How do you judge a top beach? Is it the colour and clarity of the water, the temperature of the water, the colour and consistency of the sand, the length of the beach, the exclusivity, the facilities, the waves or palm trees fringing the shores? Apparently Tripadvisor has put together millions of reviews and have come up with their top 10 Australian beaches.
By analysing millions of travellers’s reviews, TripAdvisor recently released its best beaches in Australia list for its 2017 Travellers’ Choice awards with some surprising (and not so surprising) results. Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island has once again come in at number one, whilst there are couple of little unknown ones like Turquoise Bay in Exmouth,WA and Emily Bay on Norfolk Island.
Here are TripAdvisor’s Top 10 Australian Beaches:
Whitehaven Beach, The Whitsundays, Qld
The infamous Surfers Paradise Beach
Noosa Heads, Main Beach
Manly Beach, Sydney
Turquoise Bay, Exmouth, WA
Burleigh Heads Beach
Cable Beach, Broome
Mooloolaba Beach, Qld
The Strand, Townsville
Emily Bay, Norfolk Island
I have visited 8 out of the 10 beaches on the list and can vouch for their beauty, however I’m surprised that Manly Beach in Sydney would make the list and also The Strand in Townsville. If you look further down the list (that actually extends to a total of 25 beaches), I noticed a couple of exceptional beaches that really should have been further up the list. Namely, Greens Pool in Denmark WA (see main photo), Cape Le Grand National Park, Esperance WA, Byron Bay NSW, Bondi Beach, Sydney NSW and Palm Cove Beach Qld, deserved to be further up the list.
Also of note is that no beaches from Tasmania, Victoria or South Australia made the list. Beaches like Horseshoe Bay in Freycinet National Park, Tas, Anglesea or Lorne Beach on the Great Ocean Road, Vic or one of the beaches on Kangaroo Island, SA, should have rated a mention.
However, keeping in mind that the majority of travellers coming to Australia from overseas or domestic travellers would in all probability visit the beaches in the main cities and easy to get to destinations, like the Gold Coast, Sydney and the Sunshine Coast. Considering this the choices are not at all surprising.
If you wish to read the full list see TripAdvisor Top 25 Beaches – Australia
What do you think? Are these top 10 Australian Beaches worthy of making the list?
Comments are closed.
budget jan
February 28, 2017I guess Trip Advisor just analysed the reviews and this list is the result. Maybe people didn’t have handy internet access at some of the beaches and forgot to review later when they did.Being a Townsville girl I do love The Strand and I guess lots of people reviewed it.Which are the two beaches you haven’t seen? One thing I’ve noticed from travelling overseas is that what Aussie’s like in a beach and what other nationalities can be very different. For example, Italians love going to crowded beaches with lots of activity whereas Aussies prefer quiet secluded ones.
Kathy
February 28, 2017Yes I think these would all be contributing factors Jan. I haven’t been to Norfolk Island (but would like to) or Townsville for that matter. The Strand does look gorgeous, but I feel that there are more beautiful beaches in Australia that should have made the list (no offence!) Were you surprised by some of these choices? :)
Leanne | crestingthehill
February 28, 2017I think you’re right about where the tourists go and the fact that it skews the results towards those locations Kathy. We have some amazing beaches in the SW of Western Australia that leave a lot of these Top 10 beaches for dead – maybe it’s a good thing the tourists don’t know about them :)
Kathy
February 28, 2017I agree whole heartedly Leanne. I think the beaches in the South West of Western Australian were some of the most magical ones I’ve ever seen. South Australia and Tasmania also have some beautiful beaches as well. I think you are right – let’s keep some of our best beaches all to ourselves!:)
budget jan
March 1, 2017I am not surprised because of the way they were chosen. I am proud that so many people gave The Strand a good review. If the criteria was classically beautiful palm fringed/white sand/crystal waters then some of these would surprise. This wouldn’t be my top list but it is so subjective.
Kathy
March 1, 2017Yes it is very subjective Jan. I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder and some people may look for different things in a beach. I would probably have to think long and hard about my personal top 10 Australian Beaches. It would be a tough choice. :)
Julie
March 4, 2017The one on Norfolk island looks gorgeous. Just another reason to explore that island. Have been to lord Howe so Norfolk has to be next.
Kathy
March 4, 2017I haven’t been to Norfolk Island either but have heard a lot of good things about it. It is definitely another travel destination for my ever-growing list! :)