Australia's best beach houses where stunning ocean views come as standard
Girt by sea, Australia does a beach house like no other country and these 8 beachside boltholes are just the thing for some summer seaside loving...
IMESON COTTAGE, BYRON BAY, NSW
Beachside: Imeson Cottage is as close to the sand as you can get in Byron Bay
Sitting smack bang on the beach overlooking one of Byron Bay's most popular surf breaks, what this beach house lacks in internal aesthetics and fancy fit out, it more than makes up for with its location.
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The embodiment of barefoot beach shack luxury, the award-winning, two-bedroom Imeson Cottage has been here for a century. Constructed between bush and beach, it overlooks local surf hotspot, The Pass, and is en easy stroll to either the town centre or the famous lighthouse.
Beachside: Imeson Cottage is as close to the sand as you can get in Byron Bay
Newly renovated to cater to every need, the views from each window are enviable, and its proximity to walks, surf, and signature Byron hotspots, such as Wategos, make it one of the best places to stay in the beloved beachside suburb.
Book this unique stay at nationalparks.nsw.gov.au
ALINGHI BEACH HOUSE, AGNES WATER, QLD
Queensland's Alinghi Beach House was voted one of the world’s top five beach houses
Built within 14-acres on the southern Great Barrier Reef overlooking Honeymoon Bay and the surrounding Pacific Ocean, Alinghi Beach House was voted one of ‘the world’s top five beach houses’ by British newspaper, The Independent, and it’s easy to see why.
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Grand, packed with luxury furnishings and with million dollar views, this tranquil getaway ticks serious boxes. Mere metres from the beach, the palatial property also has eco credentials in spades and is a go-to for nature-lovers with plenty of native wildlife populating the surrounding bushland and rocky outcrops.
Click here to explore more and book
WHITE SANDS HYAMS BEACH, JERVIS BAY, NSW
White Sands Hyams Beach: the holiday rental that overlooks the 'whitest sand in the world'
For hyperbole and sheer jaw-dropping beauty, you can’t got past a sprawling beach house that’s located on the sands of one of Australia’s most known beaches - a stretch of sand that is, in fact, record breaking.
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Hyams Beach is world famous and for good reason. It boasts calm aquamarine water that plays host to a resident pod of friendly dolphins, but it’s Hyams’ whiter-than-white sands that have cemented its place in the pages of the Guinness Book of Records as the whitest in the world. And on its lauded sands, the best place to stay in terms of luxury and looks is White Sands Hyams Beach. Boasting private direct beach access (through perfectly landscaped, beautiful gardens, no less), the accommodation is divided into two seperate houses: the Boat House (which sleeps seven across its three levels) and the Beach House (which sleeps nine). Both have stylish, open-plan living and dining spaces, luxe stone bathtubs made for lengthy, indulgent soaks, fancy espresso coffee machines, and amazing collections of artwork and sculptures.
White Sands Hyams Beach: the holiday rental that overlooks the 'whitest sand in the world'
Entertainment-wise, there’s a tech-y Sonos multi-zone music system, extensive book and movie library and a pool table. But perhaps the most impressive internal feature are the floor-to-ceiling windows taking in the epic beach and seascape. Yep, here it’s all about location, location, location - if you were any closer to the waves, you'd have sand between your toes.
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Sink a sundowner or two on the spacious outside dining areas and feast your eyes on the local surfers and resident dolphins sharing surf breaks, or be transfixed by the evening sky of twinkling stars, or the phosphorescent shoreline. This is the ultimate seaside sojourn.
THALIA HAVEN, SWANSEA, TAS
Thalia Haven: the Tasmania beach house that has a bath tub with one hell of a view
Boasting what might just be the most dramatically positioned bathtub in the world, Thalia Haven is the stuff of beach house fantasies.
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An hour’s drive from Hobart, the slickly designed accommodation is perched on a rocky headland, overlooking a private beach.
Thalia Haven: the Tasmania beach house that has a bath tub with one hell of a view
The coastal getaway on the Apple Isle’s east coast comprises four stone cottages (sleeping eight) within 52-hectares, all surrounded by the sapphire waters of Great Oyster Bay. Internal features are great, but it’s what awaits guests outside that will make memories: a wood-fired sauna, outdoor shower, and a majestic open-air tub on its very own deck. No one will be able to resist the prospect of a steamy soak against a backdrop of crashing waves. Magical.
THE SKY HOUSE, KANGAROO ISLAND, SA
The Sky House: Kangaroo Island's luxury accommodation with beach and ocean views
Atop Kangaroo Island and with sweeping views of rugged coastline, the aptly named Sky House is great at any time of the year.
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A romantic getaway for only two guests, during the summer the proximity to the ocean means a stay here is all about swimming, sunbathing, and alfresco terrace dining. When the temperature dips, the private retreat becomes a cosy hideaway, complete with huge bathtub, slow combustion fireplace, and underfloor heating to ensure guests are toasty year-round. It’s also the perfect base for exploring the wilderness and wealth of award-winning food and drink nearby. Serious high-flyers can even arrange arrival and departure by helicopter for a weekend getaway to remember.
Book a wonderful experience at Sky House here
SUGARLOAF POINT LIGHTHOUSE KEEPERS’ COTTAGES, SEAL ROCKS, NSW
Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse Keepers’ Cottages come with stunning views
Historic cottages nestled an imposing lighthouse that offers views of ocean and coastline as far as the eye can see? Yep, it exists.
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Within the boundaries of the coastal village of Seal Rocks (one of the most relaxing and scenic holiday hotspots on the NSW coast) and the Myall Lakes National Park, the three Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse Keepers’ Cottages offer heritage accommodation surrounded by stunning views.
Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse Keepers’ Cottages come with stunning views
Each of the old world charm-meets-modern convenience structures comes with stellar ocean views from its two or three bedrooms (accommodating up to six or eight guests) and are a perfect jumping off point for exploring the wealth of natural attractions in the unspoiled area, from walking trails and swimming, to snorkelling and diving - the area is also home to one of the largest grey nurse shark populations in the state. Come evening, you’ll be mesmerised by the lighthouse beams from the Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse that dominates the skyline.
THE ROOZEN RESIDENCE, MARGARET RIVER, WA
Roozen Residence: private beachside accommodation in Margaret River
Named as one of Australia’s Best Beach houses, for private beachside accommodation in Margaret River, the Roozen Residence is unbeatable.
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Fusing contemporary luxury with unsurpassed 180 degree ocean views from each room, guests can spot whales from the terrace, or sip a local wine on the deck while watching the sunset. Speaking of, the property is only 10-minutes from Margaret River’s town centre, and is the perfect base to explore the famed wine region. There’s also acclaimed boutique breweries, farmers markets, secluded beaches and world class surf breaks on your doorstep, should you ever get tired of the beach view (unlikely).
Book your Margaret River beach stay here!
SALT AT SHOAL BAY, PORT STEPHENS, NSW
Salt at Shoal Bay: a beachfront luxury rental in Port Stephens, NSW
A bay twice the size of Sydney Harbour, the largest sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere, a world record number of humpback whale sightings, and pristine national parks - there’s always been plenty of reasons to visit the NSW coastal gem that is Port Stephens. And now, with the opening of the latest luxury beachside check in, there’s one more to the list.
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Located on what is arguable one of the most prime spots of real estate in the town, Salt at Shoal Bay offers sun, sea, sand and serious style. Across the road from the idyllic Shoal Bay Beach - a stretch of postcard-perfect clear turquoise water and white sand - a
cool cafe and boutique packed strip within walking distance too.
Salt at Shoal Bay: a beachfront luxury rental in Port Stephens, NSW
Luxe and family-friendly, the unique waterfront property is split into two levels of accommodation in the main house: Salt One on the upper level that sleeps up to 11 (eight adults and three kids); and Salt Two on the ground floor, which also has the same capacity. There’s also an additional self-contained cottage at the rear (Salt Three). All three channel a Hamptons-esque decor inside, while outside there’s several private decks offering sea views, outdoor seating and a BBQ.
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A bona fide aquatic playground, the area has swimming, snorkelling, kayaking and SUP-ing on offer, alongside the potential to rub noses with the playful local population of 140 or so bottlenose dolphins (Port Stephens has a reputation as the dolphin capital of Australia), which can be spotted during the day, while at night guests will be lulled to sleep by the gentle sound of the surf.