Sydney's Manly beach was chosen from about 8m Tripadvisor reviews with Mediterranean beaches taking top three places
Tripadvisor has named Sydney's Manly beach the seventh best in the world, and the only Australian beach in the top 25.
Zali Steggall, the MP for Warringah, which includes Manly, said the announcement simply confirmed “the world knows what we've known all along”.
Manly beach won points for being wheelchair- and stroller-friendly, and for its plethora of gift shops and food and drink options.
Tripadvisor reviewers praised Manly's cleanliness, with one visitor describing the water as “so clean you can nearly drink it”. Others commended the beach's lifeguards, the number of playgrounds and parks in walking distance to the beach, and the ferry from Circular Quay.
One reviewer described Manly's golden soft sand as a “luxury”, compared to the “relative mediocrity” of European beaches.
Nevertheless, European beaches topped the list, with the top three being Praia de Falesia (Portugal), Spiaggia dei Conigli (Italy), and La Concha (Spain).
Tripadvisor's Traveller's Choice list recognises 25 beaches – picked from about 8m – that received a high volume of “above and beyond” reviews over a 12-month period.
The list features world-renowned attractions as well as relatively unknown sights from all corners of the globe.
Last year, Broome's Cable Beach was third in the Tripadvisor list, Australia's highest placing.
Earlier this month Tourism Australia named Victoria's Squeaky beach the best in Australia, with Manly – and all Sydney beaches – failing to make the top 10.
The top 25 beaches as voted by TripAdvisor contributors were:
1. Praia de Falesia (Portugal)
2. Spiaggia dei Congili (Italy)
3. La Concha Beach (Spain)
4. Ka'anapali Beach (Hawaii)
5. Grace Bay Beach (Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos)
6. Anse Lazio (Praslin Island, Seychelles)
7. Manly Beach (Australia)
8. Eagle Beach (Aruba)
9. Fiesta Beach (Florida)
10.Varadero Beach (Cuba)
11.Playa Pilar (Cuba)
12.Balandra Beach (Mexico)
13.Reynisfajara Beach (Iceland)
14.Poipu Beach Park (Hawaii)
15. Seven Mile Beach (Cayman Islands)
16. Playa De Las Canteras (Spain)
17. Impanema Beach (Brazil)
18. Playa Manuel Antonio (Costa Rica)
19. Falassarna Beach (Greece)
20. Nungwi Beach (Tanzania)
21. Kelingking Beach (Indonesia)
22. Nissi Beach (Cyrpus)
23. Myrtos Beach (Greece)
24. Playa Norte (Mexico)
25. Muro Alto Beach (Brazil)
*** Credit - The Guardian - Sharlotte Thou ***