Stark difference in home prices at the two Aussie beaches in world top 25 list

Which are Australia's top beaches on TripAdvisor’s list? And what are the prices of homes for sale in each?

Residz Team 4 min read

TripAdvisor’s “Top 25 Beaches - World” list has just been released and only two stretches of sand in Australia have made the cut.

Broome’s Cable Beach in Western Australia came in at number 3, and Manly Beach in NSW (pictured) at number 13. Yet, the price of real estate near each beach is a stark contrast.

Here we list the top beaches on TripAdvisor’s list, and check out some of the homes for sale near the two Aussie entries.

Brazil beats them all, but Bondi bundled out

Famous Bondi Beach didn’t make the TripAdvisor Top 25 list, which assessed each placegetter on quality and quantity of travellers’ reviews.  

The winning beach was Baia de Sancha in Brazil, described as a remote beach accessible only by descending ladders and stone steps.

It was followed by Eagle Beach in Aruba, Cable Beach in Broome, (the black sand) Reynisfjara Beach in Iceland, Grace Bay Beach in Providenciales, Praia da Falésia in Portugal, Radhanagar Beach in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Spiaggia dei Conigli in the Islands of Sicily, Varadero Beach in Cuba, Ka'anapali Beach in Hawaii, Siesta Beach in Florida, Driftwood Beach in Georgia, Manly Beach in Sydney, Seven Mile Beach in Grand Cayman, La Concha Beach in Spain, Kelingking Beach in Bali, Playa de Muro in Spain, Playa Manuel Antonio in Costa Rica (another black sand beach), Ipanema Beach in Brazil, Nungwi Beach in Tanzania, Falassarna Beach in Greece, Nissi Beach in Cyprus, Playa Norte in Isla Mujeres, Magens Bay in St Thomas, and Balos Lagoon in Greece.

So, congratulations to all the placegetters!

Being a real estate platform, we thought we’d explore what homes were available for sale near the two Aussie beaches on the list.

Cable Beach, Broome, WA

Named after a telegraph cable laid between Broome and Java in 1889, Cable Beach is both a suburb and a 22 km long beach.

Cable Beach’s renowned camel trains, rustic outdoor cinema, and upmarket Cable Beach Club Resort and Spa are some of the local attractions.

Given the length of the beach, many properties in town aren’t far from the white sand. Our research shows that the average age of those living in Cable Beach is 32 and average incomes are high.

On the Residz investability index Cable Beach has an investability score of 70 out of 100, against the state average of 54 out of 100.

Yet, prices remain relatively affordable.


Listed for $650,000 on Residz is a 3-bedroom home currently leased at $4,110.59 per month until 2024. It is for sale through First National Real Estate Broome.

5 Manggala Drive, Cable Beach, sits on 814 sqm and has a fully-fenced tropical garden and outdoor decking area. There are two bathrooms, and a large open-plan living area.

Or, you might prefer 12 Cotter Court, about 1.77 kilometres to Cable Beach. This 3-bedroom home features a swimming pool and raised vegie beds, and sits on 700 sqm of land.  


The property was refurbished in 2022, and is for sale as “Offers from $425,000” through Ray White Broome.

Manly Beach, Sydney, NSW

It was the “confidence and manly behaviour” of the Aborigines, noted by Arthur Phillip in his first official dispatch, that gave Manly Beach its name.

With 15,900 residents (2016 Census), Manly is known for its famous surf, giant Norfolk Pines, green and yellow harbour ferries, restaurants and pubs surrounding The Corso pedestrian precinct, and the Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve.  

Manly-Fairlight has an average age of 40, and the area has high average incomes. The Residz Investability Index gives Manly-Fairlight a rare score of 100 out of 100, compared with the state average score of 59 out of 100.

Houses don’t come cheap in Manly, but all are within walking distance of the beach.

For example, a one-bedroom apartment at 21/39 Ashburner Street is listed for sale on Residz through Stone Real Estate. It’s just 50 metres from Manly Beach, and will set you back around $1.1 million (auction guide).


Stone Real Estate says the apartment offers character rich period detailing including stained glass windows, heritage high ceilings and original Jarrah timber floors.

Stone also has for sale an apartment within the iconic 'Borambil' (pictured below and at the top of this article).

Borambil is described as “a landmark building that has stood like a sentinel above the exclusive southern corner of Manly Beach for the last 93 years.”


The block was built by Mr. W. G. Matchett, of Borambil, Condobolin, who saw a demand for “unfurnished flats” and built the block over 1929 to 1930 at an approximate cost of £60,000.

A Sydney Morning Herald article at the time said the flats included “laundries and separate maids' rooms and maids' bathrooms on the top floor.”

With an auction price guide of $1.9 million, this historic Manly apartment has two bedrooms, one bathroom, spacious living and dining room, and a communal rooftop terrace with panoramic views.

Best of all, you can step out the door and stairs descend directly onto the 13th best beach in the world - Manly Beach.

Residz can help buyers and sellers reduce the stress:

Images:

Photo by Jon Callow on Unsplash

Stone Real Estate

Ray White Real Estate