Apartment

Gidgets on Gretel – pet-friendly beach cottage near Shoal Bay, walk to cafes

Photo gallery for Gidgets on Gretel – pet-friendly beach cottage near Shoal Bay, walk to cafes

Gidgets on Gretel | Living Room | Smart TV | Air conditioner
Gidgets on Gretel | Dining Room
Gidgets on Gretel | Bedroom 1 | Queen bed | Linen provided
Gidgets on Gretel | Bathroom vanity | Linen provided
Gidgets on Gretel | Living room | Smart TV | Wifi

Reviews

7.6 out of 10
Good

Highlights

  • Private fenced-in yard
    One of the few properties with a fully fenced outdoor space.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Close to Shoal Bay Beach
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 5

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Pet-friendly
  • Washing machine
  • Air-conditioning
  • Barbecue
  • Fenced yard

Explore the area

View map
Nelson Bay, NSW
  • Place, Shoal Bay Beach
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Nelson Head Lighthouse
    ‪9 min walk‬
  • Place, West Nelson Bay
    ‪10 min walk‬
  • Airport, Newcastle, NSW (NTL-Williamtown)
    ‪35 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 5)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Living Area

1 Single Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

About this property

Gidgets on Gretel – pet-friendly beach cottage near Shoal Bay, walk to cafes

Special Offer – Stay 3 Pay 2 (book for 3 nights and get the 3rd night free) is for bookings staying between 1st May - 30th September 2026 that are booked on or after the 10th of April 2026. Book your getaway now using promo code Stay3Pay2. Please note that Terms and Conditions, as well as Booking Fees, apply. This offer is valid only on selected properties as advertised and is subject to change. Additionally, it excludes school and public holidays.

Holiday Rental Specialists are pleased to present Gidgets on Gretel, which is ideal for small families or couples with pets.

The Property Features
• Pet friendly
• Fully equipped kitchen with microwave, dishwasher, and Nespresso coffee machine
• WiFi, 2 smart TVs
• Work desk and chair, laptop friendly workspace
• Split system air-conditioning
• Additional sofa bed
• Complimentary portable cot – BYO linen
• Complimentary high chair
• Outdoor dining area
• Hammock
• Gas BBQ

Bedroom Configuration
• Bedroom 1: 1 queen
• Bedroom 2: 2 singles
• Living area: 1 single day bed

Holiday Rental Specialists are pleased to present Gidgets on Gretel, a relaxed beachside retreat perfectly positioned between Shoal Bay and Nelson Bay. Ideal for couples, small families, or guests travelling with pets, this charming cottage offers comfort, convenience, and easy access to some of Port Stephens’ best beaches.

Just a short stroll to Shoal Bay Foreshore, this light-filled coastal cottage is designed for easy living. Whether you’re enjoying beach days, exploring local cafés, or simply unwinding in the private outdoor spaces, this property delivers a laid-back seaside experience.

The fully equipped kitchen includes everything you need to prepare meals at home, while the outdoor entertaining area with BBQ is perfect for relaxed evenings. Inside, guests will enjoy modern comforts including air-conditioning, WiFi, and smart TVs.

Sleeping up to 5 guests, the property features two comfortable queen bedrooms plus a day bed in the living area, making it ideal for families or flexible sleeping arrangements.

With cafés, restaurants, and the marina all within easy reach, and stunning beaches just moments away, Gidgets on Gretel is perfectly positioned to enjoy everything Port Stephens has to offer.

Distances to
• 450m to Shoal Bay Foreshore
• 850m to Little Beach Reserve
• 1km to Inner Light Tea Rooms
• 2km to The Little Nel
• 2km to Woolworths
• 2km to restaurants and cafes
• 2km to Nelson Bay Golf Club
• 2km to d’Albora Marina

Linen
All linen (sheets and bath towels) is supplied for your stay and included in the tariff. For the comfort of our guests, we do not triple-sheet. All beds have a fitted sheet, a flat sheet, and a quilt with a full cover. BYO linen for the complimentary portable cot. BYO beach towels.

Property Specific Notes
The property is part of a duplex and is on the ground floor. The other unit is upstairs and may be occupied during your stay. You have your own private entrance and yard.

The frame of the hammock is outside, and the cloth panel is in the wooden chest in the living area.

The fence around the property is quite short/low and won't suit a large dog.

Pets are welcome at this property. There is a $100 surcharge to have your pet stay. Please declare at the time of booking and refer to the terms and conditions regarding pets.

The property is fenced.

WiFi is offered as a complimentary extra. As there is no charge, issues will be dealt with Asap but cannot be guaranteed.

To ensure the comfort of our guests and the neighbours, we do not accept bookings for "Schoolies" breaks/ groups and under no circumstances do we allow weddings or parties of any sort.  

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Property Registration Number 2315,PID-STRA-28967
Property # 9636903
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 not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property

About the area

Nelson Bay

Nelson Bay is home to this apartment. D'Albora Marinas Nelson Bay and Nelson Bay Golf Club are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Tomaree National Park and Fly Point Marine Reserve. Toboggan Hill Park and Salamander Super Strike are also worth visiting.
Map
Nelson Bay, NSW

What's nearby

  • Shoal Bay Beach - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Tomaree National Park - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Nelson Head Lighthouse - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • West Nelson Bay - 10 min walk - 0.9 km
  • d'Albora Marinas Nelson Bay - 2 min drive - 1.6 km

Getting around

  • Newcastle, NSW (NTL-Williamtown) - 33 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Zenith Cafe, Restaurant and Bar - ‬15 min walk
  • ‪Atmos - ‬20 min walk
  • ‪Magnolia. - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Dolphin Watch Cafe - ‬20 min walk
  • ‪Seabreeze Bakery Cafe - ‬3 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Gidgets on Gretel – pet-friendly beach cottage near Shoal Bay, walk to cafes pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Gidgets on Gretel – pet-friendly beach cottage near Shoal Bay, walk to cafes?

As of 1 July 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Gidgets on Gretel – pet-friendly beach cottage near Shoal Bay, walk to cafes on 4 Oct 2026 start from AU$484, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at Gidgets on Gretel – pet-friendly beach cottage near Shoal Bay, walk to cafes?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Gidgets on Gretel – pet-friendly beach cottage near Shoal Bay, walk to cafes?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Gidgets on Gretel – pet-friendly beach cottage near Shoal Bay, walk to cafes?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Gidgets on Gretel – pet-friendly beach cottage near Shoal Bay, walk to cafes located?

Situated in Nelson Bay, this apartment building is within a 10-minute walk of Shoal Bay Beach, Tomaree National Park and West Nelson Bay. Nelson Head Lighthouse and Fly Point Marine Reserve are also within 1 mile (2 km).

Reviews

7.6

Good

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 3 out of 8 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 8 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 8 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 8 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 8 reviews

8.0/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.0/10

Check-in

8.4/10

Communication

8.4/10

Location

7.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

soliman h.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Very good stay

Very good stay and very clean property. Manger was very helpful, highly recommended.
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 21 Aug 2023
Good Morning Soliman - HRS are so pleased that you enjoyed your stay at Gidgets on Gretel. We have very high standards for our cleaning processes so we are glad that you found the properties cleanliness to be standout feature. We hope to see you again in the future!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Gary

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Comfortable, convenient, everything you might need
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023
Verified

2/10 Terrible

Chervonne J.

Disliked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The property wasn’t worth 800 a night and it was more like a 30 min walk to shoal bay beach and not 3 mins like advertised. It was the only reason I booked it. Nothing vintage about the property more like old and wore. The bathroom door is rusty and it’s definitely not a two bedroom apartment. The second bedroom has a hot water service in the cupboards second bedroom.
In the second bedroom wardrobe where people sleep
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2025
Verified

6/10 Okay

Julio H.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Listing accuracy

No as expected

The place is good but wasn't clean with carpets with so many dirty spots, the sofa is well overdue for replacement, no extractor in the bathroom, and needed to keep the blinds down as we could not have privacy. The parking and entrance were dirty, full of leaves and dust
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Nov 2023
Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback. We are happy overall you thought your stay was good and are sorry to hear about the other issues mentioned. Our property management team have confirmed the carpets have been cleaned for our future guests and even though there was no bathroom fan it is possible to open the window for fresh air and to allow any steam to escape. We hope to have an opportunity to host you again in the future for a better experience.
Verified

6/10 Okay

Deidre L.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location

The property was as described. Location is great, walking distance to beaches and both towns which we loved. The trees shaded the yard which was lovely to sit under in the heat, outdoor chairs and table making this easy. There were a few disappointing things, the yard had grass but there were bindis all through it making it difficult to use. We took our dog and the yard is definitely secure but there’s no adequate outdoor light to view or use the garden at night, this would’ve been helpful. Re cleanliness, the bathroom was all wet with soapy water when we arrived, I don’t think under the beds has ever been vacuumed and some pillows had an odour (bring your own!). There’s no dishwasher, which isn’t a problem, it just meant that most of the kitchen items didn’t have the washing up love by previous people that maybe they should have.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024
Verified

8/10 Good

Jennifer M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Good location

Expensive to take your dog. Stayed in a lot of dog friendly places and never had to pay this much so that was disappointing but overall it was fine. But would recommend tiles instead of carpet. Lots of old spills for which we were not responsible.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 21 Aug 2023
Thank you for leaving your feedback Jennifer. We are glad to hear that you enjoyed the location of the property and overall had a good stay. We will pass on your comments to our property management team to address any issues with the carpets. We hope to be able to host you again in the future.
Verified

8/10 Good

Carolyn B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Rabih M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Mr

Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2024

About the host

Hosted by Holiday Rental Specialists

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Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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