Ultimate Beaches: Australia

Ultimate Beaches: Australia is your guide to 80 of the best beaches across the country – whether you're after a swim, surf, reviving walk or fun with the family.

With over 10,000 beaches framing Australia's mainland and islands, author Celeste Mitchell has scoured the coastline and in this book she shares her top 80 beaches. You'll find a curation of the big names and lesser-known spots that beckon you for days on the sand, whether you're on the hunt for world-class surf breaks or rock pools to explore with the kids, crystal-clear lagoons or the chance to dive under and meet the curious creatures who live below. With detailed information on what makes each beach special, when to go, whether it's dog friendly or appropriate for families, and how accessible it is for all visitors, the guide also highlights must-do nearby attractions and experiences so you can select the best beach for your next day trip, weekend away or ultimate tropical holiday.

Designed for any beach lover, whether you're a true water baby or simply like the feeling of sand between your toes, Ultimate Beaches: Australia will have you checking the weather forecast and reaching for the reef-safe sunscreen, ready for your next big beach adventure.

About the Author

Like 80 per cent of the Australian population, Celeste Mitchell has always lived by the beach. The freelance travel journalist and author of Life Unhurried (Hardie Grant), has spent the past decade of her career writing for some of Australia's most widely-read travel titles, including ESCAPE, Travel + Luxury (The Australian), Australian Traveller, QANTAS and more. Growing up on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, her primary school days were spent playing sport and learning about the environment on the neighbouring beach, while high school saw her diving below the surface of the Whitsundays and getting her boat licence as part of her studies. As a traveller, she's spent time on beaches around the globe and like so many Aussies, feels endlessly grateful for the clean, beautiful ocean on our doorstep. Whether hiking alongside it, surfing (badly), taking it all in with a picnic laid out, or splashing about in the shallows with her family, her favourite days are those spent on the sand.