With over 21,100 miles (34,000km) of coast and most of the country’s population living close to the ocean, Australia has some rather special beach towns. Our team of well-travelled experts have ranked their favourites, from historic fishing ports and laid-back surf enclaves to rainforest-backed tropical towns and glamorous resorts.

Click through the gallery to see which coastal charmer tops our list. And where your favourite sits in our rankings…