Beside the seaside: Australia’s most romantic beaches

Couple enjoying a beachside sunset

It’s no secret that Australia is home to some of the planet’s most remarkable scenery. From Ayers Rock to the Great Barrier Reef, it’s renowned worldwide for its iconic sights. It’s also a country replete with breathtaking beaches, seemingly at every turn. In a quest to discover Australia’s best, we set out and asked 300 EliteSingles members to finally find an answer to an age old question: where is Australia’s most romantic beach?

A nation of beach lovers

It’s pretty safe to say that Aussie living is synonymous with heading to the beach. Whether it’s to spend a few hours catching the surf or cooking up a barbie of epic proportions, being beachside is a way of life for millions of Australians throughout the country. And it’s little wonder given that more than 8 in 10 Aussies (85%) live within 50 kilometres of the coast.

With so many of us living within a stone’s throw if the big blue, the following revelation may not come as such a great surprise. It turns out that we Australian’s love going to the beach, and that we’re incredibly proud of the country’s selection of pristine shorelines too. As it happens, an overwhelming 96% of our respondents said that Australia has some of the best beaches in the world!

So what do Aussies enjoy the most about being at the beach? It turns out that it’s all about unwinding and revelling in Australia’s great outdoors. For the majority of respondents (28%), feeling the sea breeze was their favourite aspect, closely followed by 27% who said it was the perfect opportunity to chill out and relax. Another 20% said that being at one with nature was their main reason for being at the coast.

Dating at the beach

Having got a good gauge of peoples overall opinion, EliteSingles set out to find out how closely the beach chimes with romance. For the bulk of our Aussie members, spending time at the beach is an integral part of their love lives. In fact, 89% of those surveyed said that being beside the seaside is intrinsic to romance – 68% even suggested that they would reconsider dating someone if they didn’t enjoy spending time at the beach!

Our respondents also revealed that the beach was a popular date spot too – 44% revealed that they’d been on dates to the beach previously an enjoyed it, whilst 41% said that although they hadn’t been on a date at the seaside, they’d love to in the future. However, it might be wise to save the beach until you’re a few dates in; although 55% said the beach is a perfect place to get to know someone, 44% weren’t sold on the idea for a first date.

But what is it about beaches exactly that gets the romance flowing? According to our survey, it’s the simple pleasures that set hearts ablaze. Coming in at top spot with 42% of our respondents vote is going for a stroll with your beau. For those not so keen on beach walking, sitting down and enjoying the sunset was the second most popular pick with 39% of the vote. An adventurous 7% voted for taking a dip together; with or without bathing suit wasn’t disclosed!

Though it’s not all beachside bliss; our 300 respondents also revealed the most unromantic things about beaches too. In first place, with 37% of the vote, is not being able to find a spot because of overcrowding. The next gripe almost a quarter (24%) of our users dislike is when it gets a little too windy. Finally, 1 in 5 of our respondents said that sand getting everywhere was their main turn off!

Australia’s most romantic beach revealed!

So here we are, the moment you’ve all been waiting for! We set out to discover the beach closest to Aussie hearts. That’s right, we’ve finally found out the most romantic beach in Australia. Check out the slide show below for a rundown of the top five, or scroll down (spoiler alert!) for the top 10 in list form. Disagree with our respondent’s choice? Let us know in the comment section below!

  • Hyams Beach

    #5 Hyams Beach, Jervis Bay (NSW)

    Situated on the shores of Jervis Bay, Hyams Beach is the only NSW beach to break into the top five. Surrounded by the Booderee National Park, it’s the perfect spot to unwind in the wilderness. The beach itself is located within the wider cove of Jervis Bay, meaning the aquamarine water is often calm, making it perfect for a dip. Stay a night in one of the beach’s fisherman’s cottages, a great tip if you’re looking for a less obvious seaside Sydney weekend getaway.

  • Cable Beach

    #4 Cable Beach, Broome (WA)

    When it comes to dramatic vistas, few beaches can rival Cable Beach. Nestled on the shore of WA’s Kimberly region, its 13 miles of rambling sands have somehow remained relatively untouched – a miracle given its beauty. Marvelling at the rich bluey hues of the Indian Ocean framed by the beach’s clayey cliffs is a perfect way to while away an afternoon. You can also go full Lawrence of Australia and take a romantic camel ride at dawn or dusk, a totally unique experience!

  • Wineglass Bay

    #3 Wineglass Bay, Freycinet (TAS)

    We’re over the moon that a Tassie beach gets a shout out in this list, and that it makes its way into the top three! Wineglass is easy deserved of the accolades, its crystalline waters and bright-white sands are second to none. What’s more, given that reaching it involves a 125 mile drive from Hobart and a short hike, it’s ideal if you’re looking for somewhere remote to love it up. Stop of at Freycinet Vineyard en route and pick up a bottle of plonk to complete a perfect beach picnic.

  • Noosa Main Beach

    #2 Main Beach, Noosa (QLD)

    Is it any wonder that this stunner comes in at second spot? Probably not! The gem in the crown of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, Noosa is a favourite with Aussie beachgoers far and wide. Boasting a tropical climate, punctuated by its lazy palm trees, Noosa’s Main Beach is a great spot to relax year round. Though it’s probably the least remote beach on this list, its ample facilities and proximity to the town centre make it ideal for a first date, especially if you want to grab a bite after the sun’s gone down!

  • Whitehaven Beach

    #1 Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island (QLD)

    This beach needs little introduction, so we’ll spare you the drum roll! Often championed by many as Australia’s most beautiful beach, its four-mile stretch of whiter-than-white sands is a jaw-dropping sight to behold. Climbing up nearby Tongue Point and watching how the ebb and flow of the tide reshapes the beach throughout the day – in all it’s swirling glory – is one of life’s great pleasures. And with its abundance of little coves and inlets, it’s ripe for exploration too, either by boat or snorkel! 

… the runners up

So there you have it – if you’re searching for Australia’s most romantic beach, look no further than Whitehaven Beach! We’ve include the runners up in our top 10 list below – there could be a romantic beach round the corner just waiting to be savoured!

  1. Whitehaven Beach (QLD)
  2. Main Beach, Noosa (QLD)
  3. Wineglass Bay, Freycinet (TAS)
  4. Cable Beach, Broome (WA)
  5. Hyams Beach, Jervis Bay (NSW)
  6. Half Moon Bay, Black Rock (VIC)
  7. Lizard Island (QLD)
  8. Main Beach, Byron Bay (NSW)
  9. Port Willunga (SA)
  10. Squeaky Beach, Wilsons Prom (VIC)

Survey of 300 Australian EliteSingles Members, December 2017

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