Need some domestic travel inspiration? Why not put this year’s top 20 Aussie beaches on your to-do list! With a lineup that includes Alexandria Bay in Noosa, Horseshoe Bay in South West Rocks and a little gem called Misery beach in Albany, even the most seasoned beach goers will be delighted.
It’s official. A little-known Western Australian beach called Misery has taken out the title of Australia’s Best Beach.
Described as ‘picture perfect’, Misery Beach, near Albany in WA, isn’t such a misery after all!
On the contrary, it is one of 20 beaches judged to be the country’s best for 2022 by Australian coastal veteran and Tourism Australia appointed Friend of Australia and beach expert, Brad Farmer AM.
Farmer has been writing about beaches for almost 40 years and has visited most of Australia’s accessible beaches in his research travels.
This year’s list of winners focuses on nature-based locations, many quirky spots within easy reach of cities, and also celebrates the significant cultural value of the coast to Australia’s First Nations people.
The 2022 list has been announced today by the Federal Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, the Hon Dan Tehan MP and Mr Brad Farmer AM.
“It’s summer again and after a long year of lockdowns, Australians everywhere are keen to finally get some sand between their toes and holiday at home this year on the world’s most diverse and magnificent selection of beaches,” Mr Farmer said.
Tourism Australia’s Managing Director Phillipa Harrison said “Brad has explored the coastline right around Australia, checked out islands off the coast and again looked inland to produce yet another exceptional list of beaches”.
“We have the best beaches in the world right here in our own backyard, which is why they are part of the Australian way of life and why 70 per cent of international visitors enjoy a coastal experience when they visit Australia.”
Beaches are not only the greatest source of recreation for Australians but are one of the greatest generators of sustainable income into the future.
This year’s list is compelling, with their unique cultural connection to First Nations Country and some truly outstanding beaches not often found in internet searches.
Every state and territory is included in this year’s list, including Christmas Island (Indian Ocean Territories) and K’Gari (formerly named Fraser Island), Mots Beach at the mouth of the Snowy River and Murrays Beach in Jervis Bay Territory.
The top beaches in Australia for 2022
1 – Misery Beach Albany, WA
2 – Horseshoe Bay South West Rocks, NSW
3 – The Spit Gold Coast, QLD
4 – Flaherty’s Beach Yorke Peninsula, SA
5 – Loch Ard Gorge Port Campbell, VIC
6 – The Neck Bruny Island, TAS
7 – Blue Pearl Bay Whitsundays, QLD
8 – Depot Beach South Coast, NSW
9 – Murrays Beach Jervis Bay Territory, ACT/NSW
10 – Dundee Beach Darwin, NT
11 – Dudley Beach Newcastle, NSW
12 – Thompsons Beach Cobram, Rural, VIC
13 – Coogee Beach Perth, WA
14 – Mots Beach Marlo, VIC
15 – Alexandria Bay Noosa, QLD
16 – Emu Bay Kangaroo Island, SA
17 – Lake Wabby K’Gari (Fraser Is), QLD
18 – Congwong Beach Sydney, NSW
19 – Jellybean Pool Blue Mountains, NSW
20 – Ethel Beach Christmas Island, IOT
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