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Australia’s most remote and unknown beaches have just been revealed

Emily Murphy Emily Murphy
The wild, little-known shores most travellers never reach.

Australia has no shortage of famous beaches. But while most travellers flock to the headline acts, a new Lonely Planet book is quietly pointing towards shores that feel worlds away from the crowds.

Best Beaches Australia spans the full spectrum of the country’s coastline, from family-friendly swims and surf breaks to iconic white sand crescents. Tucked within its pages, however, are beaches chosen for a very different reason: their isolation, wild beauty and sheer remoteness.

Pulled from Lonely Planet’s broader beach picks, these are the shores that reward effort over convenience. The kind of places where getting there is half the story, and being alone is part of the appeal.

Here are seven of Australia’s most remote and unknown beaches highlighted through Best Beaches Australia.

Greenly Beach, Coulta, SA

Greenly Beach, Eyre Peninsula, South Australia
Embrace isolation on Greenly Beach. (Image: City of Port Lincoln)

On the rugged Eyre Peninsula, Greenly Beach is the kind of place that feels untouched by time. Framed by towering limestone cliffs and windswept dunes, it is raw, powerful and completely unpolished.

One of the best natural swimming spots around Australia, access requires a four-wheel drive and a sense of adventure, which helps keep the crowds away. When conditions are right, surfers chase heavy swells here, but most visitors come simply to take in the drama of the landscape and the sense of total isolation.

Turquoise Bay, Ningaloo Coast, WA

Aerial view of Turquoise Bay in Western Australia
Take in the breathtaking colour at Turquoise Bay. (Image: Getty Images / Jonathan Stacey)

The name barely does it justice. Turquoise Bay is famous for its colour, but what truly sets it apart is how remote it feels despite its global reputation. It was the highest-ranked Australian beach on the 2025 World’s 50 Best Beaches list, coming 11th.

Sitting within Ningaloo Reef, this beach offers one of Australia’s best drift snorkelling experiences straight from the shore. Coral gardens, turtles and reef sharks are all part of the underwater scenery, with the vast outback stretching endlessly behind you.

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Hellfire Bay, Cape Le Grand National Park, WA

Hellfire Bay in Western Australia
Hellfire Bay is under the radar.

Cape Le Grand National Park is known for its postcard perfection, yet Hellfire Bay somehow remains under the radar. One of Australia’s prettiest white sand beaches, and protected from strong winds, its calm waters are framed by smooth granite headlands that glow pink at sunrise and sunset.

It is quieter than nearby Lucky Bay and just as beautiful, making it ideal for travellers who want the look without the crowds. Wildlife sightings are common and the sense of remoteness is constant.

Dolphin Beach, Yorke Peninsula, SA

Dolphin Beach in Yorke Peninsula’s Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park, South Australia
Dolphin Beach is not a swimming beach. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

Yorke Peninsula’s Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park is packed with dramatic coastline, but Dolphin Beach stands out for its seclusion. Reaching it involves a hike, which filters out all but the most determined visitors.

What you get in return is a wild sweep of sand backed by cliffs and pounding surf. It is not a swimming beach, but it is unforgettable for coastal walks, photography and that rare feeling of having a national park beach entirely to yourself.

Nudey Beach, Fitzroy Island, Qld

Nudey Beach on Fitzroy Island in Qld
Snorkel peacefully off Nudey Beach.

Despite the cheeky name, Nudey Beach is less about shock value and more about stunning tropical scenery. Located on Fitzroy Island off Cairns, this secret beach is accessible by ferry but feels a world away from the mainland.

Smooth boulders, clear water and fringing reef make it one of the most beautiful beaches in the tropics. Once you step away from the island’s main hub, the crowds thin quickly and the beach lives up to its reputation as a hidden gem.

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Childers Cove, Great Ocean Road, Vic

Childers Cove on the Great Ocean Road in Victoria
Childers Cove proves there are still secrets to be found on the Great Ocean Road.

The Great Ocean Road is rarely described as remote, yet Childers Cove proves there are still secrets to be found. Tucked between the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge, this secluded cove requires a steep walk down a narrow track.

At the bottom, you will find a sheltered crescent of sand framed by cliffs and sea stacks, often with no one else in sight. It is a reminder that even Australia’s most famous road trips still hold surprises for those willing to look beyond the main stops.

Landing Beach, Macquarie Island

Penguins on Landing Beach, Macquarie Island
Macquarie Island is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

If remoteness had a definition, Landing Beach would be it. Located on subantarctic Macquarie Island, halfway between Tasmania and Antarctica, this beach is accessible only by expedition cruise.

There is no swimming here. Instead, visitors are met with black sand, roaring winds and vast colonies of king penguins, elephant seals and seabirds. It is raw, confronting and extraordinary, and easily one of the most isolated beaches Australia can claim. It has been governed as a part of Tasmania since 1880 and was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997.

Emily Murphy
Emily Murphy is Australian Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her time at the company she has been instrumental in shaping its social media and email presence, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire others to explore Australia's vast landscapes. Her previous role was a journalist at Prime Creative Media and before that she was freelancing in publishing, content creation and digital marketing. When she's not creating scroll-stopping travel content, Em is a devoted 'bun mum' and enjoys spending her spare time by the sea, reading, binge-watching a good TV show and exploring Sydney's vibrant dining scene. Next on her Aussie travel wish list? Tasmania and The Kimberley.
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This hidden region in Victoria is home to a peaceful lake trail

    Craig Tansley Craig Tansley
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    Video credit: Tourism Australia

    From pink salt landscapes to oases fringed by forests of red gums, the lakes of this rural region are astounding. 

    You’re going to find peace and quiet when you take a road trip through the lakes of the Wimmera Mallee region. Whether it’s mirror-like pink salt lakes that look like an inland sea, or lakes fringed by forests of red gums that showcase Victoria’s arid beauty, there’s a lake for you out here somewhere.  

    1. Lake Tyrrell  

    Lake Tyrrell
    The colours of Lake Tyrrell blend into the sky. (Image: Visit Victoria/Anne Morely)

    Located in the dead heart of the Mallee, Victoria’s largest salt lake, Lake Tyrrell , is a landscape photographer’s dream – especially at sunrise and sunset when the pink salt flats look like a gigantic mirror. It’s easy to camp or park a caravan nearby, too, though the tiny town of Sea Lake is just south (with accommodation). In winter, shallow water covers the salt, creating surreal reflections of the sky.  

    2. Nhill Lake  

    There’s a permanent water source here, so there’s always plenty of water for water skiing, swimming and fishing (the trout and redfin fishing here is legendary). Located beside the pretty heritage town of Nhill with its main street of historic buildings, there’s options for eating and drinking right next door. There’s also a barbecue area with plenty of shady picnic spots and a boardwalk for walking around the lake.  

    3. Lake Bringalbert  

    Lake Bringalert
    Lake Bringalert is a great spot for aquatic adventures.

    Located south-west of the pretty Mallee town of Kaniva, Lake Bringalbert epitomises the best of ‘outback’ Victoria. It’s ringed by red gums and red mallee and feels completely hidden from the world – you’ll barely ever see another person. There’s basic camping on its foreshore and Kaniva offers more accommodation options. It’s the perfect lake for swimming, kayaking and skiing, and the stars at night come without even a hint of city glow.  

    4. Lake Hindmarsh 

    If you’re a bird fan, you’ll love Lake Hindmarsh . Located north of Dimboola, Victoria’s largest natural freshwater lake is like an inland sea full of pelicans, swans and numerous species of ducks – but it also teems with everything from spoonbills to parrots. Sunsets here will blow your mind – the lake is a mirror for the pinks and golds you’ll see on the horizon. There’s free camping spots along the foreshore if you’d like to really contemplate the magic of the lake.  

    5. Pink Lake 

    pink lake
    The Pink Lake is most vivid after rain. (Image: Visit Victoria/Anne Morely)

    Also known as Loch Lel , the summer months offer up some seriously vivid pink water colour at this lake north of Dimboola. The pink varies throughout the year, but is best after rain (hence why summer is the time to visit).

    pink lake
    Pink Lake, also known as Loch Lel, is located near Dimboola in the Grampians. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    There’s plenty of birds, including wedge-tailed eagles, but you’re as likely to spot big lace monitors, kangaroos and echidnas. Nearby, check out the uber-cute heritage town of Dimboola and its eclectic shops, and Little Desert National Park, full of walking trails through mallee heathland. 

    6. Lake Lascelles 

    Lake Lascelles
    You can camp at Lake Lascelles.

    On a hot summer’s day, there’s nowhere better for a cooling dip, kayak or boat ride. You can camp by the lake , or at powered caravan sites – or the pretty town of Hopetoun offers numerous accommodation options a short walk away. At night you’ll see the lights of Hopetoun reflect off the lake. Fish for yellow belly, redfin or catfish, or try water-skiing. There’s also a great walking trail around the lake, where there’s more birds than you can count.