What makes Australia’s best beach?
A stretch of sand hiding in plain sight has taken out the top honour in Australia’s best beaches for 2026 and according to beach expert Brad Farmer AM, it’s not just about good looks.
Leading this year’s list are the Bate Bay beaches in southern Sydney, a collection of nine coastal spots that, together, deliver what he calls the “full experience” of an Australian beach.
Why Bate Bay Beaches Took the Top Spot
“The community-minded Bate Bay Beaches are, quite simply, stunning,” he said. “With a vast 4.8 kilometre stretch of undeveloped sand at Greenhills, Wanda and Elouera (Sydney’s longest), it really feels like a hidden gem right under your nose.”
Despite sitting under a busy flight path and within reach of the city by train, Mr Farmer said the area still managed to surprise.
“You can walk for four or five kilometres and still find your own space. That’s pretty extraordinary in a city like Sydney.”
But what sets Bate Bay apart isn’t just the sand or the surf, it’s everything around it.
The 130-Point Test
Mr Farmer has spent more than 40 years studying Australia’s coastline and this year’s rankings are based on what he describes as an “extensive 130-point criteria”.
“It’s not just about the prettiness or the wow factor,” he said. “I break it down into categories like safety, amenities, community conditions and also what’s behind the beach.”
That includes everything from nearby fishing spots and local cafes to golf clubs, walking tracks and the stories of the people who live there.
“I try to put myself in the shoes of a beachgoer. What would they expect, what would surprise them,” he said.
“It’s about the whole experience. You might go for a swim, but then you explore the town, try the seafood and talk to locals.”
It’s also why Mr Farmer actively looks beyond the obvious.
“This isn’t a list of predictable, overcrowded beaches,” he said. “I want to send people to places they might not normally think about.”
A Lifelong Mission to Protect Australia's Coast
For Mr Farmer, his annual list is more than a travel guide, it’s part of a lifelong mission to protect and celebrate Australia’s coastline.
As a seventh-generation Moreton Bay local, his passion started early.
“When I was 12, there was a threat of bulldozing near Paradise Point, so I went around with a petition and stopped a development,” he said. “That was my early awakening to how important these natural habitats are.”
Decades on, that same conservation mindset still drives his work. He’s never been paid for it in his 40 years of research, but he was recognised as a Member of the Order of Australia.
“It's about making sure we retain that quintessential beach lifestyle and protect what makes these places special,” he said.
“People don’t analyse beaches, they feel them,” he said. “But if we can guide them to the right places, they’ll come away with a much deeper appreciation of what we have.”
His study now covers more than 12,500 beaches across the country and, in recent years, has expanded beyond the coast with inland lakes, waterholes and rivers.
Mr Farmer has also recently become a caravan owner, which he said will help him continue his travels.
“It’s a bit of a full-circle moment,” he said. “My grandparents travelled Australia in a van, and now I’m doing the same, just in my own way.”
TOP 10 BEST AUSTRALIAN BEACHES FOR 2026
- Bate Bay Beaches (New South Wales)
- Pinky Beach (Western Australia)
- Beachcomber Cove (Queensland)
- Tallow Beach (New South Wales)
- Hellfire Bay (Western Australia)
- Godfreys Beach - The Nut (Tasmania)
- Inskip Point (Queensland)
- Mount Martha (Victoria)
- Smoky Bay (South Australia)
- Ellery Creek Big Hole (Northern Territory)
