15 Amazing Beach Vacation Spots in Australia

© Qualia Resort

Anyone who is a fan of beaches and water sports will be thrilled to explore these awesome beach spots in Australia, whether you want to spend a day on the beach near a major city or travel to a secluded private island. The Great Barrier Reef is a fantastic destination for honeymooners, offering secluded beaches and amazing marine life. Most of the getaways that made our list are family friendly, offering a choice of accommodations and activities for all ages. More about Australia.

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© 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. The cost is AUD35 per person, one way. Jungle Walk Bungalow rates start at AUD224 per night; the Sandpiper Suite is AUD759 (website).

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© 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 start at 990 Australian dollars per person, including 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, website).

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© Qualia

Luxury villas with plunge pools, unobtrusive five star service and location on the world's largest coral reef make Hamilton Island in 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. Luxury villas (called the "pavilions") start at AUD 1,165. Different meal plans are available.

Hamilton Island offers a variety of vacation activities, including scuba diving, 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, website).

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© Heron Island

You can't go wrong with Heron Island. From incredible snorkeling in the pristine waters to sunny weather and perfect beaches, the only downside to this vacation is having to leave. Located on the Great Barrier Reef, the island is surrounded by incredible marine life and spectacular sunset views.

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© 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. Rooms start at $165 per night (website).

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© 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.

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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. There is a 14kg luggage limit per person on all Lord Howe Island flights. Rates start from $375 AUD for a suite. 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 (website).

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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. Villa rates at the Injidup Spa Retreat start at 435 AUD per night.

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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. Room rates start at around $365 Australian Dollars for a superior room and move up to $3,500 AUD for the Imperial Suite. However, deluxe suites start at $565 AUD (+61 7 5509 8000,website).

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© 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. Low season rates start at $395 Australian dollars per night for a one bedroom suite; from $455 dollars in high season (website).

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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. Room rates range from AUD $125 for a standard room, AUD $295 for a beach front room, AUD $275 - $350 for a split level suite with terrace, and AUD $450 for a beachfront suite (+61 (02) 9365 4422, website).

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