• Stunning secret beach comes out #1

• #2 is six times bigger than Uluru: 'This should be world famous'

• Panel of top travel experts came up with list

Australia's best-selling travel magazine, Australian Traveller, has announced the 100 Best Travel Secrets of Australia a special collectors' edition of the magazine, on sale April 3.

The number one secret, Whites Beach in Byron Bay was one of the many stunning beaches to make the list.

Several surprises made the top 10 - including Australia's most expensive secret, Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa, and the nation's most underrated landmark, Wilpena Pound, a near-perfect oval in South Australia, big enough to hold six Ulurus.

A tiny roadside restaurant was revealed to have 'The World's Best Limoncello', the 'ultimate secret treehouse' was uncovered in the Blue Mountains, and a 'fairytale' castle-cum-luxury hotel in South Australia, as well as several stunning, but lesser-known islands including Maria Island, Fitzroy Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, were all named on the list.

"This list really highlights how many incredible locations and experiences we have on offer here in Australia," says Australian Traveller editor, Georgia Rickard. "It just goes to show, you don't have to go to big name destinations, or pay premium prices in order to have an amazing holiday. There are hidden gems everywhere in this country."

"We received over 1000 nominations from people wanting to share best-kept secrets of the nation - it was phenomenally difficult to create a shortlist," she continues.

The 100 was determined by a panel of eleven respected Australian travel experts, who have collectively clocked up extensive mileage exploring the country - Catriona Rowntree, Pat Rafter, Tony Wheeler, Dr Chris Brown, Kate Ritchie, Camilla Franks, Tim 'Rosso' Ross, Daniel Scott, Sonia Kruger, Andrew McEvoy andAustralian Traveller editor, Georgia Rickard.

Over 1000 favourite 'secret' entries from the magazine's readers, tourism operators and local and international travellers - including one particularly interesting nomination, the underground escalator at Sydney's Domain carpark (reportedly the third longest in the world) - were submitted, before a final shortlist was voted on in full secrecy by the panel, then ranked according to their average score.

Top 10 Best Secrets in Australia

1. White's Beach, Byron Bay, NSW

2. Wilpena Pound, Flinders Ranges, SA

3. Swimming with Minke Whales, QLD

4. Baird Bay Eco Experience, SA

5. Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa, NSW

6. Cape Range National Park, WA

7. Shelly Beach near Manly, NSW

8. Karijini National Park, WA

9. Paperbark Camp, NSW

10. Secret Bush Camps of Arnhemland, NT

For the full 100 list, images and media enquiries or interviews please contact:

Quentin Long at Australian Traveller:

T (02) 9698 7072 M 0429 980 955 
E qlong@australiantraveller.com