The house is located a 1hr and 15min drive from Sydney, situated along the South Coast between Sydney and Wollongong.
The house is situated by the coast, on the edge of the escarpment, and nestled into a large verdant garden. It is elevated and sits amongst the trees with opening to glimpse ocean views. Bordering the property is Barton’s Gully, a meandering creek that flows from the escarpment during rain falls to the ocean. The house has large windows on all four sides allowing light to filter in at all times. The back of the house opens to a large parcel of protected land where cabbage palms, bird nests, black-butts and turpentine trees create a littoral forest that is punctuated by passing coal, freight and passenger trains.
The garden is abundant in bird life with large parrots, lorikeets and cockatoos paying regular visits. Along the creek and on large boulders, water dragons and lizards like to spend time in the sun. Wattle birds and pee wees are common amongst our feathered friends and cries of black cockatoos can be heard as they swoop between the canopies. It is a sanctuary for the soul and a haven for all those who visit.
4 bedroom, two storey house
Open plan dining and living room
Kitchen with dishwasher, microwave, and coffee machine
2 bathrooms, including ensuite to the downstairs bedroom (housing laundry)
Standalone bathroom contains onsen, separate from toilet and sinks
TV equipped with streaming services and an Apple TV
Workbench under house
Large outdoor deck with large table and additional small table with outdoor umbrella
Garden room under house (at back) for propagating plants and repotting
Large day bed at the entrance, overlooking the scenery
Local attractions and amenities
Beaches, rock pools and walks
One of our favourite activities is walking either south to Wombarra ocean pool. Once you get to the cemetery walk down to the left hand pocket and you’ll see a passage through the bushland that takes you to the pool.
Or alternately there is Coledale beach, about a 10 min walk if you prefer the beach. It’s safe and patrolled. To the south of Coledale beach is another excellent rock pool. There are also sea pools at Coalcliff and Austinmer plus an Olympic pool (sea water) at Thirroul which is well maintained and patrolled.
Sharkey’s beach (after Coledale shops) is popular with surfers and dog friendly, whilst Austinmer is popular with families.
Sandon Point, Woonona and Bulli beaches are worth a visit too.
We love doing the coastal bike route which starts at end of Hamilton road in Thirroul and goes all the way to Wollongong. Its an easy flat ride with gorgeous coastal views. We like to ride and take a dip at Bulli or Bellambi ocean pools. Its about 14 kms all the way to Wollongong.
Plenty of places to walk around here. Well known bushwalks include the Wodi Wodi Track and Gibson Trail bushwalks.
Cafes and restaurants
Some good cafes between Coledale and Thirroul that are good for breakfast and lunch include Earth Walker at Coledale, Moore Street General at Austinmer and Bread, Espresso & as you enter Thirroul.
Two Sisters Garage at Bulli is excellent, and we hear good things about Frank and Beans at Corrimal.
There are pretty slim pickings for restaurants in this area. There is Indian, Italian, Thai, Chinese, etc, but fairly standard fare. South Sailor at Thirroul is quite good for seafood dishes. And if you want cheap and cheerful food at Coledale RSL, that is okay. The Thai Black Duck at the Wombarra Bowlo is good and great to sit outside on summer’s day.
The Imperial Hotel at Clifton and Scarborough Hotel are good for lunch but very busy at weekends.
Ciro’s Pizza Bar is excellent for dine and take away wood-fired pizza.
The bar Frank’s Wild Years in Thirroul, a record shop and bar, is a classic hipster hang!