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Quiet Private Sustainable Harbourside Cottage - The Rangers Cottage
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Reviews
9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 440 sq m
Popular amenities
Explore the area

Balgowlah, NSW
- Place, Port Jackson Bay1 min walk
- Place, Sydney Harbour National Park10 min walk
- Place, Manly Beach5 min drive
- Airport, Sydney, NSW (SYD-Kingsford Smith Intl.)30 min drive
Rooms & beds
1 bedroom (sleeps 4)
Bedroom 1
1 Single Bed and 1 King Bed
1 bathroom
Bathroom
Toilet · Shower only
Spaces
Deck or patio
Kitchenette
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area
About this property
Quiet Private Sustainable Harbourside Cottage - The Rangers Cottage
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Coastal lifestyle - 10 min walk to Manly Beach
Coastal lifestyle - 10 min walk to Manly Beach
- Kitchen
- Washing machine
- Air-conditioning
- Outdoor space
House Rules
Check in after 3:00 PM
Check out before 10:00 AM
Children
Children allowed: ages 0–17
Events
No events allowed
Pets
No pets allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
Property Registration Number PID-STRA-17870, 2093
We should mention
A car is not required for transport to and from this property
About the area
Sydney
Located in Balgowlah, a neighbourhood in Sydney, this holiday home is near a water park and near the beach. Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House are notable landmarks, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Circular Quay and Overseas Passenger Terminal. Travelling with kids? Don't miss Taronga Zoo and Luna Park Sydney. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

Balgowlah, NSW
What's nearby
- Port Jackson Bay - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
- North Harbour - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
- Sydney Harbour National Park - 10 min walk - 0.9 km
- Manly Beach - 5 min drive - 3.5 km
- Manly Wharf - 5 min drive - 3.5 km
Getting around
Restaurants
- Two Siisters Pantry - 3 min drive
- Maroo Sushi - 12 min walk
- Effie's - 13 min walk
- Sandy Bar Cafe - 3 min drive
- Effie's Boatshed - 14 min walk
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window9.8/10
Cleanliness
10/10
Check-in
10/10
Communication
10/10
Location
10/10
Listing accuracy
Reviews
Verified
29 Dec 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 14 nights in Dec 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Christina K.
26 Jan 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful time at The Ranger's Cottage
Christina K.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Linda B.
12 Sept 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Linda B.
Stayed 18 nights in Aug 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Felicity B.
13 Jan 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Delightful location
Felicity B.
Stayed 14 nights in Dec 2022
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Angela W.
3 Mar 2015
A perfect retreat
Angela W.
Archival
8/10 Good
Michael and Avril B.
4 Mar 2015
Our lovely Manly Holiday
Michael and Avril B.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Kate F.
3 Mar 2015
Fantastic location,self contained,really lovely
Kate F.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Markus F.
1 May 2015
Simply wonderful
Markus F.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
William H.
2 Mar 2016
Perfect in every way
William H.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Cathleen D.
21 Jan 2016
Exactly as depicted in photos on site; clean, homely, comfortable; all the little things catered for
Cathleen D.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2016
Archival
8/10 Good
Liz S.
17 Oct 2015
Fabulous - beautiful suburb of Manly
Liz S.
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Gregory B.
13 Jan 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Balgowlah beauty
Gregory B.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2022
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Dene S.
1 July 2020
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
excellent location!
Dene S.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2020
Verified
8/10 Good
nigel b.
28 June 2020
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Review.
nigel b.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2020
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Simon M.
17 Feb 2020
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Balgowlah Cottage
Simon M.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2020
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Samual S.
18 Oct 2019
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The beautiful Ranger cottage
Samual S.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2019
Verified
10/10 Excellent
D B.
13 Aug 2019
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A little Gem of a property - no hesitation in recommending.
D B.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2019
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Jackie v.
10 June 2019
Perfect for some R&R
Jackie v.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2019
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Verified traveller
2 May 2019
Spacious holiday cottage near coastal path
Verified traveller
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2019
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Jo M.
28 Oct 2014
Rangers Cottage
Jo M.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Jeffrey G.
14 July 2014
Fantastic Stay in Balgowlah!
Jeffrey G.
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Verified traveller
2 Sept 2019
Verified traveller
Stayed 10 nights in Aug 2019
About the host
Hosted by Felicity Stevens
We are a family of four who are originally from New Zealand. We moved to this part of Sydney 20 years ago originally for 2 years and fell in love with all it had to offer and so we stayed. This is our family business and all the family are involved in some shape or form to make it work. I have a background in fashion and prior to that worked in Hotels. We enjoy welcoming guests from all over the world to our special enchanted corner of Sydney and hope we can make there time enjoyable.
Both Felicity and David are aware of the emissions and waste that are created when we travel so over the years we have taken steps to set the cottage up to create less. We have been inspired by many guests who over the years have cheered us on and taught us about what they do in their homes. We have done the heavy lifting in setting up the home and if you want to take further steps to join while you stay with us you are welcome to but we are also happy if you don't.
We love meeting guests from all over the world and sharing our special part of Sydney with them. Over the years, we have welcomed many guests who choose to come and live like a Sydney local and or to visit local friends and families, and we have had the privilege of getting to know more families in our neighbourhood.
Both Felicity and David are aware of the emissions and waste that are created when we travel so over the years we have taken steps to set the cottage up to create less. We have been inspired by many guests who over the years have cheered us on and taught us about what they do in their homes. We have done the heavy lifting in setting up the home and if you want to take further steps to join while you stay with us you are welcome to but we are also happy if you don't.
We love meeting guests from all over the world and sharing our special part of Sydney with them. Over the years, we have welcomed many guests who choose to come and live like a Sydney local and or to visit local friends and families, and we have had the privilege of getting to know more families in our neighbourhood.
Why they chose this property
When we set up the Ranger’s Cottage as a holiday rental, we thought about the kind of place we’d love to stay in as a travelling family—somewhere welcoming, comfortable, and practical, with everything you might need to feel at home. It’s not a fancy five-star hotel, but it’s clean, cosy, well-equipped, and full of thoughtful touches that our guests appreciate. Many have said it feels like a true home away from home.
We chose this area because we love living here ourselves. It’s peaceful, and we wake each morning to the sound of birdsong. There’s native bushland just across the street and even more to explore a little further around the corner. We often spot wallabies on our local walks—especially along the famous Manly to Spit coastal track, which we feel lucky to have right on our doorstep.
Despite the tranquillity, we’re also incredibly well-connected. You can walk to the heart of Manly in around 30 minutes, or hop on a bus and be in the middle of Sydney’s city buzz in about 45. And at the end of our street, two beautiful local beaches are just a short stroll through the bush.
Many of our guests tell us how much they love feeling like a local while staying here—and we couldn’t agree more. And since we live next door, we’re always happy to help if you have any questions during your stay.
We chose this area because we love living here ourselves. It’s peaceful, and we wake each morning to the sound of birdsong. There’s native bushland just across the street and even more to explore a little further around the corner. We often spot wallabies on our local walks—especially along the famous Manly to Spit coastal track, which we feel lucky to have right on our doorstep.
Despite the tranquillity, we’re also incredibly well-connected. You can walk to the heart of Manly in around 30 minutes, or hop on a bus and be in the middle of Sydney’s city buzz in about 45. And at the end of our street, two beautiful local beaches are just a short stroll through the bush.
Many of our guests tell us how much they love feeling like a local while staying here—and we couldn’t agree more. And since we live next door, we’re always happy to help if you have any questions during your stay.
What makes this property unique
It’s not every day you find a freestanding cottage so close to the beach in Sydney—and that’s just the beginning of what makes our place special.
The Ranger’s Cottage is part of local history. Originally the farmhouse for this area, it was once home to the talented artist Brownie Downing and her creative family. Over the years, we’ve heard wonderful stories from locals—like when the park ranger used the cottage while checking on nearby farms. There’s a lot of heart and history here.
Beneath its charming exterior, the cottage is double brick and fully insulated, which helps it stay cool in summer and warm in winter. And while it’s tucked in a quiet, leafy spot surrounded by native bushland and birdsong, you’re only a short walk to hidden local beaches and the famous Manly to Spit coastal walk—and just 30 minutes to the heart of Manly or 45 minutes into the city.
We’ve also worked hard to make the cottage a more sustainable place to stay:
We generate around 75% of our electricity with solar panels and buy the rest from renewable providers.
Water-efficient fittings, energy-efficient lighting, and a reverse-cycle air conditioner help lower energy use.
We’re phasing out gas and moving to fully electric for both environmental and health reasons.
Refillable and bulk-bought cleaning and cooking staples help reduce waste.
Guests are provided with composting, recycling, and thoughtful extras like reusable shopping bags, containers, and water bottles.
If you're looking for a place that’s comfortable, full of character, and trying to do things a little better for the planet—you’ll feel right at home here.
The Ranger’s Cottage is part of local history. Originally the farmhouse for this area, it was once home to the talented artist Brownie Downing and her creative family. Over the years, we’ve heard wonderful stories from locals—like when the park ranger used the cottage while checking on nearby farms. There’s a lot of heart and history here.
Beneath its charming exterior, the cottage is double brick and fully insulated, which helps it stay cool in summer and warm in winter. And while it’s tucked in a quiet, leafy spot surrounded by native bushland and birdsong, you’re only a short walk to hidden local beaches and the famous Manly to Spit coastal walk—and just 30 minutes to the heart of Manly or 45 minutes into the city.
We’ve also worked hard to make the cottage a more sustainable place to stay:
We generate around 75% of our electricity with solar panels and buy the rest from renewable providers.
Water-efficient fittings, energy-efficient lighting, and a reverse-cycle air conditioner help lower energy use.
We’re phasing out gas and moving to fully electric for both environmental and health reasons.
Refillable and bulk-bought cleaning and cooking staples help reduce waste.
Guests are provided with composting, recycling, and thoughtful extras like reusable shopping bags, containers, and water bottles.
If you're looking for a place that’s comfortable, full of character, and trying to do things a little better for the planet—you’ll feel right at home here.
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English
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