This was my second stay in Matt and Gemma's cottage, and it was pure bliss! I've spent time here on my own and with my partner, and the house, though small, feels the perfect size for two.

Gemma is a fantastic hostess, very friendly and warm and happy to help you with anything you need. She and her family live in the main house on the property, but the cottage is very private and entirely self-contained. It is breezy, calm, and quiet, surrounded by palm and eucalyptus trees full of all kinds of birds. The house cheerfully decorated, clean, and equipped with anything you might need for self-catering. Warriewood beach is a five minute walk away, and it's about eight minutes to Mona Vale beach--both beaches are absolutely breathtaking. There are lots of little walks that you can do around the headlands, all with inspiring vistas. It's an easy walk (about 20 minutes) to Mona Vale, which has all kinds of delightful cafes, restaurants, and shops (including a fabulous bookshop and an upscale grocer). It's a very friendly suburb with a small town feel. Also within easy walking distance are a movie theater, several yoga studios, a library, and a fabulous Friday morning farmers' market. There are more gorgeous beaches easily accessible by bus, including Avalon and Palm Beach, all worth seeing and exploring. Also nearby is Kuring-Gai National Park, which is absolutely stunning.

Getting to Sydney is easy. There is a bus stop about a minute away from the house that takes you directly into the CBD. Busses run very frequently and punctually every 24 hours. It takes about an hour to get to Wynyard Station, but it is a smooth commute. I had weeks when I would go into town every day, and it was absolutely worth the travel to be able to come home to somewhere so lovely.

This little cottage represents the best of Sydney--a community surrounded by natural beauty just a bus ride away from all of the cosmopolitan wonders of the big city. I was very sad to leave it and could not recommend it more highly!