Beachfront "Bliss" - Mackerel

"Bliss" was the name that Mr & Mrs Anderson called this house when it was built in 1961 and you can understand why! Facing the sun and just a few steps down to the (almost) private beach you can lose every care in the world. Spectacular views of Pittwater means that you can recharge the batteries. Retire to a quiet place in the garden with a book or retire to the private deck in the parent's retreat downstairs. "Bliss" is one of the few houses at Mackerel right on the north facing beach. With a spectacular garden and one of only 2 boat-sheds on Mackerel "Bliss" is a veritable wonderland. With kayaks, water-craft and blow up toys and a home gym - it caters for the active amongst us. The Boat-shed also has a fridge for on-the-beach picnics or cocktails. The hosts often use the boat shed as a home office and it is equipped with a laser printer and screen to get connected and you can have quick dips in the water between zoom meetings! We want you to feel like you have borrowed an old friend's beach house to get away from it all and we are happy provide tips and guidance on the area. In winter, get some wood off the pile behind the house and have a red wine (or three) by the original sandstone fire place. The upper part of the house has two bedrooms one with 2 bunks and the other with a queen size bed. A separate downstairs (The Parent's Retreat) is almost self-contained with its own en-suite and private deck. It also has a generous work-space (if you must) and a Nespresso machine. Bliss provides a nostalgic beach shack experience - a guest has described it as "Shack-luxe", it harks back to a simple time. If you are looking for spa treatments, high-end restaurants and celebrities probably Palm Beach and Whale Beach on the other side of Pittwater is for you. Access to the whole house - the lower floor is the master bedroom which is a great retreat which has its own intimate deck. Upstairs are two bedrooms with an open plan kitchen, lounge, dining and a deck with spectacular views over Pittwater. There are no shops at Great Mackerel Beach - the house has the basic condiments but everything else needs to be bought. An easy option to get your supplies to the house is to get the barge or punt from Barrenjoey Boat house right to the beach in front of the house - no need to double handle at the wharf! The house relies on tank water so please be careful and avoid long showers and turn off those dripping taps! There is limited capacity and we have placed a water guide in the house with very simple tips for saving water. If the water is exhausted you may lose your security deposit as depending on weather conditions we may be forced to barge water into the house. There are some great food options on the Northern Beaches at Mona Vale and Avalon for your food and wine needs. We will send a guide on booking. We will not be at the house but will be easily contactable for help! Mackerel Beach is a very close knit community of about 80 houses on the fringe of Sydney with water access only. The locals are very friendly and they will usually help out. There are particular community rules for dogs and for the wheelbarrows which are included in the guide to the house. All of the houses at Great Mackerel Beach rely on rain water collected into tanks from our roofs. There is no town water here and water needs to be used carefully. Great Mackerel Beach is boat access only from Palm Beach which is a 50min drive from the CBD of Sydney. It's so easy to go on a bush walk in Kuringai National Park to see spectacular scenery and aboriginal rock art or go on a kayak around Pittwater. Or just lay in the sun on any of the deckchairs or sofas reading a book! This is our special bit of paradise and we are happy to share it.