Aptly named the "beach shack", this black box sits within the Casuarina estate on a beach-front lot. The brief was to develop a house that was informal, casual, comfortable and welcoming and most importantly to have a space for the clients quiver of long boards. Surrounded by an eclectic array of houses it became apparent early in the design stage the importance of the surrounds, the environment and the conditions that the house would be subjected to such as wind, salt and sun. The use of galvanised steel and stained ecoply promotes a rawness to the skin that will age gracefully rather than deteriorate like most paint type finishes. Whilst on the inside the material palette is refined yet hard wearing in the form of polished concrete.The double height entry with grass underfoot and natural landscape consists of a semi indoor/outdoor space constructed of clear weatherboards. This area allows for the wetsuit to be abandoned into the concealed laundry, the surfboards to be 'racked', and is able to be hosed out through the decking boards to discard unwanted sand and salt. Once within this entry, large timber clad sliding doors can be pushed out to open into the house. On ground level a simple program of living spaces that open up to a courtyard off one side and a main outdoor room to the rear of the property that overlooks a pool and dunes. Upstairs consists of simple bedroom and bathroom facilities that interact with the ground level and entry via a series of voids and openings. Overall this house evokes openness and a casual sensation that typifies what a beach house should be.

Tweed Heads is way up north in New South Wales, just about on the Queensland border. In fact, Coolangatta in Queensland and Tweed are twin towns. As Queensland doesn't endorse daylight saving and Tweed does, many people like to celebrate New Year's Eve twice.

Tweed is a great holiday town but isn't the sleepy seaside village it once was. People still pull up and camp on the beach but there is huge development happening, so accommodation choice is wide and varied.

The Casuarina Beach Resort stretches along 3.5km of beachfront. One-third of its 180 hectares is dedicated as conservation and open space and it is surrounded by the World Heritage-listed Central Eastern Rainforests of Australia.

The resort has a mix of permanent rentals, holiday rentals and a hotel. It's like a modern seaside community. It has a relaxed air and offers luxury beach houses and villas or more casual family-style beach huts and apartments.

Casuarina's six main resorts are linked by a bike track and offer beach shacks, five-star Santai, Drift Apartments, Holiday Rental Villas, Mainwaring Apartments, Beach Houses and Drift Apartments.

They have everything you could want and more. Kayaking along the creek and wetlands spotting river dolphins, canoeing, beach fishing, tennis, bicycle hire and surf lessons can all be enjoyed. They will also arrange other activities you fancy.

Healthy activities include yoga, Pilates, meditation, circuit training, tennis, boxercise, full gymnasium and lap pool. For relaxation there is a range of beauty therapies, massage, naturopathy, reflexology and reiki. If you want to do absolutely nothing, grab your book and head to the beach or one of the pools.

There is a restaurant, cocktail bar and lounge, gourmet deli and Domain Café.

A general store/deli/cafe has all the essential ingredients with lots of local, fresh produce and imported delicacies.

New Tweed Coast Adventures is the only locally-based supplier holding all the permits and insurance to operate on the Tweed Coastal strip. They provide some great recreational activities for individuals and groups.

Location

15 minuts from Gold Coast international airport

Car necessary: no; Car useful: yes.