Looking for seclusion and serenity? Look no further.
The tip of Queensland has some of the best beaches in the country, even if you can’t swim at some of them due to crocs and stingers. If you’re an avid traveller, it’s highly likely you’ll know the main beaches but there are plenty of hidden spots locals don’t advertise. Let us introduce you to seven of the best secret beaches in Tropical North Queensland, from the south to the very northern point.
*At all of these beaches, adhere to croc-wise and stinger season rules.
Close to Cairns but away from other tourists is Clifton Beach. Considered a local’s haunt, this beach is patrolled by a lifeguard and has a stinger net during summer. It’s also a lovely, laidback spot to take kids as there is a playground nearby and you can cook lunch on a barbecue or enjoy a picnic under shelter. Pack your bicycles and skateboards to enjoy the beachside path that runs north to Palm Cove.
It may be close to the stunning resort village of Palm Cove but Ellis Beach is still off the radar for many interstate travellers. Ellis is much quieter and has plenty of space and hard sand for a decent beach jog. You will also find Ellis Beach Oceanfront Holiday Park a step from the sand; it’s a great accommodation alternative to Palm Cove for families on a budget. The holiday park is also pet friendly, and has a small pool.
With rarely another soul on this two-kilometre stretch of sand, Oak Beach remains one of my favourite pockets of Queensland coastline. You will find it 10 minutes’ drive south of Port Douglas, not far from the picturesque Great Barrier Reef Drive. Oak Beach is lined with palm trees that stretch toward the sea and sheoaks that offer plenty of privacy, and at the north end is Thala Beach Nature Reserve, hidden among thick forest. If you stay at the reserve, you can chill out in shaded hammocks just beyond the sand.
Image credit: Lachlan Ennion
If you want a beach totally to yourself, check out Cow Bay Beach, between the Daintree River and popular Cape Tribulation. Backed by dense rainforest, the beach is wide and the low-tide large, making Cow Bay perfect for beachcombing with kids. After your sun and sand fix, call into Daintree Rainforest Discovery Centre to try the delicious scones with Davidson plum jam.
One of the best beaches around Cooktown is for travellers who enjoy adventure. Archer Point is 20 minutes’ drive south of Cooktown, at the end of a winding dirt road. You probably don’t need a 4WD to get there but you’ll want one, especially if you decide to camp the night near the beach (there are no amenities). There are crocs in this part of the world, so don’t camp too close to the water. That said, people fish here, and around the corner is a beach and campground that’s popular with kitesurfers. But best to avoid swimming. Walk up to the tiny Archer Point Lighthouse for incredible ocean views.
Beaches don’t get much better than this one, at least to enjoy from the sand. Captain Billy Landing is a hidden beach on the eastern side of Cape York, south of popular Fruit Bat Falls. To get there, brace yourself for a bumpy drive along a narrow forested track. At the end of the track is a small grass campground and a stunning white-sand beach that seemingly stretches north forever. It’s one of Tropical North Queensland’s most picturesque secret beaches, reserved for 4WDers tackling the infamous Old Telegraph Track.
Image credit: Lachlan Ennion
It could be the fact you’ve just completed the rugged Old Telegraph Track, with its steep, mud-track drops and creek crossings, or that you’re almost at the very top of Australia, but there’s something very special about Punsand Bay. Yes, the sand is fine and the water aqua but it’s the vibe here that makes this place really stand out. At Punsand Bay Cape York Camping, hardy travellers share stories over cold beers and wood-fired pizzas, usually after standing at the northernmost point of our fabulous country. Add back-to-basics camping and an air of carefree living and you have a pretty spectacular destination.
Image Credit: Jennifer Ennion
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