Hawks Nest Beach, also known as Bennetts Beach, is officially one of Australia’s best.

The beach was named 15th on the ‘101 Best Beaches’ list released last weekend, ranking all 11,761 Australian beaches.

The newly christened “Cossies Beach” on Cocos Keeling Island off the coast of Western Australia took out the title of Australia’s best beach.

It was named in honour of Sir Peter Cosgrove and has been described by Tourism Australia Beach Ambassador Brad Farmer as a “little slice of paradise.”

Nudey Beach on Fitzroy Island in Far North Queensland was runner up and Moonee Beach on the Coffs Coast came in third.

Seal Rocks Beach is also included in the top 101 best beaches list.

Mr Farmer with help from Sydney University Professor Andrew Short visited every single beach named on the list.

The top 101 were selected based on “the views, the sand, surf, bordering headlands and a range of supporting amenities.”

Hawks Nest Beach is described in the ‘101 Best Beaches’ publication as a “laid-back holiday favourite that ticks so many boxes for just about everyone.”

“It’s been a highly favoured retreat for Prime Ministers to tradies to toddlers learning how to catch their first wave,” they say.

“The views to the offshore southernmost rain forested islands and the sweep of white sand and aqua waters make Hawks Nest worthy of inclusion in the top 20 of Australia’s Best 101 Beaches.”

Minister for Regional Development and Territories Fiona Nash joined Mr Farmer at Bondi last Saturday to officially announce the best Australian beaches.

Senator Nash said beaches and tourism are great drivers in regional economies.

“Our beaches are the world’s best and we have so many more outside of just Sydney and the Gold Coast,” she said.

“It’s great to see so many of Australia’s top beaches are in rural, regional and remote Australia – get out there and experience them!”

Mr Farmer said Australia boasts 11,761 beaches and 8,222 islands over a vast 59,736kms of diverse coast.

By Daniel SAHYOUN