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Australia is famous for its iconic beaches, from sunny Bondi to star-studded Byron, but if you’re looking for a little piece of paradise away from the crowds, you should add three hidden gem beaches to your 2025 travel list.
From secret snorkelling trails to rainforest-fringed sands and cliff-sheltered coves, travelers are eager to discover Australia’s best-kept coastal secrets.
With Down Under’s famous beaches getting busier every year, these lesser-known Queensland treasures offer the perfect opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle and immerse yourself in nature.
Adventurers should prepare to pack their snorkel, grab their hiking boots, and hit the road.
Geoffrey Bay on Magnetic Island
Geoffrey Bay on Magnetic Island offers an underwater adventure like no other.
Just a 20-minute ferry ride from Townsville, this secluded bay is home to a snorkelling route, where coral reefs teeming with tropical fish and giant clams await keen explorers.
Swimmers can follow the marked trail to see colorful marine life, including 30-year-old giant clams, or venture further to spot a shipwreck and World War II propeller resting on the ocean floor.
From secret snorkelling trails to rainforest-lined sands and cliff-sheltered coves, travelers are eager to discover Australia’s best-kept coastal secrets.
Swimmers can follow the marked trail in Geoffrey Bay to see colorful marine life, including 30-year-old giant clams.
And if you prefer to stay on dry land, rock kangaroos are often seen running across the rocks lining the bay, a magical sight for animal lovers.
The location is a 15-minute walk or a five-minute bus ride from the ferry terminal.
While a car is not essential, it is useful for exploring other beaches on the island such as Horseshoe Bay.
South Gorge Beach, Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island)
Tucked away on Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) is South Gorge Beach, a stunning stretch of sand surrounded by towering cliffs on either side.
This remote beach is perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the mainland and immerse themselves in natural beauty.
The beach is located next to Point Lookout, where you’ll find one of Queensland’s most spectacular walks – the North Gorge Walk.
Travelers will find that the headland trail hugs the rocky coastline and offers stunning views and regular sightings of sea turtles, dolphins and manta rays.
Hidden away on Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) is South Gorge Beach, a stunning area of sand surrounded by towering cliffs on either side.
Australian adventure seekers are flocking to the stunning Northbrook Gorge, hidden in the middle of the rainforest, which has stunning emerald green waters and is located just outside of Brisbane.
The longer journey starts at Wivenhoe Lookout and takes three to four hours return. Hikers will have to get wet and at some points it will be necessary to walk through waist-deep water.
If you visit between June and November, you can keep an eye out for whales approaching the coast, as this place is a prime spot for whale watching.
The North Gorge Walk is also a must.
Along the way, you’ll enjoy stunning views of crashing waves and rocky outcrops, with the opportunity to spot marine life in the crystal-clear waters below.
To get to the coveted spot, you’ll have to take a ferry from Cleveland to Dunwich and then drive to Point Lookout Surf Lifeserved Club.
You will find South Gorge Beach downhill to the left of the club.
Etty Bay, Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef
A beachside paradise that feels like stepping into another world, Etty Bay, just south of Cairns, offers powder-soft sands, bathtub-warm waters and ancient wet rainforest as a backdrop.
It is also one of the best places in Australia to spot a cassowary, a dinosaur-like bird found only in Queensland.
A beachside paradise that feels like stepping into another world, Etty Bay, just south of Cairns, offers powder-soft sands, bathtub-warm waters and ancient wet rainforest as a backdrop.
Nearby, you’ll find the Mamu Tropical Skywalk, swimming holes along the Waterfall Circuit, and the charming Spanish ruins of Paronella Park.
Etty Bay is a 10 minute drive from Innisfail or 35 minutes north of Mission Beach
These endangered southern cassowaries often wander along the beach, foraging in the bushes alongside beachgoers.
Nearby, you’ll find the Mamu Tropical Skywalk, swimming holes along the Waterfall Circuit, and the charming Spanish ruins of Paronella Park.
Etty Bay is a 10-minute drive from Innisfail or 35 minutes north of Mission Beach.
It’s the perfect base for a beach, rainforest and reef adventure in tropical north Queensland.