| Destinations: Notable Beaches of Queensland |
See also: beaches of Brisbane, Queensland
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Coolangatta Beach (Gold Coast, Qld)
Coolangatta Beach symbolises the terminus of Queensland's Gold Coast and the long strip of beach that begins at Main Beach forty kilometres to the north. The headland itself is an important landmark and tourist destination. The beach and later the town were named after the schooner Coolangatta which was wrecked there in 1846. Coolangatta and its immediate neighbouring "Twin Town" Tweed Heads in New South Wales have a shared economy. The Tweed River supports a thriving fishing fleet, and the seafood is a local speciality offered in the restaurants and clubs of the holiday and retirement region on both sides of the state border. The Gold Coast renowned for its sunny subtropical climate, world-class beaches, waterfront properties, wide array of tourist attractions and long, high-rise-dominated skyline.
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Whitehaven Beach (Whitsunday Islands, Qld)
Stretching over nine kilometres, this pristine expanse of pure white silica sand fringed by brilliant blue water and lush tropical island, is recognised as one of the jewels of the Whitsunday Islands. Promoted as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and rightly so, Whitehaven Beach is an integral part of the unique beauty of the Whitsundays. No visit to the Whitsundays is complete without a trip to Whitehaven Beach. It is serviced by modern Ferries, cruising yachts, seaplanes and helicopters. A variety of companies offer day trips and/or overnight charters to Whitehaven Beach from both the Islands, Shute Harbour and Airlie Beach.
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Surfers Paradise (Gold Coast, Qld)
One of the main beaches of the Gold Coast region of south eastern Queensland, it name was coined by Brisbane hotelier Jim Cavill who opened the Surfers Paradise Hotel in 1925. Located between the ferry jetty and the white surf beach just off the South Coast Road, it became a popular spot and various shops and services sprang up around it. The Gold Coast boom of the 1950s and 1960s was largely centred on this area and the first of the tall apartment buildings that now characterise the skyline were constructed in the decades that followed. The Esplanade road is now very much a focus of activity in this part of the Gold Coast. Promenading and people-watching takes place in this area where land use encourages not only residential activity but tourism with supporting shops and restaurants.
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Mooloolaba Beach (Sunshine Coast, Qld)
Located 100 km north of Brisbane, Mooloolaba Beach is bounded on the east by the Coral Sea, on the south by the Mooloolah River, on the north by Alexandra Headland. The town of Mooloolaba has become a tourist resort and the business centre of the Sunshine Coast region in Queensland. Mooloolaba harbour (actually the mouth of the Mooloolah River) is the home of a large fleet of fishing vessels, as well as the northern base for the pilot vessels that control shipping through Moreton Bay and the Port of Brisbane. The Esplanade facing Mooloolaba beach is a centre for tourist activity, containing the UnderWater World Marine Park, as well as many souvenir and clothing shops, galleries and restaurants. Behind the apartments facing the beach are camping grounds, backpacker hostels and canal villas. |
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75-Mile Beach (Fraser Island, Qld)
Fraser Island is the world's largest sand island stretching around 120km from north to south and 15km from east to west. Being a sand island, it is not surprising that Fraser Island is surrounded by beautiful white sandy beaches that give the appearance of going on forever. The longest, Seventy Five Mile Beach is as the name suggests, seventy-five miles (120.7 km) of unbroken beach. Situated on the island's Pacific Ocean (east) side, Seventy-Five Mile Beach is an actual highway that runs up the surf side of the island. Four-wheel-drive vehicles share the highway with planes making joy flights. Sand tracks cross the island linking lakes and rainforests. The Beach gives easy access to its mighty sand blows, coloured sands, fast-flowing Eli Creek spilling into the ocean, the Maheno shipwreck (above right) and Indian Head and the Champagne Pools.
More about Fraser Island |
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Mission Beach (North Qld)
Located between Townsville and Cairns, Mission Beach could appear on any postcard requiring a long sandy beach lined with palm trees. An impressive Dunk Island sits off the coast just to make the picture even more perfect. The Mission Beach community is spread over a 14km coastal stretch and encompasses a number of beachside communities including Bingil Bay, Wongaling Beach, South Mission Beach and Garners Beach. There is no real centre to the region however Mission Beach itself has a few shops, restaurants and a travel agency. Tam O'Shanter National Park is quite unusual as it is rainforest predominantly filled with Fan Palms. If there is a chance of seeing a Cassowary, Mission Beach is the place where it will happen.
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Trinity Beach (North Qld)
Located north of Cairns, just 15 minutes from the airport and is referred to as The Northern Beaches of Cairns, Trinity Beach stretches for approximately 26 kms along a Sunny Coastline commencing at the northern fringe of the city. The Northern Beaches incorporates the localities of Machan's Beach, Holloways Beach, Yorkey's Knob, Trinity Beach, Kewarra, Clifton, Palm Cove and Ellis Beaches. Each is a small, separate township with it's own distinctive characters and charm. Trinity Beach is safely nestled between two headlands, providing an ideal bay in which to enjoy relaxing pursuits along its palm-fringed shores.
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Rainbow Beach (Cooloola Coast, Qld)
A pleasant, quiet holiday spot with a wonderful wide strip of beach, the small town serves as a gateway to Fraser Island to the north, and Cooloola National Park. Originally known as Back Beach, Rainbow Beach was renamed after the coloured sands located near the town. Here you can swim with dolphins, explore the spectacular scenery of Fraser Island, explore rainforests, heathlands and freshwater lakes. Para or hang-glide in one of the top ten spots in the world the Carlo Sand Blow, an amazing spectacle in itself with postcard views.
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Agnes Water Beach (Burnett Coast, Qld)
Agnes Water is the most northerly surfing beach in Queensland. The beaches around here range from small secluded coves and inlets to the broad expanse of Bustard Bay and Agnes Beach itself, all with clean white sand interspersed by rocky headlands. Tucked in behind nrearby Bustard Head alongside a huge saltwater lagoon, the town of 1770 offers access to just about every kind of outdoor activity a traveller comes to Queensland seeking to do. Here you can play golf, fish, swim, snorkel, beach comb, take a joyflight of the area; you can even go surfing.
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Chilli Beach (Lockhart, Cape York peninsula)
One of the most well known beaches of the Cape, Chilli Beach provides a welcome respite for travellers up and down the Cape. Surrounded by rainforest, the small community has well protected campsites for visitors, and is a popular fishing spot. The beach is situated on the east coast near Iron Range National Park. There is vehicle access to the northern end and the wide low gradient beach is suitable for vehicle traffic.
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- Beachsafe: information on over 11,000 beaches on the Australian coast
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