Who needs Bondi or Bells when you've got Caves and all its unique splendour?
Lake Macquarie's Caves Beach has been named one of the 10 best beaches in Australia, beating much more famous stretches of sand to take out ninth spot.
Renowned for its eponymous series of coastal caves that have framed countless sunrise photos and Instagram reels, Caves was one of only two NSW beaches featured in this year's Best Australian Beaches 2025 list.
Brad Farmer, Tourism Australia's official 'Beach Ambassador' who compiles the annual list, said picking Caves Beach and the other nine standouts from almost 12,000 candidates was "not an easy job".
"At times, the selections create plenty of debate, which I welcome, and I look forward to the feedback on this year's top 10," he said.
In his rundown of the top 10 beaches, Farmer described Caves Beach as "a truly wondrous to explore on a low tide".
"Around 90 minutes north of Sydney, the area is rich in brilliant beaches, from historic Catherine Hill Bay and Ghosties north towards a continuous swell of surfing beaches," he said.
Dudley Beach came in at 11th place in 2022, making Lake Macquarie the only LGA in Australia in recent years whose beaches feature twice in the list.
Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz said it was an honour to be included in the list twice in four years.
"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."
Farmer's citation makes mention of some of those, including the coastal walk from Caves Beach through Wallarah National Park, learn-to-surf lessons on the beach and CoastXP's tours off the Lake Macquarie coast.
The citation also describes Caves as "a local's secret", but latest visitor numbers suggest the secret is fast getting out.
More than 112,000 people visited Caves Beach over December and January – the first time on record its numbers eclipsed those at Redhead Beach.
Lake Macquarie City Council Manager Leisure Services Brad Sutton said almost 400,000 people visited the city's five patrolled beaches in that two-month peak 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, Catherine Hill Bay, Blacksmiths and Redhead beaches annually from the September-October school holidays through to April.
Go to lakemac.com.au
