Top 12 Australian Beaches Ranked! and which Indigenous Country they are on :)

Australia’s 12 Best Beaches, Ranked!

We absolutely love these types of articles. They inspire our next day trip, picnic or family holiday. This Article is by By Jessica Pridmore - 29 Nov 2016 for Time Out Magazine. In the spirit of Reconciliation and Imparting Indigenous Knowledge we thought people may also like to know which Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Country they are on.

#12 Tallebudgera Beach, QLD

Local Indigenous people, Kombumerri people and spoke the Yugambeh language and used to call this Gold Coast suburb "good fish" and you'll hear no argument from us on this apt name good fishing here ...... and surfing ...... and kayaking!

Though technically a creek, Tallebudgera beach is straddled by the glorious Burleigh Heads National Park and iconic Palm Beach on the Gold Coast. Golden sands, lush bushland and gorgeous warm water makes this a top pick for all of the outdoor activities.

#11 Balmoral Beach, NSW

The Cammedraigal people are the custodians of salt water lore, ceremony and law on what we now know as the northern shores of Sydney harbour

This gorgeous haven stretches along the inner north shore of Sydney and is tucked away from much of the (slightly angry) Pacific Ocean by the cliffs of Grotto Point and Gubbuh Gubbah. The perfect spot to detox from the Sydney rat-race, pick up a coffee at the Balmoral Beach Club, kick off your thongs and sink into some of the softest golden sand on the east coast.

#10 Pennington Bay, Kangaroo Island, SA

Evidence of Aboriginal habitation can be carbon dated back thousands of years, To mainland Aboriginal people the Island is known as "island of the dead" or Karta.

A little off the beaten track, Pennington Bay in the American River region of Kangaroo Island is an untouched beauty of the beach world. The island itself is World Heritage-listed and is also an animal-lover’s mecca, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled! Winter or summer, Pennington is a total gem.

#9 Cable Beach, WA

Yawuru (also spelt Jawuru) people are the traditional owners of the area of Cable Beach.

Minyirr Park is a coastal reserve directly behind the sandhills along Cable Beach which is run by the Shire of Broome and the Rubibi Aboriginal people

What’s not to love about 22km of crisp white sand and crystal turquoise waters? Err, nothing at all! Not into sun soaking? Jump on a camel’s back—yes, this is that beach—and take in that big red sunset with your new two-humped friend.

#8 Cottesloe Beach, WA

The traditional owners of the area where this stunning beach is located are the Nyoongar People.

Perthies love this beach. And, I mean, why the hell wouldn’t you? With stunning soft white sand, the Indian Ocean lapping at your feet and ice cream not more than 50 feet away, nature really has come to the table and delivered the goods at Cottesloe Beach. Jealous? A little bit, yeah…

Want to read more, this is a fabulous resource from local Aboriginal People

#7 Four Mile Beach, QLD

Four mile Beach sits on the traditional Aboriginal lands known as Djabugay country. The Aboriginal community were generally known as the Djabugay people and the language spoken was Yirrgay.

Hit the northern tropics if you want a real dose of pristine beaches, golden sands, and more palm trees than you can count! Port Douglas is a stunning outpost in northernmost Queensland, and the infamous Four Mile beach will take your breath away. No points for guessing where its name derives from…

#6 Mindil Beach, NT

Mind Beach, NT sits on the Traditional Aboriginal land, Larrakia. If you would like to know more about this vibrant and proud Aboriginal Culture, please Click here

Tucked right in the heart of Darwin CBD, Mindil Beach is the epitome of tropical paradise with its palm tree-lined promenade, golden sand (the odd croc or two—no, we’re not kidding) and one of the best spots in the country to watch the sun set across the ocean. Welcome to top-end heaven!

#5 Bells Beach, VIC

Internationally renowned Surf beach, Bells Beach, Vic sits on traditional aboriginal Wada Warring land.

Belle's beach for thousands of years was where Wathaurong people would gather to trade yarns, tools, skills and supplies. Want to know more about the Indigenous History of Bell's Beach, Click here

From the Rip Curl Pro, to that scene in Point Break, Bells Beach is known to practically everyone the world over. Snaking the cliffs of the Great Ocean Road, surfers from around the world flock here to catch unparalleled waves, but it is also a fantastic strip of beach with breathtaking views, rugged coastline, and soft sand just begging to be picnicked on. A total bucket-list trip, if you ask us!

#4 Whitehaven, QLD

Whitehaven Beach, Qld sits on the traditional aboriginal lands known as Ngaro country, the traditional owners are the Ngaro Aboriginal people, who are also known as the 'Canoe People'.

Given that this beach has been voted number one in the world automatically gets it a spot on this list. I mean, sure, the sand is some of the whitest on earth and it’s comprised of mostly silica (apparently this is good?), and the waters are impossibly clear and you can only reach it by private boat or helicopter and life feels SO good when your feet touch the velvety soft sand… It really is as gorgeous as everyone says. So go there, asap!

#3 Wategos Beach, NSW

Wategos Beach, NSW sits on the Traditional Aboriginal country, Arakwal.

Arakwal Bumberlin people, have lived in the coastal landscape around the Byron Bay area for at least 22,000 years, If you would like to read more about this strong and proud Aboriginal Community, Click Here

I know, I know, how predictable; Byron bloody Bay, blab la bla, but, to anyone that has ever visited the Byron region, you’ll know that it lives up to the huge hype. In spades! Our Pick? Wategos. It’s where all the cool cats go for soft sea breezes, white sand, crisp blue waters… Need I go on?

#2 Bay of Fires, TAS

Bay of Fires, Tasmania is known as larapuna to traditional Aboriginal owners.

Taking its name from the incredible orange granite formations along the coastline, Bay of Fires is technically a collection of beaches reaching from Binalong Bay to Eddystone Point. With epic camping grounds, a huge national park (no biggie) and miles of empty beach ripe for exploring, this is an iconic Aussie paradise. Well played, Tasmania. Well played.

#1 Blinky Beach, Lord Howe Island NSW

Blinky's beach, Lord Howe Island sits on the Traditional Aboriginal country K’gari.

If it’s good enough for adventurers, documentary settings and rare bird species, it’s good enough for us! Lord Howe is a stunning destination all on its own—there’s never more than 400 visitors at any one time! Special, much?—and the entire island is a World Heritage-listed haven, so expect Blinky Beach to take your literal breath away. Catch some of the country’s best waves, sunbathe the afternoon away on crisp white sands, or even snorkel when the tide is low. Blinky delivers, and you’d be a fool not to make pilgrimage to this stunning spot off the coast of New South Wales.