Coastal Prints Australia: How to Choose Wall Art That Captures a Place You Actually Love
I get messages all the time from people who say something like "I just want a print of my favourite beach." And honestly, that's exactly the right starting point. Not "what style suits my lounge?" Not "what's trending on Pinterest?" Just: where do you go that makes you feel like yourself again?
That's what good coastal prints are about. Not decoration for decoration's sake. A print of a place that actually means something to you.
I'm Sam, the photographer behind Local Breaks. Every photo on this site is one I've taken myself, at beaches I know well, on days I remember. So when someone buys a print of Point Addis or Rainbow Bay or Wye River, they're getting a real photo from a real place, not stock imagery from some generic library.
Here's how I'd think about choosing the right one.
Start With the Place, Not the Frame
This sounds obvious, but a lot of people do it backwards. They pick a frame style first and then go looking for something to put in it. I'd flip that around.
Think about the beach you actually love. The one you drive to every summer. The one you showed your kids for the first time. The one you think about when you're stuck at your desk on a Tuesday afternoon. That's the one to put on your wall.
I've had customers tell me that looking at their print every day genuinely lifts their mood. One person said getting a view of their favourite beach on the wall makes them happy every time they sit down to work. That's what a meaningful print does that a random coastal photo simply can't.
If you're after beach prints Australia-wide, I cover a solid range of locations: the Surf Coast, Bellarine Peninsula, Great Ocean Road, Gold Coast, and Port Douglas. Chances are I've shot your beach.
Pick the Right Image, Not Just the Right Location
Once you know the location, have a proper look at the different images available. For somewhere like Torquay, I have nine different prints because there's genuinely nine different ways to see that stretch of coast. Some are shot from the water's edge. Some from above with my drone, where you get that bird's-eye perspective that makes the sandbars and colour of the water pop in a way you just can't get from the ground.
Think about what you love about that place. Is it the wide open view? The way the light hits the headland in the morning? The colours of the water at low tide? Pick the image that captures that specific thing for you.
My Point Addis Art Print I is the most popular print I sell, and I think it's because the aerial perspective really shows the scale of that marine park in a way most people haven't seen before. It stops people in their tracks.
Choose a Format That Works for Your Space
Once you've got the image sorted, then you think about format. Here's a simple way to look at it.
- Classic frame: Solid FSC certified timber, archival glass, available in black, white or oak. This is the most popular option and it's a proper premium product, not a flimsy department store frame. Comes with a 10-year warranty.
- Floating frame canvas: Printed on museum quality 400gsm Hahnemühle Daguerre canvas, no glass at all. Great if your room gets a lot of natural light because there are zero reflections.
- Shadow box frame: The glass sits 20mm off the print, which gives it a subtle floating depth. A step up from the classic frame and genuinely looks incredible on a feature wall.
Not sure which to go with? I've written a more detailed breakdown in Framed vs Unframed Coastal Prints: Which Option Is Actually Right for You?
For size, I always say go bigger than you think. A medium print that fills a wall looks a hundred times better than a small print floating in the middle of empty space. My EPIC size is 100x150cm, which is 1.5 metres wide, and it makes an absolute statement in a living room or hallway.
Bring the Coast Home
Whether you're decorating a first home, finishing off a holiday rental, or just finally doing something about that bare wall you've walked past for two years, a coastal print from a place you actually love is always the right call.
All prints are made to order and shipped free anywhere in Australia. If you're looking for Gold Coast beach prints, the Rainbow Bay Art Print I has been incredibly popular, starting from $89. For the Surf Coast, the Bells Beach Art Print I is a consistent favourite.
Have a browse through the full range and find the one that takes you straight back to that beach you love.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size coastal print should I get for a living room?
For most living rooms, a large (59.4x84.1cm) or XL (84.1x118.9cm) print is the right call. A print that feels too small on a wall loses its impact and can make the room feel a bit unfinished. If you've got a big feature wall, the EPIC size at 100x150cm is worth considering. Check the size guide for a visual reference before you order.
Are coastal prints from Local Breaks real photos or stock images?
Every photo is taken by me personally at real locations I know well. I shoot at beaches across Victoria and Queensland using a combination of ground and aerial drone photography. You're not getting a generic stock image, you're getting a specific photo from a specific place, which is a big part of why people love them.
Do you ship coastal wall art anywhere in Australia?
Yes, I offer free shipping Australia-wide on all orders. Prints are made to order, then printed and shipped from Victoria. There's no pickup option and I don't ship internationally at this stage.
How do I choose between a framed print and a canvas for coastal wall art?
The classic framed print is the most popular option and suits most rooms. A floating frame canvas, which has no glass, works really well in rooms with a lot of natural light because it eliminates any reflection. If you're still not sure, the framed vs unframed guide walks through the differences in detail.
Got a question about a specific print or location? Feel free to reach out. I'm always happy to help you find the right one.
