Bill,
I suppose the others have a point. The Sunshine Coast is great but expensive. The Gold Coast is just an expensive tourist trap. Byron Bay is a nightmare in the holidays. Great beaches but so busy you can't move. That would be the same for all coastal towns during holidays. Oz has a 6 weeks summer break over Christmas. You could head for Lake Macquarie/Newcastle just north of Sydney it has a wealth of beaches and the lake is great. There are also a lot of lake front small cottages around there. You just have to find them. If you want something special try Norah Head lighthouse for a couple of nights.
http://www.lighthouse.net.au/Lights/Holiday/Accommodation.asp#NorahHead Though it is booked out pretty solid.Yes Queensland is hot and wet in our summer. Up my way anyway. It is actually the norths off season and tourism is pretty light north of about Mackay. But if you do wander up this way drop in for a beer and a swim.
Oh and yes we do NOT have daylight savings. Daylight savings in the tropics is a waste of time!!!
