Australia’s best beaches for 2026 revealed as Sydney stretch takes top spot

[{ "selector": ".awtwj-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(-330px)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible" }, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }]

Australia’s best beaches for 2026 have been revealed, with a sweeping 4.8km stretch of sand taking out the top honour. Bate Bay, in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire, has been named the country’s best beach this year after Tourism Australia unveiled the results of its annual Best Australian Beaches study on Thursday. [{ "selector": ".afepe-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(calc(360px - 30px))", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }]