Exploring what our beautiful country has to offer is something many Canberran’s enjoy. But being a landlocked city, we lack a Canberra beach. If you’re anything like us, we’re always dreaming of the best beach with white sand and a game of beach cricket accompanied with a cheeky beverage enjoyed with friends and family. That dream could become yours and our reality. Minus the beach cricket if that’s not your idea of a good time. In this article, we will break down what do Canberran’s look for in a great beach, the best beaches within 2 and 3 hours drive from Canberra and notable beaches that are over 3 hours drive away from Canberra. We hope this article serves as a one stop shop for what you need to look for in terms of quality beaches nearby.
What do Canberran’s look for in a great beach?
Safety
The first thing you should think of before swimming or even visiting a beach is if it is safe. Patrolled beaches with surf lifesavers and flags are statistically speaking safer than unpatrolled beaches. If you get stuck in a rip or have an accident, patrolled beaches ensure that you have help on the way in crisis. They are also there to advise you where it is safe to swim and where it is not. This is not to say that beaches that are unpatrolled are not safe but it does come with a risk if you do get injured and/or require assistance of any kind.
Facilities
If you’re planning on staying at the beach for the day, you’ll probably need to use the bathroom and outdoor showers before you leave. Do you plan on packing your lunch for the day and need a picnic table? Choosing a beach with facilities that you need can be the difference between a good day at the beach and a bad day at the beach.
Parking
Finding parking can be the worst in overcrowded places and can be a deciding factor if you visit your intended destination. We love places with ample available parking for all.
Proximity to snacks
After a day of surfing, swimming and lounging around in the sun, you just want to fuel your body with all the delicious snacks and drinks. The closer your local fish and chip shop (or other kiosks and food establishments) are to the beach, the better in our opinion!
Dog Friendly
Depending if you have a dog and one that loves the beach as much as you, having you furry friend with you could be something important to you. Some beaches are dedicated dog beaches where dogs can roam free off lead while you can also enjoy the water and surroundings at the beach.
Beaches within 2 hours drive from Canberra
Acton Beach (Canberra)
Our inland city of Canberra has a new attraction that has just opened as of early November 2022. Located on the West Basin of Lake Burley Griffin, Acton Beach is Canberra’s newest beach. Included in the new Acton Waterfront, the Acton Beach is only one part of the whole project. The area already includes the Henry Rolland Park which includes exercise equipment, picnic, barbeque and lawn areas. The area will also include a boardwalk and Waterfront Park with play spaces, event lawns, barbecue areas, pavilions for café establishments as well as terraces over the lake and commercial spaces.
Corrigans Beach (Batehaven)
Located in Batehaven, just 4 kilometres south of Batemans Bay, Corrigans Beach is known as a beach that is relatively calm with safe waters that is great for families. You can swim, fish and surf to your hearts content here. There is also a reserve attached to the beach area nearby where there is a playground, picnic shelters, barbecues and bathroom facilities to use as well as a kiosk and shop available nearby. Weekend markets are hosted regularly in this reserve as well and they have a large carpark available for use. It is located 2 hours and 4 minutes away from the Canberra CBD.
McKenzies Beach (Malua Bay)
Just 15 minutes past Batemans Bay, Malua Bay is home to McKenzies Beach. Popular amongst locals and visitors, this spot is known for surfing, body boarding and even snorkelling. This hidden gem is accessed off George Bass Drive and is not signposted. There is a carpark near the beach available for use. Though this beautiful beach does not have bathroom facilities. McKenzie’s Beach is located 2 hours and 15 minutes away from the Canberra CBD.
Surfside Beach (Batemans Bay)
In a protected area behind Square Head, Surfside Beach is exactly 2 hours away from the Canberra CBD. This lovely sand beach is perfect for families with low and gentle waves and has a nearby carpark available along with toilet facilities, park benches and local eateries/shops close by. Surfside Beach is a great beach for swimming only and is child friendly with no surf worthy waves coming into this beach side space.
Beaches within 3 hours drive from Canberra
Broulee Beach
Broulee Beach is a crowd favourite with tourists of the coast. With fishing, diving and snorkelling and surfing available as well as swimming at this spot – it’s great for the whole family. It is a beach that is protected by Broulee Island and is a dog friendly beach. Surf lessons are available here with parking, facilities and a takeaway shop available for snacks close by. Broulee Beach is a 2 hour and 17 minute drive from the Canberra CBD.
Hyams Beach (Jervis Bay)
Boasting of the worlds whitest beach record (according to the Guinness World Records), Hyams Beach is located in Jervis Bay which is known as the Australian Capital Territory’s naval sea port that was gifted from New South Wales. Swimming and fishing is permitted at this white sand beach while surfing is also permitted but does not usually take place here. There is parking available onsite as well as bathroom facilities and food eateries a short walk away. This lovely Beach is located 2 hours and 36 minutes away from the Canberra CBD.
Mollymook Beach
North of Batemans Bay, Mollymook Beach is located in you guessed it, Mollymook. This picturesque beach is a great spot for the whole family to enjoy with a few facilities to use nearby. There is plenty of parking, bathroom and shower facilities and most importantly, a great fish and chip shop across from the beach. Swimming, surfing and fishing is all safe at Mollymook beach and it is located 2 hours and 40 minutes from the Canberra CBD.
Notable beaches over 3 hours away
Coogee Beach
The name Coogee has come from the local Aboriginal word ‘koojah’ which translates to “smelly place” due to the amount of seaweed that has been known to wash ashore to the beach. Though daily cleaning by the local council stops this smell from occurring now. This beach located along Sydney’s iconic Coastal Walkway which spans between Bondi and Maroubra Beach and is patrolled by professional lifeguards all year round. This Sydney side beach has a kiosk, bathroom and shower facilities, picnic areas with barbecues, playground equipment, a jetty and a series of rock pools (Giles Baths and Ross Jones Memorial Baths). Coogee is is located 3 hours and 11 minutes outside of the Canberra CBD.
Bondi Beach
As one of the most iconic beaches of Australia, Bondi Beach is a must visit for any tourist travelling the east coast. This beach is patrolled every day of the year by the professional lifeguards of the reality television show, Bondi Rescue. Which we would hope you don’t end up on the show as a patient! Many surf schools also operate off this beach and surf boards are available for hire. You can swim and fish here as well though fishing is only allowed upon the rocks of each end of the beach. The beach at Bondi also has a nearby café and kiosk, bathroom and shower facilities, picnic areas with barbecues, a pool, a playground and a skatepark. This noteworthy destination is 3 hours and 21 minutes away from the Canberra CBD.
Watsons Bay
Next to the exclusive Sydney suburb Vaucluse, Watsons Bay is a cove that is calm and protected with a small beach. It is a great spot for stand up paddle boarding (SUP) and lessons are available as well as guided SUP tours. You can also swim, snorkel and kayak here. There are dining options off shore for you to enjoy. Options range from fine dining to casual dining. This bay is a quieter beach compared to the other notable beaches around the Sydney area with a year-round swimming enclosure, bathroom facilities and showers and a kiosk available. This bay is also an all-ability space with a ramp and two fully immersible wheelchairs available for use. This stunning, quiet beach is located 3 hours and 22 minutes away from the Canberra CBD.
Each beach has it’s own defining qualities that make it a beautiful spot for a dip, fish, surf, snorkel, kayak or relax on the sand. Depending on how far you want to travel and what you look for in your future destination – there is something for everyone depending on your needs and wants. Each spot that we have included would be a great destination for either a week, weekend or day trip from Canberra. The options are endless and it all comes down to what you look for in your perfect beach day out. Safety should be at the forefront of your mind and if having a patrolled beach is important to you, we urge you to do your own research on the beach/beaches you are interested in. Not all beaches are patrolled every day of the week let alone year. If accessibility is something you need to consider before you choose a beach, you can reach out to the local council of the area you’re considering. Ramps and fully immersible wheelchairs might be available for use on the day. Did we miss any great beaches that you have tried and tested? Or did you try one or more of our top choices of beaches near Canberra? Let us know in the comments below of your thoughts and feedback.
If you’re not too keen on leaving Canberra but want to go exploring it, check out our article on top 5 things to do in Canberra or the best walking trails in Canberra by region.