South-East Queensland’s Cleanest and Dirtiest Beaches Unveiled
Recent water quality testing has revealed the cleanest and dirtiest beaches in South-East Queensland. The investigation, conducted from November 2024 to December 2025, examined various popular swimming sites.
Cleanest Beaches in South-East Queensland
Main Beach leads as the cleanest beach in South-East Queensland, boasting an impressive cleanliness rate of 97%. Surfers Paradise and Mermaid Beach closely follow, both showing good water quality 95% of the time.
Key Locations
- Main Beach: 97% cleanliness.
- Surfers Paradise: 95% cleanliness.
- Mermaid Beach: 95% cleanliness.
In Brisbane, Wynnum and Colleges Crossing stand out for their consistent good results. The Wynnum Wading Pool also showed safe levels, with a median of 8.5 Enterococci units per 100ml in 2025.
Dirtiest Beaches in South-East Queensland
On the contrary, Burleigh Heads emerged as one of the dirtiest beaches, particularly after heavy rain. A significant reading of 3,500 Enterococci units per 100ml was recorded on December 19, 2024, after a downpour, making it 85 times above the safe limit.
Worst Performing Beaches
- Burleigh Heads: 61% acceptable water quality during the year.
- Currumbin Rock Pools: Only 3% acceptable quality.
- Tallebudgera Creek: Experienced high pollution levels after storms.
Other swimming spots with poor results include Currumbin Rock Pools, Palm Beach Parklands, and the Murlong and Southport swimming enclosures. Authorities recommend avoiding swimming at these locations following rainfall.
Water Quality Testing Insights
Testing for Enterococci bacteria is crucial as it indicates the presence of harmful faecal matter. The guidelines suggest swimming is safe if the Enterococci count is below 41 units per 100 ml and unsafe if it exceeds 500 units.
Impacts of Stormwater Runoff
Stormwater runoff is a significant factor in water contamination. Heavy rains can wash pollutants into oceans and cause sewer systems to overflow. This issue particularly affects beaches with inadequate natural flushing mechanisms.
Future Considerations
Despite the data, many councils, such as those in Sunshine Coast and Fraser Coast, do not routinely test for water quality. There exists an urgent need for consistent monitoring across all regions to ensure swimmer safety.
As a proactive measure, Gold Coast City Council initiated its Recreation Water Quality Management Plan to improve the safety and cleanliness of recreational waters.
For more updates on beach cleanliness and swimming safety, visit Filmogaz.com.
