Australia is well known for its beaches. If you were to visit one a day, it'd take over 27 years to see them all! Some of the very best in the country can be found in NSW, from those with pure white sand (including the whitest sand in the world!) to sweeping golden bays and those nestled between craggy headlands.
You can drive right up to the vast majority of beaches on this list, so they’re perfect for a hot day when you don’t want to put in too much effort.
Here are some of the very best beaches in NSW.
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By region
Northern NSW
Mid North Coast
Sydney
Central Coast / Lake Macquarie
Jervis Bay
Far South CoastBest Beaches in NSW
1: Hyams Beach, Jervis Bay
2: Kittys Beach, Booderee NP
3: Murrays Beach, Booderee NP
4: Boat Harbour Beach, Bendalong
5: Target Beach, Beecroft Peninsula
6: Long Beach, Beecroft Peninsula
7: Inyadda Beach, Bendalong
8: 1080 Beach, Narooma
9: Camel Rock Beach, Bermagui
10: Mollymook Beach, Mollymook
11: Pebbly Beach, Murramurrang
12: Middle Beach, Merimbula
13: Ghosties Beach, Catherine Hill Bay
14: Maitland Bay, Central Coast
15: Caves Beach, Lake Macquarie
16: Zenith Beach, Port Stephens
17: Anna Bay, Port Stephens
18: Bennetts Beach, Hawks Nest
19: Fingal Bay, Port Stephens
20: Number One Beach, Seal Rocks
21: Celito Beach, Seal Rocks
22: McBrides Beach, Forster
23: Red Rock Beach, Yuraygir NP
24: Shelly Beach, Booti Booti NP
25: Lighthouse Beach, Port Macquarie
26: Bongil Beach, Bellingen
27: Wategos Beach, Byron Bay
28: Tallow Beach, Byron Bay
29: Store Beach, Manly
30: Washaway Beach, Clontarf
31: Burning Palms, Royal NP
32: Palm Beach, Northern Beaches
33: Tamarama Beach, Eastern Suburbs
Southern NSW: Jervis Bay
1. Hyams Beach, Jervis Bay
We had to start this list with the beach that has the whitest sand in the world (it’s even in the Guiness Book of Records!). Hyams Beach gets a lot of hype but it really does live up to it, it’s simply sensational. Although it is understandably popular, it is a very long beach so there’s plenty of room to spread out.
If like us, you prefer your beaches really quiet you can go very early in the morning. It’s a magical place to watch the sunrise and even for a few hours after you won’t share it with many people. Alternatively simply walk a couple of hundred metres away from the car park and you will likely be there alone.
Access to the beach is easy, you only have to walk a few steps down to the sand, the harder part is parking if you’re visiting in the middle of the day.
2. Kittys Beach
Kittys Beach is a little patch of white sand paradise, with clear turquoise water backed by gorgeous bushland. It's the definition of small but perfectly formed.
It's great for swimming due to the calm water and you're highly unlikely to share it with anybody else. However, there's a reason for that, the kicker for some will be the very long walk required to get there (8km). If that doesn't faze you, welcome to paradise.
Another white sand beach located on the same walk
Here are all the walking track details to reach the beach as well as a second glorious white sand beach along the way. Note that a national park entry fee applies.
3. Murrays Beach, Jervis Bay
Not far from Hyams, in Booderee National Park, you'll find another white sand beauty that sees fewer visitors.
If you love the idea of Hyams but you arrive and it’s too busy, this could be a perfect alternative. Constantly comparing it to Hyams probably doesn’t do it justice either, it’s a truly spectacular beach.
If you’re visiting within a couple of hours either side of low tide, there is also a very small but photogenic sea cave you can visit.
You do have to pay the ACT national park fee to get in to the beach, but it's all for a good cause.
4. Boat Harbour Beach, Bendalong
While the beach itself is nice, it certainly wouldn't have made this list were it not for the fact you can have one of the most special wildlife encounters in the state here.
Huge sting rays have been drawn to the area for years, originally due to fishermen throwing them scraps. It’s now an incredible spectacle that happens every day.
There’s nothing like seeing an absolute gigantic ray swimming towards you and instead of stopping like you might expect, crashing right into your legs!
They come right into the shallows so you don't need to swim to see them. You also don’t need to feed them as they will come over anyway hoping you will, just make sure if you choose to feed them that it's with something they would find in their ordinary diet.
The nearby Holiday Haven holiday park sells bait. (usually prawns) for $10.
5. Target Beach, Jervis Bay
Target Beach flies under the radar, probably because it has golden sand in a region of powdery white beaches. However, you really shouldn't hold that against it as it's a truly stunning beach with fabulous views over the distant headlands.
It’s always quiet, even if you visit in the school holidays and there's even a secret beach around the corner accessible a couple of hours either side of low tide. The walk to reach Target Beach is a little over 1.5km but it's well worth it.
Here are all the details including how to find the secret beach.
Note that due to its location in the Beecroft Peninsula access to the beach is only possible Friday to Sunday and in the school holidays.
6. Long Beach, Jervis Bay
With sand almost as white as Hyams and lagoon like clear blue water, Long Beach is a must visit.
As the name suggests the beach is huge so if you arrive to find anyone else around you only need to walk for a few minutes to find ultimate seclusion.
The walk to reach the beach is a mere couple of minutes long so this is an easy win if you like to take a bit of a set up with you.
Note that due to its location in the Beecroft Peninsula access to the beach is only possible Friday to Sunday and in the school holidays.
7. Inyadda Beach, Bendalong
Just a stone's throw from Bendalong Beach you'll come to Inyadda Beach, a 1.6km sweep of golden sand that never gets busy despite its beauty.
There's usually a few surfers around but otherwise you'll find yourself scratching your head at how it can be so empty even on the sunniest of days.
There's a small sea cave at the far eastern end of the beach which is accessible a couple of hours either side of low tide.
Southern NSW: the Far South Coast
9. 1080 Beach, near Narooma
Naming a beach as beautiful as 1080 Beach after poison seems somewhat absurd to us but when you look past the name you'll find a stunning stretch of sand with clear azure water.
However, it's the rockpools here which really set it apart.
The pools are some of the best on the South Coast and perfect for those who prefer a calm dip to an ocean swim.
The beach is just a minute's walk from the nearest car park and the rockpool directions can be found here.
10. Camel Rock Beach, Bermagui
Camel Rock Beach is of course named for its camel shaped rock formation and that's the reason most people choose to visit.
We weren't expecting the beach itself to be an absolute stunner with indigo water and a vast stretch of golden sand.
At low tide you can also walk over to one of the South Coast's most iconic rock formations, Horse Head Rock and the combination of the two makes it a must visit.
Full details on the adventure are here.
10. Mollymook Beach, Mollymook
This beach has a real family vibe and it's a great place to relax and soak up the friendly atmosphere. It’s another big beach with plenty of room to spread out on.
It's lovely for swimming and also close to one of our favourite regional seafood restaurants, Bannisters.
11. Pebbly Beach, South Coast
This one gets a mention not because it is the most beautiful on the list, though it is very pretty, but because it is frequented by gorgeous Eastern grey kangaroos.
Who doesn't want to see one of Australia's most iconic animals enjoying a little beach time R&R?
Make sure you visit towards sunset (or presumably sunrise although we went for sunset) to catch the roos on the beach itself, if you visit in the day you can find the roos on the grassy patch by the caravan park behind the beach.
12. Middle Beach, Merimbula
Middle Beach is a really uninspiring name for such a glorious beach. The golden sweep of sand is backed by huge stripy coloured cliffs which make it unique.
The deep reds and purples are so vibrant they almost look fake but it's all the hand of Mother Nature. There are small rockpools at the southern end of the beach, enough for a cool off but not a swim.
The walk to the beach is less than 10 minutes long but it’s all downhill on the way!
Central Coast/Lake Macquarie
13. Ghosties Beach, Central Coast
Ghosties is a gorgeous beach backed by a huge cliff wall which gives it that wild feel, but it's what lies at the southern end of the beach that makes it extra special.
Ghosties is home to some of the best sea caves in the state, the most spectacular of which is easy to access (providing you get the conditions right).
It's almost like a slot canyon and leads you through a narrow gap and into a rainbow coloured cave. It's so much fun to walk through and wonderful for photography.
If you luck out with a really low tide you can even access the red and gold cave just beyond the main cave. The exact conditions needed and all other details are in this post.
14. Maitland Bay, Central Coast
If there’s a more spectacular beach on the Central Coast then we haven’t found it yet! A huge crescent of golden sand, with calm turquoise water, which is almost as clear as Jervis Bay!
All 550m of the beach is spectacular, but by walking to the furthest end from where the trail meets the beach you will find greater seclusion.
The water is generally pretty calm for swimming and the cliff walls at either end of the beach give it a dramatic feel.
15. Caves Beach, Lake Macquarie
It's all in the name when it comes to Caves Beach. This is another of NSW’s most spectacular beaches for easy sea cave exploration.
Although none of the caves are individually as sensational as the ones at Ghosties, they are still fabulous and even easier to access (in the right conditions).
Kids will love the fact they can fit in some of the caves and cracks that you can’t!
The golden stretch of sand is also lovely and it's nice and quiet at the northern end, but really it's the caves at the southern end that gave this beach a spot on our list.
Here’s our full guide to exploring Caves Beach.
Mid North Coast
16. Zenith Beach, Port Stephens
Zenith Beach is a small but breathtaking stretch of sand nestled between two steep headlands. It's one of those places you see photos of and wonder if it can possibly look as good in real life. It looks better. The headlands give it such a dramatic feel.
It does get popular on weekends, so it's another one of those spots we like to visit for sunrise and then it's still nice and quiet for a few hours afterwards.
It's just a couple of minutes walk from a very small car park, which is also where you start the famous Tomaree Head Summit hike so you might need to find a spot a little further away. It is definitely worth it though.
17. Anna Bay, Port Stephens
This beach is backed by the giant sand dunes, the Worimi Conservation Area, which you could easily spend a day exploring in itself.
If you have a permit and a 4WD you can actually drive amongst the dunes or rent a board and try your hand at dune surfing.
The beach itself is large and sweeping and no matter how many cars you see in the car park you won't have a problem with crowds as soon as you walk a few minutes along the beach.
If you're not going to make it to the famous Cable Beach in WA this is also a good opportunity to take a camel ride along the beach.
18. Bennetts Beach, Hawks Nest
On a sunny day, the sand at Bennetts Beach could give Hyams a run for its money! It's glistening white and the water looks turquoise. It can be a little wavy but nothing too dramatic. It's a really long beach and never seems to have anyone on it, which is pretty hard to believe!
The headlands you can see in the distance provide a really picturesque backdrop and the whole beach is just spectacular. Port Stephens is blessed with many beautiful beaches and this is definitely one of our favourites!
19. Fingal Bay, Port Stephens
Fingal Bay is glorious and it just gets better and better the further you walk. By the time you reach the Fingal Spit you’ll have spectacular views of Tomaree and Yacaaba Head, as well as over to Fingal Island.
What really sets it apart is the incredible sand bar that usually appears at low tide (I say usually as sometimes it is fickle and won't appear at all).
If the tide is in your favour the sand bar is a visual delight, even reminding us a bit of the Whitsundays! Note that you must never cross the spit if water is present and accidents have happened here so exercise caution.
All the details on Fingal Beach and the sand bar can be found here.
20. Number One Beach, Seal Rocks
Number One Beach stretches for 1.3km and it's stunning from end to end.
The northern end has some gorgeous craggy rock walls and no one ever seems to go there, while the southern end has a turquoise blue rock channel for swimming (mid to high tide only).
It can get spicy in the channel when the swell is up though so it's strictly a slight swell only spot.
There is no walking at all involved to reach the beach, but if you want to feel like you're there alone you should head a little way towards the northern end of the beach.
You can see more details on Number One Beach as well as many others in the area here.
21. Celito Beach, Sandbar
Celito Beach is a bit of a locals secret with a huge expanse of sand and reliably good surf.
It's accessed by a short boardwalk through a pretty patch of rainforest which only adds to its charm.
People tend to congregate in the area beside the walking track so heading a short distance to the right of the track usually means you will be there alone.
22. McBrides Beach, Forster
McBrides Beach is wild and rugged, with dark rock and steep headlands that have real Hawaii vibes.
It has a different feel to any of the other beaches on this list and while not recommended for swimming, the incredible beach is worth the steepish walk down from the car park nonetheless.
And if you do want to swim you'll find the sensational Rainbow Rockpool a short walk away, providing the tide is in your favour.
All the details on McBrides Beach and the rockpools are in this guide.
23. Red Rock, Yuraygir National Park
This beach is located in Yuraygir National Park and seems to stretch for miles. It was very quiet when we visited, even during the busy Easter period.
It'd be hard to imagine it ever getting too busy, and the beach is easily big enough that a short stroll from the car park would take you to blissful solitude anyway. The craggy headland and rock formations give it a wild feel and it’s the kind of beach that even looks atmospheric in gloomy weather.
If you are really lucky you might even catch sight of the rare coastal emu.
24. Shelly Beach, Booti Booti National Park
Shelly Beach is one of those beaches that feels cut off from the rest of the world, and it’s only accessible on foot. It's truly spectacular, with gorgeous calm water, which makes it perfect for swimming. It's only a short walk through the forest to the beach yet it feels really secluded.
One half of the beach is clothing optional, but on the other side you'll find everyone in swimsuits, so there's something for everyone. It's backed by dramatic headland on either side and it's the sort of spot that is really hard to leave!
25. Lighthouse Beach, Port Macquarie
Lighthouse Beach is an absolute beauty and stretches for an incredible 9km - this is one beach where you definitely don't need to worry about finding your own private spot!
There are plenty of points you can access the beach and our favourite for the novelty factor is at Watonga Rocks.
You can climb up on top of, or into the rock formations, which are nice and grippy when dry. At the northern end of the beach you can head up the staircases and onto the grassy knoll beside the Tacking Point Lighthouse, which is an excellent vantage point for watching the sun set over the beach.
26. Bongil Beach, near Bellingen
Bongil Beach was an unexpected find for us. It's located in the Bongil Bongil National Park which has one of the biggest populations of wild koalas in NSW.
We went looking for the koalas and ended up stumbling upon this truly fantastic beach. It stretches for 7km and though we walked for 3km, we only saw one other person and this was in the busy Christmas holidays!
It's perfect for a long stroll as the sand is compact and easy to walk on, you can also surf, or just relax and wonder how you have this whole incredible beach to yourself.
It's a real hidden gem and an absolute must do when visiting Bellingen or Coffs Harbour.
Northern NSW: Byron Bay
27. Wategos Beach, Byron Bay
A short distance from Main Beach in Byron Bay, you’ll find Wategoes. It’s a gorgeous little beach and it always has a lovely vibe. You’ll find everyone from surfers to families playing ball games and maybe even a few dolphins in the distance!
It’s a popular spot but the majority of people stick to the area in front of the car park, you’ll find it much quieter if you head to the northern end of the beach.
The turquoise water is perfect for swimming and it's just a short stroll up to the top of the lighthouse for sunset when you're done lazing around.
28. Tallow Beach, Byron Bay
Tallow Beach is absolutely huge, so you’ll never have a problem finding a spot on this stunning stretch of sand. It’s a great place for surfing, relaxing, or a long stroll if you’re feeling energetic. It’s an easy beach to walk along because the sand is compact.
Tallow Beach is fringed by beautiful bushland and it certainly has that wild feel, if you’re incredibly lucky you might even see a koala!
If you go all the way to the southern beach end of the beach and follow the walking track that runs behind it, you’ll also find an amazing picnic spot, and a small secret beach - which were some of our favourite places in Byron Bay.
Sydney Region
29. Store Beach, Sydney
Store Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Sydney, with clear calm water and a large crescent of golden sand backed by dense bush.
On a bright sunny day it has tropical vibes, yet it’s one of the quieter beaches in the area and that’s probably because it’s widely touted that you can only reach it by boat.
Happily that's not the case and provided you visit a couple of hours either side of low tide you can rock hop across easily enough, here's exactly how to get there on foot.
30. Washaway Beach, Sydney Harbour
Washaway Beach is stunning, and really large for a harbour beach. The views are of course spectacular yet it remains one of the quietest beaches in Sydney.
It’s located just off the ever popular Spit to Manly Track, but as it’s not signposted, most people walk right past the turnoff without ever realising that one of the best beaches on Sydney Harbour is just a few hundred metres away.
Getting onto the beach requires an easy rock scramble and the use of a small ladder which has kindly been left there to allow for easy access.
Here are details on the quickest route to Washaway Beach.
31. Burning Palms, Royal National Park
This beach located in Royal National Park requires a little bit of a walk to reach. It probably takes around 30 minutes to get down to it (and yep it's all uphill on the way back) but it's more than worth the effort to get to one of our favourite secluded beaches in Sydney.
We've never seen it very busy and the backdrop of green hills really adds to the charm.
If the tide is low you can also walk round to the famous Figure of 8 Pools for one of Sydney’s more adventurous day trips.
32. Palm Beach, Sydney
Sydney is well known for its beautiful beaches, over a 100 of them in fact, and some are more famous than others. Palm Beach is one of those, yet it still retains its laid back charm.
The beach is a huge sweep of golden sand and is popular with surfers and sun worshippers alike. There’s even a stunning ocean bath at the southern end if you prefer to swim in calm water.
We love going early and catching the sunrise before stocking up on breakfast at The Boathouse Cafe.
Climbing up to the Barrenjoey Lighthouse offers amazing views over the beach, as well as the chance to whale watch, in season. We also love the view from the Palm Beach Bible Garden if you have a little more time.
We’ve got a whole guide to the best things to do in Palm Beach here.
33. Tamarama Beach, Sydney
A beach this good in Sydney city centre had to make the list.
You'll probably have picked up from our other entries that we prefer quiet secluded spots and that's definitely not Tamarama in the middle of the day.
We recommend visiting early morning or early evening if you want to experience it at its best, or grab a towel and join the throngs!
Our favourite way to get to Tamarama is to take the Bondi to Coogee Walk, which follows the cliff tops and has terrific views.
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What are your favourite beaches in NSW? Any that didn't make our list? Let us know in the comments below.
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