Sanctum - Mackerel Beach - Sydney

This is a beautiful rustic sandstone cottage with 2 bedrooms, lounge/dining, small effective electric kitchen with a large sun deck and gazebo on one level with 3rd bedroom underneath (external access).

This experience is best described as sophisticated camping where the streets are made of grass, the wildlife is outside the door and the beach is 7 minutes walk. The beach is close to the heads of Broken Bay with wavelets to small waves similar to the Mediterranean. The environment is semi-tropical. For the energetic there are bushwalks to ancient aboriginal carvings, other beaches or other western foreshore communities.

Local wildlife that has recently been seen includes wallabies, possums, brush turkeys, bandicoots, lyre birds, water dragons and other reptiles.

Mackerel Beach is a small peaceful 130 house community opposite Palm Beach with no shops. Access is by ferry on the hour during the day or water taxi at other times.
Mackerel Beach is ideally located in the off chance that you may have an urgent need to get to the city which is only about 1.5 hours away. There are also regular bus services every 20 or 30 minutes between the city and the ferry wharf. For the more adventurous a seaplane flight from Rose Bay to Mackerel Beach and return can be arranged.

SOPHISTICATED CAMPING

The peace and positive atmosphere of Mackerel is reminiscent of the past. There is no through traffic.

A great place for children -close to the beach - no big waves.

Please bring all the supplies you need including your own linen. Rainwater is harvested for drinking, and you may want to bring your own supply. Bore water is used for grey water use.

Arrival is usually after 3.30pm and departure is usually before 12.00 noon. Credit card payments available through electronic invoice from PayPal or alternatively by cheque 7 days in advance. Bookings made less than 10 days in advance are automatically invoiced through PayPal.

Mobile phone access in the house depends on your phone and provider, but normally the reception is ok There is a phone available in the house to receive incoming calls. A public phone is located at the beach.

Newspapers and milk are on the first ferry of the day from Palm Beach and supplies are limited.

Cats are banned by Pittwater Council and must not be taken to Mackerel. Limitations are placed on dogs in public spaces and dogs are not allowed on this property as they stop wildlife such as wallabies visiting.

Boats are available for hire at Palm Beach.

Other information about the Pittwater can be found on the "Pittwater Accommodation Page" under "Pittwater Local Knowledge"

UNIQUE

On any balmy evening you can stroll with your loved ones down to the beach and enjoy the view of Pittwater in the fading light with some refreshments. It is then a gentle stroll back to the house for dinner from the BBQ or you can organise takeaway through the water taxi service.

Being in the valley protects you from most winds and the valley creates its own environment. With the palm trees and other vegetation you could easily believe you were in the tropics.

In winter you can relax in front of the fireplace which is also a stove. Experience the extra flavours of slow cooking this sort of stove creates through stews, curries or casseroles. You are protected from the outside elements by the thick sandstone walls. The whole ambience can make for great memories.

There is also a range of excellent restaurants available on the eastern foreshore with a water taxi service at night (Pink Taxi).




(c)#1 Photo Copyright P Levshin, Newport Beach CA USA.
(c) #2 Photo Copyright S Taylor, Mackerel Beach AUSTRALIA