1/161 Hedges Ave, Mermaid Beach.

Fibro shacks are no longer the mainstay for the sandy spots where families retreat to the beach on weekends or summer holidays.

In fact, the humble beach house is no longer necessarily even a weekend retreat as an architectural arms race has transformed the property-type with stunning designs, and plenty of amenities that celebrate their coastal locales.

14 Mitchell Grove, Separation Creek, is on the market for $4m to $4.2m.

SEPARATION CREEK, VICTORIA

HIA crowned this ambitious Surf Coast masterpiece its Australian Home of the Year in 2024. Now it’s hit the market with a $4m-plus price tag.

More than 1000 tonnes of concrete and 20 tonnes of structural steel went into creating the cantilevered beach house overlooking the ocean on a rugged Separation Creek hillside.

David Moyle, the Ballarat-based director of BCM Homes, commissioned Crosier Scott Architects to design 14 Mitchell Grove as a holiday home for his own family.

After pulling off the complex build in a high-risk bushfire zone, he’s now selling the award-winning project through Great Ocean Properties director Marty Maher.

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14 Mitchell Grove, Separation Creek, is on the market for $4m to $4.2m.

14 Mitchell Grove, Separation Creek, is on the market for $4m to $4.2m.

“You rarely see this level of combination of elements, that is such a precision build, immaculate presentation and the world-class view,” Mr Maher said.

The home has a mix of Corten, Colorbond and Alucabond cladding that aims for a low-maintenance look to blend into the surrounding natural environment.

Inside, there’s burnished concrete floors with in slab-heating, a 600-bottle temperature controlled wine cellar, solid timber detailing and premium appliances.

Maher is marketing the home along Victoria’s Great Ocean Road with a $4m to $4.2m price guide.

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1/161 Hedges Ave, Mermaid Beach.

MERMAID BEACH, QUEENSLAND

The triple-storey beachfront dream home sold for $19 million in October, just 72 hours after hitting the market amid a “mind-boggling” volume of inquiries.

The Mermaid Beach mansion was listed with Amir Prestige agents Amir Mian and Carlie Mills, who said they were immediately inundated by local and interstate buyers vying for the keys to the architect-designed property.

The Bayden Goddard-designed home was built 10 years ago on land which last traded for $5.75m.

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This Albatross Ave home was snapped up inside 72 hours.

The Mermaid Beach mansion is described as the ultimate in modern coastal luxury.

Described as “the ultimate in modern coastal luxury”, the property combined solid concrete construction and timeless interiors, with features including four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a six-car basement garage, lift and 12.4m of direct beach frontage.

Framed by tropical gardens, the home had soaring ceilings and limestone floors with a covered entertaining terrace with built-in barbecue, while the top floor was given over to the master bedroom with a private office and oceanview balcony.

Just up the road at 161 Hedges Ave it a multistorey villa spanning 803sq m that delivers 13.7m of beach frontage.

1/161 Hedges Ave, Mermaid Beach.

1/161 Hedges Ave, Mermaid Beach.

The four-bedroom residence captures a sweeping ocean view from nearly every room.

A high-speed private lift connects all five levels to the rooftop terrace that features a secondary kitchen, heat pump-heated lap pool with resistance jets, and panoramic views stretching from Burleigh Headland to Main Beach.

Coffered ceilings, rich natural materials, and premium finishes include an exhausting list of inclusions.

Mark Collyer of Deluxe Estate is seeking offers above $18.5m for 1/161 Hedges Ave, Mermaid Beach.

A deepwater jetty is at the doorstep, with a netted pool nearby.

AVALON BEACH, NSW

From its position on the sandy shore of Paradise Beach, this home is designed to deliver an exquisite family lifestyle in one of Sydney’s most exclusive peninsula enclaves.

The three-level home captures panoramic views and is a true waterfront haven.

Open plan interiors flow through bi-fold doors to terraces that offer stunning Pittwater sunsets. A contemporary stone kitchen has Miele appliances and butler’s pantry, while the accommodation includes a sumptuous master suite, a loft retreat and garden studio.

The luxury home overlooks boats moored in Pittwater.

The boathouse is also decked out.

And with a boathouse, deepwater jetty and proximity to the netted pool, the property is ready waterside living.

Di Baker has set an $11.5m price guide for the five-bedroom house at 30 Paradise Ave, Avalon Beach.

76 Cinderella St, Machans Beach.

MACHANS BEACH, QUEENSLAND

Zolushka, might be Russian for Cinderella, but this absolute beach front sanctuary will have occupants feeling they are the belle of the ball.

The Cairns region home is a custom built Bahamian-inspired log cabin designed to withstand the elements with an 8m vaulted ceiling, plantation shutters and rows of tropical louvres.

A large covered outdoor bar and dining area and timber deck wraps around the building, cantilevering out to the beach with its own pool.

An 8m vaulted ceiling is a striking feature inside.

A path leads onto the beach.

There’s three spacious bedrooms in the main house, and two separate self-contained guest apartments.

Sean Thorpe of Paradise Property Group has set a $2.2m price guide for the five-bedroom home at 76 Cinderella St, Machans Beach.

Water views ave available on both sides of the home.

CREMORNE, TAS

The chance to buy a home in this neighbourhood doesn’t come along every day.

Sometimes, years go by without a home being listed for sale.

Why so tightly held? Perhaps it’s the double water frontage with panoramic views across Frederick Henry Bay on one side and Pipe Clay Lagoon on the other.

Cremorne local and Fall Real Estate agent Deb Dilger describes No. 99 Pipe Clay Esplanade as “sensational”.

The 1950s build is today a remarkable coastal sanctuary.

The 1950s build is a remarkable coastal sanctuary that’s undergone a modern makeover.

99 Pipe Clay Esplanade, Cremorne.

This three-bedroom beach shack has been thoughtfully renovated, blending rustic charm with modern comfort and preserving its authentic character.

The open-plan living space radiates the unmistakeable warmth and intimacy that only a genuine beach house can deliver, complete with a wood heater and reverse-cycle airconditioning ensuring year-round comfort.

From the private viewing platform, the owner can witness spectacular sunrises dancing across Frederick Henry Bay in the morning, and mesmerising sunsets paint the sky over Pipe Clay Lagoon each evening.

99 Pipe Clay Esplanade is listed for sale at $1.05m-plus.

143 Esplanade, Henley Beach South.

HENLEY BEACH SOUTH, SA

A landmark waterfront nine-bedroom property offers a versatile floorplan, making it ideal for a multi-family or multi-generational home, or just those that want to live the ultimate coastal lifestyle.

The owners were meant to visit this luxe holiday home at 143 Esplanade, Henley Beach South, for the weekend 19 years ago, but liked it so much they never moved out.

Actually two homes, the owners we deliberately built it that way so that families could share it at different times while not being on top of each other.

The nine-bedroom home is the ultimate multi-family or multi-generational home.

Floor to ceiling windws put panoramic views at centrestage.

Finished in 2006 and designed by Enoki, the property features two separate double garages, two spacious open-plan kitchen, dining and living areas; separate living areas on both levels, four bedrooms on the ground floor and five on the upper level, an outdoor shower, a rear balcony and an upper-level entertainment terrace.

Williams agent Stephanie Williams has listed the home at 143 Esplanade, Henley Beach South.