Victorian beaches are truly having a moment right now and we're all for it. Last month, travel experts Lonely Planet named Bells Beach as the best for surfing in the world. Now, another beach on our home turf has been awarded a top-tier title of the best beach in all of Australia – not an easy title to win, when there are so many ripper spots to choose from.
Squeaky Beach has claimed the crown of the best beach in Australia for 2024, chosen by Tourism Australia's official beach ambassador (what a cool job), Brad Farmer. Each year, the tourism agency endorse a list of the best beaches, out of more than 12,500 across the country. Excitingly, this is the first time a Victorian beach has taken the number one position – you beauty!
The crown jewel of Wilsons Promontory National Park in the Gippsland region, Squeaky Beach is a picturesque coastal spot located 220km from Melbourne's CBD, about a three hour drive. Surrounded by mountains, this beach's 700-metre shoreline boasts crashing waves, crystal clear waters and colourful granite boulders. But most notably, it has a unique element that draws visitors to experience for themselves – the sand is, well, squeaky. Aptly named, the compressed white quartz and silica sand on this beach makes a high-pitched, squeaky sound as you walk. You might have to do more of a shuffle for it to sound really squeaky, but either way, it makes the beach experience all the more enjoyable.
It's a spot that's well worth a visit, because if the wonders of Squeaky Beach alone somehow aren't enough, the breathtakingly beautiful surrounds of the rest of the national park won't fail to amaze. If you haven't been to Wilsons Promontory, we suggest that you fix that, stat. It's filled with stunning views, hikes, coastal walking trails, wildlife, camping and plenty more sandy spots for beach lovers. Other highlights of the area include the Mt Oberon summit hike, the rolling dunes of the Big Drift, Tidal River, Fairy Cove, and so much more.
Beach ambassador Farmer, who has been considered the leading expert in Aussie beaches since the '80s, recommends checking out the Tongue Point and Pillar Point trails, the latter of which has fantastic views looking back at Squeaky Beach. To best appreciate the beach's beauty, he says to time your visit early in the morning before 10am, or on a weekday outside of the summer season. We're keen to plan our next trip to the 'Prom to appreciate this award-winning beauty.