When it comes to top lists for beaches, Australia is no stranger to ranking highly. We’re spoiled for choice when it comes to pristine swim spots Down Under. To prove my point, Manly Beach was just featured in Tripadvisor’s ‘Best of the Best Beaches’ list for 2024, placing 7th. 

So it will come as no surprise that when Conde Nast Traveller dropped its list of ‘The 34 Best Beaches in the World’, more than one Aussie beach debuted in the top 10. But what was a pleasant surprise, is that Tropical North Queensland’s Palm Cove topped the list. The idyllic beach was featured thanks to the fact it’s crowd-free and looks like an AI-generated image of paradise – think leaning palm trees, powdery sand and pristine turquoise waters. 

The Aussie beach beat out iconic beach destinations like Hawaii, Indonesia, France, Greece, Polynesia and New Zealand, just to name a few. Palm Cove wasn’t the only Aussie beach to be featured though. It kept good company in the top 10 with Wategos Beach, Byron Bay, coming in 4th, Mona Vale Beach, Sydney, taking out 6th place and Noosa Beach, Noosa Heads, placing 8th. 

Here are the top ten beaches listed in Conde Nast Traveller’s list of the 34 best beaches:

1. Palm Cove, Queensland, Australia 
2. Honopu Beach, Kauai, Hawaii
3. Brekon, Shetland, Scotland
4. Wategos Beach, Byron Bay, Australia
5. Ora Beach, Maluku, Indonesia
6. Mona Vale Beach, Sydney, Australia
7. Dune du Pilat, France
8. Noosa Beach, Queensland, Australia
9. Awaroa, South Island, New Zealand
10. Die Plaat, Walker Bay Nature Reserve, South Africa

If this has inspired you to make the most of the heat before Autumn truly kicks in, why not take a dip in one of Australia’s 34 best secret beaches? Or maybe cool off at one of Australia’s 58 best natural pools? As we said, we’re spoiled for choice.

For the full list, visit cntraveller.com

Related story: 50 of the world’s best beaches for your daily dose of vitamin sea