I must admit I don't post reviews as a general rule (and yes! a part of me wants to keep this as 'my secret gem') - but I'm so in love with this one that I have to share! Ok, so for a while now I've been on the lookout for my kind of 'home away from home' to retreat to - not too far from Sydney, but completely refreshing, uncomplicated and unpretentious. I've stayed at Whale Beach Escape twice so far - a week in Dec, followed up by a week in Feb. Amazing...this is definitely it! Here's why I reckon it's so good: The space itself: Great proportions, great view! Two generous rooms plus bathroom and private outdoor terrace. The kitchen / living area is bright and fully equipped, with wood surfaces, terracotta tiles, everything you need in terms appliances, crockery, cutlery, food staples (and a huge assortment of tea!). The bedroom is equally generous - heaps of space, crisp linens, plus tv/ dvd, lots of candles and a wall of windows so you feel you're waking up in the trees. The bathroom is v clean and fully equipped, including washing machine. In all, this space has a lovely sense of fresh, rustic, private, with cliffside/ beach view. All v timber, generous white linens and natural materials, and all with an awesome, leafy view across the headlands. I'd say its perfect for a single/ couple, with everything you need for a wonderful stay, and lots of options on lighting (a particular favourite of mine!) The whale beach location: ...so good! It's on the clifftop at the south/ leafy end of whale beach, with a view over beach abs headlands, right up to avoca in the distance. In terms of getting around - I don't have a car, and what's brilliant is you can do absolutely everything on foot! Practically speaking, Whale beach is a leafy 5 min walk to pink sand and lots of space. (I love 'the wedge' beach break at north end personally.) Whale Beach Escape is also an easy 15 min walk to Avalon to load up on groceries, or a 10 min stroll to nth Avalon shops to grab some sunset wine for the terrace! Walking around the local area is also lovely btw. Whale beach to palm beach reminded me of laurel canyon somehow - lots of jacaranda, and carports teetering like diving boards over clifftops, before you drop down to lush palm beach and over to Pittwater. My advice - make sure you roll past Palm Beach Fine Food (Pittwater side) at some point, then take the 'stairway to heaven' route back over to Palm beach ocean side, then back to Whaley! (And make sure you bone up on all the shortcuts and natural pathways soon as you can. They're amazing! Ask Emily, and can also recommend the 'walking Pittwater' app) The hosts: Emily and David are pretty much my idea of the perfect air Bnb hosts - responsive, generous, welcoming and...