Caves Beach Ranked Among Australia’s Best in 2025 List

newy.com.au – Lake Macquarie’s stunning Caves Beach has been recognised as one of the top 10 beaches in Australia, securing ninth place in the prestigious Best Australian Beaches 2025 list.

Known for its striking coastal caves, which have become a favourite backdrop for sunrise photography and social media posts, Caves Beach was one of only two New South Wales locations to make this year’s rankings.

Tourism Australia’s official ‘Beach Ambassador’, Brad Farmer, who curates the annual list, said the selection process was far from easy, with nearly 12,000 contenders in the running.

“At times, the selections create plenty of debate, which I welcome, and I look forward to the feedback on this year’s top 10,” Farmer said.

Describing Caves Beach as “a truly wondrous place to explore on a low tide,” Farmer highlighted the region’s rich coastal beauty, with nearby destinations such as Catherine Hill Bay and Ghosties Beach also attracting attention.

Lake Macquarie has now achieved the rare distinction of featuring in the list twice in recent years, with Dudley Beach securing 11th place in 2022.

Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz said the recognition was a source of pride for the region.

“It’s definitely exciting and a massive accolade, but for anyone like me who has grown up in Lake Macquarie, it’s not all that surprising,” he said.

“While other beaches north and south might get more attention, locals have known for generations how amazing ours are. Caves is such a standout because it’s unlike any other patrolled beach on the NSW coast. It is such a family-friendly spot, and there are so many other activities right on its doorstep.”

The list also acknowledged the diverse experiences available around Caves Beach, including the coastal walk through Wallarah National Park, learn-to-surf lessons, and CoastXP’s offshore tours.

While once considered a “local’s secret,” recent visitor numbers suggest Caves Beach is gaining widespread recognition. Over the December-January peak period, more than 112,000 people visited Caves Beach—surpassing the number of visitors at Redhead Beach for the first time on record.

Lake Macquarie City Council’s Manager of Leisure Services, Brad Sutton, said almost 400,000 people visited the city’s five patrolled beaches during the summer period.

“We’ve seen a steady increase in visitor numbers at Caves Beach over the years, particularly with Sydneysiders coming up for weekends away and longer holidays,” he said.

“It is such a quick trip for anyone living north of the Harbour Bridge, and I think a lot of people would rather make that trip north than tackle the crowds and hassles of beaches in Sydney.”

Council lifeguards patrol Caves Beach, along with Catherine Hill Bay, Blacksmiths, and Redhead, from the September-October school holidays through to April.

For more information on beach conditions, visit lakemac.com.au, and for the full list of Australia’s best beaches, head to bestaustralianbeaches.com.