Brad Farmer AM, conservationist, professional beach spotter and Tourism Australia’s official ‘beach ambassador’ (side note – how do I apply for that job?) looked at 130 key factors – including aesthetics, safety, history, facilities and weather – across 12,000 beaches to conclude that Bay of Fires was the winner for 2025. I was lucky enough to be on a road trip in Tassie earlier this year and spent a couple of days hiking, swimming and frothing on Australia’s best beach – here’s what shocked me the most.

Hidden just up the hill from Binalong Bay – a sleepy seaside hamlet famed for its pristine white sand, turquoise water and orange lichen-covered boulders – Sabi Stays is a breath of fresh air in more ways than one. It’s the kind of place that gave me permission to fully switch off and discover the quiet magic of a cool Tasmanian winter.

Having grown up near Sydney’s sunny shores, I’ve always been a bit of a winter weakling – so the idea of visiting Tasmania in its coldest months never really appealed to me. But after heading south this winter, I’ll never think of the Apple Isle the same way again. I discovered why it’s the coolest place to visit — both literally and figuratively – with countless Off Season experiences waiting to show you the magic of winter here too.