Best Beaches in Australia: Serene & Secret Shores

Escape from it all on the largely uninhabited and breathtakingly pristine Lizard Island on the northernmost tip of Great Barrier Reef. The eco-lodge maintains a responsible, sustainable presence within the national park, working closely with the traditional owners of the land to preserve it and the reef. The island can only be reached by private charter from Cairns Airport – taking you to 1,013 hectares of Australia National Park with 24 white-powder sand beaches, a picturesque lagoon and native bush. Choose from 40 luxurious suites, villas or the pavilion, each offering complete privacy, spectacular views and some with private plunge pools. Guests bask undisturbed in the tropical sun or take to the water to discover colourful coral reefs right on their doorstep in one of the world’s most spectacular protected reefs. A stay on the island also includes gourmet dining, picnic hampers on the beach, watersports equipment, a welcoming pool surrounded by palms and indulgent treatments at the spa. The island attracts ocean enthusiasts who come for some of the world’s best diving and snorkeling opportunities, including the famous Cod Hole. Ribbon Reefs draw keen fishers as one of the best big game fishing spots in the world and its multitude of undisturbed private beaches also makes it a hotspot for a romantic getaway or a secluded hideaway for the rich and famous.

Perched upon a cliff, Southern Ocean Lodge is a gem on the rugged southwestern coast of Kangaroo Island, overlooking the waves the Great Australian Bight. 25 luxurious suites rest along the coast, while the ultra-premium Baillie Pavilion reigns from its crowning position atop the limestone cliffs, The suites are contemporary havens of luxury, enjoying modern and fresh aesthetics which look out into the wilderness. Floor to ceiling windows allow streams of natural light to touch limestone tiles and walls of recycled spotted gum wood. All boast king size beds while others, such as the Remarkable Suite, enjoy exclusive access to a private outdoor terrace.

Designed to embrace its stunning surroundings, Saffire is a natural treasure tucked away on Tasmania’s undisturbed shores. Located on what was once a caravan park site, a great deal of time has been spent revegetating the site with 30,000 native plants to encourage a return to its natural form. This boutique lodge has been showered in praise since opening in 2010. Its unique stingray-shaped design was carefully crafted to blend into the surrounding environment while creating a modern and ultra-luxe getaway. Its 20 luxury suites boast unadulterated views across Great Oyster Bay to the Hazards Mountain Range, all from the comfort of absolute luxury. The décor throughout is warm and earthy and the premium suites have spacious living areas, a private kitchen and dining room where the chef can come and cook for you. They also have private courtyard plunge pools. Saffire has an emphasis on supporting the local environment and uses local, seasonal and organic produce in the restaurant that is grown in the chef’s garden. The lodge also works with the Save the Tasmanian Devil program, set up in response to the decline of more than 80 percent of the native marsupials due to an infectious cancer. In a one-hectare, free-range devil enclosure, Saffire provides mature devils with a safe environment and also gives guests the rare opportunity to see the devils in a natural habitat. As well as learning about conservation efforts in the region, Saffire guests can indulge in a multitude of complimentary experiences, from visiting a working oyster farm to sample Pacific oysters and regional wines to guided vineyard tours, canoeing, bird watching or nature walks. If that all sounds a bit much, then you can always just head to the state-of-the-art spa for the ultimate pampering.