Welcome to Australian Beaches, your ultimate guide to exploring the most beautiful coastal destinations across the continent. Since our founding in 2011, we've been on a mission to share our love for Australia's magnificent shorelines with travelers from around the world.
About Us
Passionate experts dedicated to Australia's coastlines
Our Story
How Australian Beaches began
Australian Beaches was founded by marine biologist Dr. Emma Wilson and travel photographer Jack Thompson, whose shared passion for Australia's coastlines led them to create a comprehensive resource for beach lovers. What began as a small blog documenting their personal coastal adventures quickly grew into Australia's most trusted beach guide.
In 2011, after completing a three-year journey circumnavigating Australia's entire coastline and visiting over 500 beaches, Emma and Jack launched the first version of our website. Their mission was simple: to provide accurate, detailed information about Australia's beaches that went beyond the typical tourist spots.
By 2015, Australian Beaches had grown into a team of dedicated coastal experts, including marine scientists, surf instructors, and local guides from communities across Australia. We established partnerships with conservation organizations and tourism boards to promote sustainable beach tourism while protecting these precious environments.
Today, Australian Beaches is recognized as the definitive guide to coastal Australia, with over 2 million annual visitors to our website and a community of beach enthusiasts that spans the globe. Our expanded focus now includes marine conservation initiatives, beach safety education, and supporting indigenous cultural preservation in coastal regions.
What sets us apart is our commitment to authenticity. Every beach in our guide has been personally visited and documented by our team. We don't just highlight the famous spots—we take pride in discovering hidden gems and providing the local insights that make each beach experience special.
Our Mission & Values
At Australian Beaches, our mission is to connect people with Australia's coastal wonders while promoting conservation, safety, and cultural respect. We believe that informed travelers make better decisions for themselves and the environment.
Core Values
Authenticity
We provide honest, firsthand information about every beach we feature, highlighting both the beauty and any challenges visitors might encounter.
Environmental Stewardship
We promote sustainable beach practices and partner with conservation efforts to protect Australia's coastal ecosystems for future generations.
Cultural Respect
We honor the deep connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to sea country, acknowledging traditional owners and sharing indigenous knowledge where appropriate.
Safety First
We prioritize visitor safety by providing current information about beach conditions, facilities, and potential hazards at each location.
Community Support
We highlight local businesses and communities near each beach, encouraging visitors to engage meaningfully with these coastal regions.
Meet Our Team
The experts behind Australian Beaches
Dr. Emma Wilson
Founder & Marine Biologist
With a PhD in Marine Ecology from James Cook University, Emma has dedicated her career to studying Australia's coastal ecosystems. Her research on coral reef systems has been published in leading scientific journals, and she frequently consults on marine conservation projects around the country.
Jack Thompson
Co-Founder & Head Photographer
A renowned travel photographer whose work has appeared in National Geographic and Australian Geographic, Jack brings his artistic eye and technical expertise to capturing Australia's beaches in their best light. His beach photography book "Coastal Australia" won the Australian Photography Award in 2018.
Leah Nguyen
Beach Safety Director
A former champion lifesaver and coastal risk assessment specialist, Leah leads our beach safety initiatives and community education programs. She has trained over 5,000 beach safety volunteers across Australia and developed our comprehensive beach hazard rating system.
Uncle David Nangingai
Indigenous Knowledge Advisor
A respected Yolngu elder from Arnhem Land, Uncle David shares traditional knowledge about sea country and helps us respectfully present information about culturally significant coastal sites. He leads our cultural awareness training and indigenous beach tour development.
Our Achievements
Making a difference in beach conservation and tourism
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Australia's Most Comprehensive Beach Database
Our detailed catalog features over 2,000 Australian beaches with verified information about facilities, conditions, and local attractions. Each beach is personally visited and documented by our team.
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Beach Conservation Impact
Through our partnerships with environmental organizations, we've helped mobilize over 45,000 volunteers for beach cleanups and dune restoration projects, removing more than 120 tonnes of marine debris from Australian coastlines.
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Award-Winning Beach Guide Publication
Our printed "Australian Beaches Guide" has sold over 300,000 copies since its first edition and won the Australian Travel Publishing Award three consecutive years (2018-2020).
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Beach Safety Education
Our beach safety app has been downloaded by 1.2 million users and credited with improving visitor safety awareness. We've partnered with Surf Life Saving Australia to deliver beach safety workshops to over 50,000 international visitors.
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Supporting Coastal Communities
Our "Hidden Gems" initiative has helped increase tourism to lesser-known beach destinations by an average of 35%, bringing sustainable economic benefits to small coastal communities across Australia.
What Our Partners Say
Testimonials from organizations we work with
"Australian Beaches has been an invaluable partner in our coastal conservation efforts. Their commitment to accurate information and environmental stewardship aligns perfectly with our mission. Together, we've seen measurable improvements in visitor behavior and beach condition at key conservation sites."
Director, Coastal Conservation Australia
"As a tourism board working with international visitors, we rely on Australian Beaches for their exceptional research and presentation of our coastal destinations. Their cultural sensitivity and attention to detail have helped us create beach experiences that are both authentic and respectful of local communities."
CEO, Queensland Tourism Council
"The beach safety information provided by Australian Beaches is second to none. Their detailed hazard ratings and condition updates have become an essential resource for our lifesavers and the public alike. We've seen a significant reduction in incidents at beaches where their safety guides are prominently displayed."
National Safety Director, Surf Life Saving Australia
Our Work in Action
Moments from our beach conservation and education initiatives
Join Our Mission
Whether you're interested in volunteering for beach conservation efforts, contributing to our beach database, or partnering with us as an organization, we'd love to hear from you. Help us protect and celebrate Australia's incredible coastlines.
