Tourism Australia has announced its top 10 beaches for 2023 and the list may be controversial.
Tourism Australia releases a new list each year and not many, or any, of Australia’s more famous beaches made the list this year.
They’re stoked
The winner for 2023 is Stokes Bay on Kangaroo Island.
Described as a ‘hidden paradise’ – shh, don’t tell anyone – the approach to Stokes Bay is almost as good as the beach.
Wind your way through a series of towering rock formations before launching yourself on to the white sands and clear water of the bay.
If nothing else, the name beats last year’s winner, Misery Beach, which is about half an hour out of Albany, Western Australia. And if you are wondering about that name, it was given its unusual moniker as offal and blood from a nearby whaling station regularly polluted the sand and water.
Stunning second
Second on the list is Boomerang Beach on the NSW mid-north coast about two hours north of Newcastle.
Named for its shape, Boomerang Beach has some of the best surfing for the region, with large rock ledges helping to form the waves. There are also some great rock pools and the locals rave about the sunrises and sunsets.
Colour me happy
Rounding out the top three is Rainbow Beach in Queensland.
Named for the shades of colour through the dunes surrounding the beach, Rainbow Beach is nestled between Fraser Island and Cooloola National Park.
The adventurous have no shortage of distractions at Rainbow Beach. You can hike, take a 4WD tour, kayak, swim with sharks – nice, non-bitey ones – surf, take a horse ride or even see it from the air in a helicopter.
Great beach on a great road
Victoria’s only entry came in at the number four slot, with Apollo Bay on the Great Ocean Road.
The massive beach is so long it runs the length of the town and then some. As well as plenty of beach activities, it’s also a great launching pad for the Great Otway National Park and the Twelve Apostles.
And the seafood is something else. Crays fresh from the Apollo Bay Fisherman’s Co-op are some of the freshest in Australia, if not the freshest, and the shop also stocks oysters, prawns and plenty of the local fish catch.
Rounding out the list are Adventure Bay on Bruny Island, Tasmania, Hamelin Bay, Western Australia, Little Bondi Beach, in East Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, British Admiral Beach, on King Island in Bass Strait, Flying Fish Cove on Christmas Island and Balmoral Beach, in Sydney.
Have you been to any of these beaches? What’s your favourite Australian beach? Why not share your tips in the comments section below?
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