Condé Nast Traveller Names Australia’s Palm Cove the Best Beach in the World for 2024

Flourishing wildlife, stunning natural landscapes and a charming cobble-paved esplanade have earned Queensland’s Palm Cove the prestigious title of the world’s best beach, according to Condé Nast Traveller.

Queensland’s Palm Cove has been honoured as the best beach in the world by Condé Nast Traveller, with the magazine highlighting the region’s charming palm trees, stunning tropical climate and pristine sandy shores as standout features.

Nestled in the north of the sunshine state, close to Cairns, Palm Cove offers “the epitome of a tropical paradise” and remains refreshingly devoid of the usual beach crowds. Visitors can easily spot dolphins and whales from the iconic jetty and enjoy proximity to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest and the turquoise waters of the Great Barrier Reef.

Three other Australian coastal destinations made it into the top 10, including Byron Bay’s immensely popular Wategos Beach, Sydney’s spectacular Mona Vale Beach and chic Noosa Beach. Just across the pond, New Zealand’s South Island beach Awaroa claimed tenth position.

Palm Cove, Queensland

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Find the full list of the world’s best beaches here and check out the top 10 below.

1. Palm Cove Beach, Australia

2. Honopu Beach, Kauai, Hawaii

3. Breckon, Shetland, United Kingdom

4. Wategos Beach, Australia

5. Ora Beach, Indonesia

6. Mona Vale Beach, Australia

7. Dune du Pilat, France

8. Noosa Beach, Australia

9. Awaroa, South Island, New Zealand

10. Die Plaat, South Africa

Looking for more beach inspiration? Here are The Best Beach Clubs in Thailand.