Australia Just Named Its No. 1 Beach—and It’s Near Sydney

With over 16,000 miles of coastline and more than 12,500 beaches, being named the No. 1 beach in Australia is quite a feat, but Bate Bay in South Sidney’s Sutherland Shire managed to do it. 

According to ABC News, Tourism Australia Beach Ambassador, Brad Farmer, compiled the annual list to champion off-the-beaten-track gems and “slow travel,” calling this year’s ranking a celebration of quiet, soulful spots offering an escape for those willing to wander a little further.

Evaluating Australia’s beaches using a 130-point benchmark, factors such as aesthetics, facilities, access, safety, weather, and parking were all taken into account. The vibe, with a friendly, inviting atmosphere, was the most important aspect, Farmer says, adding that Bate Bay “ticked pretty much every box.” He described this stretch of coastline spanning from the rocky cliffs at Greenhills Beach in the North to the Cronulla Peninsula in the south as “Sydney’s longest, least crowded, and most beautiful stretch of sand.” 

Bate Bay isn’t just one stretch of sand. It includes a series of nine beaches: Elouera (the longest in Sydney), Cronulla, Oak Park, plus Gunnamatta Bay, and four ocean pools. The variety helped to set Bate Bay apart. Farmer explained that some offer sprawling, open surf like Green Hills, while others provide calm water for swimming, such as Oak Park with a small beach and ocean pool ideal for refreshing dips on a warm summer’s day. Hungry Point, he adds, is notable for its “sweeping views across Port Hacking to Bundeena and the unspoiled sands of Jibbon Beach.” 

Another beach in New South Wales landed on the top 10 for those who want to sample another beach in the region that made the list. Located in the idyllic town of Byron Bay, it’s an unspoiled stretch of shoreline that’s been called one of the area’s best-kept secrets. Hidden away from the crowds, most don’t even realize it’s there, but it provides an oasis for sunbathing, swimming, and surfing. From May through September, it’s a great vantage point for watching humpback whales as they migrate between the Great Barrier Reef and Antarctica. 

Visitors to Western Australia might want to put Pinky Beach on their list. Located on Rottnest Island, it followed Bate Bay at No. 2, renowned for its strikingly white sands, calm turquoise waters, and a lighthouse that towers over the bay. It’s also the ultimate vantage point for watching a sunset over the Indian Ocean, with quokkas nearby. Known as the “world’s happiest animal,” thanks to their friendly, permanent facial expression, Rottnest is home to the most famous population. 

The other seven beaches among the top 10 include Beachcomber Cove and Inskip Point in Queensland, Hellfire Bay in Western Australia,  Godfreys Beach in Tasmania, Mount Martha in Victoria, Smoky Bay in South Australia, and Ellery Creek Big Hole in the Northern Territory.