Australian cities know how to mix urban buzz with world-class coastline. Whether you’re in the mood for world-famous surfing, family beach days or secret city coves, this is the go-to guide for the best beaches near Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.
The Best Beaches Near All the Major Aussie Cities
Sydney
Sydney is Australia’s beach capital, with more than 100 beaches within easy reach for every taste and vibe.
Can’t-Miss Beaches

- Bondi Beach: The most famous Aussie surf, swim, and café strip in the world.
- Manly Beach: Picturesque sandy bays, a family-friendly beach town, and a scenic ferry ride from Circular Quay.
- Coogee Beach: A sheltered swimming beach with a fun promenade and nearby rock pools for kids.
- Palm Beach: Peace and quiet to the north of the city, with hiking up to Barrenjoey Lighthouse and tranquil swimming.
- Bronte Beach: One of the most popular for picnics, a classic rock pool, and a strong surf scene.
- Watsons Bay: Iconic city views, family-friendly picnics, and coastal walking trails to Hornby Lighthouse.
- Freshwater Beach: Iconic surf culture, with a more local and laid-back atmosphere.
Sydney Beach Best For and Distance from CBD
Beach | Best For | Distance from CBD |
---|---|---|
Bondi | Surf, cafés | 8 km E, 20 min |
Manly | Families, surf | 14 km NE, 30 min incl. ferry |
Coogee | Calm, families | 9 km SE, 25 min |
Palm Beach | Scenic, secluded | 45 km N, 1 hr |
Bronte | Picnics, surf | 8.5 km E, 20 min |
Melbourne
Melbourne isn’t blessed with the same surf beaches as Sydney, but the city is criss-crossed with bay beaches with great views, city access and thriving local communities.
Our Top Picks
- St Kilda Beach: Iconic for its palm-lined esplanade, lively boardwalk, funfair at Luna Park, and summertime events.
- Brighton Beach: Rainbow-coloured bathing boxes, wide open sands and one of the best photos with a city skyline backdrop.
- Port Melbourne Beach: Closest of all city beaches to the CBD, ideal for a sunset walk and casual swim, plus takeaway drinks and snacks by the water.
- Elwood Beach: Laid-back, with a good amount of picnic area and family-friendly facilities.
- Half Moon Bay: Sheltered cove beach with protected waters and snorkeling.
Melbourne Beach Best For and Distance from CBD
Beach | Best For | Distance from CBD |
---|---|---|
St Kilda | Boardwalk, fun | 7 km S, 25 min |
Brighton | Views, photos | 12 km SE, 25 min |
Port Melbourne | City access | 4 km SW, 10 min |
Elwood | Families | 10 km S, 25 min |
Brisbane
Queensland’s capital is an inland city but there are both urban lagoon beaches and nearby coastal communities just a short drive away.
Pick of the Brisbane Beaches
- Streets Beach: A man-made inner-city beach, part of South Bank lagoon that’s ideal for families and apartment-dwellers.
- Redcliffe Beaches: To the north of Brisbane, these beaches have more sheltered waters, classic jetty walks, and local fish & chips.
- Suttons Beach (Redcliffe): Safe swimming and BBQ facilities, easy day trip from the city.
- Tangalooma Beach (Moreton Island): Crystal-clear waters, dolphin feeding and snorkeling (take a ferry).
Brisbane Beach Best For and Distance from CBD
Beach | Best For | Distance from CBD |
---|---|---|
Streets Beach | Urban, family-friendly | In city |
Redcliffe | Swimming, picnic | 35 km N, 35 min |
Suttons Beach | Shade, playground | 38 km N, 40 min |
Tangalooma | Adventure, snorkel | 40 km E plus ferry |
Perth
Perth’s coastline is known for its long powdery white beaches, easy city access and legendary sunsets.
Perth Favourites
- Cottesloe Beach: The classic Perth icon with grassy terraces, beachside cafés, and beautiful sunsets.
- Scarborough Beach: Vibrant promenade and shopping strip, great surf culture and skate parks for the kids, plus plenty of cool bars.
- City Beach: The closest city beach to the CBD, family-friendly with leafy parks and eating options.
- Mullaloo Beach: Popular with families for safe swimming and lots of space for games and picnics.
- Leighton & Trigg Beach: Big crowds come for the surfing, but also for chilled out beach days.
Perth Beach Best For and Distance from CBD
Beach | Best For | Distance from CBD |
---|---|---|
Cottesloe | Dining, sunset, swim | 12 km W, 20 min |
Scarborough | Surfing, lifestyle | 14 km NW, 20 min |
City Beach | Family, food | 10 km W, 15 min |
Mullaloo | Families, space | 25 km N, 30 min |
Adelaide
Adelaide is another city loved for its sandy metro beaches. All are within a short tram or car ride from the CBD and each have their own unique local culture.
The Adelaidean’s Local Gems
- Glenelg Beach: Adelaide’s busiest hub of locals and visitors for its shops, Jetty Road dining and promenade, water sports and dolphin watching tours.
- Henley Beach: Laid-back, community vibe, with trendy cafés and a long jetty for sunset walks.
- Brighton Beach: Quieter and more chilled out than Glenelg, with a long sandy shore.
- Semaphore Beach: Family-friendly with a fun vintage seaside character and a long foreshore.
- Aldinga Beach: Drive-on access only, with picturesque turquoise waters, stunning ocean views and a great setting for families.
Adelaide Beach Best For and Distance from CBD
Beach | Best For | Distance from CBD |
---|---|---|
Glenelg | Dining, nightlife | 12 km SW, 25 min |
Henley | Chill, sunset, food | 10 km W, 20 min |
Brighton | Relaxed, less crowd | 15 km SW, 30 min |
Semaphore | Family, vintage vibe | 15 km NW, 30 min |
Aldinga | Nature, adventure | 45 km S, 1 hr |
Tips for Enjoying Australian Beaches
- Swim between the flags: The Aussie beach thing for safety flags at patrolled beaches is red and yellow.
- Sun protection: Don’t forget sunscreen, hats and rash shirts in Australia’s hot sun!
- Local rules: Some beaches may have seasonal restrictions or shark nets required for swimming.
- Discover the lesser-known: Lots of city beaches can be much quieter, offer different views and are less crowded.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which Australian city has the most accessible beaches?
Sydney and Perth both have hundreds of beautiful beaches within 30 minutes’ drive from CBD. Both have direct public transport to most beaches. In Sydney, beaches like Bondi and Manly are well-served by buses and ferries. In Perth, Scarborough, Cottesloe, and City Beach are easily reachable by public transport (train and bus combinations).
2. Can I surf at beaches near every major city?
Yes, but some have much better conditions than others. Sydney (Bondi, Manly, Freshwater, Bronte) and Perth (Scarborough, Leighton, Trigg) are best known for their surfing. For Brisbane, try the Gold Coast beaches 1-1.5 hours north of the city.
3. Are city beaches good for families?
Definitely. All city beaches are patrolled in the peak seasons and have a range of amenities like playgrounds, cafés and easy swimming spots for kids. Examples include Coogee Beach in Sydney, Elwood Beach in Melbourne, Suttons Beach near Brisbane, City Beach in Perth, and Semaphore Beach in Adelaide.
4. Where can I find unique photo opportunities?
Try the colourful bathing boxes at Brighton Beach (Melbourne), Sydney’s Bondi Icebergs pool, or Perth’s legendary sunsets on the Indian Ocean at Cottesloe Beach.
5. What about pet-friendly beaches?
Lots of city beaches have off-leash areas for dogs, but check signage or council websites for details, as rules can vary by season and time of day.
Happy planning! Pick a beach that suits your vibe and make the most of Australia’s unbeatable city coastlines!
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