25 Best Beach Vacation Spots in Australia

Thala Beach Nature Reserve

Get away to Thala Beach Nature Reserve on the coast of Australia near Cairns. You will have access to stunning sandy beaches and you'll be able to take day trips to the Great Barrier Reef. Guest bungalows are set in a Eucalyptus forest filled with tropical birds, butterflies and exotic plants, providing couples and honeymooners with plenty of privacy. The hotel has two pools: the main pool has waterfalls, spas and grottos, while the smaller Rock Pool provides a more intimate setting. As a special treat, book the luxurious Sandpiper Suite which overlooks two secluded beaches. Ospreys Restaurant offers stunning views of the beach, the mountains and the islands. Couples can request a picnic basket and enjoy a romantic meal on their private bungalow terrace, surrounded by nature. Take a 10-minute shuttle to Port Douglas, a relaxed seaside village with boutique shops, galleries, historic buildings and a selection of restaurants. Ask the hotel to arrange a transfer from Cairns International Airport.

Bedarra Island

Bedarra Island in Australia is the ultimate tropical getaway catering to couples seeking romance, where you can rest and rediscover your senses in a tropical setting. Since there are only a few guest villas, hidden in the rainforest, with magnificent ocean views, guests at Bedarra Island Resort enjoy privacy and seclusion. Resort bar offers a fine selection of complimentary drinks, while a team of chefs ensures that the food is superb and diverse throughout your stay. For a more active vacation, the hotel offers a number of complimentary activities, including snorkeling, scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef, fishing, tennis, catamarans, sailboards and paddle skis. There is plenty to do on the island on your couples getaway.

Guest villas blend beautifully into the natural surrounding and feature contemporary decor with polished timber floors and neutral colors. The villas come in double-story and split-level configurations. Double Story Villas, close to the beach and the resort facilities, have a sleeping area and bathroom at ground level and a living area with entertainment facilities on the second level. Split Level Villas are higher up on the hills with stunning views over Bedarra Bay. The hotel also offers three unique suites ideal for a honeymoon vacation. The climate is tropical with average year-round temperature of about 84 degrees Fahrenheit. Flights are available from any major Australian capital city via Cairns (Quantas). Macair operates the connecting flight from Cairns to Dunk Island and Skytrans operates charter flights. The flight between Cairns and Dunk Island takes 45 minutes. Nightly luxury villa rates usually include breakfast, lunch and dinner with a change of menu daily, 24 hour open bar including Bollinger champagne, many island activities and initial arrival and departure launch transfers (800-225-9849).

Qualia

Luxury villas with plunge pools, unobtrusive five star service and location on the world's largest coral reef make Hamilton Island, Australia a dream vacation spot for honeymooners and couples. Whether you are looking for amazing scuba diving and snorkeling, sandy beaches or a unique spa, Qualia offers a wide selection of services and amenities for an unforgettable trip. Spacious luxury villas have island and sea views, stone bathrooms with bath and separate shower, private furnished sundeck and a 2-seater Golf Buggy. Each villas was handcrafted from timber and stone. The interiors feature Dennis Nona's artworks and patterns inspired by nature.

The spa is a serene sanctuary where you will find unique treatments like the signature "Bularri Yarrul," a hot stone massage using 300 million year old stones. The spa offers spectacular views of the Whitsundays and is relaxing for the mind and the body. Choose from couples' treatments, signature ceremonies, services just for men and indigenous offerings. Honeymooners have several romantic dining options with stunning views of the surrounding Great Barrier Reef islands. Enjoy romantic sunsets and a candlelight table setting while you sample gourmet dishes and mouthwatering desserts.

Hamilton Island offers a variety of vacation activities, including scuba divin, snorkeling, sailing and boating. Guests even get access to the only championship island golf course in Australia, located on the nearby Dent Island. Rent a kayak and explore the island's hidden beaches, go sailing aboard the resort's two 16-foot Hobie catamarans and take a guided garden walk highlighting the unique tropical flora, fauna and architecture (866 202 2590).

Heron Island Resort

Recognized around the globe for having one of the most stunning coral reefs and marine life sanctuaries, the Heron Island Resort is one of the most popular choices for travelers who want to experience the best of the Great Barrier Reef. The resort, which is nestled along a gorgeous natural coral cay, is a fantastic eco-experience that allows guests to witness first-hand just how magical the world’s largest coral reef is. Rest amid nature in the evening and spend your days exploring one of Australia’s most celebrate protected sanctuaries with incredible recreational activities at your fingertips like snorkeling, diving, and, when the season is right, the hatching of sea turtles.

Heron Island, Queensland 4805, Australia, Phone: 800-875-343

The Atlantic Byron Bay

An exquisite boutique lifestyle hotel in the heart of Byron Bay, The Atlantic is a beautiful retreat for surfers and lovers of the sea. Three original beach cottages have been converted into Caribbean-styled plantation houses, surrounded by lush tropical gardens and connected by winding sun-bleached pathways. Decorated in a palette of pastels and palms, rooms have tea/coffee making facilities, mini fridges and wireless Internet. A lovely lap pool and sun deck are ideal for relaxing, while the lush gardens surrounding the cottages teem with birdlife. Enjoy a dip in the pool or head to the beach for excellent surfing, sea kayaking and swimming. A short stroll will take you to nearby markets, boutique stores and cafés.

Great Keppel Island Hideaway

Escape the busyness and noise of everyday life at Great Keppel Island Hideaway, a beautiful slice of the Southern Great Barrier Reef that is a short journey away from the mainland. Perfect for barefoot strolls, romantic getaways, and digital detoxes, Great Keppel Island Hideaway features a range of accommodations for guests to choose from. At the heart of this beach vacation spot is the desire to help people disconnect. This is why the resort has no TVs in their rooms and no internet and why there are so many activities to enjoy at Keppel Island. Go boating on crystal clear waters, kayaking with your buddies, scuba diving around the gorgeous reefs, snorkeling, or paddle boarding. At the end of a long day enjoying fresh air and the outdoors, cozy up at the bar and bistro for a great meal and an ice-cold beverage.

Yeppoon, Capricorn Coast, Queensland 4703, Phone: 617-4939-2050

Peppers Beach Club and Spa Palm Cove

Peppers Beach Club and Spa Palm Cove is a classic tropical getaway in North Queensland with a lovely coastal village vibe and tons of shade care of lazily swaying palms that line the shore. Guests heading to Peppers Beach Club can enjoy various environments in one resort as it is home to a rainforest rock pool, a lagoon pool, gorgeously kept green gardens and long stretches of sandy beaches. Apart from the beautiful beach, Peppers is also known for the Spa Palm Cove, a relaxing retreat for people who want to rest and be pampered. Other great amenities of the hotel include gym facilities, a tennis clubhouse, a tour desk, and the La Mesa Restaurant.

123 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove, Queensland 4879, Australia, Phone: 617-6556-4426

Freycinet Lodge

Nestled along the picturesque East Coast of Tasmania is the quiet and serene Freycinet Lodge. Thanks to its location within a national park, the Freycinet Lodge boasts stunning views of not just Great Oyster Bay but the Hazards Mountain Range as well. It is perfect for the beach lover who wants to escape to seclusion with its sanctuary-like accommodations. Adventurous souls can head out to explore the Freycinet National Park by foot or kayak, while guests who simply want to relax can spend the day by the shore and indulge in fresh seafood care of the lodge’s three restaurants.

Freycinet National Park, Coles Bay, Tasmania 7215, Australia; Phone: 1300-061-835

Lizard Island

Covered with sandy beaches and set on Australia's Great Barrier Reef, Lizard Island is a luxury hideaway for couples offering top service and many exciting activities. Guests can relax on one of the 24 secluded beaches or lounge by the freshwater swimming pool after getting pampered at the spa.

The hotel can prepare picnic hampers for beachside lunches, provide snorkeling equipment, catamarans, paddle skis and sail boards, and organize glass bottom boat trips, giving couples a divers choice of activities on their tropical hideaway. If you are looking for a dream scuba diving destination, head to the Great Barrier Reef. You will see marine life like no other in the whole world. At this beautiful resort you can snorkel and dive just off the island beach or join one of the numerous dive excursions by boat.

Diving Excursions are lead by experienced dive guides. Choose from half day and full day excursions aboard the resort's boat, M.V. Serranidae. The full day trip includes meals. A professional videographer will make an underwater video which you can order on a DVD to take home with you, a perfect idea if you want to make your friends and family jealous. Private scuba diving charters are available aboard Fascination III, a modern 51 foot (13m) vessel with a platform that makes it easy to get in and out of the water. Observe rare nocturnal marine animals on one of the night dives. If you've always wanted to get certified, the resort offers PADI scuba diving certification, refresher dives and other other instruction.

The property offers snorkeling and scuba diving on its own coral reefs and on outer reef dive sites, including the famous Cod Hole. The dive boat provides full day diving excursions. Travelers enjoy tropical climate with average year-round temperature of approximately 84 degrees Fahrenheit. Regular flights are available from all Australian capital cities daily via Cairns with Qantas and Virgin Blue. The flight from Cairns takes 60 minutes. Pricing is all inclusive.

Capella Lodge on Lord Howe Island

If you are looking for awesome romantic vacation ideas, The Capella Lodge is a luxury getaway located on Lord Howe Island off the East coast of Australia. The resort hosts no more than 20 guests at any time, has a spa facility, and scenic views of the island. The hotel provides couples with a number of choices that vary from relaxing spa treatments to eight-hour guided hikes to the top of Mt. Gower. Scuba diving, sport fishing and environmental cruises are available aboard the Phasmid, Capella's 40 foot multipurpose vessel. All necessary fishing gear, bait and snorkeling gear is provided on board, but call ahead if you need scuba gear.

The spa will make sure your romantic vacation is a relaxing one with yoga, reiki massage, and several luxurious face and body treatments. The Dreaming is a 3 hour complete face and body treatment which includes Mala Mayi exfoliation & body wrap, Kodo massage, Paudi head massage, Capella Kamarl facial, foot treatment & water therapy. All suites have a bath and shower, king beds, cotton linen and towels, beach towels, bathrobes, pillow selection, CD player, TV, DVD, telephone, room bar, ceiling fan, backpacks or beach bags, and snorkeling gear. The hotel's accommodations are great as honeymoon suites. The spectacular views from the restaurant provide an excellent backdrop for all of your meals. There are many activities to choose from on the island, including swimming, canoeing, cycling, golf, tennis, glass bottom boat rides, mountain climbing, hand feeding fish and scenic flights. Qantas operates scheduled flights in a 32 seat Boing Dash 8 aircraft. Flight time is around two hours from either Sydney or Brisbane. Rates are per person per night and include breakfast, sunset drinks, a three course dinner and island airport transfers. The rates vary according to the time of year.

Good to know: Best Time to Visit Sydney, Australia

Abbey Beach Resort

Settle into a luxurious and relaxing beach getaway at Abbey Beach Resort, a gorgeous resort on the beachfront of Busselton. This Western Australian getaway is beloved for its warm and friendly vibe where family, friends, and strangers alike can gather and connect. Apartments at the Abbey Beach Resort are quite spacious and very elegantly decorated, with up to three-bedroom options available. There is no shortage of great amenities either as guests can enjoy indoor and outdoor pools, a well-equipped gym, and easy access to the Busselton Jetty and the Geographe Bay. The Abbey Beach Resort is just a stone's throw from some of the area’s greatest wineries and breweries as well.

595 Bussell Highway, Busselton, Western Australia, Phone: 08-9755-4600

Injidup Spa Retreat

Injidup Spa Retreat is a secluded beach & spa vacation getaway located at Injidup Bay, three hours southwest of Perth, Australia. The hotel is adjacent to Margaret River Wine Region and surrounded by a national park. The has a relaxing spa featuring beautiful spa suites and a menu of unique services. Vacationers are accommodated in ten luxury villas with scenic views. Enjoy your own private day spa and protected timber walkways that connect accommodations with other buildings at the resort.

You will be surrounded by native Australian wildflowers and Melaleuco trees. Choose from nine two-bedroom villas and a luxury suite for honeymooners. The spa overlooks the Western Austalian coastline and features beautiful spa suites. The spa often offers monthly specials, letting you save on your spa and beach vacation. Local attractions include fishing, nature tours, wineries, beaches, galleries, restaurants and more.

Palazzo Versace on Queensland's Gold Coast

Palazzo Versace is a beach vacation spot located at one of Australia's most popular vacation spots, Queensland's Gold Coast. The hotel overlooks the Gold Coast Broadwater and is next door to the shopping area, Marina Mirage. Don't forget that the surf beach is just across the road. This luxury hotel provides attentive service, including a butler for unpacking and packing your bags. Choose from 205 luxury hotel rooms furnished with Versace home wares and accessories. All rooms have a spa-bath, tea and coffee making facilities (with Versace China), a Sony Playstation and internet access.

The hotel offers guests a choice of four restaurants on their beach vacation as well as a pool bar which provides light snacks and refreshments. Il Baracco provides all day dining and overlooks the swimming pool. Vanitas has an extensive wine list to complement the intense and wildly rich flavors of its food. For views of the Marina, head down to Vie Restaurant and Bar. Enjoy a pre-dinner drink at Le Jardin, a chic cosmopolitan bar. Do some serious shopping at the Marina Mirage, take a walk down the beach or, for a bit of an adventure, take a seaplane to the Great Barrier Reef on your beach vacation. Fly into Brisbane International Airport. From there, the resort is approximately a 70 minute drive. (+61 7 5509 8000).

Alamanda Palm Cove by Lancemore

Located near Australia's Great Barrier Reef and a lush rainforest, Alamanda Palm Cove by Lancemore is an oceanfront getaway for nature lovers, water sports enthusiasts, spa aficionados and honeymooners. The resort fronts the Coral Sea, ideal for snorkeling, windsurfing, parasailing and scuba diving. During the day, relax on the beach and next to the pool or get a massage at the spa. For a more active vacation, hike through the rainforest and spot unique wildlife. The spa provides a calm setting, perfect for relaxing and enjoying treatments that range from massages to body treatments. The property has just 69 luxurious suites with high ceilings. You'll be able to see the lush gardens through large ceilings. The restaurant serves Asian-inspired international cuisine based on local ingredients and seafood. The restaurant offers indoor and beachfront seating. The resort is located just a 20-minute drive from Cairns International Airport in Queensland. Roundtrip airport transfers from the airport cost 30 Australian dollars per person.

Castaways Resort and Spa Mission Beach

Experience the best of the Great Barrier Reef as well as the World Heritage Wet Tropics Rainforest at the Castaways Resort and Spa Mission Beach. There’s much to love about this resort as each of its 47 beachfront rooms is luxuriously furnished and decorated. A few steps from the suites is the 14-kilometer-long white sand beachfront which beckons guests to enjoy a swim or play on the beach. When it comes to recreational activities, the Great Barrier Reef can be explored on snorkeling and diving trips, while Dunk Island is a quick 10-minute boat ride from Castaways Resort. Other exciting activities include white water rafting and sky diving.

2 Pacific Parade, Mission Beach, Queensland 4852, Australia; Phone: 1800-079-002

Ravesi's on Bondi Beach

If you are looking for fun beach vacation ideas, head to Ravesi's on Bondi Beach. Just 7km from the center of Sydney, this small hotel has 16 designer rooms where you can sit and watch the world go by. Guest rooms offers panoramic views of Bondi Beach, one of the most well known beaches in Australia. Just 16 rooms, including 6 split level suites with privates terraces, ensure that a vacation at Ravesi's will not be a crowded one. Enjoy lunch or dinner inside or on the outdoor terrace at the hotel restaurant. The hotel is just 7 km for the center of Sydney. (+61 (02) 9365 4422).

InterContinental Hayman Island Resort

Luxurious, modern, and unbelievably stunning, the InterContinental Hayman Island Resort is the ultimate luxury destination for travelers eager to explore the northern region of Australia’s Whitsunday Archipelago. Enjoy a relaxing stay in any one of InterContinental’s accommodations with options like suites, villas, pavilions, or residences available. Luxurious king-sized beds and unbeatable ocean views are just a small glimpse at what guests can look forward to as the resort is also home to great restaurants, tons of recreational activities, and even offers access to explore the 74 gorgeous islands that surround Hayman Island. Other opportunities include the InterContinental Hayman Island Resort’s signature dining experiences, the Hayman Spa immersion, and stays at the ultra-exclusive Hayman Residences.

Hayman Island Whitsunday Islands, Queensland 4801, Australia, Phone: 617-4940-1234

Eco Beach Resort

Eco holidays get a glow-up at the Eco Beach Resort, a popular destination in Broome, Western Australia. This award-winning resort is celebrated for its eco-friendly practices and accommodations, unending experiences, and recreational activities, as well as a stunning location on the shores of the Indian Ocean. With its gorgeous views and exclusive facilities, visitors to the Eco Beach Resort can look forward to a relaxing and serene holiday that mixes serenity and excitement all in one beautiful package. Some of the recreational experiences being offered by the Eco Beach Resort include guided coastal fishing, bush walks, an exploration of Jacks Creek, and cave walks.

323 Great Northern Highway, Broome, Western Australia, Australia 6725, Phone: 08-9193-8015

Pullman Bunker Bay Resort

When it comes to the Margaret River Region, the Pullman Bunker Bay Resort is one of the best places to stay for a relaxing and enjoyable beach getaway. Featuring premier, modern, and luxurious villas with lake views and garden views, each of the accommodations at Pullman Bunker Bay Resort is equipped with everything that one could need for an enjoyable getaway. There are great activities to enjoy at the lake, but also a ton of nearby attractions that are just a stone’s throw from the resort. Explore the Grove Distillery, go on an Unplugged Wine Tour, hike Cape Track, or zip through the skies at the Forest Adventures High Ropes and Zip Lining.

42 Bunker Bay Road, Naturaliste WA 6281, Australia, Phone: 618-9756-9100

Coral Sea Resort Hotel

Spend a lazy day relaxing at the poolside or right out on the beach at the Coral Sea Resort Hotel, an aquatic playground that beckons sun lovers and surf lovers alike to its shores. The relaxing atmosphere at this resort is punctuated by private hammocks on room balconies, an outdoor spa, a great private jetty, and a 25-meter swimming pool. Guests will love a trip to the resort’s spa, the Blush Spa and Beauty Bar, which boasts ultra-relaxing treatments and pampering services. Meanwhile, food and drink are delicious with tropical and local flavors coming together to create the ultimate feast for the senses.

Ocean View Avenue, Airlie Beach, Queensland 4802, Australia, Phone: 617-4694-1300

Reef View Hotel

There are many great reasons to book a trip to the Reef View Hotel. This 4-star Hamilton Island getaway is a humongous resort with several types of accommodations to choose from like their suites, Palm Bungalows, and Yacht Club Villas. Each room promises a great view of either the shimmering Coral Sea or the ultra-lush tropical gardens that envelope the hotel’s main building. Great for every budget, the Reef View Hotel also has a ton of nearby attractions to enjoy in addition to the enjoyable beach activities. Snorkel or dive at the Great Barrier Reef, visit Whitehaven Beach, tour the Whitsunday Islands, or even take a private scenic flight around the coast. All of this and more is available at the Reef View Hotel.

12 Resort Drive, Hamilton Island, Queensland 4803, Australia, Phone: 618-0037-0800

Tingirana Noosa

Visit the paradise nestled between the Pacific Ocean and Hinterlands at Tingirana Noosa, a lovely beach destination just a short drive away from the Sunshine Coast Airport. Everything about Tingirana Noosa is lovely, from the chic accommodations which allow guests to indulge in surreal views of the ocean waters to the long stretches of gorgeous beach which guests can even enjoy from their own balconies. Soak up the sun, fresh air, and calm waters during the day then head in during the evening to maximize the luxuries of your private and relaxing accommodations. Don’t forget to drop by Tingirana Noosa’s great restaurants to fuel your stay.

25 Hastings Street, Noosa Heads, Queensland 4567, Australia, Phone: 617-5474-7400

Fitzroy Island Resort

The Fitzroy Island Resort is a great option for a Queensland weekend. Family-owned and operated, the resort is an easy boat ride from Cairns and is a popular hub for snorkeling and diving because of its location in the center of a stunning reef system that is within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The island itself is a whopping 838 acres large, with a national park area spanning 796 acres of it. The resort, which sits right on the shores of the island, features marvelous beach fronts perfect for swimming and enjoying watersports such as boating and yachting. Guests who want to explore the rest of the island can embark on summit walks or track to hidden gems on the island like the Secret Garden, and one of the most iconic beaches in Queensland – Nudey Beach.

Fitzroy Island, Queensland 4870, Australia, Phone: 617-4044-6700

Crab Claw Island Resort

Come and visit the Crab Claw Island Resort, a lovely respite from the everyday situated at the peaceful edge of Bynoe Harbor. Perfect for lovers of the outdoors, Crab Claw Island Resort features various accommodations from beachfront suites to family rooms, deluxe villas, and even camping spots. What the resort is best known for, however, is its fantastic fishing! There is an abundance of fish to be caught at this resort as well as an abundance of wildlife to see and discover. When guests aren’t out at the shore, they can enjoy two swimming pools, an open restaurant with beautiful views of the harbor, a boat ramp, and even up-close encounters with wildlife.

Bynoe Harbor PMB 268, Winnellie, NT 0322, Australia, Phone: 08-8978-2313

25 Best Beach Vacation Spots in Australia :