When it comes to enjoying a date out at the beach, many residents of Brisbane tend to head straight to Surfer’s Paradise, Burleigh Heads or Broadbeach on the Gold Coast, or south up to Mooloolaba, Noosa and Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast.
But did you know there are a number of other beaches that are not on either coast that you can go to?
In this guide, we will outline we will highlight the 10 Best Beaches Near Brisbane that aren’t on the Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast.
Next time you fancy a fix of sand and ocean, why not head to one of these places?
Best Beaches Near Brisbane
These 10 beaches outlined below are in no particular order. But we highly recommend you visit them if you get the chance!
Adams Beach
Adams Beach is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful beaches on this list of beaches near Brisbane. It is also a decent spot for those who love camping as well.
Located just south of Dunwich on Stradbroke Island, this 700-metre beach is nestled on its western side. It looks out to the southern half of Moreton Bay and is fronted by sand flats that are covered in seagrass. These sand flats widen from about 100 metres in the north to a maximum of about 300 metres in its south.
Mangroves reside at the southern end of the beach whilst a jetty and the port facilities of Dunwich border its northern end.
The beachfront here hardly ever gets rough, so it’s good for swimming and fishing. While the campground has power and water facilities, toilets and showers.
Address: Stradbroke Island, QLD 4183
Facilities: Fishing, Swimming beach
Length: 0.7 km
General Hazard Rating: 1/10 (Least hazardous)
Beach key: Qld 1570
Suttons Beach
Another beautiful beach is Suttons Beach at Redcliffe.
Just a 40-minute drive north out of the Brisbane CBD, this is a terrific family-friendly beach.
Stretching for at least 2 km, it is patrolled by lifesavers so offers safe swimming. The waves are also fairly small here so are good for body surfing or just generally splashing around.
Redcliffe has plenty of shops and restaurants to enjoy when you are not on the beach, and there is a nice boardwalk area too. Parking is also free, so you can happily spend all day here and there are plenty of free barbecue areas and picnic spots to take advantage of as well.
Redcliffe’s most famous residents are the Bees Gees who briefly lived here in the 1950s. If you are a fan of their music, you might be interested in checking out the memorial walkway, which honours the pop group. It features statues, photos exhibits and even a musical light show.
Address: Suttons Beach Park, Marine Parade, Redcliffe QLD 4020
Suburb: Redcliffe
Facilities: BBQs, picnic shelters, bikeways, patrolled swimming beach, toilets
Length: 2 km
General Hazard Rating: 2/10 (Least hazardous)
Beach key: Qld 1570
Honeymoon Bay
It’s fair to say that at only 50 metres in length Honeymoon Bay on Moreton Island is small but perfectly formed.
A very picturesque beach, that looks like something you would have as your laptop screensaver, this beach can get a little crowded due to its smaller nature. But if you can experience it on your own you will enjoy a good moment of serenity.
The water can get a bit dicey here, as the swell can get quite large, which then tends to hide the rocks within its whitewash. So swimming is not recommended. Fishing opportunities abound though, and it is a great little spot to sunbathe on a towel or enjoy a lovely picnic.
Nearby there is a campground which has toilets, showers and permits campfires, while there are also some decent walking trails in the area.
Address: Near Cape Moreton, Moreton Island, Queensland
Facilities: Walking trails, campfires, toilets, fishing, showers
Length: 0.05 km
General Hazard Rating: 7/10 (Highly hazardous)
Beach key: Qld MOR01
Surfside Beach
Another lovely beach on Moreton Island is Surfside.
Tucked away on the eastern side of the island, it is so called because that is where the best surf is at!
This beach actually comprises six almost uninterrupted and unprotected beaches that collectively stretch for around 27 km in length. They are not patrolled by lifeguards, so you will need to exercise caution if you do ride the waves here, although paddling should be ok.
Surfside Beach is wider than most other sections of Moreton Island, and also connects to many of its roads, so is a great beach to 4WD and camp on.
Address: Moreton Island
Facilities: Walking trails, quad biking, four-wheel-driving or sand tobogganing
General Hazard Rating: 7/10 (Moderately hazardous)
Main Beach
If you are serious about your surfing then Main Beach in North Stradbroke Island is where you should head too.
A top spot for the pros, Main Beach is known for its large and powerful waves, so shouldn’t really be tackled by amateurs.
The beach is patrolled by lifeguards and stretches for some 33 km of coastline. It also incorporates camping sites and Point Lookout.
Address: Point Lookout, North Stradbroke Island
Facilities: Caravan, Camper Trailer, Campsites, Patrolled swimming beach, toilets
Length: 33 km
General Hazard Rating: 2/10 (Least hazardous)
Beach key: Qld 1581
Red Beach
Situated on Bribie Island, one of the best things about Red Beach is that you can bring your dog here.
The beach is only 600 metres in length and not patrolled, but it is a lovely one to walk along. Fishing is also a popular pastime here too.
Not far from Tully Street, it has nothing in the way of amenities like toilets or showers, so just be mindful of that if you come here.
Address: Near Tully St, Bribie Island
Facilities: None
Dog-Friendly: Yes
Length: 0.6 km
General Hazard Rating: 1/10 (Least hazardous)
Beach key: Qld 1402
Cylinder Beach
Cylinder Beach is yet another excellent beach on Straddie.
Renowned for being one of the leading beaches in the state, it was awarded Queensland’s best beach by the Surf Life Saving Queensland in both 2018 and 2019.
If you are interested in learning to surf this is a good spot, as the Stradbroke Island Learn to Surf School is located here. The swell is also decent, although not too overpowering. While it is also very good for swimming too.
At just 500 metres in length, the beach isn’t the biggest. But there are camping and picnic facilities here, as well as bikeways which makes this an enjoyable place to spend a day.
Address: Point Lookout, North Stradbroke Island
Facilities: BBQs, picnic shelters, bikeways, patrolled swimming beach, toilets
Dog friendly: No
Length: 0.5 km
General Hazard Rating: 3/10 (Least hazardous)
Beach key: Qld 1583
Frenchman’s Beach
Somewhere you should definitely not swim on North Stradbroke Island is Frenchman’s Beach.
Boasting massive breaks and waves that will really get your adrenaline flowing, the surf is raging. The beach is not patrolled, but it does have some interesting rock pools to check out. As well as walking trails that showcase beautiful views.
Address: East Coast Road, Point Lookout, QLD 4183
Suburb: Point Lookout, North Stradbroke Island
Facilities: Walking trails, rock pools
Length: 0.5 km
General Hazard Rating: 5/10 (Moderately hazardous)
Beach key: Qld 1585
Deadman’s Beach Foreshore
Back on Straddie, Deadman’s Beach Foreshore might sound like a foreboding place to visit but it is actually a rather lovely beach to visit.
Extending 600 metres, it is located just opposite Frenchman’s Beach and is another unpatrolled beach that is a good beach for surfing.
The comely beach is good for paddling and walking along. It also has a number of rock pools that border its shoreline, which gives it a rather picturesque look.
Address: East Coast Road, Point Lookout, QLD 4183
Suburb: Point Lookout, North Stradbroke Island
Facilities: Walking trails, rock pools
Length: 0.6 km
General Hazard Rating: 4/10 (Moderately hazardous)
Beach key: Qld 1584
Bulwer Beach
Bulwer Beach is a lovely beach.
Situated on Moreton Island, it boasts stunning crystal water which is great for swimming, fishing and snorkelling.
At 8.5 km in length, it is a fabulous beach to walk on, boasting some excellent coastal scenery. Some of which feature shipwrecks that give local schools of fish a place to explore.
To get here you will need to let a lot of the air out of your 4WD. Though once you are there you can enjoy a fabulous day of fun in the sun.
Address: Moreton Island, QLD 4025
Facilities: Fishing, Rock pools
Length: 8.5 km
General Hazard Rating: 1/10 (Least hazardous)
Beach key: Qld MOR12
Final Thought
So there you have it, our selection of 10 of the best beaches near Brisbane that aren’t on the Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast.
Whichever of these beaches you go to you will be in for a fantastic time, because like most beaches in Queensland they offer excellent opportunities to unwind and relax.