoining quaint seaside fishing village of Port Fairy to pick up some fish and chips and then spend your night laying on the sand stargazing. Getting There: 3.5hour drive from Melbourne.

Featured image by Mike Russell