13: Find a classic Aussie beach house

As a nation of beach-dwellers, we’ve perfected the concept of the ultimate, classic beach house. It doesn’t need to be fancy (in fact, it shouldn’t be!) but it must have some or all of the following: an outdoor eating area; big windows to let in the sea breezes; direct access to the beach; lazy ceiling fans; a hammock for whiling away lazy afternoons with a book; a frangipani tree; and an outdoor tap to wash off sandy feet. The best beach houses smell of the ocean; their well-worn floors tell the stories of all the families who have called it home for the summer before yours. Fibro or timber; whitewashed or candy-coloured; sprawling or small and perfectly formed – you’ll know the perfect one when you clap eyes on it. Move in, unpack and prepare to relaaaaaaaaaax.Try these…

NSW

Snapper Lodge, Newport – Almost outrageously kitsch, this dream beach house is crammed with cool beachy knick-knacks, has a miniature lighthouse on the deck, and is smack on the water at Newport in Sydney’s northern beaches, with views across Pittwater. From $750 per night for 2-4 nights, $650 per night for 5+nights (high season is a minimum of 1-2 week bookings). Sleeps four. 02 9331 2881.

Susan’s Beach House, Broken Head – Light, airy and tropical, Susan’s is the ‘rustic-luxe’ Byron Bay beach house you’ve always dreamed of buying, just a two-minute stroll to stunning Broken Head Beach. From $350 (Sun-Thurs) per night to $450 (Fri/Sat) in low season; or $500 per night (Sun-Thurs) to $600 per night (Fri/Sat) peak season. Sleeps six. 0416 124 797.

Vic

Bear Gully Coastal Cottages , Tarwin, Gippsland – Four private, self-contained cottages in a beautiful setting overlooking Wilson’s Promontory. Throw in a hidden little beach all to yourselves, hammocks, barbecue and log fires for chilly nights, and you’ve got a perfect getaway for families or groups. From $265 per night (midweek) to $340 per night (Christmas period). Sleeps 2-4. 03 5663 2364.

Millers Rest, Blairgowrie, Mornington Peninsula – Family-friendly, with all the necessary mod cons (including an open-plan kitchen with Smeg appliances) and outdoor deck, the house is close to several beaches and a 15-minute walk to Blairgowrie village. From $200 per night (low season, two-night minimum) or $2000 per week (high season). Sleeps eight. 03 9775 3325.

Qld

Koda Beach Bungalows, Mission Beach – Affordable and oh-so-cute, these beach bungalows have everything you need for a chilled-out tropical getaway, including outdoor showers, outdoor eating areas, BBQ and access to a swimming pool. From $165 per night (low season) to $185 per night (high season). Sleeps four. 07 4068 7100.

Sunset Villa, 1770, Gladstone – This is classic beach shack living – bright blue walls, surrounded by native trees and flowers, open-plan sleeping and living, and beach views from the verandah. The villa houses two self-contained apartments, so it’s good for groups. From $600 per week (low season) or $1600 per week (high season). Sleeps four per apartment. 07 4974 9990; 1770.

WA

Beach Cottage, Dunsborough – This beautifully restored beach house is a midsummer night’s dream, with a gorgeous timber deck under the flame tree providing beach views (there’s direct beach access, too). There’s also a light, bright atrium/living room and the requisite rustic chic vibe. From $433 per night (low season) or $3150 per week (high season). Sleeps six. 08 9750 5444.

Lantana Cottage, Albany – Shabby-chic, with whitewashed walls and a verandah providing hillside views out to Middleton Beach, this cottage has a lovely ambience combined with mod cons like a huge plasma TV and iPod docking station. From $860 for three nights (off peak) to $945 for three nights (peak). Sleeps seven. (08) 9750 5444.

SA

Beach Huts Middleton, Middleton – Candy-striped and cute as a button (hello, white picket fences!), these easy-breezy cottages are particularly great for groups of families who want to holiday together. From $150 to $235 per night. Sleeps 2-5, depending on hut (additional fees for extra adults or children). 08 8554 3933.

Windsong Beach House, Boatswains Poin t – With direct beach access, this gorgeously fitted-out abode near Robe on the Limestone Coast has a spa, open fireplace, gas barbecue, laundry and even a doggy snooze area for family afternoon nap time. From $265 per night (low season) to $295 per night (high season). Sleeps six. 1300 760 629.

NT

Coast Holiday House, Darwin – This 70s-style, elevated holiday house boasts open-plan living and dining, air-con and ceiling fans to beat the Darwin heat, and views of the harbour and CBD. There are bikes and fishing rods to help you explore the local hot spots, too. From $295 per night. Sleeps eight. 08 8942 3012.

Wagait Beach Bush Retreat, Wagait Beach – Set among natural bushland and tropical gardens, this secluded property is perfect for some serious time out (it’s a 128 kilometre drive from Darwin, or a 15-minute ferry ride across the harbour). It’s a great base for exploring this little community, with beaches, fishing, and wetlands on offer – plus, there’s a private pool on your doorstep. From $245 per night. Sleeps four. 08 8978 5123.

Tas

Aurora Beach Cottage, Long Point, Bicheno – This character-filled, stone and timber cottage is secluded, private and beautifully kitted out, with sunrooms and windows offering beachfront views and a stone fireplace completing the true beach shack vibe. From $230 per night. Not able to accommodate children under 12. Sleeps four. 03 6375 1774. aurorabeachcottage.com.au

Paradise Beach House, Boat Harbour – This modern yet cosy retreat boasts bay and beach views, a covered verandah with barbecue for enjoying lazy meals, and a bunch of fishing, surfing, snorkelling and other equipment for you to make the most of this pretty little beachside pocket of Tassie’s north-west coast. From $240 per night (minimum two-night stay) depending on guest numbers. Sleeps 2-6. 03 6445 1390.

12 << Ride a horse into the ocean Enter an ocean swim as a family >> 14

Back to 101 Unforgettable Coastal Experiences

We round up the luxe, the lovely and the latest places to stay in regional Victoria.

1. Hotel Ernest, Bendigo

Settle into this artful lodging in the city centre for a boutique stay with heritage roots dating back to 1864. Each of the 10 suites in this former bank is elegantly styled and furnished with covetable works by Australian artists. Ernest is also home to the much-lauded Euro-style Restaurant Terrae, so be sure to book into the two-level diner during your visit.

2. Norsu Cabin, Macedon

a look inside Norsu Cabin, Macedon — Settle into this Scandi-inspired abode. (Image: Nick Skinner)

Country cabin dreams come to life under the sweet timber A-frame of Norsu . Sleeping eight guests, this Scandi-inspired abode is so meticulously styled it’s received knowing nods from The Design Files and is everything a modern log cabin should be, including cosy fireplace, fire pit, modern appliances and French linens. Perfect for logging out of daily life for a moment.

3. Islay House, Woodend

the bedroom at Islay House, Woodend — Bed down at the gorgeously restored heritage Islay House. (Image: Tiffany Warner)

Lean all the way into a country luxe state-of-mind with a stay at the gorgeously restored heritage Islay House . This bed and breakfast sleeps up to nine guests and is just a short walk from town, but you’ll want to spend most of your time curled up fireside in the elegantly styled rooms as you admire the collection of antiques.

4. Nerissa Rye, Mornington Peninsula

This Rye beach pad is just a 10-minute walk from 16th Beach, and while a morning walk is lovely, returning to the barefoot luxe vibes of this four-bedroom escape is just as enlivening. Bright, open and welcoming, this is the place to settle in for endless cups of tea and a good book between beach jaunts.

5. Hotel Vera, Ballarat

a close-up of the bed at Hotel Vera, Ballarat — Modern meets bygone elegance.

This Ballarat beauty set in a 1900s mansion is all bygone elegance edged with modern style. Just seven boutique suites, each with its own distinct personality, makes it a singularly luxe stay. Sister to Bendigo’s Hotel Ernest, Vera is similarly bequeathed with a stand-out fine diner, Babae, which plates up the best of the region’s produce.

6. Hotel Sorrento, Port Philip Bay

The historic and iconic clifftop Hotel Sorrento at Port Philip Bay is mid-refurb and will reopen 1 December 2025, just in time for Amalfi-style beachside stays.

7. The Idle Lake House, Lakes Entrance

Enjoy a ripple of serenity when you step aboard this water-top abode on the Gippsland Lakes. Once a Chinese restaurant, this spacious and stylish two-bedroom stay offers unbroken gazing of the shimmering surface in a beautifully private bay. Lounge on the deck and enjoy the onboard bathhouse; come evening, sit by the sleek suspended fireplace.

8. The Monty, Anglesea

the bedroom at The Monty, Anglesea — Bed down at the vintage motel, The Monty.

Palm Springs makes an entrance on the Great Ocean Road with the opening of The Monty in October 2025. Its vintage motel meets modern muse at this playful boutique stay complete with pool and a vibrant Mexican cantina. You’re just a stroll from the beach here, which tells us it’s ripe for summer vacays this season.

9. Trentham Waters Resort, Mildura

vibrant bedroom wall and pillows at Trentham Waters Resort, Mildura — The bright and retro-style bedroom at Trentham Waters Resort.

Another new property lands in regional Victoria in time for an endless summer with Trentham Waters Resort expected to open by February 2026. Breezy, subtly retro and brightened by the big Mallee sky, this river’s-edge escape is perfect for settling in for a spell with one-, two- and three-bedroom villas. There’s a lagoon-style pool, riverside hot tubs and onsite dining for all your relaxation requirements.

10. Crowne Plaza, Geelong

the Trattoria Bar in Crowne Plaza, Geelong — Sink a cold one at the Trattoria Bar.

Geelong is getting its own Crowne Plaza in 2026. Its arrival on the waterfront will make it the city’s largest (and newest) hotel with 200 contemporary rooms and suites, a Skybar, all-day dining, indoor pool and gym, and event spaces. Keep it on your radar.

11. Re’em, Yarra Valley

a private tub with lush views at Re’em, Yarra Valley — Sip and soak in tranquillity.

With verdant Yarra Valley views that take in the linear beauty of tended grapevines, the 16 suites and rooms at Re’em are set amid the Helen & Joey Estate and invite sipping and sitting in tranquillity. The onsite restaurant deftly balances Chinese and Australian flavours and if you’re staying over the weekend, be tempted out of your stylish room for yum cha that features delicate handmade dumplings and vineyard vistas.

12. Arapiles Clubhouse and Crash Pad, Grampians

the yard front door of Arapiles Clubhouse and Crash Pad, Grampians — Spend an overnight stay in the Natimuk stone house. (Image: Bianca Jackson)

These 1880-era mountain-adjacent digs have been tenderly restored to provide rock climbers and Grampians country wanderers a chic place to rest. You’ll find four bedrooms in the Natimuk stone house, as well as a heated pool out the back and plenty of luxe embellishments. There’s also a two-person ‘Crash Pad’ in the confines of the Clubhouse with its own separate entrance.

the lounge at Arapiles Clubhouse and Crash Pad, Grampians — The Crash Pad offers a resting place for rock climbers and Grampians country wanderers. (Image: Bianca Jackson)