A famous stretch named for the sound it makes when your toes hit the sand has claimed the title of Australia’s best beach along coastlines across the country.
Surrounded by the rugged wilderness of Wilsons Promontory National Park, Squeaky Beach has been recognized by Tourism Australia as the best in the country for 2024.
Just a three-hour drive from Melbourne, ‘Squeaky’ is known for the ‘acoustic delight’ of compressed quartz and quartz sand underfoot, crashing waves and clear water, and for being enclosed by impressive granite boulders.
Squeaky Beach was crowned Australia’s best beach by Tourism Australia. Photo: Mark Watson / Supplied
It is the first time a Victorian beach has been crowned Australia’s best beach.
The farm in New South Wales and Australia’s southernmost beach, Cockle Creek in Tasmania, completed the top three.
The Farm in NSW took second place after being eliminated by Squeaky. Image: Lilly Pollard/supplied
Cockle Creek is located at the southern tip of Tasmania. Image: supplied
The top 10 includes beaches from all states and the Northern Territory, as well as Pulu Blan Madar Island in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Lagoon Beach on Lord Howe Island.
Conservationist and Tourism Australia beach expert Brad Farmer AM joked that he had a tough and “sometimes controversial” task in compiling the top 10.
The striking beach on Pulu Belan Island. Image: Jaxon Roberts/supplied
“The ‘best beaches’ list is making headlines both here in Australia and in key international tourism markets around the world,” he said.
‘That’s why I’m taking the opportunity to discover some of those destinations that may not be well known, but are home to some of the best beaches in Australia, and in my opinion, the world.’
Lagoon Beach on Lord Howe Island was voted the seventh best in Australia. Image: Mark Fitz/supplied
The title previously went to Stokes Bay on Kangaroo Island in South Africa, Misery Bay in WA and Cabarita Beach in NSW took first place in 2021.
While Queensland may not have topped the list, it was the only state where two beaches made the top ten: Cylinder Beach and Cow Bay.
Cow Bay was just one of two Queensland beaches to make the top 10. Photo: supplied
Australia is home to almost 12,000 beaches and the most diverse and varied coastline in the world.
The Best Beaches list is released every year and aims to broaden the minds of travelers – both at home and abroad – and get off the beaten track to a coastline they might not otherwise have considered.
Managing director Philippa Harrison said Tourism Australia’s research consistently showed the impact the country’s coastline had on travellers.
Long Beach on the limestone coast is known for its long sandy beach. Image: supplied
“Beaches are one of the biggest drivers of international visitor demand to Australia and the majority of travelers enjoy our water and coastal environment in some way when they are here,” she said.
As tourism continues to recover from the pandemic, Tourism Minister Don Farrell said the list would help put Australia “front and center on the world stage”.
“Australia’s beaches are the best in the world, and the ‘Best Australian Beaches’ list showcases some of our hidden treasures to travelers here and abroad,” he said.
TOP 10 BEST BEACHES IN AUSTRALIA
- Squeaky Beach, Wilsons Promontory, Victoria
- The Farm (aka Killalea Beach), Shellharbour, New South Wales
- Cockle Creek, Tasmania
- Madfish Bay, William Bay National Park, Western Australia
- Pulu Belan Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
- Cylinder Beach, North Stradbroke Island, Queensland
- Lagoon Beach, Lord Howe Island
- Long Beach, Limestone Coast, South Australia
- Cow Bay, Daintree River/Cape Tribulation, Queensland
- Casuarina Beach, Darwin, Northern Territory