Television shows like Home and Away, H20: Just Add Water and Reef Break have firmly established Australia as a beautiful location for a dip. And if you feel that Australia’s sun-soaked shores are calling – if you feel the itch to embrace your inner surfer, sand stroller or even mermaid – this is the article for you. We’ll be diving into five fantastic beach towns to look for an Australian home.
The real-life Summer Bay: Palm Beach, Sydney
Palm Beach.
Sadly, you can’t move to Summer Bay and pop into The Diner to see Alf. However, you can buy a property and settle into Palm Beach, where much of Home and Away has been filmed since 1988. Palm Beach is one of the main beaches in Northern Sydney. You can go on an official Home and Away tour, featuring the Summer Bay Surf Club, Alf’s Bait Shop and the rock pool.
Beyond playing out your favourite Home and Away scenes, Palm Beach is the perfect location for a relaxed, outdoorsy day-to-day. You can go on hikes through the forest to Barrenjoey Lighthouse, for the best panoramic views of Sydney’s Central Coast. You’ll find sea spots ideal for surfing, swimming and a leisurely bob.
About an hour from the heart of Sydney, Palm Beach is a popular location for affluent city dwellers seeking a second home. You’ll be able to find a mix of cottages and grand estates in Palm Beach, but all with a high price tag.
Nearest city: Sydney, one hour.
Best for: Those looking for a Home and Away feel.
Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast
Sunset at Burleigh Heads.
Burleigh Heads will look familiar to fans of H2O: Just Add Water, the Australian kids’ television show about teenage girls who turn into mermaids.
Burleigh Heads possesses a laidback, family-friendly atmosphere. You’ll find the central hubbub along James Street, which is lined with cute cafes, boutiques and trendy restaurants. For a total change of pace and step into nature, head to Burleigh Head National Park, where you’ll be able to spy brush-truckey, sea-eagles and water dragons.
From luxury apartments to beachfront homes, property prices in Burleigh Heads are reflective of the Gold Coast’s status as an idyllic location.
Interested in the Gold Coast? Find out more here.
Nearest city: Gold Coast, 17 minutes.
Best for: Those seeking seaside suburbia not too far from the heart of the city.
Planning to head out to Australia to look at homes for sale? Find out how to make the best of your trip…
Venus Bay, Gippsland
Venus Bay.
With a name that conjures images of love, what makes Venus Bay special is its natural beauty and tranquillity. The township has a population of just 500, many of them retirees. But the population does swell during the summer, with surfers, anglers and families. The calm waters of Anderson Inlet makes for a fantastic fishing spot, especially for flathead, salmon, tailor and whiting. There are also five superb surfing beaches.
Beyond Venus Bay, you’ll find great options for walking tours, such as The Great Alpine Road, best for seeing Gippsland’s Lakes, Gippsland Plains Rail Tail through dairy country and Tarra Bulga National Park, a cool temperate rainforest.
Venus Bay and other similar towns in Gippsland offer affordable property options, even just a stone’s throw from the beach.
Discover more about Gippsland and other beautiful locations to own a home in regional Victoria.
Nearest city: Melbourne, two hours.
Best for: Those seeking a gentler pace of life & fishing enthusiasts.
Margaret River, Western Australia
Enjoy trips to the winery…
With a home in Margaret River, you’ll have a plethora of wineries on your doorstep. If you’re a Cabernet Sauvignon or a Chardonnay fan, you’re in for a treat. If your preferred tipple is a beer, you’re in for a treat too, with the Margaret River Brewhouse just a short walk from town. But the mouth-watering delights don’t stop there: discover chocolateries, award-winning olive oils and farmers markets.
The town has an artistic vibe, with galleries, trendy cafes and surfing shops. It’s a lovely location to raise a family, with lots of opportunity for bike riding, water sports and hiking through enchanting forests. The Margaret River region is home to over 100 underground caves, though only a few are open to the public, they do make for a fun day out.
The property market in Margaret River is quite diverse, with comparatively more affordable options to other Australian coastal towns.
Could life in Western Australia suit you? Uncover what makes it a marvellous place to be.
Nearest city: Perth, three hours.
Best for: foodies, artists & hikers.
Make sure exchange rate movements don’t add thousands to the cost of your house. Our partner, Smart Currency Exchange, a property-specialist currency business, has had over 1,000 5* reviews from our readers for their help protecting budgets from market movements.
Port Douglas, North Queensland
Pretty skies over Port Douglas.
Port Douglas is a haven situated between the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. A trip to the extraordinary Great Barrier Reef, comprising of 3,000 individual reefs and occupying the space of nearly 700 million football fields, is on many people’s bucket list. With a home in Port Douglas, you can go for regular swims with the green sea turtles and eels. Revelling for the impressiveness trophy, the Daintree Rainforest is around 135 million years old, and biologically rich and diverse. You could be taking river cruises to wave at prehistoric crocodiles.
Not to outdone by its incredible natural neighbours, Port Douglas is home to the palm fringed Four Miles Beach, boutique shopping, gourmet dining, galleries and a world-class marina. Port Douglas is an established holiday destination, especially for honeymooners. Fancy living a never-ending honeymoon?
Property in Port Douglas is highly sought-after, with strong rental yields and a market growth, making a home there a promising investment.
Nearest city: Cairns, a little over an hour.
Best for: those seeking a brilliant combination of luxury & nature.
You might also like:
