10 Most Evocative Beach Houses in Australia

Guest author Mark Brown is a writer and blogger who runs The Credit Letter, a site offering hacks and advice for managing your money.

It’s iconic, nostalgic and inspirational. We see them in the movies; they’re the realm of the high paid executive. They come in all shapes, sizes and styles from zen-influenced minimalist havens to whitewashed colonial. The beach house is all these and more. But most importantly it’s a place to seek refuge from the trials of everyday life of the restless world we live in.

The allure of the beach house, this bastion of tranquility, has overwhelmed us here at Home Design Find. In this post, the first part in a series exploring beach life, we bring you 10 of the most evocative beach houses in Australia.

1. Thirty-One Degrees, Port Douglas [$500.00 per night]

When it comes to beach houses, it doesn’t get much better than Thirty One Degrees on the Oak Beach shore of the Coral Sea. This old fisherman’s cottage has been successfully renovated as a modern beach house with slick contemporary styling where you can let the stress and strain of everyday life fall by the wayside as you chill out in a hammock, reading or perhaps sipping a fresh cocktail.

2. Island Beach Lodge, Kangaroo Island [$450.00 per night]

If you’re after a beach house retreat with a difference, then this could be the one for you. Situated on idyllic Kangaroo Island, the third largest island in Australia, Island Beach lodge is a luxurious and stylish beach house with a clean modern look and feel. Combine such contemporaneous design with the nearby beach, pristine bushland and romantic sunset for the break of a lifetime. Capable of sleeping up to 14 people, there’s more than enough room to take your family and friends on vacation and split the cost.

3. Avalon Coastal Retreat, Swansea [$770.00 per night]

Take a beautiful setting overlooking the Tasman Sea and Great Oyster Bay, then combine it with stunning interior design and you’ll get Avalon Coastal Retreat. However, be prepared to break out your credit card: a single night at this luxurious retreat costs the princely sum of $770! For that you’d expect something unique, which is exactly what you get. This beach house is renowned for cutting edge design in juxtaposition with traditional Tasmanian oak furniture and art. The three double bedrooms make this a great choice for families and groups of couples looking to escape.

4. The Pole House, Fairhaven [$355 per night]

Not many beach houses are nationally recognizable, but The Pole House on Victoria’s Great Ocean Road is one of them. Available to rent at an affordable rate of $335 per night, demand for this particular spot is high! It’s all about the ocean view here: waking up in the morning with the sun glinting off the ocean is quite something. This sensational beach house is perfect for couples looking to escape the hassle of a busy city life.

5. Jahangir, Eagle Bay [$6,200 per week]

It isn’t cheap, but with a view to die for it’s not hard to see why the Jahangir beach house is so incredibly popular. Spend a week here on vacation and wash away the stresses of life relaxing on the beach, swimming in the stunning turquoise waters of Eagle Bay and generally enjoying the outdoor lifestyle this place affords. Not only does this house offer spectacular views, it is also styled internally with modern fittings and upmarket finishes. If you do get bored chilling out in this opulent beach house, why not take a trip to one of the many local wineries, art galleries or restaurants.

6. Mandalay Luxury Stay, Darwin [$695.00 per night]

Combine the perfect location overlooking the harbour on Darwin’s Esplanade with cutting edge oriental interior design and you’ll get one of the most sought after beach houses in all of Australia: Madalay Luxury Stay. It doesn’t come cheap though! At $695 per night this is something you’ll probably have to save up for, or bring some friends and family to split the bill with. Don’t worry though, there’s plenty of room with enough space to sleep up to six people in three bedrooms. If the view doesn’t inspire you then the Chinese themed interior with its original artwork, lavish soft furnishings, white linen bedding, plush dining area and luxurious lounge certainly will!

7. Malimali, Port Douglas [$950 per night]

This is a luxury beachside retreat that truly lets lodgers relax and unwind: stroll along the pristine beach, paddle in the warm bath-like Coral Sea, watch as the sun sets behind a mountainous backdrop clad in verdant tropical forest. The interior of this award winning beach house is every bit as striking as its fabulous surroundings. Designed by internationally renowned architect, Chris van Dyke, Malimali boasts three sumptuously appointed king bedrooms, an infinity pool, helipad, private tennis court and beautiful tropical water gardens. This is a place you’ll find difficult to part with!

8. Ron Roozen’s Place, Margaret River [$550 per night]

If you fancy a break on the breathtaking western coast of Australia, then this surf culture laden beach house is ideal for you. Conveniently located amid the pristine bushland overlooking the ocean at Prevelly, Ron Roozen’s beach house offers simply jaw-dropping panoramic views out over the Indian Ocean from every room. This is a beachside retreat with a difference: heavily influenced by surf culture, the art-appointed walls and stylish furnishings ooze cool and casual. And to make your stay that little bit more memorable you’ll also get a personal chef and pantry service, as well as daily maid service and tours of the local wineries if desirable.

9. Trinity Beach Palace, Cairns [$1800 per night]

For the ultimate in Australian beachfront living, it has to be Trinity Beach Palace. Set amidst a picturesque tropical backdrop and fronting onto a stretch of tranquil sandy beach, this is a beach house where you can come to relax and really get away from it all. At $1800 per night you’d expect the very top notch of interior design, and that’s exactly what you get. The classic interior design of Trinity Beach Palace is melded sympathetically with nuances of Africa. Dark woods, bamboo, quartz stone pillars, covered walkways and lots of glass will make your stay a truly unforgettable experience!

10. Mystique Beach House, Port Douglas [$650.00 per night]

Clean and modern design combine perfectly with an idyllic setting overlooking the beach and ocean at Mystique Beach House, one of the most stylish and desirable beach houses in Australia. Just one look at the beautiful interior design characterized by smooth lines, luxurious furnishings and high-end finishes is enough to make anyone fork out the dough on a vacation here. The infinity pool complete with in-pool bench seating and the splendid views combined mean you’ll probably find it tough to leave, even if it does set you back $650 per night! You’ll be living in the lap of luxury though: Mystique Beach House is very well appointed with wireless internet, plasma satellite television and entertainment system, gourmet kitchen with Krups espresso machine, air conditioning throughout and no less than 4 bedrooms.

You can receive our articles for free in your email inbox or subscribe to our RSS feed. Just enter your email below for the email subscription: | Buy | Print