9 Small Beach Towns Around Australia That Crowds Haven’t Discovered Yet
As someone who just moved to the beach again, I definitely understand the pull of the ocean. The views, the smells, the sounds: perfection. Even science proves that humans are happier near water.
The only downside? A lot of beaches in Australia get crowded out, very quickly. If you’ve heard the name before, chances are you won’t get the peace and quiet you desire.
Time to branch out. There are so many untapped beach town gems with little to no crowds. Here’s our pick of the best nine.
#1 Myall Lakes National Park, NSW
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If you’re up for camping, Myall Lakes National Park is the perfect beach escape without all the people. Almost two hours north of Newcastle, the park has plenty of places for beauty, adventure, relaxing and swimming. 4WD along soft white sand of Mungo Beach that stretches 20km, or take a dip in the nearby lake.
#2 Golden Beach, VIC
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This section of Nintey Mile Beach (which yes, is one 90-mile long stretch of beach) is the quietest — a place where you can more or less get the ocean to yourself. Except for fairly regular sightings of emus and kangaroos wandering along the sand. This is a good one if you want an actual hotel and corner stores.
#3 Marcoola, QLD
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This is the small Sunshine Coast town you didn’t know existed, but you’ll be glad you do now. While everyone else is crowding into Noosa, enjoy the lower accommodation prices, tourist-free beaches and an organic foodie culture that is thriving just as much as it’s more popular counterparts.
#4 Eden, NSW
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You are not ready for the beauty of the aptly named Eden. The town is surrounded by rugged coastline, water so clear you can see right through it, golden sand dunes and ancient forests. It’s also one of the best spots to spot migrating humpback whales. All without the crowds.
#5 Lucky Bay, WA
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Lucky Bay is no secret, and the Instagram photos are incredible, but the trek to get in there means that it’s nearly always quiet or empty. It’s worth the seven kilometre hike from the closest car park inside Cape Le Grand National Park for the views, beachside camping, and kangaroos.
#6 Friendly Beaches, TAS
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Besides the comforting name, the long, white sand beach and genuinely turquoise water makes Friendly Beaches the perfect secluded paradise to stay and explore a while. Located on the edge of Freycinet National Park, you can camp at the very basic campsites here, or indulge in a nice hotel just nine minutes-drive away int he small town of Coles Bay.
#7 Second Valley, SA
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An easy 90-minutes from Adelaide, this small coastal town is not small on beauty and chill vibes. The colourful rock formations in the this area really set it apart, and the accommodation options range from basic to five-star house rentals, so you can really make it your own.
#8 Denmark, WA
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Yes, Denmark, but the town not the country. While everyone else is heading to the Margaret River, you should head out along the Rainbow Coast to this gem, where lush forests reach all the way to meet bright white sand beaches. There’s several places to swim, but Elephant Rocks truly make a spectacular backdrop.
#9 The Town Of 1770, QLD
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If you want to get away from it all, this is absolutely the place to do it. There’s a luxe campsite that lets you park right on the beach, or hotels if you prefer a real bed. There’s not much here beside nature, a pub, a bakery and a grocery store, but that’s exactly why it’s perfect.
(Lead Image: Unsplash)
