Summer's here and we've got you covered with our ultimate Aussie beach guide

Some are world-famous, and it's hard to go past superstars like Sydney's Bondi, Whitsunday Island's Whitehaven, Broome's Cable Beach and Surfers Paradise's Main Beach. But there's more to our coastline than the biggest names.

Here we highlight beaches around the nation with just as much to offer - and maybe even more. Surfing or swimming, strolling or sunbaking, city hub or remote wilderness, it's safe to say there's a sandy spot for your every holiday mood.

Ocean Beach, Tasmania

The great outdoors don't come much greater than Tasmania's wild and windswept west coast - the ultimate antidote to overcrowded cities and cabin fever. With nothing but the Roaring Forties winds between you and South America 10,000 kilometres away, you can see why the island state's tourism slogan is "come down for air".

Ocean Beach extends along 40 kilometres from just north of Macquarie Harbour and Hell's Gates up to Trial Harbour. A five-kilometre drive from the fishing village of Strahan, it's a place to marvel at mighty nature: vast horizons, pounding surf and eerie, otherworldly landscapes like Henty Dunes, the towering sand mountains formed by those fierce winds. A glorious reminder that there are still places on earth where humans fail to leave footprints.

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Mungo Beach, Barrington Coast, NSW: The state's third-longest beach at 17 kilometres, and three hours drive north of Sydney, Mungo is fringed by pristine bushland, dramatic dunes and vast blue swells.

Cape Le Grand Beach, Cape Le Grand National Park, WA: Often overlooked for its more famous neighbour, Lucky Bay, this is a stunning swathe of the national park's ancient, rugged coastline with aquamarine water and snowy sands.

Rainbow Beach, Sunshine Coast, Queensland

While Bondi's renowned for summer sightings of Hugh Jackman in his budgies, a little town on the Sunshine Coast hosts the seasonal migration of that other fine native species: Hemsworths. The clan often heads north from Byron for this more relaxed and remote haven on the Great Beach Drive, between Fraser Island (K'gari) and Cooloola in Great Sandy National Park. Rainbow Beach's multi-hued sands have also attracted Matt Damon and Angelina Jolie, who once flew in on Russell Crowe's helicopter. Spend a little time in this charming coastal village and you'll share their enthusiasm. Swim, surf or kayak with dolphins or dive with grey nurse sharks, hike the stunning coastline and sub-tropical rainforests or horse ride along the beach. Don't forget to buy an ice cream from the Ice Man Rob Gough, a local celeb as famous as the Hollywood variety.

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Palm Beach, Sydney, NSW: Sydney's summer playground for the likes of Nicole Kidman, Elle McPherson, Mick Jagger as well as the filming location for Home and Away.

Seal Bay, Kangaroo Island, SA

With a third of its rugged landscape devoted to national parks, Kangaroo Island is a wonderland of native flora and fauna. About 10 per cent of Australia's endangered sea lion population call the island home and congregate at Seal Bay, on a swathe of golden sand and sapphire water where they lounge, play, socialise and occasionally plonk themselves down right in front of you. You can see them clearly from the 900m wheelchair-friendly boardwalk, venture among them on the sands with a ranger-guided tour, or take an even deeper dive on the new Research Tour with a senior ranger providing behind-the-scenes access to sea lion conservation work.

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Lillico Beach, Devonport, Tasmania: While Victoria's Port Phillip Island is known as Australia's Little Penguin capital, this north-western Tasmania beach is a less hectic spot to experience these endearing waddlers.

Little Parakeet Bay, Rottnest Island, WA: Quokkas are ubiquitous all over Rotto's car-free, idyllic 19sq km and 63 glorious beaches, and this beach adds safe swimming, excellent snorkelling and a secluded vibe to your marsupial magic.

Mudjimba Beach, Sunshine Coast

For a beach that ticks all the boxes, it's hard to beat Mudjimba, but despite its huge appeal, this big golden beach just south of Marcoola still flies under the radar (almost literally, as it's just 10 minutes from Sunshine Coast airport). The beach is fully patrolled 365 days a year with swimming, paddling and surf breaks. There's a large kids' playground with plenty of grass and shade, an old-fashioned surf club without pokies and a quality range of eateries across the road. Four-legged beachgoers have their own off-leash stretch and are welcome at Mudjimba Beach Holiday Park. Good hotel options such as Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort and the Sebel Twin Waters have direct beach access and are ideal for families and couples.

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Horseshoe Bay Beach, South West Rocks, NSW: This sheltered beach surrounded by towering pines and close to fertile fishing spots has abundant facilities, including camping areas, cabin accommodation, picnic spots, barbecues, parking and a kiosk - and yet never feels crowded.

Golden Beach, Gippsland, Victoria: In the centre of the Great Ocean Road's epic 90 Mile Beach, this serene paradise punches above its weight, with numerous foreshore campsites, family- and pet-friendly accommodation, a beached shipwreck, rich birdlife and abundant fishing.

Scarborough Beach, Perth, WA

In recent years a sweeping $100 million foreshore redevelopment has dialled up the wow factor at this wide, white beach 20 minutes drive north-west of Perth. Already a popular surfing and kite-surfing destination, Scarborough now boasts a spectacular geothermally heated 50m beach-side swimming pool (Western Australia's only beach-side pool), landscaped picnic areas, barbecue facilities, public art and the three-tier Snake Pit skate park - one of Australia's largest. The strip crackles with atmosphere day and night, with a feast of cafes, restaurants and kiosks, live entertainment in the Beach Amphitheatre, free concerts and markets and a pumping nightclub scene. With accommodation from resort-style to budget and backpacker close to the sands, you'll always be immersed in the action.

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Manly, Sydney, NSW: Once the bridesmaid to Bondi, Manly has risen to Sydney beach culture supremacy, with its ever-proliferating lively bars, cafes, pubs and the fabulously renovated beachfront Manly Pacific Hotel.

Glenelg Beach, Adelaide, SA: With The Moseley, Australia's only official beach club right on the sands, back this year with a Greek vibe, adding extra buzz to the foreshore's thriving eateries, boutiques and Ferris wheel, Glenelg is all about the summer good vibes.

Burleigh Beach, Gold Coast, Queensland

Step aside Byron - Burleigh Heads is the new bliss-out central. Wellness seekers are redirecting their pilgrimages to the spiritually rejuvenating surrounds of Burleigh Beach, framed by the unspoiled headlands and lush rainforest of Burleigh Heads National Park. Commune with the ocean on big breaks or gentle waves, follow the Ocean View Track to the Jellurgal Aboriginal Culture Centre and discover the growing community of wellness retreats and spas in the nearby village including Greenhouse the Bathhouse, Freedom Float Therapy & Wellness Centre and a range of massage and beauty options. Luxury eco-spa Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat is 15 minutes inland, but you needn't leave the beach to restore your soul with an outdoor yoga or meditation class right by the sands.

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Dundee Beach, Darwin, NT: This pristine Top End beach with beautiful sunsets is the serene setting for Carol van Dijk's Balance for Life yoga, fitness, meditation and healing retreats.

Injidup Natural Spa, Southwest WA: This large jewel-blue natural rock pool at Injidup Beach near the town of Yallingup becomes an invigorating spa when ocean water gushes through the natural gaps.

Avoca Beach, Central Coast, NSW

All ages are embraced on this 1.7 kilometres of sandy fun bristling with family facilities. With a shallow rock pool at the southern end, a fenced playground, cafes right beside the beach with plenty of outdoor seating and space, kayaking, surfing for both novices and the hardcore, pedal boats, SUP, a cinema, markets and picnic spots all within easy strolling distance, Avoca is super-accessible, even for those still in their prams. With off-leash sections for dogs and plenty of family and pet-friendly affordable accommodation, your whole tribe can settle by the shore. Parent bonus: the family-friendly Block 'N Tackle Brewery is just five minutes' drive away.

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Killarney Beach, Port Fairy, Victoria: A one-kilometre safe swimming beach with baby waves and no rips, snorkelling, paddling, great camping, wide open spaces and a kids' playground, plus beautiful birdlife, fishing and long, lovely walks.

Bar Beach, Merimbula, NSW: Sheltered from summer's northerly winds, this gorgeous little turquoise enclave has outdoor showers and amenities, seven-day patrols, low-to-no waves and the beloved Bar Beach Kiosk.

Surfer's Point, Prevelly, Margaret River, WA

There's no charge for the greatest show on earth and it happens every night at this magnificent natural theatre at the mouth of the Margaret River. Grassy slopes and viewing platforms form a panoramic dress circle; broad sands, grand swells and endless Indian Ocean vistas set the stage for the drama to come; summer food trucks offer fish and chips and other tasty refreshments, then comes the main event: a fire show of shades from violet to flame to scarlet as the sun melts into the horizon. Make it the grand finale to days spent strolling the shoreline, paddling in the river, exploring rock pools and swimming at the sheltered, patrolled northern end. This is the home of the big-wave World Surf League Margaret River Pro, and you can read the names of past winners on the steps down to the beach or watch daring board riders tackling the waves.

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Balgowan Beach, Yorke Peninsula, SA: The beach at this teeny town is backed by steep red alluvial cliffs that absorb and reflect the stunning sunset as you soak it up from your front-row seat on the sand.

Tangalooma Beach, Moreton Island, Queensland: Beautiful Moreton Island, 40 kilometres from Brisbane, offers one of the few ocean sunsets visible on the East Coast. And at this sheltered beach, wild dolphins often frolic close to shore at sunset, adding to the spectacle.

Port Willunga Beach, McLaren Vale, SA

One of the Fleurieu Peninsula's most photogenic beaches, with its blonde cliff faces and cream sands, Port Willunga is also close to McLaren Vale's renowned wineries, putting you within easy reach of more than 80 cellar doors including Chapel Hill, D'Arenberg, Wirra Wirra Vineyards and Ekhidna Wines. There's as much fine eating as drinking in this produce-rich region, and one of the best places to start is at the beach, in the recently renovated Star of Greece, with a formidable wine list rich with the region's best and a stunning clifftop perch for the dreamiest beach and ocean views. The restaurant is named for the famous shipwreck still visible off the beach at low tide, just north of the remains of the historic jetty.

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Safety Beach, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria: As little as five minutes drive from some of the peninsula's 50-plus wineries, and so close you can see the vineyards from the sands, this pristine 2.7 kilometres of safe swimming waters is the perfect place to kick back between tastings.

Seven Mile Beach, Shoalhaven, NSW: In the Shoalhaven Coast, one of Australia's most exciting emerging wine regions, the ocean almost reaches the cellar doorsteps. This long, gloriously uncrowded beach is just a kilometre from Mountain Ridge Wines and just a few more from Willow Vale, Crooked River and Roselea wineries.

Garie Beach, Royal National Park, NSW

Australia's coastal superpower is beaches that seem wild, but lie within easy reach of urban centres. It's hard to believe that this sweep of golden sand, backed by towering headlands and rainforest gullies, is just an hour from the Sydney CBD. Birdwatchers might spot an albatross or peregrine falcon, and there's excellent surfing and fishing. Despite the open spaces and nature, Garie has parking and a kiosk - perfect for a day's escape from the big smoke.

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Frenchmans Beach, Stradbroke Island, Qld: A 50-minute ferry ride from Brisbane rewards you with Straddie's stunning selection of beaches. Frenchmans, with its rugged landscape and wild surf, will have you convinced you're in the middle of nowhere.

Kitty Miller Bay, Phillip Island, Vic: Just 90 minutes drive south of Melbourne and connected to the mainland by bridge, nature-rich Phillip Island is a wildlife paradise and this secluded and sheltered beach takes you right back to nature.