Claiming some 34,000 kilometres (21,126 miles) of coastline, Australia isn’t short of beaches. You’ll find some of the world’s most beautiful and diverse stretches of ocean here, from the tropical idyll of Whitehaven Beach to the rugged magnificence of Tasmania’s Wineglass Bay. Few beaches are crowded, all are free.

Beach season in Australia’s southern half is generally from November to March, with year-round beach weather in the north. Admittedly, the tropical waters of Queensland (north of Gladstone), Western Australia (north of Exmouth) and the Northern Territory harbour venomous box jellyfish, most active from October to April. Some beaches are installed with stinger nets, though you should always check with locals before entering the water. Wetsuits and full-body Lycra swimsuits prevent stings. Saltwater crocodiles are also a threat in northern Australia’s waterways; always heed safety signs.