Three hours from Sydney, with consistent surf breaks, spiritually significant cultural sites and a string of charming coastal towns, the Myall River National Park area has long been a go-to choice for weekend breaks away from the city. Accommodation options in the area range from campsites to high-end hotels, but nestled amongst the eucalypts in an unassuming corner of the National Park, Bombah Point Eco Cottages strikes the perfect balance between the two.
The collection of architecturally designed eco cottages delicately combine function and form, with indulgent touches (think spa baths, hampers stocked with oysters and award winning organic wine) making low-impact eco tourism appealing to the luxury-inclined.
When we spoke to Duncan and Suzie – the husband and wife team who own and operate Bombah Point Eco Cottages – about how best to utilise our time, they explained that 24 hours isn’t enough. “You need 24 hours to slow down, after that you can really connect with nature and capture the energy of the environment,” Suzie suggests.
Having spent a night in one of the timber framed, glass walled cabins – watching the stars from bed and waking up to the sound of the birds, I wholeheartedly agree. Being that immersed in the natural environment satisfies a craving you didn’t realise you had.
But while twenty four hours might not be enough to reap the full range of benefits that Bombah Point has to offer, it’s still enough time to fit in more water based activities, nourishing meals and life-affirming encounters than one would expect over the course of a weekend.
Day one
Check in at around 3pm, and you’ll be greeted by Duncan or Suzie who will give you a tour of the farm-style complex, explain a little about their story and offer you a piece of homemade cake to enjoy on the deck overlooking the sloping hillside. You can take this time to forage in the organic veggie garden for herbs to supplement your dinner, pick an orange from the orchard or head straight to your cottage which will be hidden somewhere in the bush.
Once you’ve had a cup of tea on the deck and watched the birds flit between the trees, take the two kilometre path from your cottage to the tea-tree infused lake. Swim in the naturally nourishing waters, and head back as the sun begins to fade behind the bush. When you arrive back at your cottage, light the woodburner with the locally sourced logs and timber, then run the spa bath which will fill with rainwater filtered by the natural, reed-based filtration system. Pour a glass of organic wine from the collection of bottles supplied by Tamburlaine Organic Wines, and watch the sunlight disappear between the trees from the glass-walled bathroom (your cottage will be hidden in the bush, so privacy is a non-issue).
Prepare dinner in your cottage from the organic farm-to-fridge hamper supplied on arrival, stocked with locally sourced produce inspired by your requests. If you’re not a holiday cook, order one of the pre-prepared hampers (options range from vegan pies to seasonal seafood platters) or take the coastal drive to Tea Gardens and enjoy a French-inspired dinner from Tillermans, an award-winning restaurant which sits on the water.
Day two
Wake up to the birdsong and dappled sunlight, and wander down to the swimming pool which sits in the clearing above the solar panels and dew-jewelled gardens.
Back at your cottage, take a shower in the rainfall shower and brew a cafetiere of coffee on the deck as the bush wakes up around you. The breakfast hampers offered by the Bombah Point team include eggs from the on-site hens as well as locally cured bacon and fresh herbs from the garden.
If you’re feeling energised, borrow a bike to explore the forest paths or a kayak to take out onto the lake. The varied coastline means there will be a decent surf break close by in most conditions – with the dramatic headland at Seal Rocks offering a slow, dreamy point break on gentle days and the sandy stretch at Blueys Beach home to more powerful sets depending on swell and wind direction.
The Bombah Point Eco Cottages ethos is about reconnecting with nature, and though the immersive bush setting manages that to an extent, it’s the owners’ dedication and commitment to sustainability – that really compounds the point.
Before you leave, stock up on handmade jam, beeswax wraps and eco-friendly home essentials from the onsite shop.
Nearby attractions
For those who would rather take their day at a slower pace, small coves sit sheltered from the wind but bathed in sunlight all the way along the coastline, punctuated by other attractions – from the lighthouse at Seal Rocks to the historical Aboriginal site at Dark Point.
Grab lunch at a casual cafe in Blueys Beach or Hawks Nest, and head back to Bombah Point in time for another piece of homemade cake and an afternoon stroll through the orchard.
Need more inspiration?
This Weekend is a lifestyle guide for sustainably-minded people. We create stories for good so you can live sustainably, without compromising the things you love.
Check out more practical guides on sustainable living, slow travel, sustainable dining, conscious brands, wellness essentials, and more.