5 best Aussie getaway beaches (Part A)

1  Langford Island, QLD

Shove over, Whitehaven. For a sprinkling of heaven-sent sand in the Whitsundays without the crowds, punch Langford Island into the GPS and let the sails take you there. Sure, you’ll need a boat to get there, but that’s half the appeal. The reef-fringed island in the Whitsundays, is teeny, with a long sandy spit trailing behind it like jellyfish tentacles.

2  The Basin, WA

Quokkas aren’t the only thing Rottnest Island is famous for. Its beaches are pretty irresistible too. There are 63 of them all up and 20 bays — not bad for an island that doesn’t quite nudge 20km sq. Rotti is just 25 minutes on the ferry from Fremantle and popular with locals, but you can still find a sprinkling of sand all to yourself. The Basin is not on the shuttle bus route so is generally quieter. Norfolk pines overlook the 200m-long stretch of sand and there’s a shallow reef and rock pools to explore.

3  Ned’s Beach, NSW

If you’ve ever wanted to handfeed wild fish, Ned’s Beach on Lord Howe Island is your kind of paradise. Tiptoe into the calm waters with a handful of feed and schools of mullet, wrasse, garfish and other finned friends will pluck the pellets straight from your fingertips.

4  Childers Cove, VIC

You’ll find this beauty on Victoria’s treacherous Shipwreck Coast, but don’t let that put you off. Childers Cove is protected by limestone stacks — the rock formations for which the Great Ocean Road is famous (we’re looking at you, 12 Apostles). The 100m stretch of beach, just east of Warrnambool, is sublime in summer, but keep your eyes on the tide.

5  Stokes Bay, SA

You know you’re on to a seaside secret when you have to squeeze between giant boulders to get to the beach. And when the rocks part you’ll feel like you’ve hit the jackpot — white sand melts into the sea, softened by a rocky breakwater. The hidden cove at Stokes Bay is one of Kangaroo Island’s surprise finds. While away the day with a book on the beach, swim or explore the many rock pools.