Australia is known for its iconic beaches, from sunny Bondi to star-studded Byron, but if you’re looking for a slice of paradise away from the crowds, you need to add three hidden gem beaches to your 2025 travel bucket list.
From secret snorkeling trails to rainforest-fringed sandy beaches and cliff-guarded coves, travelers are eager to discover Australia’s best-kept coastal secrets.
With Down Under’s famous beaches becoming busier every year, these lesser-known Queensland treasures offer the perfect chance to escape the crowds and immerse yourself in nature.
Adventurers should prepare to pack their snorkel, grab their hiking boots and hit the road.
Geoffrey Bay on Magnetic Island
Geoffrey Bay on Magnetic Island offers an underwater adventure like no other.
Just a 20-minute ferry ride from Townsville, this secluded bay is home to a snorkeling trail, where coral reefs teeming with tropical fish and giant clams await eager explorers.
Swimmers can follow the marked path to see colorful marine life, including 30-year-old giant clams, or venture further to spot a shipwreck and a World War II propeller resting on the ocean floor.
From secret snorkeling trails to rainforest-fringed sandy beaches and cliff-guarded coves, travelers are eager to discover Australia’s best-kept coastal secrets
Swimmers can follow the marked path at Geoffrey Bay to see colorful marine life, including 30-year-old giant clams
And if you prefer to stay on dry land, you’ll regularly see rock wallabies darting over the boulders along the bay – a magical sight for animal lovers.
The spot is a 15-minute walk or five-minute bus ride from the ferry terminal.
Although a car is not essential, it is useful for exploring other island beaches such as Horseshoe Bay.
South Gorge Beach, Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island)
Tucked away on Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) is South Gorge Beach, a breathtaking sandy area surrounded on either side by towering cliffs.
This secluded beach is perfect for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the mainland and immerse themselves in the natural beauty.
The beach is located at Point Lookout, where you will find one of Queensland’s most spectacular routes: the North Gorge Walk.
Travelers will find the headland hugs the rocky coastline offering breathtaking views and regular sightings of sea turtles, dolphins and manta rays.
Tucked away on Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) is South Gorge Beach, a breathtaking expanse of sand surrounded by towering cliffs on either side
Australian adventurers flock to the beautiful Northbrook Gorge, hidden in the middle of the rainforest, with beautiful emerald green water, just outside Brisbane.
The longer journey starts from Wivenhoe Lookout and takes three to four hours return. Hikers will have to get wet and in some places you will have to wade through waist-deep water
If you visit between June and November, you can look out for whales breaching just off the coast as this spot is an excellent location for whale watching.
The North Gorge Walk is also a must.
Along the way you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of crashing waves and rock formations, with a chance to spot marine life in the clear waters below.
To reach the coveted spot, you need to take the ferry from Cleveland to Dunwich and then drive to Point Lookout Surf Life saving Club.
You will find South Gorge Beach at the bottom of the hill, to the left of the club.
Etty Bay, Cairns and Great Barrier Reef
Just south of Cairns, Etty Bay is a beachside paradise that feels like you’ve stepped into another world. It offers powder-soft sand, warm bath water and the ancient Wet Tropics rainforest as a backdrop.
It’s also one of the best places in Australia to spot a cassowary, a dinosaur-like bird found only in Queensland.
Just south of Cairns, Etty Bay is a beachside paradise that feels like you’ve entered another world. It offers powder-soft sand, warm bath water and the ancient Wet Tropics rainforest as a backdrop
Nearby you’ll find the Mamu Tropical Skywalk, swimming holes along the Waterfall Circuit and the enchanting Spanish ruins of Paronella Park
Etty Bay is a 10-minute drive from Innisfail, or 35 minutes north of Mission Beach
These endangered southern cassowaries often wander the beach and forage in the undergrowth right next to sunbathers.
Nearby you’ll find the Mamu Tropical Skywalk, swimming holes along the Waterfall Circuit and the enchanting Spanish ruins of Paronella Park.
Etty Bay is a 10-minute drive from Innisfail, or 35 minutes north of Mission Beach.
It’s the perfect base for a beach, rainforest and reef adventure in tropical north Queensland.