Idlewatch - modern beachhouse

Hawks Nest is a quiet and sleepy holiday destination on the northern shore of Port Stephens.

The tranquil and rather beautiful township of Hawks Nest, with both ocean and river frontage, is located at the northern head of Port Stephens 220 km north of Sydney via the Pacific Highway (easy 2.5 hour drive), just 12 km off the Pacific Highway (dual carriageway all the way to the turn off with no traffic lights from Sydney to the property front door).

With a permanent population of 1100 people (swelling during summer holidays) it is separated from its sister town, Tea Gardens, by the mouth of the Myall River, which runs from the Myall Lakes down to Port Stephens, and joined to it by the 'Singing Bridge'. The eastern rim of Hawks Nest faces the ocean, its beaches spanning northwards into the forests and lakes of nearby Myall Lakes National Park.

Everything you need for your holiday can be found in Hawks Nest or Tea Gardens.


The House

Located just one street from the Hawks Nest riverfront and only 200m from the boat ramp. An easy walk to Tea Gardens cafe's and restaurants and Hawks Nest beaches, shops and golf course.

This modern beach house is specifically designed with holidays in mind.

- 3 bedrooms
Bedroom 1 has a Queen bed, ensuite, walk in robe and panoramic view of the river (even lying in bed!)
Bedroom 2 also has Queen bed (largest bedroom) with built in robe and ceiling fan
Bedroom 3 has 2 sets of bunks (one is a Double bed with a single on top, the other is 2 single bunks).

- 2 bathrooms (one on ground level with a bath and the other an ensuite off bedroom 1)

- open plan living on the first floor with a 42" TV, DVD player, a huge modular leather lounge, dining table, ceiling fans, TOASTY GAS HEATING in winter, full kitchen with dishwasher

- huge north west facing private covered deck with a gas BBQ and table for 8 and river glimpses plus another balcony facing east (both off the living areas)

- north facing covered courtyard on ground level adjoins the grass lane.

- Carport plus off street parking for another car, also plenty of street parking in the adjoining grass lane (great for cricket and boat parking as it is drive through - no reversing!).

- Beach shower

- Full Laundry with washer and dryer, iron etc


Things to do and Rates

Hawks Nest is blessed with a quiet and casual atmosphere but has an abundance of things to see and do if you want to.

There is no better place for a relaxing beach/nature holiday than Hawks Nest.

Bennetts Beach is the local surf beach and a level 10 minute walk from Idlewatch. This beach faces east to the ocean and is patrolled during summer by the local surf club. At its southern end is Yaccaba Head which forms the northern head of Port Stephens and is a great walk for the adventurous with spectacular views to the nearby islands and beaches of Nelson Bay to the south. Inside Port Stephens is Jimmy's beach - again just a 10 minute level walk from IDLEWATCH, here you can find a spot to hide from the NE summer winds and is great for young kids with white sandy wave free fun to be had.

Idlewatch is just one house from the Myall river which separates Hawks Nest from Tea Gardens and just 200m from the boat ramp and park, BBQ with kids playground. It is ideally situated between the beaches and the cafe's and restaurants just over the bridge at Tea Gardens, meaning you can easily walk to BOTH!

You can take a cruise up the river through the spectacular National Park, Dolphin watch cruises or even get the ferry over to Nelson Bay on the other side of Port Stephens for the day.

Charter boats run regular fishing and diving trips out to the nearby islands and reefs. Broughton Island is a popular day trip, this is the only island off the NSW coast with sandy beaches and has great diving and fishing.

A fantastic day is to take a picnic up into the Myall Lakes National Park and spend a day lying around the Broadwater under the trees while the kids play in the fresh shallow water. On the way up stop and climb one of the sand dunes and slide down on whatever is handy (boogy board, esky lid, cardboard box).

Hawks Nest Golf course is a highly rated all weather 18 hole course, you can hire clubs and carts - or bring your own and keep them in Idlewatch's secure storeroom.

There are a good selection of restaurants: Curries and More at Hawks Nest is spectacular Nepalese and highly recommended, Benchmark on Booner is near the beach, Chinese at the shopping strip at Hawks Nest, Tillermans on the riverfront has great food with a french twist and top notch service (closed for the winter while the owners spend time in France), Mumms on the waterfront at the Co-op and others at Tea Gardens as well as the fish co-op for your fresh prawns (Myall River Schoolies are the sweetest ever!) and oysters or fish and chips.

The Tea Gardens pub gets very busy on Sunday afternoons for lunch and "high tea" with locals and visitors too. Get there before the ferry arrives for a great seat overlooking the river.

Another favourite is the Tea Gardens Boatshed where you actually sit over the water, just avoid king tides or your feet might get wet, the food makes up for it though and they have a great collection of beers, wines and desserts!

Don't get me started on the Hook 'n Cook for fish and chips (crazy fresh fish - the owner is a local fisherman) and top burgers opposite the waterfront.

A Coles supermarket for all your groceries is at Tea Gardens on the way into town, as well as a bottlo, butcher, bakery.

What more could you possibly need? If there is something specific, ask, chances are it is there too!

The best thing to do at Idlewatch though is relax!


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PLEASE NOTE:
Linen is not supplied but can be hired at the local laundromat (Sudz). All rates on the calendar are for 2 adults and up to 4 kids (or total 4 adults), additional occupants may be subject to a surcharge.

Generally groups of more than 6 adults will not be accepted, please inquire regarding your specific group.

Last Chance discount does not apply to weekly tariffs or other advertised specials and discounts.

Discounts apply for extended stays (significant discounts for long low season stays).



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