Best Beaches With Stinger Nets in Northern Queensland

Queensland's top 5 stinger-safe beaches

The summer holidays is a great time to hit the beach with friends and family, there’s no doubt about it. But the joy of this season is tempered by danger: it’s also stinger season. North Queensland is home to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, but also some of its most dangerous tropical stingers, so the best way to enjoy a safe swim is to go to a beach with a stinger net enclosure. Here’s a round-up of some of Northern Queensland's finest – and safest – beaches to visit this summer.  

1. Kurrimine Beach

Located half an hour south of Innisfail is the beautiful Kurrimine Beach, a 3.5-kilometre stretch of beach that’s perfect for a relaxing getaway. It’s one of the closest beaches to the Great Barrier Reef, and during low tides, you can even walk along the King Reef. All sorts of corals, manta rays, and turtles can be spotted along the beach shallows.

The area offers a wide range of accommodation, from beachfront camping grounds and caravan parks to holiday home rentals and a luxury resort. Stinger nets are operated along the beach by hotels and parks alike, with lifeguards on patrol.

Kurrimine is nested right next to Barnard Island Group National Park, so for those less inclined towards maritime activities, there’s plenty of bushland and native wildlife around for hiking or birdwatching too.

2. Bramston Beach

Roughly 60 kilometres north of Kurrimine lies Bramston Beach, a quiet and tropical beach. A luscious forest fringes the back of the beach, with creeks near the rocky outcrops at both the northern and southern end. If you time your visit right, you may even spot a pod of dolphins cruising through the crystal-clear waters!

There are some cafés by the beach, alongside a small holiday settlement and a caravan/camping area. The stinger net enclosure is right in front of the camping area, which allows for excellent swims when the ocean is at mid to high tide.

3. Holloways Beach

Despite its growing fame, this picturesque coastline retains its natural, unspoilt quality. Holloways Beach is a gorgeous seaside town with an even more breathtaking beach located just 10 minutes north of Cairns. Accompanying the strikingly clear azure waters and spotless white sand is a grassy esplanade that’s perfect for evening barbecues.

Stinger nets are set up every summer, all season long, with lifeguards patrolling no matter the season. There’s plenty of places to stay for a relaxing holiday: you can choose from a range of options, from single unit rentals to five-star hotels. Café’s and restaurants are dotted along the short coast, so be sure to take advantage of the fresh seafood available every day.

4. Palm Cove Beach

One of Cairns' older beaches, Palm Cove is a tropical paradise for locals and tourists alike. The 5.5-kilometre stretch of sparkling waters is fitted out for all sorts of activities, from kayaking to fishing. There are multiple stinger net enclosures along the beach during stinger season to keep visitors safe, and the area is always patrolled by lifeguards.

Like Holloways Beach, there’s a variety of accommodation and dining options available at Palm Cove, making it a perfect holiday destination. Its relaxed yet vibrant atmosphere is one of its greatest attractions, as well as its proximity to Double Island reef.

5. Four Mile Beach

Last but by no means least is Four Mile Beach, a stunning beach with panoramic views. It’s Port Douglas’ most popular beach, and for good reason. Four Mile – which is, funnily enough, actually 4 kilometres long – is just ten minutes from the town centre and runs south towards Mowbray River. It ends amongst the rocks, reefs, and mangroves of the river’s mouth, which is inhabited by a diversity of marine life.

The beach is an uninterrupted expanse of fine white sand and turquoise water that’s perfect for windsurfing, fishing, swimming, or just lounging around. It is frequently patrolled, and there is a large stinger net enclosure right in front of the Douglas Surf Life Saving Club.

Despite its popularity, there is practically no commercialisation of the beach. Aside from some small residential development at the southern end of the beach, there are almost no beachfront accommodations, though there’s plenty of options in Port Douglas itself. The protected wilderness and isolation of the beach makes for an unforgettable summer holiday in one of Queensland’s best beaches.

Sometimes, disaster may strike even when you’ve taken all precautions you can. If you or someone near you has been stung by a stinger, call Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance immediately, and pour white vinegar onto the affected area if you can. Stay safe, swim in stinger suits or at beaches with stinger nets, and we hope you have an excellent summer holiday!