Queensland is home to some of the best beaches in the world, and the Sunshine State’s beachfront resorts range just as widely – from high-end apartment-style living on the Gold Coast to an overwater bungalow on the Sunshine Coast and entirely private islands off the Whitsundays and Far North Queensland. Take your pick of the best beachside resorts, and don’t forget to pack your SPF 50+.
Best beachfront apartment resorts
Netanya Noosa Beachfront Resort
Few properties in Noosa put you this close to the sand – open the gate at Netanya and you’re on Noosa Main Beach, no drive or shuttle required. The 47 apartments range from studios to three-bedroom villas, several with private rooftop terraces overlooking Laguna Bay. Providore on Hastings, the resort’s own deli and cafe, means fresh coffee and gourmet groceries are a lift ride away rather than a walk into town, though Hastings Street’s restaurants and boutiques are close enough for an evening stroll. Noosa National Park’s coastal track starts just beyond the beach, and the bay’s north-facing aspect makes it one of the calmer swimming spots on the Sunshine Coast.
Alamanda Palm Cove by Lancemore
Self-contained apartment living rarely comes this close to the Coral Sea. Alamanda’s one- to four-bedroom apartments are kitted out with full kitchens, laundry facilities and private balconies – all the comforts of home. Three swimming pools give families and couples plenty of room to spread out, while the Alamanda Spa is the place to book an hour or two when the sun demands it. When it’s time to eat, Nu Nu Restaurant is one of Palm Cove’s finest tables, with a seasonal menu that leans heavily on what’s growing and swimming nearby. Come morning, walk the length of the famous beachfront esplanade before the day heats up.
Oceans Mooloolaba Beach
Live like a local in the seaside village of Mooloolaba at Oceans Mooloolaba Beach. With two- to four-bedroom apartments available, this laidback base is ideal for larger families or groups of friends. Each apartment includes a fully equipped kitchen, dining area and living room, paired with the amenities of a five-star resort: ocean views, an outdoor swimming pool and a movie theatrette among them.
Just steps from the property, the village’s cafes, restaurants, art galleries and boutique stores await, but don’t miss a meal at Bella Venezia, Mooloolaba’s AGFG chef-hatted Italian institution on the Esplanade.
The Point Coolum Beach
Ocean views don’t get much better than at The Point Coolum Beach, but it’s not the only reason this retreat makes the list of Queensland’s best beachfront escapes. Located a 90-minute drive from Brisbane and a 20-minute drive from Noosa, this stay offers the luxury of elevated apartment living and uninterrupted water panoramas.
After days exploring the beaches and ultra-cool cafes of Coolum, retreat to your private balcony or terrace, cook dinner in your fully equipped kitchen or take a dip in the onsite heated swimming pools. Come sunrise, venture beyond this home-away-from-home to find yourself beneath the shade of the Yaroomba Coolum Foreshore Reserve.
Mantra Amphora Palm Cove
Directly opposite one of Palm Cove’s most photographed stretches of beach, Mantra Amphora delivers the easy self-contained rhythm that Tropical North Queensland does so well. Hotel rooms suit short breaks, while the one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments – each with a full kitchen, laundry and private balcony – are built for guests who want to stay a little longer and feel at home doing it. The centrepiece is a sprawling free-form saltwater pool, its shaded coves and palm-canopied edges making it one of the more appealing spots to while away an afternoon on the Esplanade. Williams Esplanade itself is just outside the door, with a handful of Palm Cove’s best cafes and restaurants within a minute’s walk. When the reef or rainforest calls, the resort’s tour desk can point you in the right direction – and Cairns Airport is only 25 kilometres away.
Trinity Beach Palace
Welcome to Trinity Beach Palace, one of Queensland’s best beachfront resorts for groups of friends escaping everyday life and larger families seeking a secluded retreat. Only a 25-minute drive from Cairns, this private estate is designed to fit up to 10 people.
The open-air lounge and dining area are built for group living, while the five separate suites offer luxurious privacy. Steps away from Trinity Beach, you have access to a selection of excellent bars and restaurants, including the Trinity Beach Tavern for a hearty meal and L’Unico Trattoria Italiano for beachfront Italian. Spend a day hiking the Kuranda State Forest or enjoy a day on the water to explore the Great Barrier Reef.
Best adults-only beachfront resorts
Nala Resort
One of Tropical North Queensland’s most exciting recent openings, Nala Resort brings a quiet, design-led sensibility to Mission Beach that the area has never quite had before. Just 17 private villas sit amid rainforest gardens with direct beach access to the Coral Sea, and because the resort is exclusively adults-only, the mood stays unhurried from check-in to check-out. Mission Beach village is a kilometre’s stroll away, while Dunk Island is visible from the sand and reachable by boat for day trips. With the Daintree and the Great Barrier Reef both within reach, Nala works beautifully as a base for those who want to explore, and equally well for those who’d rather do nothing at all.
The Reef House Adults Retreat
It’s the little luxuries that set The Reef House Adults Retreat apart. The royal treatment begins from the moment you set foot in this award-winning resort, with aromatic oil burners and a bottle of sparkling wine in-room on arrival to help you unwind. The hotel offers complimentary activities to suit all couples, from aqua aerobics, beachfront yoga and Sleep Easy sessions to mixology classes, cultural talks and daily poolside sorbet. Come sunset, guests are invited to join the hotel’s general manager at The Brigadier’s Bar for tropical punch and canapes, a tradition dating back to the 1970s; alternatively, indulge in a four-course degustation at Reef House Restaurant, under gently swaying Melaleuca trees.
Port Douglas Peninsula Boutique Hotel
Experience the beauty of Tropical North Queensland in absolute style with a stay at Port Douglas Peninsula Boutique Hotel. Framed by swaying palms, this adults-only retreat overlooks Four Mile Beach, with spacious modern suites offering ocean views and indulgent amenities.
Spend your days lazing by the oasis-style pool or heading to Hi Tide, the resort’s beachfront restaurant, for breakfast and Happy Hour cocktails looking straight out over the Coral Sea. On days of exploration, a two-minute walk will bring you to the centre of Port Douglas, where relaxed cafes, upscale restaurants and exclusive boutiques await. The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef are both within easy reach for a day trip.
Best luxury beachfront hotels & resorts
The Langham Gold Coast
The Langham Group’s first beachfront hotel, The Langham Gold Coast, is set in a glittering high-rise between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach. While direct beach access and a lagoon-style pool are highlights, the true draw is the hotel’s six restaurants and bars: feast on fine Cantonese cuisine at T’Ang Court, savour premium regional produce at Akoya or indulge in The Langham’s Palm Court afternoon tea, a tradition dating back to The Langham, London in 1865. Unwind at Chuan Spa, where treatments draw on the principles of traditional Chinese medicine and organic skincare products crafted in the Blue Mountains.
Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas
Surrounded by lush rainforest and positioned just moments from Four Mile Beach, this Far North Queensland resort offers unrivalled access to two UNESCO World Heritage sites: the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort spans 147 hectares of gardens threaded with a network of saltwater lagoon pools, plus a separate freshwater pool with a swim-up bar and a fantastic 18-hole golf course, all set among light-filled, modern rooms.
Beachfront resorts in Queensland for families
Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort
A saltwater lagoon overlooking the Sunshine Coast’s Maroochy River, a two-minute stroll to Mudjimba Beach and a daily buffet breakfast are all on the menu for Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort. Experience the laidback lifestyle the Sunshine State is famous for by exploring nearby Mooloolaba, with its trendy cafes, boutique stores and beaches, or head in the opposite direction towards Noosa, where the coastal lifestyle meets country charm.
Return to the resort and enjoy an evening glass of beer or wine at Sola Bar, before retreating to refurbished rooms overlooking the tropical gardens. For the ultimate romantic escape, upgrade to an overwater bungalow, perched over the peaceful lagoon.
Peppers Beach Club & Spa Palm Cove
Peppers Beach Club & Spa Palm Cove is a favourite for a reason. Its white weatherboard exterior and charming window shutters surround a central lagoon-style pool, lined with the sand of a makeshift beach, tropical palm trees and inviting sunbeds. At the heart of the pool is the hotel’s swim-up bar, On the Rocks, serving refreshing mojitos and margaritas.
Palm Cove is a cherished holiday destination, located between Queensland’s Cairns and Port Douglas, and provides a welcoming and laidback atmosphere just metres from the beach. Il Forno serves as an alfresco slice of Italy just down the road, while the resort’s La Mesa is a brilliant double act: a buffet breakfast cafe by day and a zesty Mexican restaurant by night.
Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Gold Coast
Located on the golden shores of Mirage Beach, just moments from Sea World Marine Park, Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Gold Coast is a firm family favourite. The sprawling six-hectare resort is a great base to explore the best of the Gold Coast, from thrilling theme parks and shopping to beaches and lush hinterland. Families will love the multi-bedroom pool villas, complete with fully equipped kitchens and dining areas for fuss-free holidaying. Relax by the resort’s lagoon pool or enjoy a range of water sports, including paddle boarding, at the lifeguard-patrolled beach.
Best beachfront island resorts
Green Island Resort
An eco-retreat awaits at Green Island Resort, a secluded island escape off the Tropical North Queensland coastline. Life here is laidback and all about nature. Spend your days diving the Coral Sea and Great Barrier Reef, exploring coral reefs from the island’s shores, the long pier, or onboard a full-day cruise. The resort is serious about eco-tourism and has some of Australia’s most innovative practices. When you’re not soaking up the sunshine, treat yourself to a romantic beach dinner at Emeralds or a casual beach picnic in the sand.
Orpheus Island Lodge
Set along the coastline of a secluded private island, you’ll find Orpheus Island Lodge – an all-inclusive escape in Queensland. This ultra-luxurious retreat is set within the waters of the UNESCO World Heritage Site-listed Great Barrier Reef, granting only 28 people at any one time unparalleled access to the world wonder.
This peaceful hideaway is home to a therapeutic spa and the alfresco Pavilion restaurant and bar, covered by more than 1,000 hectares of national park foliage. The all-inclusive breakfast, lunch, dinner and free-flow drinks match the setting. On top of the dining, guests also have daily unlimited access to resort activities, including catamarans, kayaks, paddleboards and special reef day trips.
InterContinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef by IHG
InterContinental Hayman is a private island escape surrounded by the shimmering waters of the Great Barrier Reef, with five-star facilities, immersive experiences and a dreamy day spa. Arrive in style with Hayman’s Luxury Launch, a VIP catamaran transfer complete with sparkling wine and snacks.
On arrival, laze by the resort’s sprawling swimming pool – one of Australia’s largest – in stylish open-air cabanas or explore the surrounding reef on a snorkelling or diving adventure. Hayman Spa & Salon offers bespoke treatments to help you unwind, while four restaurants keep you satisfied with gourmet, produce-driven fare across Mediterranean, Pan-Asian and modern Australian menus. Mesmerising sunsets overlooking the ocean are the finishing touch on this island experience.
