Is there a better place in the world for beach-lovers than Australia? Whether you want to swim, surf, snorkel, or simply plop on a beach towel and watch the world go by, the country is a water-lover’s paradise.

Francesco and I felt obligated to experience them all! Of course, there is world-famous Bondi Beach, but Australia literally has hundreds of beautiful beaches. It is an island, after all! Exmouth, home of Ningaloo Reef, boasts numerous white sand beaches. Blue Haven Beach in Esperance is, as its name suggests, a secluded beach accessed by a steep wooden stairway. The Jervis Bay region is full of beautiful beaches, but our favorite was Pretty Beach, which lives up to its name. If you’re lucky, you may even see kangaroos enjoying themselves on the sand! Australia has an abundance of lovely national parks, and Whitsundays National Park is one of the best. Its beaches are beautiful and secluded, and if you go from May to September, you may be lucky enough to catch sight of migrating humpback whales. An easy day trip from Perth, Rottnest Island was one of my favorite destinations. We swam, snorkelled, bicycled, and got to observe up close one of the world’s most adorable animals, the made-for-Instagram quokka.