Wagga Beach in the running for Brad Farmer's top 20 best beaches in Australia

The city's hot spot is the first inland beach to be shortlisted ever and has some stiff competition from its coastal counterparts.

Australian beach expert Brad Farmer visited Wagga last week to have a splash and chat with the locals before deciding if the beach ticks all his boxes.

The Tourism Australia ambassador has been reviewing the country's beaches for 35 years, but he said this year he wants to redefine the meaning of a great Australian beach.

"Wagga Beach looks to me like a genuine beach environment. It is the only beach that I am currently aware of to be a bona fide inland beach, with the sand and beach atmosphere.

"It ticks all the blocks for a premier inland beach."

Wagga councillor Dallas Tout said it is exciting news for Wagga Beach to make the shortlist. He said the city will be waiting in anticipation to find out if the local beach makes the cut.

While there is strong competition, Cr Tout said the uniqueness of Wagga Beach could push it over the line.

"It is fantastic to see that they are considering beaches other than around the shoreline. Wagga Beach is very unique ... what makes a beach, a good beach is that it is a centre for a community to get together, relax and enjoy the sand and water - we have all those factors," he said.

"It will be interesting to see when it is announced, what number we are, but it doesn't really matter because if we are in the top 20 beaches in Australia that's fantastic."

Mr Farmer's top 20 best beaches in Australia will be announced in December.