Hardys Bay Writers' Retreat

The Writers' Retreat is a 1927 fishing cottage located on the scenic central coast of NSW, Australia.

BEACH SHACK CHIC

This waterfront fishing cottage was built in 1927 and has been sensitively restored and upgraded to one of the most stylish and comfortable places in the area. This quintessential Australian weekender is the ideal retreat from the urban whirl.

HARDYS BAY – an easy 90 minute drive north from Sydney

The fishing cottage is located directly on the bay, and the garden extends into the bushscape of the Bouddi National Park. Hardys Bay is a small fishing village located on the tip of the Bouddi Peninsula, which is on the scenic central coast of NSW.

The cottage backs on to the Bouddi National Park and is located on the Bouddi Peninsula which is the southern-most tip of the central coast region and is just across the water from Sydney's Palm Beach.

The area is surrounded by pristine beaches and there are many excellent walking trails through the Bouddi National Park around Maitland Bay, Pretty Beach, Killcare Beach and across to the hamlet of Wagstaffe.

Many people enjoy a hit of nostalgia when the visit, feeling that Hardys Bay is like the Palm Beach of the Avoca of yesteryear, simple warm coastal communities before transforming into playgrounds for the Rich and Famous. Even thought the most expensive boutique hotel in Australia is also located here, namely the Pretty Beach House, Hardys Bay has kept its down to earth character and offers stunning beach and bush scenery. For the adventurous, it is easy to charter a yacht, rent a kayak, take surfing lessons or go horse riding.


A ROOM OF ONE’S OWN

Recently restored and renovated, the fishing cottage has two levels.

The main house, upstairs, has a large open living space with designer kitchen, a king size bedroom with adjacent writing study and a bathroom. The rooms all have floor to ceiling glass doors that open to the covered deck with glorious views over the bay.

The downstairs suite has a large open bedroom, a light filled writing alcove and luxurious five star bathroom complete with walk in shower and oversize bathtub. There are three sets of vintage double glass doors that open to a glorious deck made from recycled hardwood.

Both levels have extensive libraries, downstairs is the travel library arranged by geography. Each level has separate access with no internal access between and offers guests complete privacy.

Both outside decks offer expansive bay views, some of the best in the area, as evidenced by the front cover of Susan Kurosawa's book Coasting. The travel editor of the Weekend Australian newspaper and local resident selected the view from the Writers' Retreat for the cover shot of the lovely book about a year at living at the bay.


FEATURES

Waterfront position with expansive bay views, just minutes from the pristine surf beach. Two large entertaining decks, natural bush garden setting. Heritage cottage with polished original timber floor, stylishly decorated with vintage Australian furniture and modern European classics. Light filled. Extensive Libraries and two dedicated writing spaces. Walking distance to local shops and restaurants.

RATES 2019 /2020

Peak rate: $500 per night 13 /12 /2019-5 /1 /2020
High rate: Easter, School Holidays and Long Weekends are $450 per night
Low summer: February 2020 $350 per night
Low: All other dates $300 per night

Notes:
All of the above incur an additional cleaning fee of $200
Substantial discounts available to writers and other creative people booking the house for four weeks or more outside or peak times.