The beach holds a privileged place in the Australian psyche. Synonymous with down time Down Under, it’s a particularly important part of the nation’s leisurely lifestyle. But is this really still true? What role does the beach play in contemporary Aussie living – and spending?

Just 19% of Brits are planning on packing their suitcases and heading abroad for two weeks in 2015, yet almost half have booked four short trips scattered throughout the year. Why are people ditching the two-week trip of sun, sea and sand in favour of staycations and city breaks?

With its famed blue skies and sandy beaches, Australia has always been a top holiday destination. But more tourists are now making their way Down Under than even before, with the number of visitors to Australia’s sun-kissed shores rising by 8% in the past year to hit record levels.

Australians are determined to make the most of their free time, and that means not spending it doing laundry. Known for having a good work-life balance, more than a third of Aussies now plan to pay others to do their household chores so they can enjoy that balance properly.