With over 10,000 beaches around its splendid coastline, Australia has more places to lay your towel than anywhere else in the world.

Most of the population lives no more than 20 minutes from a beach, and a trip to swim, surf, or just stretch on the almost universally soft white sand is a regular part of daily life.

Shop in beach boutiques, learn to surf, laze on the beach. And when you've had enough of the glorious sunshine, you can retire for a cold drink and a massage at the spa.

Life is a beach, you know.

The Ultimate Holiday
by Richard Allen

My wife, two teenage children and I have visited Australia many times and travelled around the country by air, hire car, rail and horseback.. In particular, we were captivated by the coast between Portland and Torquay, Victoria and between Rockhampton and Cairns, Queensland. Everywhere we met Australians who were so helpful and obliging - great people, great country. Rottnest Island
by Matt Lowe

Home to the Quokka, this unspoilt island just off the coast of Western Australia is stunning. Completely unspoilt and with no cars allowed on the island, it provided me with some of the best beaches, views and snorkelling in Australia Coral Bay
by Pam Duffin

Coral Bay Western Australia
Fabulous coral reef undeveloped camping area tallow beach
by Nikki Hilton

tallow beach in byron bay is fab- check it out if you love to swim in the ocean, body surf, surf- or just walk on the shore.. enjoy, it's the best! A Coast with a Difference
by Nicole R. Nolan

What I love is that, within all the unique beauty which is the Australian coastline, there always remains a danger. Take, for example, Mandurah. Just over an hour outside Perth, the risk of sharks in the water diminishes, but is exchanged instead for Manudrah's own little deadly: the yellow-bellied sea-snake. I've never seen one - thank goodness - but signs warn of any and all snakes, of course, and holes in the sand are evidence of these creatures' nocturnal movements. However, does this deter one from morning walks, illuminated by the just-risen sun? Not in the least. Keep them coming, because nothing can keep one away from the addiction that is Australian beaches. THE DELAY
by GRAHAM MERREDEW

BACK IN 1988, I WON A PAIR OF AIR TICKETS TO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD WITH CADBURY'S. ALONG WITH A FRIEND WE CHOSE AUSTRALIA. IN EARLY SEPT WE LEFT HEATHROW FOR A 2 WEEK HOLIDAY IN CAIRNS, BUT DUE TO A TECHNICAL PROBLEM, WE WERE STUCK IN ABU DHABI FOR 3 DAYS, IT WAS BICENTENNARY YEAR, ALL CONNECTING FLIGHTS MISSED BUT BA (BRITISH AIRWAYS), WERE GREAT, THEY RESCHEDULED EVERYTHING FOR US & WE HAD A GREAT TIME IN THE TROPICS OF CAIRNS. BA EVEN PUT US UP IN BRISBANE FOR 3 NIGHTS (FREE OF CHARGE). THE PEOPLE WERE FRIENDLY, WEATHER FANTASTIC, ALL IN A GREAT TIME, NOW LOOKED BACK ON WITH FOND MEMORIES. Sunset
by Patricia Auckland

I experienced the most amazing sunset, lasting at least 20 minutes, overlooking the Seven Sisters whilst traveling the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne to Adelaide by car. The colours were just fantastic - pink, red, orange, I have never seen anything like it and can't wait to go back. Sailing on Whitsunday Islands
by Lewis Freeman

A very memorable and relaxed holiday sailing between the islands. A different anchorage each night listening to the sounds of the night underneath a star filled sky. Days spent above the clear blue water on white sand beaches and frequently beneath it watching the aquatic life below. Best Days of My Life
by Jackie Banham

My first visit to Australia was meant to be for 3 weeks holiday with my daughter until she decided to go for a year and I agreed. My full time job could be kept open for only six months so I gave in my notice, rented out my house and we left.
We first rented an apartment in Sydney overlooking Harbour Bridge for 3 months then toured the east coast by coach. What an experience! We saw turtles both laying and hatching eggs, stayed at the 'hippie commune' at The Arts Factory in Byron Bay, flew over and stayed on Fraser Island for 3 days and sailed in a catamaran round the Whitsundays, to mention only a few experiences.
When the first year was over we 'signed on' for another year, staying in wonderful Sydney. I cannot stress too heavily the fabulous time I had during those two years - it was the best thing I have ever done in my life and I can't wait to get back there. I finished off my two years with a sky dive over Sydney. I even have to admit to being torn between supporting Australia or England in the Rugby!! Surfing Byron Bay
by Sean Bishop

Surfing Watego's Beach in Byron Bay was the most amazing experience from my numerous trips to OZ. It was a typical Australian summer day and the ocean was as blue as the sky and as clear as glass, the waves perfect, and dolphins were swimming underneath. Never have I felt so at peace as on that day. The day finished with a barbie and some cold tooheys...doesn't get much better. Broome and the Buccaneer Archipelago
by Carolyn Heathcote

Broome is somewhere not many Australians have been - a wild-west town in NW Australia where pearl fishing was carried out. A multi-ethnic community when the rest of Australia was white! Cable Beach is 22 miles of white sand and Cable Beach resort is the place to chill out and enjoy the beach and the swimming pools - not too expensive out of season either. I took a flight in a small plane over Cape Leveque and the Buccaneer Archipelago - breathtaking views of remote islands and the reverse waterfall plus morning tea and a swim at the tip of the Cape. It's an ill wind!
by John Hulme

My wife & I were staying at Port Douglas. The weather was too bad to go out to the reef on the day we had arranged. So drove upto the Atherton tablelands instead. What a treat. A fascinating area. Great termite mounds, curtain fig tree, beautiful swimming in natural pools & the best beef burger I have ever tasted. Snakes in wild
by Balbeer Nagi

I was visiting Melbourne, where my son lives, and he took us to Wilsons Promontory, about 6 hours drive from Melbourne. It was most scenic place I have ever visited. Lots of camping sites, and various walks in forest. We took one of the walks and we were stopped suddenly by my son pointing out a black snake not very far from us, silently going on its way. We remained frozen and my son stated that was probably the most poisonous snake in the world. He also advised us to walk with care and be aware of wild life around us in the forest. In the evening there were other wildlife in the open places, like emus, and kangaroos. I fell in love with the Australian countryside. Ningaloo Reef
by Doris Sait

Ningaloo Reef is located on the North Cape in Western Australia approx. 2 hrs flying time north of Perth. This is a protected fringing reef that can be reached from the shore or by day boat. Whale sharks visit the area to feed in the rich waters in April and May. When visiting WA this reef is worth exploring. Life on the Northern Beaches
by colin ta

I was lucky to live there for 2 years, fantastic beaches, wonderful life and great people. Look north beyond Manly to Barren Joey lighthouse. The beaches in between are fantastic. Variety
by Len Clark

As part of a cruise we visited various ports inc Sydney (fantastic) then went to Cairns didn't believe Great Barrier reef could be so amazing! Would love to go back sooner rather than later. You haven't seen anything if you haven't seen Australia!! Dive the barrier reef
by Stephen Natt

After a fabulous sail out on a catamaran from the port of Cairns we donned scuba gear and then found ourselves transported into an incredible world. The barrier reef thronged with multi-coloured fish of all shapes and sizes, the blue of the sea was fantastic and the coral was a beautiful, complex natural architecture that held different vistas and wildlife in every corner and cove. Once our dive was over we returned to the ship and enjoyed a heavenly lunch sampling the fruits of the local seas. This combined experience made this aspect of our trip truly unforgettable. Cronulla
by Edwina Knight

Within an hour of the plane touching down at Sydney Airport, I was sitting on the patio of a pub called the "Hog's Breath" as the waves lapped against the rocks under the lights of
Cronulla. Heaven! Penguins at night
by Susan Bowles

A visit to Phillip Island to see the penguins coming home to their nests after a days fishing is a once in a lifetime treat. Cliff top walk
by Michael Chambers

The Coogee to Bondi coastal walk is a real gem. What better way to spend a warm summers evening than this picturesque walk along this beautiful coastline. It takes about 45 minutes and takes you through some lovely suburbs like Coogee, Clovelly, whilst enjoying magnificent views and sea spray. The grand finale being cocktails and dinner at Icebergs in Bondi! £10 pom
by Lesley Windsor

In the early 1970's I was in my early 20's and became a £10 pom. I started life in Australia at Glenelg near Adelaide and had a flat which was across the road from the most beautiful beach I had ever seen. I was in heaven and had the best 10 years of my life! I travelled extensively in Oz whilst I was there. Unforseen circumstances bought me back to the UK and here I have to stay for the time being, but there isn't a day that passes without my regretting that I didn't return to that wonderful country. 4x4 Fraser Island
by Helen Crosswaite

The best experience I had in Australia by far. Driving on the worlds largest sand island, campling under the milkyway and socialising with the purest breed of Dingos in existence. Awesome. Australia Day
by Andrew Smyth

We went to Dee Why beach for Australia Day - what a day - beautiful weather, breakfast on the beach then hundreds of crazy Aussies trying to beat the world record for the number of Lilo's in a line on the sea. Very colourful and great fun. Desperate to go back! A new old world
by George McIntyre

In 2002 we visited south of Melbourne and all the way down the Mornington Peninsular. Such a small part of a great big island continent. A very laid back and beautiful area, with an Italian air about it. Queenscliffe and Philip Island and the penguins have remained in my memory ever since, reminding us in some ways of the late sixties back home. We were amazed at all the various crafts that were available at local markets, and the expertise that has been passed on down the generations. Many which have now been lost around here. All whom we met were quite keen to speak to us about how we were enjoying Australia, how we found the the various mix of customs. The rural lifestyle suited my wife and I to a 'tee', so relaxing and friendly, the empty beaches, the cosy and cheap (by our standards) cafes, with their wonderful mix of dishes. All in all we really did enjoy our trip, though now that we have heard about Tasmania we would dearly like to go there as well as visiting the Great Barrier Reef area. But there is so much to see, we could never see even half of the island continent in our lifetime. The wildlife is simply something else as well of course, and is a great source of enjoyment. I could go on, but I'd better stop here and not be too long winded! Lost beach
by Sophie Jefferys

While on magnetic island we wandered off from our hostel. An hour later the path was no where to be seen however in the process we stumbled onto the most amazing secluded beach where we spent the day feeling like explorers... Wanna go back
by Peter Cutmore

We hired a house on a beach between Cairns & PortDouglas in August. It was like a deserted island with turtle & us swimming & fishing in the not-too-cold sea, golden sands, coconut palms, bbqs on the veranda, a small outside pool in the backgarden. The peacefulness & quiet in a warm environment was a magical family experience for us all. Visit Paradise on Whitehaven Beach
by Tahlia Dolan

Whitehaven Beach in Queensland is the ideal location to relax, unwind, and take in the unspoiled beauty of one of Australia’s finest beaches. I have visited the island 4 times and each visit still transports me into another world with its’ pristine white sands and amazingly clear water – perfect temperature for a dip on a hot day! Boats take daily trips out to the beach located on Whitsunday Island and many include snorkelling around local reefs and stop for a short hike to take in the view of the beautiful swirling sands of the Whitehaven passage from another island. This is my favourite place in Australia and can’t wait to go again! Surfing novices
by Joss Burgess

The one thing I was determined to do when I went to Australia was learn to surf. I found a place on Manly beach that seemed good and booked my place. It was great fun but so hard! There were about 10 of us learning and the natives must have been in despair as pasty pom after pasty pom came spilling off their surfboard headfirst into the sea. Fair play to them though, they gave us tips and never gave up, and sure enough we all made it up – all be it for about 6 seconds! Escorted by Dolphins
by Andy Tongue

Sailing back to Airlie Beach after three nights in the Whitsundays, including a visit to magical Whitehaven Beach, somebody shouted to go and look at the front of the boat and there swimming ahead in tight pyrimad formation was a pod of dolphins. They escorted our boat for about six or sevens minutes before diving off sharply to the left. A memorable way to round off the most magical long weekend of my life. Squeaky Sand!
by Carolyn Hunt-Wackett

I've travelled a fair amount but nowhere have I encountered more squeaky sand beaches than on the NSW coast. My roadtrips from Pretty Beach on the South Coast to Byron Bay in the North were diverse, unique and all magnificent. From the different fauna and wildlife, to the amazing sunrises over each outlook. Despite what every sunset lover can ever tell me, there is no better way to start the day than to watch the sun rise whilst walking through that sand. Talk about inspiring!