Tourism Australia’s annual best beach list showcases far-flung coastal paradises

Tourism Australia has travelled a long way south to pick the nation’s best beach for 2025, bestowing the title on not just one but a series of them.

One of the beaches which make up the Bay of Fires in Tasmania.

Tourism Australia has gone to the bottom of the nation to find this year’s best beach, bestowing the honour on Tasmania’s Bay of Fires.

Technically a 10km stretch of beaches, Tourism Australia ambassador Brad Farmer said he chose Bay of Fires because it was impossible to settle on a single spot in Tasmania.

“There are so many incredible options, which is why for the first time I’m awarding the best beach to a cluster of neighbouring beach bays in the Bay of Fires,” Mr Farmer said.

In summer the average water temperature at Bay of Fires is around 17C, falling to about 13C in winter so swimming is fairly uncomfortable most days of the year.

But that did not deter Mr Farmer who said “colder water is good for you”.

“Even if you’re not up for a refreshing dip there is still plenty to do and see along this 10km stretch of coast. It’s a location made for photography or painting, fishing and surfing, ” he said.

Coming in at No.2 is Woolgoolga beach on the NSW mid north coast.

Bay of Fires was awarded the title a year after Squeaky Beach in Victoria won the accolade for 2024. The Tourism Australia awards aims to showcase lesser-known coastal paradises around the country.

In second place this year is Woolgoolga beach on the New South Wales mid north coast, a short drive from Coffs Harbour, while Emily Bay Lagoon on Norfolk Island was handed the bronze.

“In 2025 we recognise beaches of all shapes and sizes right around the country,” Mr Farmer said.

“Every beach that makes the list is a winner and this year really highlights the incredible diversity of the beach offerings we have here in Australia. It really is like nowhere else in the world.”

Fourth placegetter North Kirra is probably the best known beach on the list, thanks to its reputation as the “spiritual home of surfing on the Gold Coast”, ahead of Little Lagoon in Western Australia and Fishery Bay in South Australia.

Seventh was 1770 in Queensland, WA’s Scarborough Beach in eighth, while NSW’s Caves Beach, and Cowes Beach in Victoria round out the top 10.

Federal Tourism Minister Don Farrell said the list highlighted how extraordinary Australia’s coastline was.

Pretty Emily Bay Lagoon on Norfolk Island has been named Australia’s third-best beach.

“This year’s list tells the world what Aussies already know – that Bondi and Brighton are great but it’s worth the journey to see some truly unique beaches in regional Australia,” Senator Farrell said.

He congratulated Tasmania for winning the best beach title for the first time, and revealed he was especially chuffed to see Fishery Bay on SA’s Eyre Peninsula make the grade this year.

“My great-grandfather was the first harbour master at nearby Arno Bay which is also a stunning spot,” Senator Farrell said.

Tourism Australia managing director Phillipa Harrison thanks Mr Farmer for his effort, noting that visiting beaches around the country was a “tough job” as there were more than 12,000.

“Someone has to do it,” she joked. “At Tourism Australia our research consistently shows that international visitors come to Australia to experience our beaches and the best of beaches list helps to showcase the breadth and depth of what we have to offer.”

Originally published as Tourism Australia’s annual best beach list showcases far-flung coastal paradises