Best areas to move for a seachange

The rainforest really does meet the sea in Mission Beach. This sparkling gem of a town is located in the Far North, between Cairns and Townsville. If a tropical seachange is your cup of tea, then look no further. Here, you'll stumble across beachfront properties surrounded by rainforest.

Mission Beach is the closest mainland point to the Great Barrier Reef, perfect for snorkelling, diving and fishing. If you're looking for surf you'll be disappointed, but sitting back on the beach soaking up the palm-fringed coastline, you'll find peace and tranquility.

An idyllic lifestyle for raising children or the perfect retirement spot, Mission Beach is affordable with a median house price of $365,000. Price growth is strong at 13.35% and rental yields are 5%. This means, not only is it a great lifestyle choice but also a solid investment choice. A true paradise - it could possibly be the best place to live in Australia!

Close to the touristy hub of Mooloolaba and the convenience of Maroochydore, Buddina is a favourite among the locals. The beach is quieter and perfect for sunbathing in peace, while devouring a good book.

A popular area with surfers, you can also enjoy the stunning walk from Buddina Beach to Point Cartwright. The median house price is more affordable than Noosa ($1.1m) at $850,000, while units are $530,000. Buddina is a budding growth spot with annual price growth of 8.14% for houses and 16.48% for units.

For serene seaside living, close to all the amenities, don't look past the quaint and picturesque town of Bermagui - one of the best places to live on the NSW south coast.

Overlooking Horseshoe Bay, it's famous for deep sea and game fishing, but loved for being a quiet, relaxed town where you can partake in whale watching and enjoy crystal clear, inviting waters that lap the soft, sandy beaches.

A great place on the south coast to retire, Bermagui has a golf course, lawn bowls club, tennis courts and some of the best seafood in the country. Median house prices are affordable at $550,000, while units are $302,000. Houses are experiencing moderate growth, while units are skyrocketing at 23.69% annual capital growth.

Just a 20 minute drive from the bustle of Byron Bay and close to Ballina airport, Lennox Head is one of the best beach towns for families. A list of good schools are close by, and a friendly community means it's ideal for raising children.

The surf is unreal, the beaches are top-notch and the prices are much lower than Byron Bay ($1.7m), making it the perfect alternative with more relaxed living. Enjoy dolphin and whale watching, spectacular weather and exploring Lake Ainsworth - a tea tree lake great for swimming and water activities.

The median house price is $923,000, while units are $750,000, and the average weekly rent is $630 and $550 respectively.

One of the best Victorian Coastal towns to live, Aireys Inlet is situated on the famed Great Ocean Road, not far from Lorne. With long stretches of sandy beaches and a horseshoe shaped reef to explore, it's no wonder the big blocks of land in this pretty town are sought-after.

You don't need to be a freelancer or a retiree to live here either. Workers can commute to Geelong, just 45 minutes away, or tackle the 1.5 hour trip to Melbourne. Many of the beautiful homes in the area come with ocean views, yet the median house price is $838,000, while the average weekly rent is $378.

If you're looking for the best places to retire and want to get further off the beaten track, the rural beachside town of Golden Beach will charm. It's secluded, rugged and lined by both beaches and lakes. You'll be able to explore the magnificent Gippsland Coast, including Ninety Mile Beach, which stretches as far as the eye can see.

Watch whales from the shoreline and check out the Trinculo Shipwreck or simply enjoy the wilderness. Three hours from Melbourne, Golden Beach is indeed one for nature lovers. It also happens to be one of the cheapest places to live near the ocean with a median house price of only $229,000, while weekly rent averages $210.

Adelaide is amongst the list of best coastal cities. If you don't want to compromise on city living, but still want your sea change, the palindromic beachside suburb of Glenelg is worth a look. It's currently experiencing huge annual price growth of 27.45%. The median house price is $975,000, while units are $465,000.

Just 20 minutes from the city and an easy tram ride away, Glenelg will make you forget about the ratrace. Relax on the foreshore with friends and family, take in the picturesque views from the jetty, and enjoy ample boutique shopping and dining experiences. It's arguably one of the best places to retire in Australia for those who don't want to feel the isolation.

Tasmania's east coast is gaining in popularity as one of the best places for Aussies to retire. Swansea, half-way between Hobart and Launceston, is a hidden gem with a small population of local residents that swells in the summertime due to its more temperate climate and long summer days. It's a fact that Swansea sees more sunlight hours than Brisbane!

One of Tasmania's oldest towns, with a rich history and the historic buildings to reflect it, this seaside village looks out over Great Oyster Bay and the granite peaks of Freycinet National Park. On the doorstep to some of the state's award-winning wineries, with great surfing, fishing and boating, it's an affordable spot to retire with a median house price of $373,000, and it's experiencing amazing annual price growth of 30.24%.

Binningup is a family-friendly beachside town, situated just 30 minutes from Bunbury. It offers a much more relaxed vibe than its surrounding bigger hubs, but it holds its own with an impressive list of amenities, including a 9-hole golf course.

With pristine beaches for surfers and swimmers alike, great fishing and boating, there's everything you need for a peaceful and enjoyable lifestyle. The median house price is affordable at $368,000, while the average weekly rent is $350.