Our family family of five's stay at Coalmines Escape was the perfect balance of relaxing and fun. The home is thoughtfully set up for one or two families with lots of extra provisions included, e.g. pantry items, beach towels, etc. The real winner is the stunning location and private, sheltered beach. Last time we visited it was winter and we enjoyed the warm fireplace in the home, cups of tea on the veranda looking out over the water, and the outdoor firepit for roasting marshmallows. This time we visited in summer and it was absolutely magnificent! We got so lucky with the sunny weather. We spent most of our time at the beach using the kayaks, paddleboards and boogie boards from the shed. It is a shelly beach (not soft sand), but the water is so clear and shallow which was an added bonus for our family with three young children and water-obsessed golden retriever. During low tide we could walk out really far and the water was actually lukewarm! When we were done at the beach, the property is securely fenced and gated so we didn't have to worry about kids/dog wandering. The property is walking distance to the Historic Coalmines and a 10 minute drive (or slightly longer bike ride) to Lime Bay State Reserve and beach, both of which we highly recommend exploring. It is such a beautiful and interesting part of the world. Coalmines Escape is everything we want in a short trip from home and Lue is a wonderful host and communicator. We are already looking forward to our next stay!