Palm Cove Beach, in northeastern Australia, may be frequented by crocodiles and cyclones, but it has just been named the most beautiful beach in the world by specialist magazine Condé Nast Traveler.
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Its two-kilometre-long white sand against the backdrop of rows of palm trees beat out rivals such as Honopu on Kauai – an island in Hawaii – Oura in Indonesia or the Pilate Dunes in France.
Palm Cove is located in an area infested with crocodiles, and at the end of last year, Tropical Cyclone Jasper attacked its restaurants and luxury hotels.
But the city's mayor, Terry James, is convinced it deserves its new title thanks to its natural beauty, particularly the magnificent Melaleucus – an Australian plant also called the “tea tree”.
Mr James added: “Palm Cove being named the number one beach in the world by a leading magazine and website validates what locals already know about Palm Cove.”
Several other Australian beaches are on the magazine's list, including Wategos Beach near Byron Bay, Mona Vale in Sydney's northern suburbs, and Noosa in Queensland.
