<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The experts on sun, sand, and surf have spoken, and Australia's best </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/beaches" rel="" target="_blank" title="beach"><span>beach</span></a><span> has been revealed.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Tourism Australia has released the annual Best Australian Beaches study for 2026, curated by the body's "beach ambassador" and conservationist Brad Farmer AM.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>And after the arduous task of checking out coastlines around the country, Farmer handed the top gong to the beaches of Bate Bay, in Sydney's south.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/all-glue-stores-to-close-in-australia/3d2d48af-3703-4315-b054-ba9b9f743363" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Fashion favourite to close in shake-up by retail giant</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The community-minded Bate Bay Beaches are, quite simply, stunning with the vast 4.8 kilometre stretch of undeveloped sand at Greenhills, Wanda and Elouera (Sydney's longest) and to many other beaches such as Cronulla, Oak Park Beach and four more," Farmer said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"With glorious golden sands and a cosmopolitan vibe, this picturesque stretch of coastline feels like a hidden gem right under your nose but is easily accessible by train from the city centre."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>If Sydney's a bit far to go, never fear - every state and territory save the landlocked ACT is well-represented in the top 10.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/australias-best-beaches-named-tourism-australia/0d2386fa-e849-4e51-b1ec-d71df357d2bb" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/one-in-six-households-struggling-to-pay-power-bills-as-rebates-vanish/8c2c6526-9c64-4cdc-92b3-340ea39478a6" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>One in six households struggling to pay power bills as rebates vanish</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Tourism Australia's Top 10 Beaches for 2026</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>1. Bate Beaches, Bate Bay, NSW</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>2. Pinky Beach, Rottnest Island, WA</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>3. Beachcomber Cove, Cape Hillsborough, Queensland</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>4. Tallow Beach, Byron Bay, NSW</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>5. Hellfire Bay, Cape Le Grand National Park, WA</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>6. Godfrey's Beach (The Nut), Stanley, Tasmania</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>7. Inskip Point, Inskip, Queensland</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>8. Mount Martha Beach, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>9. Smoky Bay Beach, Smoky Bay, SA</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>10. Ellery Creek Big Hole, Northern Territory</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/aspiring-childcare-student-deported-after-abhorrent-material-found-on-phone-at-adelaide-airport/17f9e4a9-3363-47f4-8508-a80047e19933" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Childcare student deported over videos allegedly found on phone</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The NT's contribution is not a coastal beach but a stunning waterhole found to the west of Alice Springs.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Farmer noted that the 2026 list has a selection of off-the-beaten-track gems that offer authentic experiences and "quiet, soulful spots".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Whether it's the remote allure of Beachcomber Cove or Hellfire Bay, these beaches offer a 'slow-travel' experience," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"They are places where you can still hear the wind and the waves rather than the crowds, providing a deep, authentic connection to the land and sea, with many First Nations stories."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/all-glue-stores-to-close-in-australia/3d2d48af-3703-4315-b054-ba9b9f743363"><strong><span>Fashion favourite to close in shake-up by retail giant</span></strong></a><strong></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Tourism Minister Don Farrell, this week in the US to promote Australia as a destination, said the country's beaches were a powerful lure for visitors.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The flow of tourists between Australia and the US has never been stronger, with a whopping 745,000 Americans making the trip down under and spending over $2 billion in Australia last year," Farrell said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Tourism Australia general manager Robin Mack said the beaches were also prime destinations for locals to explore.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"From the stunning sands of Bate Bay in NSW and Pinky Beach in WA to the iconic backdrop of The Nut in Tasmania and Ellery Creek Big Hole in the NT, these locations encourage both Australians and international visitors to explore more of Australia beyond the traditional hotspots," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>ticking this box here</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Sign up to</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></em></strong></a></li></ul></div></div>