It’s official: Albany is no longer home to the country’s best beach

Albany is officially no longer home to Australia’s best beach, with a stretch of coast on Kangaroo Island in South Australia taking out Tourism Australia’s Best Australian Beach award for 2023. Last year, Misery Beach in Torndirrup National Park was crowned the country’s best by Tourism Australia beach ambassador Brad Farmer. The title caused Misery-mania amongst both tourists and locals who were keen to see for themselves what made the beach so special. Speaking to the Advertiser last year after the announcement, Mr Farmer said it was Misery Beach’s history, sand quality and water clarity that made it the best in Australia. “For a beach enthusiast, a real purist, it doesn’t get any better than Albany,” Mr Farmer said. “That section of coast from Albany to say Walpole or Denmark, I personally feel that that is the finest stretch of coast in Australia.” Taking out the title this year is Stokes Bay, a secluded beach on Kangaroo Island, the first year a South Australian beach has won. Touted by locals as the Island’s “hidden gem” and hailed for its family-friendly appeal, Stokes Bay features a tidal swimming pool that makes it ideal for wading and snorkelling. Second place went to NSW’s Boomerang Beach, near Forster on the mid-north coast, with Rainbow Beach, on Queensland’s Cooloola coast, third. This year the only WA beach to crack the top 10 was Hamelin Bay in the South West, which came in at number six. Federal Tourism Minister Don Farrell said Australian beaches were among the best in the world. “Australia boasts the world’s best coastline and many international travellers who are returning to our shores in growing numbers want to explore the idyllic beaches we have to offer,” he said. “Every beach on the 2023 list is not just among the best in Australia but the best in the world.”