The Oyster Shed, a rustic retreat on the Pittwater

This rustic studio sits on the southern shore of Lovett Bay. Access is by water-only, a short 10 minute boat ride from Church Point. You can arrive by water taxi, local ferry or a prearranged pick-up by your host. Your private studio is perched over the water with uninterrupted views down Salvation Creek. The surrounding walking tracks of the Ku-ring-gai Chase Nat. Park are a stones throw away. The owners residence is further up the hill behind the studio and nestled into the bush. This rustic open plan studio includes a comfortable queen size bed and a copper shower over a claw foot bath. There is a basic kitchenette with a fridge, sink, camp cooker stove and a toaster to prepare simple meals. There is also an electric kettle and a Bialetti Expresso stove top perculatior to enjoy freshly brewed coffee, or a pot of tea, on your deck. For cooking meals guests use the outdoor BBQ on the rear deck. Alternatively you can eat out by booking a water taxi to the wonderful waterfront restaurants and cafes close by. The concertina barn doors allows guests to open the whole space up to the the sun and the views down Salvation Creek or create a private space within. For locals the water is warm around late September till May and you can swim from your own front door, or explore the bays with the snorkelling gear, 2 single kayaks or the row boat provided. The sand flats exposed at low tide are great for wandering & exploring the estuarine environment at the base of the waterfall. After a day on the water or hiking the many bush trails you can soak in an indoor bath with spectacular views or sluice off under the fresh hot water outdoor shower before whiling away your evenings star gazing and toasting marshmallows in front of the fire pit. So much to do... or just read on the couch with a glass of red wine and watch the day unfold. Guest have the entire studio to themselves as well as the use of the 2 kayaks, and a row boat. We share the jetty with our neighbour and guests are free to fish or swim from the jetty, or more graciously enter the water from the sandy beach onshore. You can relax on the wicker lounge chairs on the sandstone terrace and use the fire pit- (firewood is provided). Every now and again my lovely neighbours will cross under the terrace to go to their boat but apart from that it is a very peaceful place to while away a few hours. Before you arrive I will pre-arrange to pick you up at Church Point in my commuter boat and take you to the Oyster Shed. This will be a great opportunity to orientate yourself and point out great walks and places of interest. Alternatively, you take the Pinkwater taxi on demand from Church Point or catch the local ferry to either Lovett Bay, or better still, to Elvina Bay and walk for 10 minutes along a lovely bush track to the rear of the property at Lovett Bay. This is a great way to get your bearings and see how people live offshore as the ferry circumnavigates Scotland Island and the bays of the western foreshore. Checkout the Church Point ferry timetable online. After this brief orientation I would prefer to give guests plenty of space to explore the area at their leisure. I am around if guests need anything and there is information on bush walks, cafes and restaurants in the shed. Our part of the world is unique. This is a water based lifestyle surrounded by the bush yet only 60 minutes from Sydney central. The water is clear and warm in summer and the Pittwater is dotted with many sandy beaches and little coves to explore. The surrounding bush can vary from open forest with tall trees of Angophora or Spotted Gum to patches of littoral rainforest under sandstone escapements and waterfalls. This environment provides food and shelter for an abundance of native fauna and flora including wallabies, possums and native birds. This also includes goanna's and snakes, if you are lucky, but mostly they hang about further up in the bush. In spring the native wildflowers are spectacular. This is water-only access so during your stay off-shore it is best to soak up the natural beauty surrounding you. Bring a back pack and good walking shoes. The start of many great walks in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park are literally just at the back of my property. Alternatively if you have more of a water focus, the water is lapping at your door. If you want to go to go to cafes and restaurants by the water, the water taxi is on demand and the local ferry runs by timetable from the designated Lovett or Elvina Bay ferry sheds leaving every hour. A trip on the ferry is highly recommended as an insight into the off-shore lifestyle of the locals. When checking out and returning to your car at Church Point guests will need to call a Pinkwater Taxi. This is about $37 to return to Church Point. Alternatively if you are traveling light with little luggage to carry, you can walk 10 minutes to the Elvina North or South Ferry Wharf along the back track and catch the ferry back to Church Point. The ferry comes every hour and costs about $12. Download the timetable on line.