Top 20 Aussie beaches for 2018
Australia is renowned for its pristine beaches and the iconic stretches of sun and surf are worth $103 billion to the national economy.
Australia’s “leading beach expert” and Tourism Australia ambassador Brad Farmer found that 70 per cent of international tourists say beaches are the number one reason why they visit Australia. 90 per cent of Aussies choose to holiday near the water.
Brad Farmer and co-author Prof Andy Short have found the top 20 best beaches in Australia, with every one of Australia’s 11,761 beaches being carefully examined over two decades.
When sharing the results with Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop, Mr Farmer said his research reveals that there is a trend driven by social media where people are after “fresh and unwrapped” beaches.
“Social sharing is now an economic phenomenon, where people are travelling and exploring to experience real difference, either through their fingertips or literally on the road less travelled — something which my 2018 list reflects in buckets — and spades,” Mr Farmer said.
The Best Australian Beaches 2018 rankings were assessed using a “Triple-A” criteria: affordable, accessible and authentically Australia.
“Brad Farmer’s 101 Best Beaches puts the spotlight on just one per cent of Australia’s beaches but, ultimately, this is a list that celebrates our unique coastal lifestyle and with it every kilometre of the 50,000km which make up our country’s spectacular coastline,” John O’Sullivan, managing director of Tourism Australia said.
The top 20 best Australian beaches 2018
1. Nudey Beach (QLD)
2. Horrocks Beach (WA)
3. Dreamtime Beach (NSW)
4. Cossies Beach (Cocos Keeling Islands)
5. Burleigh Heads (QLD)
6. Seal Rocks (NSW)
7. Bay of Fires (TAS)
8. Quobba, Red Bluff (WA)
9. Dolly Beach (Christmas Island)
10. Second Valley (SA)
11. Neds Beach (Lord Howe Island)
12. Little Beach (WA)
13. Wineglass Bay (TAS)
14. Moonee Beach (NSW)
15. Cottesloe Beach (WA)
16. Agnes Waters, 1770 (QLD)
17. Horseshoe Bay (QLD)
18. Kitty Miller Bay (VIC)
19. Mindil Beach (NT)
20. Cylinders (QLD)
Have you been lucky enough to visit the beaches on this list? Let us know in the comments below.