Coastline: Alpine Villa

This contemporary three-bedroom cottage sits high on Tamborine Mountain, where floor-to-ceiling windows frame an astonishing sweep from Moreton Island's sand hills down the Gold Coast to Coolangatta and the Pacific beyond. The architecture blends poured concrete with timber warmth, and the new kitchen comes fitted with stone benches and quality European appliances.

Step outside to the garden and you'll find mountain air, multiple entertaining spaces for meals under the sky, and that view again from every angle. Inside there's proper heating and air conditioning, a wood fireplace for winter evenings, and a spa pool. The place sleeps six across three rooms with two bathrooms, plus workspace if you're mixing business with escape. Parking's sorted and check-in runs on a lockbox system.