29 Stunning Beaches in Queensland with Map & Photo’s

When people think of Queensland, the first thing that often comes to mind is its incredible beaches. But with such a massive coastline, figuring out which Queensland beaches are truly worth your time, can be overwhelming.

Many first-time visitors (and even locals) struggle to decide whether to head north for reef-fringed escapes, explore the central coast’s hidden gems, or stick to the famous surf beaches of South East Queensland. The truth is, each region offers something completely different, and knowing what to expect will help you make the most of your trip.

Having lived in Queensland most my life, I’ve pulled together a guide to the best beaches across Queensland. I’ll share my personal favourites and give you a clear overview so you can choose the perfect beach (or beaches!) for your adventure.

This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Please read my disclaimer, T&C’s & privacy policy here.

Map of the Best Beaches In Queensland

Can you believe there are over 1700 Queensland beaches? That’s right! From the northern tip to the southern end near the Gold Coast, there’s no shortage of places to plant your beach towel and soak up the sun.

So, please click here for my curated Map of places, and keep reading below for my top picks!

➡ North Queensland Beaches

1. Radical Bay

Magnetic Island lies off the coast of Townsville in the North and has about 2000 permanent residents. Radical Bay is not the easiest to access and will require a four-wheel drive. However, you can return hike there in a few hours (if you’re keen).

The beach is very isolated from the rest of the Island, and you won’t find a lot of tourists there. It’s lined by fascinating palm trees and crystal clear waters and the cove is surrounded by big rock boulders.

2. Catseye Beach

Regarded as one of Hamilton island’s best attractions, Catseye beach is convenient and offers many activities, such as swimming in the shallows, paddle boarding, or kayaking along the coastline. You could even snorkel to find turtles and explore all that this beach has to offer!

After a long day of exploring, take some time to stroll along the picturesque 0.8-kilometre beach admiring Whitsunday Island’s lush greenery and mountain landscape. You can rent a sun lounge and umbrella or simply lay out a towel on the sand to relax while listening to the sound of waves crashing nearby.

3. Nudey Beach

Laze on the white sand of Fitzroy Island, a large continental island located 29 km south of Cairns in the Far North Tropical. Luckily you can choose to stay on the island for an extended day or day trip from Cairns for a taste tester.

The Fitzroy Flyers run three times daily and will take you a 45-minute ride from Cairns to Welcome Bay. From there, you can commence your walk south along the Nudey Beach Walking Track. The track takes 15 minutes to stroll through tropical rainforest and coastal woodlands before culminating at the stunning white coral beach.

4. Palm Cove

The Palm Cove beach is about 30 minutes north of Cairns and on your way to Port Douglas. It offers visitors and locals a relaxed beachfront village with its palm-fringed beach.

➡  Click here to see Palm Cove Hotel Deals

Melaleuca trees overhang on the rooftops, which adds to the vibe of relaxation. The waters around here remain warm and inviting all year round, along with the clean, soft sand.

Note: Check out all my Cairns Travel Guides here

Do you need help planning your trip to Queensland? Book a one-on-one consultation call with me, to get your questions answered & personalised help!

5. Four Mile Beach

Four Mile Beach is a stunning beach and a beautiful backdrop to the small town of Port Douglas. Obviously, it stretches this length along the coast of this North QLD town, and popular for casual walks, getting some sun, and exercise.

➡  Click here to find Port Douglas Hotel Deals

It features some nice clean sand, lined with palm trees, and beautiful blue waters. There is a calm surf, and lifeguards patrol along the popular end of the beach, all year round. Furthermore, you can hire tables and umbrellas for the day while you soak up the sun.

Note: Check out all my Port Douglas Travel Guides here

6. Mission Beach

What makes Mission beach worth visiting is the low key 1 thousand people living there. Its situated along the Cassowary coast in the North, local hospitality, and of course, a beautiful palm tree-lined Beach. In fact, Mission Beach is known for palm trees with an extra lean, which is almost 45 degrees from the ground.

➡  Click here to book Mission Beach Hotel Deals

Gaze out onto the waters while you are on your sunset walk and see the nearby Dunk Island in the distance. Hire a jet ski and explore the area or venture inland to the dense forest and see if you can find a Cassowary.

7. Ellis Beach

This would have to be one of your top spots to visit for isolation, making it one of the best unknown destinations. As much as it’s only a hop, skip, and a jump from Palm Cove, it’s more likely to catch it on your own. It stretches for about 2 kilometres and is located along the Captain Cook Highway, otherwise known, as the Great Barrier Reef Drive.

Enjoy the best of the North by staying in the Bungalows across the road, or grab a bite to eat at the Beach Bar & Grill. However you’re enjoying Ellis beach, you not going to regret it, and it’s a perfect day trip from Cairns.

8. Cape Tribulation

There is no place on earth where you can step straight off the beach and into the rainforest. In fact, there are plenty of Rainforest accommodation options in Cape Tribulation, which are just metres away from the Beach. Imagine yourself in a jungle and opening up into those white sandy beach settings.

➡  Click HERE to book Cape Tribulation Hotel Deals

Cape Tribulation ( or Cape Trib to the locals) is only two and a half hours north of Cairns and has a population of about 120 people. Obviously, these locals are servicing the tourism industry and helping you enjoy their little slice of paradise.

➡ Central Queensland Beaches

9. Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet (Whitsundays)

What can I say about Whitehaven Beach & Hill Inlet is worth seeing, and needs to be seen to be believed. If you can only visit one Queensland beach with crystal clear water along the coast, then the Whitsundays is where you need to go.

➡  Find Whitsunday tours HERE with GYG, or check out the hotel deals HERE

This is a bucket list destination in Australia, and visited by over 750 thousand tourists each year. Surprisingly, It’s like walking on snow and made up of white silica sand and an easy day trip from the small town of Airlie Beach.

Note: Check out all my Airlie Beach Travel Guides here

10. Cape Hillsborough

Once again, I have included a beach due to the wildlife experience and not necessarily for the beach itself.

Cape Hillsborough National Park is located about 40 minutes north of Mackay and is known for its unique wild Kangaroo experience.

Each morning at sunrise, wild kangaroos will come out from the surrounding bushland to feed on the pods and seaweed leftover from high tide. You will have to be an early riser for this one and ensure you get down to the beach around first light ( about 30 minutes before sunrise).

However, you can read up on my review of the Caravan Park for the best place to stay for this Kangaroo experience.

11. Seaforth Beach

Looking for a picturesque place to spend your holidays? A trip to Seaforth Beach will take you past lush subtropical rainforests and many sugar cane fields. Seaforth itself is a charming little beachside town and is popular for recreational fishing.

It’s a favourite in the Mackay Region, especially with a boat ramp at Victor Creek. Today, Seaforth’s sugar and tourism industries are booming. The town offers a bowling club, public toilets, a swimming enclosure, and a caravan and camping area located right on the beach.

12. Yeppoon Beach

When it comes to beaches located in the central area, you don’t have a lot of options. However, Yeppoon is ideal and would have to be one of your best, which has tourists returning again and again. It lies on the Capricorn coast in a small community of 20 thousand people.

➡  Click to Book your Yeppoon Hotel Deals

All year round, people will use the beach for swimming, sailing, kayaking, jet skiing, or simply watching that beautiful sunrise coming over the ocean. Apart from that, you can check out Great Keppel Island, which is also an exceptional day trip location for snorkelling.

13. Agnes Water Beach

The beautiful Agnes Water or Seventeen Seventy is located in the central part of the state and about 5 hours north of Brisbane. Both are quiet little beachside towns, with a population of over 2000 people combined.

➡  Click here to see 1770 Hotel Deals, or Click here to see Agnes Hotel Deals

There is plenty to do in Agnes & 1770 but the beach is known for is surfing and drawing a younger crowd. However, all kinds of beachgoers enjoy this quaint little spot for its isolation and kilometres of beach to explore.

Apart from that, you can enjoy many different activities like hiking the red rock trail, taking a day trip to Lady Musgrave Island, Paperbark Forest, or taking a ride on the amphibious LARC vehicle.

➡ South East Queensland Beaches

14. Bribie Island Beach, Brisbane

The beautiful Bribie Island lies off the coast of North Brisbane, the forth largest sand island in the world and one of the few islands that you can drive to. Separated by the Pumicestone passage, you have the east side with low-key swimming with the west side(ocean facing), where you’ll find the surf.

➡  Click here to see Bribie Island Hotel Deals

Over 20 thousand people live there, with a great selection of shops, groceries, plenty of attractions at Bribie, restaurants, and cafes. Bribie Island is actually a National Park, it allows beach driving, along with some of the Ocean beach camping spots.

15. Tangalooma Beach

Moreton Island is your perfect Island Paradise, and so close to the capital city of Brisbane. Therefore, it’s easy to access for a day trip from Brisbane or stay for longer in any of the Resort accommodation.

There are plenty of activities near the resort, and known for the famous nightly Dolphin feeding or snorkelling the Tangalooma wrecks.

➡  Search tours HERE to Moreton, or Click HERE for accommodation.

There is an Eco-friendly Resort that uses solar power on the third largest sand island in the world and they’ve created a lot of activities that limit the tourist footprint on the Island.

16. Point Lookout beach

Point Lookout is located on the northeast side of North Stradbroke Island and is a popular spot for socializing. There are several local cafes, boutique shops, and breath-taking views. The natural environment will astound you with its kilometres-long surf beach and towering rocky headlands.

➡  Check out tours HERE to Straddie, or HERE for accommodation deals.

It also offers one of Australia’s best land-based vantage points for observing dolphins, turtles, manta rays, and migrating humpback whales (Seasonal from June to November).

17. Cylinder Beach

There are so many different Stradbroke Island beaches for you to explore, and therefore, very hard to round down to just one. I have picked Cylinder beach for its location, facilities, accessibility, and suitable for almost everyone.

It lies off the coast of Brisbane, one of the largest sand islands in the world, and a 40-minute ferry ride away. The beach itself has some low-key swimming, plus some surf. Obviously, weather conditions control the waves but are mostly protected from the extreme.

18. Streets Beach

Are man-made beaches going to be included in this collation, well, why not? Streets Beach is right in the centre of the bustling capital city of Brisbane, in the South East corner of the state. It may not be one of the biggest, but certainly does get the tourists/ locals jumping in for a quick dip and known for ones of the best places to swim in Brisbane .

➡  Click HERE to book your Brisbane City Hotel Deals

If you’re ever visiting Brisbane, then it’s couldn’t be more convenient to visit Streets Beach and the many attractions at South bank. It overlooks the city’s high-rise buildings and is included in a suburb packed full of entertainment for the young and old.

19. Surfers Paradise

You’ll never be short of things to see and do in Surfers Paradise as it’s tourist central and home to one of the most famous areas in the world. People were flocking to the areas back in the 1980s and eventually became the sixth-largest, non-capital city in Australia.

➡ Check out tours HERE from Surfers Paradise, or find your Hotel Deals HERE

This area has two kilometres of beautiful white sand, fully patrolled during the day. The surf ranges from day to day depending on the conditions, but you’ll see bodyboarders, kayakers, paddle boarding, and swimmers out there every day. Additionally, with entertainment and activities galore, especially in the water with the fun Jet Skiing tour we took, Surf lessons, Whale Watching Tours and Jet Boating experiences.

20. Tallebudgera Creek, Gold Coast

Tallebudgera Creek is your alternate Gold Coast beach in Australia to visit when you don’t want the huge crowds like Surfers Paradise. The area features a low-key crystal clear creek and a surf beach. With this in mind, you will find it suits every kind of beachgoer, including families, kids, and even the family pet.

➡  Click here to see Tallebudgera Hotel Deals.

This is also a patrolled area, and you can feel safe knowing that someone is always on the lookout for you. This is a brilliant spot for canoeing, paddle boarding, even swimming or surfing lessons. Tallebudgera is lined with picnic tables, toilets facilities, and many kids will jump off the walking bridge into the water.

21. Burleigh Heads

Burleigh Heads is starting to get a little further south on the Goldy, and less touristy, but still a popular spot with plenty of facilities. Not surprising hat the beach is still lined with high rise buildings and holiday accommodations.

➡  Find tours HERE for The Gold Coast, or here to see Burleigh Hotel Deals

The Burleigh Foreshore is lined with parklands from the Burleigh Heads National Park, perfect for a picnic or barbeque. There are regular arts and crafts markets where you can admire the local talents. Furthermore, ocean Front dining provides some amazing views while you enjoy a delectable meal.

22. Noosa Main Beach

Noosa Main Beach or Noosa Heads is one of the more popular spots to hang out on the Sunshine Coast and connected to the Noosa National Park. Hastings Street is Noosa Central and only a short walk away from this amazing beach, protected by a 2000 hectare National park headland.

➡  Find Noosa tours HERE, or Click HERE to see the Hotel Deals

The main Boardwalk is a short walking distance from the beach and home to many different shops, restaurants, and holiday apartments. As you walk further around the headland and into the National Park, you have more selections of private coves and ideal swimming spots. This includes, but is not limited to finding how to get too the Noosa Fairy Rock Pools.

23. Kings Beach

Kings Beach is located in the Southeast, one of the many activities to do in Caloundra, and on the Sunshine Coast. This is conveniently lifeguarded, and turns out to be very popular for the locals. It’s contains a myriad of resorts and accommodations, which all seem to be metres away from the beach or face the ocean.

➡  Click here to book Caloundra Hotel Deals

Caloundra is a bustling community with a laid-back lifestyle, and there are plenty of restaurants and cafes to choose from.

24. Mooloolaba Beach

Mooloolaba Beach is included in our list of areas on the Sunshine Coast, lifeguarded and popular with the Surfers. It’s perfect for the entire family to enjoy, and was also voted 4th best beach in Australia by TripAdvisor in 2019.

➡  Click to book your Mooloolaba Hotel Deals

There is no shortage of things to do in the area, from retail shopping, local boutiques, restaurant, cafes, or even the SeaLife Aquarium. You can score a brilliant seafood meal almost anywhere and a lovely esplanade of choices.

25. Lake McKenzie

Can you ever imagine a freshwater lake looking this good? The crystal blue waters and fine white sand, are what you’re going to find at Lake McKenzie on Fraser Island ( K’Gari). Laze on the beach, jump in for a swim, or spend your day hiking around the edges.

➡  Check out tours HERE to Fraser Island, or here to see Hotel Deals

The Island receives over 300 thousand tourists each year and is a popular spot for beach camping and holiday rental along a seventeen-mile beach. Accessing Lake McKenzie is only by four-wheel-drive (like the rest of the island) and requires navigation through a lot of thick, sandy tracks.

26. Rainbow Beach

With a population of 1200 people and located about 3 hours north of Brisbane, you can easily find out what to in Rainbow Beach. It’s part of the Great Sandy National Park( Like Fraser Island or K’gari). But, many people will use Rainbow Beach as their gateway to Fraser Island, but it does have its own drawcards as well.

➡  Find Rainbow Beach tours HERE, or here to see Hotel Deals

Visitors will spend there days hanging out on the beach from here and all along the coast. How about a small hike and swimming in the fresh waters of Poona lake. Or, Exploring the 15-hectare sandhills of the Carlo Sand Blow. There is no shortage of shandy shores here!

27. Double Island Point Beach

Double Island Point is one of the most iconic points of interest in the Cooloola Recreation Area. It is located in the Great Sandy National Park and features a scenic headland and one of my favourite beaches to see the Coloured Sand Cliffs. 

The only way to get there is by a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle. This will be driving along Cooloola’s beach from Noosa, or anywhere between Noosa North Shore and Rainbow Beach.

And if the views are what you’re after (and really, who isn’t?), make sure to climb all the way up to Double Island Point lighthouse.

28. Woodgate

There are many different Bundaberg beaches to discover, but none are quite like Woodgate beach. The white sandy shores stretch for over 16 kilometres and a brilliant addition to our selection.

This is a small country town, with about 1000 permanent residents and so close to the many attractions of Bundaberg, since it’s about 40 minutes from the town.

Spend your afternoons swimming in the calm waters or walking the beachline at sunset. Pack a picnic and have a romantic day trip from Bundaberg, or maybe stay overnight camping at Kinkuna. Either way, you’re going to enjoy this isolated beach.

29. Mon Repos

Mon Repos is another beach in Bundaberg I wanted to mention, but not for its beachside quality. This beach is special due to the amazing Loggerhead Turtle experience you can enjoy between October and March each year.

The seasonal Loggerhead turtles will visit Mon Repos Beach from October to January to lay their eggs in the sand. This is controlled and monitored by the Bundaberg Council rangers, and you can purchase tickets to see this amazing site.

Wrap up!

Thanks for reading my list of the best Beaches in Queensland. I will be updating and adding more beaches to this list as I go along, so please find me again later. If you’re still researching, check out my other Queensland Blogs for inspiration.

• Best Australian Waterfalls you must see
• Is Australia Boring? Reasons why it’s Not with Photo’s
• Best Place to Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef
• 10 Day Brisbane to Airlie Beach Road Trip Stops, Itinerary & Map
• Things to see on a Brisbane to Cairns Road trip
• Exposing the Downsides to a Great Barrier Reef Pontoon Tour
• Tips to know BEFORE planning a Queensland Road Trip
• Carnival Encounter Cruise Review & Best Tips