Welcoming in every A-lister in town from Zac Efron, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall to Emily Blunt, the surfing shores and pristine powdery sands Down Under have fast become the hottest celebrity destination for stars wanting to experience some of the world's best beaches. And Mariah Carey, the singing sensation and American Idol judge, was the latest travel-savvy celebrity to journey to Australia, ringing in the New Year with a sensational live show in Gold Coast and Sydney this month. Spotted soaking up the sun in Melbourne, the star took time from her busy schedule to experience some of the sunny shores, of which there are over 1,100 in Australia.
With this in mind, HELLO! Online has selected the most exquisite beaches across Australia’s 50,000 kilometres of spellbinding coastline. With whale look-outs and shark sightings, jet skiing and super surfing at your fingertips, not to mention unspoiled sandy bays, coral reefs and crystalline waters, Australia is the perfect backdrop for a beach break getaway. Cable Beach, Western Australia Six kilometres from Broome, Cable beach is renowned as one of the finest sandy bays in the entire world thanks to its sun-drenched luxury resorts, 22 kilometres of palm-fringed paradise and endless powdery pristine sands. Ride a camel along the white sands and turquoise flows of the Indian Ocean at sunset, try parasailing and Tandem freefall skydiving or explore the Australian wildlife scene with a rainforest tour.
Bells Beach, Torquay, Victoria Home to Australian surfing, there is no better place to ride the waves than Bells Beach. It is the site of the world’s oldest and most prestigious pro-surfing competition, known as Rip Curl Pro Swells, due to the outstanding waves that can rise to fifteen feet or more.
Whitehaven beach, Queensland From the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef to the rainforest national parks, Whitehaven is everything an idyllic beach should be, complete with crystal clear water and white stretches of sand. Stretching 7km along the uninhabited Whitsunday Island, Whitehaven is a definite must-see.
Bondi Beach, SydneyBusy Bondi might be packed with tourists and travellers, but it is certainly one of Sydney’s most iconic destinations. With a vibrant and young atmosphere, the world-famous strip of sand is fringed by cafes, shops and bars.
Wineglass Bay, TasmaniaWith over 1,100 beaches in Australia, choosing the finest is somewhat challenging. Nevertheless, the very opposite to Bondi beach, Wineglass Bay earns a firm spot on the list purely due to its secluded sights and perfect backdrop. A little spot of paradise, the tranquil beach is located at the back of Freycinet National Park in Tasmania and relies solely on its natural beauty and gleaming white sand.