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TripAdvisor®, the travel planning and booking website, has announced the winners of its Travellers’ Choice™ awards for beaches – with Queensland’s Whitehaven Beach named Australia’s best beach among a list of 343 beaches around the world.

This year’s awards honour a definitive list of the best beaches in the world, with lists for Australia, Africa, Asia, Caribbean, Central America, Europe, South America, the South Pacific, the United Kingdom and the USA. Travellers’ Choice award-winning beaches were determined based on the quantity and quality of traveller reviews and ratings for beaches on TripAdvisor gathered over a 12-month period

Commenting on the Awards, TripAdvisor spokesperson Joanne Kershaw stated “our picturesque beaches are international icons for their sun, surf and soft sand.

“We are lucky enough to enjoy our beaches all year round be it with friends or family on the weekends or working out each day.”

Top 10 Travellers’ Choice Beaches in Australia:

1. Whitehaven Beach – Whitsunday Island, Queensland (pictured above)
Stretching over seven kilometres, travellers are taken away by the crystal clear waters and soft sand. Whitehaven beach is one of the most photographed beaches in Australia and many reviewers marvel at its sheer beauty. “Spectacular....a little piece of heaven - try for a sunny day to enjoy at its best! We had people from around the globe in our group and all were waxing lyrical,” raved one TripAdvisor reviewer.
Reason to visit: Beautiful view from a light air plane over the Whitsunday Passage, where rafting tours and beach cruises are also available to book on TripAdvisor.

2. Manly Beach – Sydney, NSW
Situated in the beach side suburb of Manly, in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Manly Beach is a notable beach spot secluded from the hustle and bustle of a major city. Manly was one of the first seaside resorts to allow daylight swimming and surfing back in 1903. Visitors to Sydney can easily hop on a ferry at Circular Quay, for a scenic ride on Sydney’s iconic harbour to Manly. A TripAdvisor reviewer said, “A must not miss place - a ferry ride to remember followed by a brilliant clifftop walk and swim in the waves.”
Reason to visit: Visit the popular 4 Pines Brewing Company for a thriving café and bar scene.

3. Surfer’s Paradise Beach – Gold Coast, Queensland
Located on the Gold Coast, Surfer’s Paradise Beach is one of Australia’s most visited tourist destinations. Known as ‘paradise’ to thousands of Gold Coast locals, Surfer’s Paradise Beach is celebrated for its iconic golden sand strip. A TripAdvisor reviewer commented, “Pictures would show how beautiful and wonderful this place is. Surfers Paradise deserves its name.”

Reason to visit: Walk the beachfront markets and check out Australia’s #3 Ice Cream Parlour, Zanette’s Gelato 

4. Turquoise Bay – Exmouth, Western Australia
Dive into the pristine waters of Turquoise Bay and experience one of Western Australia’s best beaches. Located within a few metres of the iconic Ningaloo Reef, the beach is the perfect spot for snorkeling amongst Australia’s colourful coral and abundance of fish species. “This bay is absolutely stunning, could have stayed all day, snorkeling, swimming and relaxing,” said a TripAdvisor reviewer. 
Reason to visit: Great snorkelling out to the Ningaloo Reef where you can catch glimpse of an extraordinary whale shark. 

5. Shelly Beach – Sydney, NSW
Situated in Sydney’s beach side suburb of Manly, Shelly Beach forms part of Cabbage Tree Bay, protected marine reserve popular with scuba divers and snorkelers. The beach is filled with unique marine life including the Easter Blue Groper and Weedy Sea Dragon. A TripAdvisor reviewer said, “This is a lovely little cove beach. It's only small but it's a nice place to swim without waves, and a great place to snorkel.” 
Reason to visit: Jump at the chance of spotting a dolphin during the May-August sardine run period, or experience an unforgettable sunset atop North Head Sanctuary. 

6. Mooloolaba Beach – Mooloolaba, Queensland
Located in Queensland’s Sunshine Coast region, Mooloolaba Beach is known for its glistening sapphire waters. Mooloolaba is one of Queensland’s safest beaches with low wave conditions. A TripAdvisor review raved, “The beach is pristine and beautiful with fine white sand. It run for miles. There is something for everyone”
Reason to visit: Check out the Underwater Sea Life Mooloolaba before grabbing a bite at the Parkyn Parade seafood precinct and Mooloolaba Fish Market. 

7. Burleigh Heads Beach – Gold Coast, Queensland
The picturesque Burleigh Heads Beach is famous for its perfect surfing conditions, and laid back Australian atmosphere, welcoming locals and tourists alike. The nearby Burleigh Head National Park offers a number of walking trails and wildlife to experience for those interested in venturing away from the beach. A TripAdvisor review commented, “Surfer Burleigh Point has one of the world’s great surf breaks.”
Reason to visit: Lovely trek at the nearby Burleigh Head National Park where you can also book kayak and bushwalking day tours on TripAdvisor.

8. Cable Beach – Broome, Western Australia
Set against a backdrop of red ochre cliffs, discover 22 kilometres of pure white sand and turquoise waters at Cable Beach in Broome. Witness Cable Beach’s spectacular Indian Ocean sunsets with an iconic camel ride across the beach. A TripAdvisor reviewer said, “Crystal clear water, soft white sands. A beautiful place to lay in the sun and relax.” 

Reason to visit: Experience a sunset or sunrise camel ride along the beach. 

9. Noosa Main Beach – Noosa, Queensland
Noosa Main Beach is the ideal seaside playground, and is home to one of Noosa’s best surf locations. The beach is the best option for families or those who are not confident in the surf, showcasing gentle waves and is patrolled by surf lifesavers. “Nice calm peaceful stretch of beach with plenty of dining options on the beachfront,” one TripAdvisor reviewer commented. 
Reason to visit: Great for beginner surfers and the famous Hastings Street shopping strip.

10. Four Mile Beach – Port Douglas, Queensland
Offering four miles of white sand and glistening water, Four Mile Beach is beautifully seated on the Tropical North Queensland coastline. If you relish natural beauty and warm, balmy climates the Port Douglas beach is the holiday destination for you. “Miles of beautiful quiet beach. Perfect place for relaxing, or a lovely stroll,” commented one reviewer. 
Reason to visit: Get access to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. 

Top 10 Travellers’ Choice Beaches in the World:

1. Grace Bay – Providenciales, Turks and Caicos 
2. Baia do Sancho – Fernando de Noronha, Brazil
3. Playa Paraiso – Cayo Largo, Cuba 
4. Anse Lazio – Praslin Island, Seychelles
5. Cayo de Agua – Los Roques National Park, Venezuela
6. Flamenco Beach – Culebra, Puerto Rico 
7. Playa de Ses Illetes – Formentera, Spain
8. Ngapali Beach – Ngapali, Myanmar
9. West Bay Beach – Bay Islands, Honduras
10. Nacpan Beach – El Nido, Philippines

For the complete list of winners from the 2016 Travellers’ Choice awards for Beaches, more reviews and candid traveller photos, go to www.tripadvisor.com.au/TravelersChoice-Beaches.

TripAdvisor has also identified accommodation average nightly rates and ‘best beach’ recommendations to help travellers plan and book their next beachside adventure. 

16th October 2015 - GOLD COAST ANNOUNCED AS THE 8TH WORLD SURFING RESERVE

15th August 2015 - GUILDERTON WINS AUSTRALIAN CLEAN BEACHES AWARDS 2015

16th July 2015 - WORLD’S TOP ATTRACTIONS NAMED IN 2015 TRIPADVISOR TRAVELLERS’ CHOICE AWARDS

8th June 2015 - TRIPADVISOR NAMES THE WORLD’S FAVOURITE LANDMARKS

17th March 2015 - TOURISM AUSTRALIA BACKS SIR DAVID ATTENBOROUGH GREAT BARRIER REEF DOCUMENTARY PROJECT 

16th August 2014 - TRIPADVISOR ANNOUNCES TRAVELLER’S CHOICE AWARDS FOR ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS

28th May 2014 - TOP 10 HOLIDAY PARKS RECEIVE MULTIPLE TRIPADVISOR AWARDS 

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