When Squeaky Beach in Victoria was named Australia’s best beach 2024, I just knew I had to go there.
Was Squeaky, 178km south-east of Melbourne, really better than all
those golden beaches in Queensland and New South Wales? Better than
Tasmania’s Bay of Fires or Western Australia’s Madfish Bay.
The annual best beach list was curated by Australia's official Beach
Ambassador, Brad Farmer, who was instrumental in the formation of
Coastcare , a community organisation that helps to maintain marine and
coastal environments.
Squeaky Beach came out trumps after an investigation of almost 12,000
beaches around Australia’s mainland and surrounding islands.
"It is what you would call a masterpiece of a beach. It could be a painting," Farmer said.
He said waves crashing on boulders and its wide open space were
enough of an appeal but it stepped up another level when he took into
account its proximity to Wilsons Promontory with its resident emus,
wombats and kangaroos.
Squeaky got its name because of the ‘’squeaking” sound the sand makes
when beachgoers walk over it. The fine, rounded grains of quartz sand
compress underfoot, creating a high-pitched squeak.
Farmer said the Best Australian Beaches list helps to drive international tourism and domestic visitation.
He’s right about that. I had expected a near deserted beach, but word
had obviously got around. The car park was full and the beach itself
was busy beach, even on an overcast day.
Still, I will say this this. Squeaky was squeaky clean. And, yes, it did squeak underfoot.