Summer is coming: 10 beach houses to get you in the silly season mood

There's nothing better than an Aussie summer spent by the beach. It's a quintessential part of our culture: barefoot, salty and sandy, with the BBQ fired up for an alfresco dinner.

From the windswept shores of Victoria's Surf Coast to Queensland's palm-fringed beaches, these beautiful beach homes are the perfect fodder for summer daydreams.

Absolute beachfront

Absolute beachfront right on beloved Blueys Beach on the Mid North Coast? It's a rare occasion, but it happens.

Perched on the high middle dune with sensational beach, ocean and headland views, this gorgeous, re-imagined cottage has a separate pavilion-style apartment and private beach access for the ultimate 'holiday every day' lifestyle.

Great ocean views

This Eastern View property manages to achieve what few properties can: beach views with a single-level property.

You'll enjoy front row seats to waves crashing on the beach with the winding coastline to Lorne as the backdrop.

Mediterranean-style magic

Directly opposite the golden sands of iconic Sharkies Beach in Coledale, this Mediterranean- inspired showstopper by Genesis is the epitome of luxury coastal living.

The five-bed, five-bath vaulted property is perfect for weekends spent drifting between ocean dips and sun-soaked leisure time, and has been designed to capture uninterrupted views of the Pacific Ocean and beach.

Quirky cabin vibes

For something a little different, this unique gem at Aireys Inlet has been designed by distinguished Melbourne architect Peter McIntyre, and is a one-of-a-kind property set on an enormous iron bark gully just moments from Sandy Gully surf beach.

The property comprises a main house, a separate self-contained cottage and a studio all overlooking a private, heavily-treed gully and stone-lined stream, with the main two-storey property even showcasing stunning Otway messmate tree trunks, inside and outside, selected from a local plantation.

East coast entertainer

Drive up through your private gates on the beautiful East Coast of Tassie to Dragon Fly Lodge, a stunning custom-built home perched high off the road at Rocky Hill.

The three-bedroom, three-bathroom property centres around an expansive open-plan living space with a double-sided fireplace, where soaring floor-to-ceiling windows frame the ever-changing seascape and flood the interiors with sunlight.

The home enjoys sweeping coastal views to Schouten Island and Freycinet National Park and across the acre of land it sits on.

Character meets contemporary

A character pole home with a modern extension, this five-bedroom property on the Sunshine Coast enclave of Sunrise Beach is all about indoor-outdoor flow.

Industrial blockwork meets polished concrete and sculptural finishes, while glass sliders open to a pool terrace and alfresco kitchen.

With ocean views, a spa, and a cocktail bar on the balcony, it's a resort-style haven.

Bonus: secure parking for your boat or camper, and a stroll to the beach and local café.