Bondi Beach, Sydney. Yeah it’s famous, yeah it’s crowded on weekends, but there’s a reason. That crescent of golden sand with turquoise waves crashing in, surfers everywhere, and the coastal walk from Bondi to Coogee is one of the prettiest city hikes on the planet. Start early, grab coffee from one of the little cafes, watch the sunrise crew doing yoga or swimming laps in the ice-cold ocean pool. Summer gets packed but just walk five minutes south to Tamarama or Bronte and suddenly you’ve got space. Fish and chips at the beach kiosk still tastes better than any restaurant in the city.

Whitehaven Beach, Whitsundays. This one ruins all other beaches for you, sorry. The sand is 98% pure silica, so white it hurts your eyes and squeaks when you walk. The water swirls between shades of blue you didn’t know existed. Best way is the boat trip from Airlie Beach, they take you to Hill Inlet where the tide makes those crazy patterns you see in postcards. Snorkel the reef right off the shore, no one around except maybe a turtle or two. Go on a calm day and it feels like you’re swimming in a screensaver. Camping is allowed on the island too if you want the place completely to yourself at night.

Cable Beach, Broome. 22 kilometers of empty red sand stretching forever, camels walking along at sunset like you’re in some movie. The water is warm, Indian Ocean side, and the sunsets are next level, huge orange ball dropping straight into the sea. Swim at high tide because low tide the water disappears for miles. Drive down the beach in a 4WD if you can, feels wild. There’s barely any development, just a couple cafes and resorts set back from the sand. Best time is May to October when it’s dry season and not too hot.

Quick bonus ones because I can’t stop: Noosa on the Sunshine Coast, perfect waves for learning to surf, national park right behind the beach, koalas in the trees. Then Turquoise Bay in Ningaloo, Western Australia, drift snorkel over coral with zero effort, fish everywhere, manta rays if you’re lucky. And Hyams Beach down south, supposed to have the whitest sand in the world, water so clear it looks fake.

Australia beaches are all about space, most of the time you can walk ten minutes and have the whole place to yourself. Bring sunscreen, seriously, the sun here doesn’t play, and watch for stingers in summer up north. Other than that, just show up, kick off your shoes and stay longer than you planned. You’ll thank me later.