Murmuring waves set the metronome at Il Delfino, a Forties seaside inn bringing Italian Riviera living to Australia’s east coast. Five self-contained suites – each with a kitchen – are artfully composed of restored mid-century fixtures, vintage finds and local artisans’ work. Descend your nearby private staircase to the beach, spot dolphins from the sun terrace or amble into chilled-out surf town Yamba. But here, il dolce far niente (the sweetness of doing nothing) is the prevailing motif.