Forget Queensland, Sydney's popular coastal attractions or Tasmania's Bay of Fires… a Victorian beach has been named Australia's best for 2024.
Squeaky Beach, in the state's south-east, is the first Victorian beach to claim the title --- and the only one from the state to make this year's top 10.
The annual list was curated by Australia's Beach Ambassador Brad Farmer, who was instrumental in the formation of Coastcare and a coastal advisor to the Senate.
Squeaky Beach came out trumps after a thorough investigation of almost 12,000 beaches around the mainland and surrounding islands.
"Squeaky Beach just by way of its name attracted my attention," Mr Farmer said.
"It is what you would call a masterpiece of a beach. It could be a painting."
He said waves crashing on boulders and its wide open space were enough of an appeal but it stepped up another level when he took into account its proximity to Wilsons Promontory with its resident emus, wombats and kangaroos.
The Farm at Shellharbour in New South Wales took the number two position, followed by Cockle Creek in south-east Tasmania.
Beach | Location |
|---|---|
1. Squeaky Beach | Wilson's Promontory, Victoria |
2. The Farm | Shellharbour, New South Wales |
3. Cockle Creek | South East, Tasmania |
4. Madfish Bay | Great Southern, Western Australia |
5. Pulu Belan Madar Island | Cocos (Keeling) Islands |
6. Cylinder Bay | North Stradbroke Island, Queensland |
7. Lagoon Beach | Lord Howe Island, New South Wales |
8. Long Beach | Robe, South Australia |
9. Cow Bay | Far North Queensland |
10. Casuarina Beach | Darwin, Northern Territory |
Mr Farmer said Victoria was often overlooked when it comes to the best beaches, but not this time.
"People don't realise just how lucky Victorians and people in Melbourne are that they can go either east or west and have fabulous coastlines."
Squeaky Beach is unpatrolled, and Parks Victoria advises anyone wishing to swim to do so "with care".
Mr Farmer said the Best Australian Beaches list helped drive international tourism and domestic visitation.
He used its announcement to call on the federal government to help manage and protect the coast.
"Australian beaches have become what they are because Australians have chosen to live by the beach and by the coast, 90 per cent of our population live by the beach, and it's really important that, I think, the federal government recognise the importance of managing a sustainable natural resource, which is in fact our coast."
Tourism Australia managing director Phillipa Harrison says the annual list was a showcase of Australia's natural offerings.
"Our research consistently shows beaches are one of the greatest drivers of international visitor demand to Australia and the majority of travellers enjoy our aquatic and coastal environments in some way when they are here," she said.
"To maintain this strength it is important we continue to show Australia has the best beaches in the world."