Tugun

Just when you thought the Gold Coast couldn't get any more relaxed you arrive over the hill and into Tugun. This southern Gold Coast suburb is so laid-back that locals fondly call her Tugz (pronounced choog-s) while ancient Indigenous people referred to Tugun as a place of "breaking waves".

Certainly, it boasts one of the biggest and some say best beaches on the Gold Coast and on a good day, you may bag a breaker or two, but the real charm of Tugun lays in its homey streets, café culture and fish and chip shops.

That's not to say there aren't luxury oceanfront apartments - there's plenty of those - plus affordable holiday units. For this is the Gold Coast without the glitz or the vinegar. It's simply a salty suburb for strolling and sunbaking, hanging out at the surf club and mixing with the locals. Just don't be surprised if by the end of a stay here, you too, will be calling her Tugz.