With beach after dreamy beach, this biodiversity hotspot is a delight, no matter how you prefer to spend your summers.

Beaches are fantastic for all manner of pursuits, but it’s not often you can glide across the sand on four wheels. Welcome to Robe, home to pristine Long Beach, one of the few Australian beaches on which you can drive.

Stylish boutiques, galleries and antique outlets share the main street of Sorrento with a selection of cafes and restaurants. Between them, Sorrento’s beaches, and the many nearby, offer great conditions for surfing, swimming and the like, while fishing trips, seal- and dolphin-watching excursions and other tours depart from the front beach pier.

In the celebrated Margaret River region, Yallingup has been luring surfers for decades while the crystal-clear lagoon at Yallingup Beach does more than satisfy swimmers and snorkellers. Gastronomes also love Yallingup, wineries abound, find an arts precinct and it is surrounded by Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park.

It’s the white-sand beaches and lush tropical rainforests that epitomise this region, plus a modern cafe and bar scene.Activities are endless in this slice of paradise: try river drift snorkelling,get acquainted with Aboriginal traditions on a cultural tour, or soak up the tropical vibes on a sunset cruise.Meanwhile, the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree rainforest are both within a stone’s throw.

Outdoor activities are ripe for the picking in Coles Bay – a kayaking tour with Freycinet Adventures is a must – while Wineglass Bay Cruises can zip you around the spectacular coastline, complete with sea caves, blowholes and waterfalls, in style.On the food front, it’s all about fresh local produce and seafood is king – think oysters, mussels, scallops and rock lobster.

The region is a surfer’s paradise – nearby Angourie Beach was declared a National Surfing Reserve in 2007 – and there are great spots for wading, fishing and snorkelling, too.

The Gold Coast can be almost anything you want it to be. Laidback beach culture? Check. Glitz and glamour? Check? Wellness hub? Check. Want all of the above? Then it’s Burleigh Heads Beach for you.