Mona Vale Beach – number 6 of the world’s best beaches

Thanks to our geographical positioning at the back end of the world, we’re often overlooked here in Australia. So we love it when we get a little recognition. We feel a swell of national pride every time Cate Blanchett wins an Oscar, and our chests puff when people in the northern hemisphere recognise that our country is littered with absolutely stunning beaches.

Well prepare to have a little more spring in your step today, fellow Australians, because renowned travel publication Condé Nast Traveller just released their list of 34 best beaches in the world and a whopping four Aussie beaches made the top 10. And there’s not a Bondi Beach in sight.

Palm Cove in Tropical North Queensland (pictured above) was named the no.1 beach in the world. 

The beach, which is about 30 minutes north of Cairns, is a tiny beachside village centred around an esplanade lined with 500-year-old melaleuca trees.

“The combination of leaning palm trees on powdery sand makes Palm Cove Beach the epitome of a tropical paradise,” writes Lizzie Pook.

“The town itself … is home to only 2,000 people, so the sandy stretch is usually free of crowds. Keep an eye out for wildlife though – dolphins and whales can often be seen from the Palm Cove jetty”.

Honopu Beach in Kauai, Hawaii (pictured above), took out the number two spot. The stunning sweeping cliffs meant this was used as a location for the Raiders of the Lost Ark and King Kong films.

Brekon, Shetland (found on an archipelago off Scotland) took out bronze, and then …

Australia came in again, at number 4.

Wategos Beach in Byron Bay was given the nod, with the writer stating “the seaside town of Byron Bay may have started as a bohemian enclave but has since grown to become one of Australia’s prime addresses – Matt Damon, Nicole Kidman and Zac Efron all own houses here.

“And while any stretch of Bryon’s coastline is pretty, the ultimate spot is Wategoes Beach, a sheltered beach lined with screwpine trees and offering up calm swimming conditions. The beach is also home to a popular walk that leads up to the Cape Byron Lighthouse, a particularly scenic spot to be at during sunset”.

Ora Beach in Indonesia took out the No.5 spot, and that is indeed a stunning looking beach.

Set on the north coast of the quiet Seram island area, it’s known as “Indonesia’s Little Maldives” and the pictures show that is a pretty reasonable comparison.

And here’s one that is definitely going to appear on Sydney’s northern beaches community Facebook groups … Mona Vale Beach came in at number 6.

“Less than an hour’s drive from Sydney, Mona Vale is the unsung hero of the famed northern beaches,” writes Pook.

“The main beach is a one-kilometre stretch of soft sand, perfect for walking, splashing in the rolling waves and watching the horizon for passing pods of dolphins. There’s an ocean-fed lap pool with a children’s pool next to it”.

Dune du Pilat in France (about an hour’s drive from Bordeaux) came in at number 7 …

And then Australia popped its head up again at number 8, with Noosa Beach in Queensland.

“Quite possibly the most beloved beach within easy reach of Brisbane, Noosa pairs designer boutiques and buzzing restaurants with a sprawling and serene white sand beach,” writes Pook.

“The southern end of the beach typically offers up calm swimming conditions, as well as a classic surf club, while the northern end runs alongside Noosa National Park, which is home to a eucalypt forest and koalas.”

Turquoise Bay near Exmouth in Western Australia came in at number 22 …

And Gantheaume Point in Broome, Western Australia landed at number 25.

So all up, that is six in the top 34.

Our coastline is something to be damn proud of.