Australia's relationship with the beach is one of the defining elements of the national lifestyle. With over 10,000 beaches along a 25,760km coastline and a population concentrated near the coast, beach towels see far more use here than almost anywhere else in the world.

Quick-dry microfibre beach towels have largely replaced cotton as the preferred choice for regular beach-goers. They dry in 20-30 minutes compared to 2-3 hours for cotton, pack down to a fraction of the volume and weight, and are available in vivid colours and printed designs that look as good after multiple seasons as when new. The trade-off is a different texture against skin — microfibre is softer than terry cotton but different in a way that some people prefer and others notice.

Oversized cotton beach towels — typically 90 x 180cm or larger — remain popular for families and beachgoers who prioritise coverage and comfort over packability. A cotton beach towel is genuinely more comfortable to lie on for extended periods than most microfibre alternatives. Waffle-weave cotton is a good middle ground — lighter and faster drying than standard terry, with a more refined appearance.

Sand-resistant beach mats and towels use tightly woven synthetic fabrics that allow sand to fall through from above while preventing it from attaching to the fabric surface from below. This characteristic addresses the perennial beach towel frustration: leaving the beach with as much sand as you arrived with, distributed through your bag.

Sun protection is a relevant consideration beyond towel use — wrapping young children in a beach towel provides immediate coverage. A towel with a UPF 50 rating provides meaningful UV protection when used as a wrap or cover.

Browse our beach towel range online with fast delivery across Australia.