The top beaches in the world have been announced but there was one 'glaring error'
OPINION: I may be a little biased as a born and bred Aussie, but surely it's common knowledge that our Land Down Under is home to the best beaches in the world?
So imagine my surprise when judges at The World's 50 Best Beaches compiled their top ten list for 2025, and NOT ONE SINGLE Australian beach made the cut.
It's a travesty. I can think of at least ten off the top of my head that are miles better than the international top ten. There are some seriously glaring omissions from the list.
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Where's Lucky Bay, the iconic WA beach where kangaroos lounge in the sun? Or Cable Beach with its sunset and camels?
Where are Whitehaven or Hyams Beach, which are consistently reported to have the whitest sand in the world?
Where's Wineglass Bay, which 9Travel readers chose as their favourite beach in Australia?
Back in 2023, Lucky Bay was number one on the same list, and Whitehaven was number four - so what happened within two years that they're now not even in the top 50? They're also both in the 'Best of the Best' list. But apparently not good enough to get a mention in 2025.
The 'best' beach in Australia
The highest-ranked Aussie beach on the 2025 list is Turquoise Bay in Western Australia, at number 11.
It's a stunning beach - I've visited it for myself and can confirm that it ticks all the boxes. White sand, bright blue water, incredible marine life, great snorkelling sites, and it's surrounded by national park, so it's protected and pristine.
But allow me to introduce an alternative top ten list - some famous spots, some lesser-known - to rival the official global top ten.
Green Patch has the white sand of Jervis Bay but fewer crowds than Hyams Beach. Supplied
The top 10
First place for the best beach in Australia, in my humble opinion, should go to Green Patch. It's just south of the world-famous Hyams Beach, but it's a bit more rugged and a lot more peaceful.
Accessed by walking through native bushland full of wallabies, it's a glorious beach with water that I guarantee is cleaner and clearer than most other spots around the world. The pure white quartz sand is soft to walk and lie on, and the water is a perfect temperature in the warmer months.
There are camping sites and barbecues, so you can make a whole adventure out of your trip.
Wilson's Promontory has amazing beaches. Supplied
Another spot that needs to have its moment in the sun is Squeaky Beach on Victoria's Wilson's Promontory. Named for its squeaky white sand, it has inviting turquoise water and is framed by impressive granite boulders and scrubland.
Wilson's Prom, the southernmost tip of mainland Australia, is home to a ton of great beaches, where dolphins play in the waves and you can easily find a private stretch of sand to pitch your umbrella. Whisky Beach and Fairy Cove are also must-visit spots.
Tassie's aforementioned Wineglass Bay is obviously an iconic choice for Australia's best beach.
But I reckon Binalong Bay is also up there - set in the Bay of Fires with its incredible orange-tipped granite boulders that make the aqua water look even brighter and bolder.
It's cold, so pack a wetsuit. But it's worth it.
King Island's Martha Lavinia Beach is another Tassie jaw-dropper, but probably best to be left to the keen surfers who can navigate the strong ocean currents and take advantage of the pristine waves.
Binalong Bay is a perfect swimming spot - if a little chilly. Getty
From Darwin to Tasmania, from Exmouth to Byron, Australia is home to some seriously incredible beaches, whether you want to surf, snorkel, kayak, frolic in the shallows, or just lie on the sand.
In no particular order, here is what we reckon should be the top ten. Not just in Australia, but worldwide.
9Travel's list of Australia's ten best beaches:
- Green Patch Beach, NSW
- Squeaky Beach, VIC
- Binalong Bay, TAS
- Lucky Bay, WA
- Wineglass Bay, TAS
- Fishery Bay, SA
- Alma Bay, QLD
- Cottesloe Beach, WA
- Stokes Bay, SA
- Whitehaven Beach, QLD
