The Big Six: Stylish rentals in Australia

Turtle Ridge, Queensland

The town of 1770 (named, or numbered, for the year Captain Cook made landfall) is the perfect base for exploring Queensland's Discovery Coast and the Great Barrier Reef. Turtle Ridge – a modern beach house – is the place to stay here. The angular, single-storey design has floor-to-ceiling windows to maximise the ocean views, and the smart outside deck has a barbecue and hot tub.

Turtle Ridge, Sunrise at 1770, Agnes Water, Burnett, Queensland (00 61 749 74 9990; 1770beachaccommodation.com.au). Rental starts at A$700 (£459) per night; sleeps eight.

The White House, Victoria

This study of understated style is the creation of Lyn Gardner, who also runs an upmarket vintage store in Melbourne. She has used an 1850s miner's cottage in the former gold-rush town of Daylesford as the foundation for a glamorous renovation project. Industrial lighting mixes with French chandeliers, 1930s club chairs and hand-painted wallpapers. Mineral springs, the Macedon Ranges vineyards and the gourmet shops of Kyneton are all nearby.

The White House, 58 Albert Street, Daylesford, Victoria (00 61 4 16 032 111; thewhitehousedaylesford.com. au). Rental starts at A$300 (£197) per night; sleeps six.

Rockridge, New South Wales

This elegant house is in the Sydney suburb of Palm Beach, known for its lavish homes (and also as the location for Home and Away's Summer Bay). Rockridge, a 1940s villa, sports whitewashed walls and sisal carpets as a background for original carpentry, a considered mix of curios and vintage furniture. Outside, the impressive picture continues with a swimming pool, sundeck and barbecue. There is easy access to the beach, via steps across the road from the property.

Rockridge, Palm Beach, Sydney, New South Wales (00 61 2 9331 2881; beachouses.com.au). Rental starts at A$900 (£590) per night. Sleeps eight.

Roozen Residence, Western Australia

The architect-designed beach house juts out of the landscape towards the Indian Ocean. Inside, the clean lines are splashed with paintings by Ron Roozen. A chef, in-house massages and vineyard tours can be arranged.

Roozen Residence, Chapel Place, Prevelly, Margaret River, Western Australia (00 61 407 479 004; ronroozen.com.au). Rental starts at A$600 (£393) per night; sleeps four.

Beach Huts, South Australia

This collection of a dozen beach huts is located near the Coorong Wetland Ecosystem and Encounter Bay. Each hut mixes functional comfort with vintage furnishings. Some come with barbecues while others boast spa baths. All share use of a tennis court.

Beach Huts, 1 Charles Street, Middleton, South Australia (00 61 8 8554 3933; beachhuts.com.au). Rental starts at A$145 (£95) a night, including breakfast.

The Lair, Tasmania

Perched dramatically on a steep incline between the forest and the ocean, this sleek feat of architecture houses four guests. Rooms are sandwiched between floor-to-ceiling windows that open up the dramatic views, whether from bed, bath or balcony. An outdoor kitchen is the perfect place to cook local produce.

The Lair, 11889 Tasman Highway, Swansea, Tasmania (00 61 3 6257 8999; thelair.com.au). Rental starts at A$745 (£488) per night, including breakfast and minibar; sleeps four.