Can you find a beach pad under $700k? I took the challenge and found these seven

You don't always need to smash the seven-figure mark to get yourself a slice of Australia's coastal magic.

There are a handful of great beachside buys under $700,000 if you're prepared for a little lifestyle adventure.

From ferry-access island homes to boat sheds reborn as seaside retreats, here are some intriguing beachside properties on the market right now that offer more than an affordable price point.

Calling all boaties

Ditch the four wheels to reach this NSW Central Coast gem tucked across the creek from Patonga main village.

Only reachable by boat, which is part of its charm, the two-bedroom, one-bathroom weekender has a fresh modern kitchen, combustion fireplace, and elevated deck with water glimpses.

Living at 143 Patonga Creek means morning paddles to shore, waterside barbecues, and serene birdsong instead of traffic noise, because there are no cars.

Roaring success

Nudging the $700K mark gets you a whole lot of house fronting the beach in Tassie.

In fact, the 2008 second-level extension at 45 Big Roaring Beach Road was architect-designed, dedicated to a spacious master suite and complete with a private deck that captures breathtaking panoramic views across Surveyors Bay.

Found in a tightly held beachside haven and sitting on a quiet no-through road, privacy and tranquility are ensured at the white sands of Roaring Bay Beach, which just so happens to be metres from the front door.

Island life

This Queensland beach house is on a literal island in the Southern Moreton Bay archipelago, but don't worry - it's not exactly remote, being accessible by ferry via Redland Bay.

The home at 38 Noyes Parade offers three bedrooms and three bathrooms in a surprisingly spacious layout for under $700,000.

It's a true island lifestyle reset that comes with calm streets, minimal traffic, friendly neighbours, stunning sunsets and easy access to sandy beaches. Plus, it's only a quick ferry ride to cafés and shops on the mainland (aka Brisbane).

That '70s house

A fully-renovated classic '70s beach house for under $680,000? 109 Acacia Road ticks a lot of boxes in one of South Gippsland's most beautiful locations.

This stylish three-bedroom beach pad has a second-storey balcony that's perfect for morning coffees overlooking views of the Walkerville foreshore reserve.

Blending classic 1970s charm with breezy modern finishes, this home is comfortably within budget and lets you stroll to the sand in minutes.

Natural choice

Leafy, elevated and relaxed, this two-bed, one-bath coastal home at 78A Ocean View Drive is surrounded by nature reserves in an absolutely stunning part of the NSW Mid North Coast.

Nambucca Heads, Bellingen and Coffs Harbour are all less than 25 minutes' drive away.

With a warm, open-plan interior featuring timber floors and raked ceilings, it's a great pick if you want beach living with a bushland atmosphere overlooking treetops in one of the Mid North Coast's most idyllic seaside communities, where the median price for houses is over $780,000.

Coastal hideout

Not technically being a traditional home is exactly what makes this one fun.

On the beautiful Whitecliffs Foreshore in Rye, 126 Point Nepean Road is a fully fitted-out boat shed, complete with polished floors, integrated fridge, battery bank, TV and lighting just steps from the pristine sand.

It doesn't come with bedrooms and bathrooms in the usual sense, and yes it's technically listed as a "house" for marketing reasons, but this is iconic beachfront living with a quirky twist for under $600,000.