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Sand and surf: Where to find the best beaches near Brisbane

The boardwalk at Rainbow Bay provides the perfect beachside amble.

The boardwalk at Rainbow Bay provides the perfect beachside amble. Photo: Tourism and Events Queensland

With wistful white sand and beautiful blue water in Brisbane’s backyard, a beach day this summer isn’t a might – but a must.

As temperatures spike and the humidity hits, grab the beach umbrella, stock up the sunscreen and take to the coast for a day of beachside bliss.

Whether you’re needing a saltwater soak, craving a read in the sun or frothing for a surf, our line-up of Brisbane’s best beaches has something for water babies, beach bums and city folk alike.

Rainbow Bay, Coolangatta

Just over an hour away, at the southern end of the Gold Coast, is Rainbow Bay – a pristine white-sand beach that arches around Snapper Rocks and Greenmount.

This laid-back beach is perfect for every type of beachgoer. Patrolled all year round, Rainbow Bay is sheltered from southerly breezes and often boasts calm waters. The rocky outcrop of Snapper Rocks at the south end of the bay offers a surfing playground for the water junkies, which in favourable conditions, provides one of the longest right-handers in the world – a glorious two-kilometre ride from Snapper to Coolangatta.

Hit the road early, and start the day with coffee and breakfast at Kirra Sol Cafe before heading down to the hideaway of Rainbow. After a long day of basking in the sunshine, finish the day off at the Rainbow Bay Surf Club, or try the latest addition to the strip, Kirra Beach House.

Noosa Main Beach, Noosa Heads

This wouldn’t be a round-up of the best beaches without including Noosa Main Beach, and while it can be a little busy at times its popularity is for good reason. It’s also conveniently positioned quite literally on Hastings Street, where you will find award-winning restaurants, first-class fashion and endless sip spots.

Despite Noosa being well-known for its surf, north-facing Noosa Main Beach is often protected from harsh weather and large waves, making it perfect for swimmers and those learning to surf. This stretch of sun-soaked pale-golden sand and crystal clear water is certainly worth the two-hour drive from Brisbane.

Noosa is also nestled among numerous coveted beach spots such as Peregian and Coolum, so you can really make a day out of the journey.

noosa main beach

Noosa Main Beach can get busy (with good reason). But there’s a quiet, secret alternative nearby. Photo: AAP

Little Cove, Noosa

Venture a mere 350 metres from Noosa Main Beach and you will stumble upon your very own private paradise, Little Cove Beach.

This 100-metre stretch of sandy beach and sparkling turquoise water is surrounded by the lush greenery of Noosa National Park and offers a far more secluded and intimate vibe than its bustling neighbour.

Despite its proximity to Queensland’s most popular beach, this not-so-hidden hidden gem is often quiet. In fact, for most of the year (outside of peak times) you may find you have the place completely to yourself. The waters are generally calm with waves rarely exceeding 0.5 metres, making it an ideal spot for swimming and snorkelling.

 

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Tangalooma Beach, Moreton Island

Hop on a catamaran cruise from Brisbane and 75 minutes later you will stumble upon the jewel of Moreton Bay and islands, Tangalooma.

Sheltered between Moreton Island and Moreton Bay, Tangalooma Beach is the perfect seaside strand for all of your water activities, boasting beautiful white sand and calm waters. Whether you’re into sight-seeing, snorkelling, swimming or paddle boarding, you will not find yourself bored.

Explore a cluster of sunken ships at the Tangalooma Wrecks, which are just a 10-15 minute beach walk from the Tangalooma Island Resort, or fall in love with the family of wild dolphins who frequent the local jetty nightly.

Bongaree Beach, Bribie Island

Overlooking the pristine Pumicestone Passage, Bongaree Beach is only an hour’s drive north of Brisbane. It has everything you could want from your beach-themed escape, including endless swim spots, views to die for and plenty of picnic areas. It is also home to a jetty that provides hours of bomb-diving and fishing fun for the whole family.

This local beach is the perfect getaway for a sunny weekend, but can get quite busy. To avoid the crowds and secure a spot, it is best to head there early.

While in the area, you may as well hit up Kenilworth Country Bakery, famous for its one-kilogram doughnut challenge. With a menu of drool-worthy flavours, it’s the perfect stop for beach snacks.

South Gorge, Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island)

This area is accessible via water taxi or car ferry, but trust us when we say that it’s worth the additional logistics.

Located on Minjerribah, South Gorge is a scenic spot that offers a kind of “summer in Italy” vibe thanks to the surrounding rock formations. It is not a patrolled beach, so extra caution should be taken.

With a convenient bus available up the island to the beach-lined Point Lookout, a trip to Minjerribah will have you feeling totally disconnected from city life.

While there, try some of the island’s famous seafood on the headland and take a walk along the cliffs of the gorge for captivating views of turquoise water, kangaroos and, sometimes, even sea turtles.

Cabarita Beach, Kingscliff

Affectionately known as Caba, this beach offers dreamy swimming conditions and stunning views. Voted as Australia’s best beach in 2020, the laid-back township is just 90 minutes from Brisbane, but its idyllic clear waters and surrounding nature-reserve make it feel worlds away.

Surfers can expect to find a great swell when the winds are right while amateur adventurers can enjoy the grassy headland overlooking the beach’s southern end.

Once you’ve finished cooling down in Cabarita’s sparkling waters, you can take in panoramic views of the coastline all the way to Byron from the beautiful boardwalk along Norries Headland.

The Cabarita Beach main strip is also home to numerous local cafes and shops for you to peruse. Fuel Bakehouse Cabarita is a local and visitor favourite, with delicious coffee and a menu of freshly baked goodies.

Torakina Beach, Brunswick Heads

Think of Brunswick Heads as your gateway into the Byron Bay scene, featuring the same crystal blue waves on rolling white shores as well as plenty of cool food and cultural offerings. Brunswick Heads can typically be just a taste more quiet.

Twenty minutes before you’d turn into Byron Bay, you’ll find Torakina Beach over the bridge of Simpson’s Creek and tucked between two break walls. This man-made beach rarely has swells and offers beautiful swimming conditions for the whole family.

It’s not patrolled, but a quick walk over the southern break wall and you’ll be at Brunswick Heads Main Beach, which is patrolled by the Brunswick Surf Life Saving Club. Here you’ll find world-class surf breaks as well as dog-friendly shores.

There’s also no shortage of cool cafes, wine bars and restaurants. Brands from Lottie Hall to Thrills even have their flagships here, so a day-trip to Brunswick Heads promises plenty to do, eat and shop.

Honourable mention We must give Streets Beach in South Bank a shout out, purely due to its prime location. If you’re like us and treat a day of eating, drinking and shopping like an extreme sport, Streets Beach is smack bang in the middle of South Bank and comes in clutch when you need a minute or two to cool down and recharge. There’s no need to designate an entire day to this beach trip, just an hour or so before, after or in between your sipping, shopping and dining.

This article first appeared in InQueensland’s The Weekend Edition. Read the original here

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