Many of us dream of escaping to a beach house for the summer. Whether it’s for the weekend or the whole month, there’s something special that happens when you first slip off your shoes and relax into life by the sea. Long hours spent lounging on the veranda make the days feel longer, while salty ocean swims and plenty of sunshine help us sleep deeper, and of course, there are very few things that a glass of wine by the ocean can’t fix.
As any beach house-goer knows, the best beach houses aren’t the ones with the most modern furniture or the latest technology, but the ones that create a space for unwinding and connecting — a big deck with a view of the ocean, a wood fire within reach of a pile of board games, and the type of laidback interiors that don’t stress you out when your children drag half the beach inside.
With these features in mind, we’ve compiled a list of the best beach houses to book all around Australia — from the wild coast of Western Australia to the prettiest corners of New South Wales.
Best beach houses to book in Australia in 2024
A surf shack on the Eyre Peninsula, South Australia
Best for: couples, seclusion
Located on the Eyre Peninsula, this gorgeous little surf shack sits on a secluded section of the South Australian coastline. The shack’s interiors have been lovingly curated by South Australian interior designer Sarah Hall, whose choice of muted yellows and laidback furnishings give the home its nostalgic charm.
The highlight of the home is its ocean-facing front deck, where guests are invited to spend hours lazing in the hammock and watching the waves roll in. An indoor fireplace and record player bring an element of romance to the home, while an outdoor fire pit is the only place to spend cool evenings under the stars.
What we love about it
- Retro vibe
- Isolated location
- Back to basics
An oceanfront escape in Falmouth, Tasmania
Best for: couples, families, winter escapes
This lovely fisherman’s cottage draws the romantics to Tasmania’s sleepy seaside town of Falmouth. The home’s careful curation of vintage knick-knacks, outdoor bath and proximity to the ocean make it somewhere that’s just as beautiful in a winter storm as it is in the morning sun.
Days are spent eating fresh oysters and spotting the local sea life, while nights consist of curling up with a glass of Tassie wine by the outdoor fire place and listening to the sound of the ocean.
What we love about it:
- Ocean views
- Cosy interiors
- Outdoor bath
A beachfront cottage in Narrawallee, New South Wales
Best for: groups of friends, big families
Beach holidays are better spent with friends, and this sunny beachfront home in the New South Wales town of Narrawallee ticks all of the boxes. With its high ceilings, stylish Hamptons-style interiors and deck overlooking the ocean, it’s a beach house that will please everyone — and with space for up to 10 people, you won’t have any problems fitting them all in.
The location on New South Wales’ beloved South Coast is also a highlight, with the property being just a 10-minute walk (or two minutes’ drive if you’re feeling lazy) to Mollymook beach.
What we love about it:
- Hamptons-style interiors
- Balcony views
- South Coast location
Rustic oceanfront serenity in Bremer Bay, Australia
Best for: families, groups of friends
Nestled into the dunes of Western Australia’s beautiful Bremer Bay, this beach house sits on a generous 100 acres of bushland. With its big ocean-facing windows, timber-lined walls and oversized deck, the unique design embraces its spectacular natural environment. The cosy woodfire fireplaces add to the property’s charm and make it hard to do anything else than curl up with your favourite book.
What we love about it:
- Nestled into the landscape
- Timber-lined interiors
- Cosy wood fireplace
Sand and sauna retreat in Marengo, Victoria
Best for: families, groups of friends, pets
With only the Great Ocean Walk separating this pretty blue beach house from the sea, this property is the perfect place to spend some time on Victoria’s Otway Coast.
Outside, there’s a big ocean-facing deck to enjoy your morning coffee and a firepit for nights curled up with a glass of wine. The interiors are just as impressive with the property’s large kitchen boasting ocean views, which turn even doing the dishes into a pleasant task.
The home’s proximity to one of the country’s best walks, access to a private sauna and its acceptance of our furry friends only give the property bonus points.
What we love about it:
- Pet friendly
- The deck’s ocean views
- Private sauna
This article originally appeared on Home Beautiful and is republished here with permission.
