A Stay At The Historic Seal Rocks Lighthouse Cottages, NSW [Review]

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I’ve all the time needed to remain in a lighthouse, so after I noticed I might make this dream a actuality on the Lighthouse Cottages in Seal Rock, I jumped on the probability.

Being perched excessive on a cliff overlooking a rugged shoreline appeared exhilarating to me. I additionally favored the concept of getting good and comfortable inside while the wild climate did its factor exterior.

As we drove in the direction of our lighthouse lodging in NSW, I conjured up photos of passing ships and distant encounters with migrating wildlife. 

We got here near experiencing a lighthouse keep many occasions while dwelling in Eire again in 2002, however by no means fairly acquired there.

Now was our probability.

However did it stay as much as the expectations? What does staying in a lighthouse cottage actually really feel like? On this information, we share our expertise staying on the Seal Rock Lighthouse cottages in New South Wales.

The place Is Seal Rocks Lighthouse Cottages?

Seal Rocks Lighthouse cottages is 3 hours north of Sydney and a couple of hours south of Port Macquarie on the mid north coast of New South Wales.

They’re situated on the grounds of the Myall Lakes and Walling Nationwide Parks on Worimi Land, and are surrounded by stunning lakes, seashores, rivers and rock swimming pools.

They’re situated within the coronary heart of the fishing and surf village of Seal Rocks NSW.

The closest airport is Taree Airport, which is situated 88.5 km from Seal Rocks. The closest grocery store is in Smith Lakes, a 25-minute from the property and you’ll have to carry groceries with you.

There’s a normal retailer, butcher and bakery in Smith Lakes, however not in Seal Rocks.

About Lighthouse Cottages Seal Rock

The Lighthouse Cottages at Seal Rock are traditionally vital buildings, constructed because the Sugarloaf Level Lighthouse keeper and his assistant’s house.

They had been designed by colonial architect James Barnet, who is known for designing a number of different iconic buildings in Australia, such because the Sydney Normal Publish Workplace, the New South Wales Museum and Callan Park Lunatic Asylum.

They had been in-built 1875 on the time the lighthouse was constructed, and the lighthouse nonetheless operates to today, however it has been automated by electrical energy since 1987.

The sunshine tower, whereas not a part of the vacation lodging, is one among solely two mild towers in Australia that has an exterior stairway.

Services

Every cottage comes kitted out with all of the services you want for a snug keep. They’ve all of the mattress and tub linen and toiletries, and some cooking utensils, however you have to to carry your individual meals for cooking.

All comfy cottages provide beautiful backyard or sea views, a flat-screen TV and Blu-ray participant, and even a washer.

For those who take pleasure in a BBQ, there’s a grill accessible for visitors to make use of. Additionally they have a small minibar with somewhat assortment of native wines and beer.

Lodging Choices

There are three cottages at Seal Rocks Lighthouse Cottages that visitors can select from.

Every of the cottages are self-contained and have a kitchen and huge eating space, a dwelling space, a sweeping verandah to benefit from the expansive views of the rugged shoreline from, and a bed room.

Observe: you don’t keep in part of an operational lighthouse, you simply keep in. thelighthouse precinct.

The three cottages are the Head Keeper’s Cottage, which is the most important of the three properties. This charming cottage can solely be let for 4 nights on a weekday, or 3 nights on a weekend (Friday – Monday).

The Head Keeper’s Cottage has 3 bedrooms and might sleep as much as 8 folks. Every room has a queen mattress and two rooms have an extra single mattress. That is the most suitable choice for big teams.

Then there are the Assistant Keeper’s Cottage South and Assistant Keeper’s Cottage North that are duplicates of one another. Each of those cottages could be let for 3 nights on weekends (Friday to Monday) or 2 or 4 nights on weekdays (both Monday and Tuesday or Wednesday and Thursday).

Each Assistant Keepers’ Cottages have two bedrooms and might sleep as much as 6 folks. Each rooms have a queen mattress and one room has a single trundle mattress. There may be additionally a settee mattress within the dwelling space.

In case you are searching for a spot to remain for as much as twelve folks, you possibly can hire each north and south cottage and open them up with an adjoining door between them.

Our Expertise Staying at Sugar Loaf Level Lighthouse

We had been in critical want of a timeless getaway and to spend a soothing few days collectively. Simply the 4 of us hanging out, cooking some good meals and having fun with a slice of nature was lengthy overdue.

So when the distinctive alternative got here as much as go and spend just a few nights at Sugar Loaf Level Lighthouse in Seal Rocks we jumped at it.

Positioned upon rugged cliffs within the sleepy fishing village of Seal Rocks, simply three hours drive from Sydney, Sugar Loaf Level Lighthouse is heritage listed having been in-built 1875.

While we wouldn’t really be sleeping contained in the awe-inspiring lighthouse, the historic lighthouse keeper’s cottages was the subsequent neatest thing.

Its secluded location was all the pieces we had been searching for with pristine seashores, coastal walks, rockpools, and the chance to see migrating whales all on provide.

The street main as much as the lighthouse instantly gave us a sense of tranquillity because it reduce its means by way of the magnificent timber that boarded the driveway.

Our Lodging: The Assistant Keeper’s Cottage South

Just under the lighthouse perched excessive on the cliff are the absolutely self-contained and historic keeper’s cottages, that are fantastically restored and stuffed with character and heat.

You might have the choice of three cottages with the pinnacle keeper’s cottage containing 3 queen bedrooms and all cottages include a contemporary, fully-equipped chef’s kitchen and stuffed with all of the conveniences and allure you possibly can want for. 

Excellent for a household vacation, or seize a bunch of pals.

We opted for the smaller, however nonetheless spacious lodging, Assistant Keeper’s Cottage South, which simply match our household of 4, however can sleep as much as six folks.

The decor is comfy and easy, and there was loads of house to maneuver round in.

The cottage had two bedrooms, each with a queen-size mattress. They can even present a crib on request at no further cost. The cribs are giant sufficient for ages 0-2, and if you would like an additional mattress there may be an extra payment.

The cottage additionally comes with its personal non-public rest room with a separate bathe and bathtub. It was an awesome spot to take a seat with a glass of wine and soak the stresses away after the children had gone to mattress.

The kitchen and eating space was easy and spacious, however would solely be appropriate for one or two folks cooking on the identical time.

We managed it with two young children, however if you’re a celebration of adults you may discover the house a bit cramped.

It additionally got here with all of the cooking facilities you would want comparable to a kettle, microwave, and pots, pans and cooking utensils.

For households, additionally they embody excessive chairs for visitors to make use of.

The backyard was our favorite a part of the cottage. The South Cottage has unbelievable views overlooking the ocean, plus a small garden space for our women to run round on.

There was additionally a porch space the place we might sit and benefit from the views from.

The lounge, like the remainder of the cottage, was homely and cosy. There was ample entertaining areas for our youngsters to take pleasure in enjoying with their toys.

The property additionally comes with boardgames, puzzles and video games for youths.

There have been some ornamental items that made it really feel homely, and there was sufficient room for us to unfold out.

The spotlight of a keep at Sugar loaf Level must be the expansive views over Lighthouse Seaside. Both sit in your entrance porch or seize a guide (or your laptop computer) and a espresso and admire the view out of your inside solar room.

Total, it was a really comfy keep and offered all the pieces we would have liked to journey with two young children. The situation was quiet and the views had been unbeatable.

For those who’re searching for a straightforward place to remain in Seal Rocks as a household, then this isn’t only a handy keep, however a memorable one.

Finest Time to Go to Seal Rocks Lighthouse Cottages

Due to the letting hours, you do have to do a little bit of planning about if you wish to keep. The perfect time of yr to go to is between June to October which is whale season.

This time of yr it’s attainable to see humpback whales and their new child calves on their annual migration.

One other well-liked time to go to is through the seashore season, November – Might. Presently of yr, the ocean is heat and nice for swimming. You’ll additionally discover rock swimming pools at Sugarloaf Level and pods of dolphins enjoying within the bays of Lighthouse Seaside.

FAQs About Staying at Seal Rocks Lighthouse Cottage

Issues To Do In Seal Rock

Seal Rock is a small city and has solely a handful of points of interest. The primary draw to visiting Seal Rock is the seashore, and the peace and quiet.

For these dwelling in massive cities like Sydney, you’ll discover Seal Rock is the right escape from the noise and chaos, and transports you to someplace the place time appears to face nonetheless, and simply take pleasure in being round nature.

It’s a straightforward stroll into the village of Seal Rocks, which as a really peaceable fishing village, provides only some boutique outlets, eating places and cafes.

There’s additionally clear bays for swimming, snorkelling, boating and fishing. Or, you possibly can merely take a nature stroll and benefit from the contemporary air.

A number of the most unmissable websites you should see are…

The Sugarloaf Level Lighthouse

As talked about earlier, Sugarloaf Level Lighthouse is likely one of the few lighthouses in Australia with an exterior staircase.

You may stroll to the highest of the lighthouse by climbing up the steps, which supply unbelievable 360 diploma views from the highest.

This is likely one of the greatest locations to go throughout whale season, as you possibly can see additional out into the ocean the place it’s attainable to see whales breaching within the distance.

Do watch out when climbing the staircase with young children, as it might probably get windy on the steps.

Take a Seaside Stroll

There are just a few pretty nature walks that take you to the nice, white sand seashores of Lighthouse Seaside, Boat Seaside, and Treachery Headland.

Lighthouse Seaside is only some steps down from the Seal Rocks Lighthouse Cottages and is gorgeous however not one of the best seashore for swimming. It has southerly winds which make the waves fairly sturdy and highly effective.

Nonetheless, there may be nothing like listening to the sound of excessive power waves pounding the shore.

You may wander the size of this 2km seashore and onto Boat Seaside, which is protected against the wind. It takes about 15-minutes to stroll there from Sugarloaf Level, and passes two craggy gorges with epic rock formations that tower as much as 40 meters excessive.

The stroll to Boat Seaside passes by way of the Nationwide Park bush land and alongside a shaded street.

For those who maintain going from Lighthouse Seaside over the nationwide park, you’ll attain Treachery Headland which has superb views again in the direction of Sugarloaf Level.

The quick stroll passes by way of the nationwide park’s coastal rainforest with large fig timber and native crops and fauna.

You may take a sidetrack down a steep path to Treachery Seaside, which is often secluded and is a good place to identify dolphins enjoying within the waters.

Ultimate Ideas on Staying at Seal Rock Lighthouse Cottages

So there you may have it, that is what it’s like to remain at Seal Rock Lighthouse Cottages and to discover Seal Rock.

As you possibly can see, the lodging is right for households, however it’s additionally a memorable place to remain.

Did it fulfill my goals of staying in a lighthouse? Yep, it positively did. Would I keep there once more? Perhaps. I really like Seal Rock for it’s quiet and laid-back vibe, however now that our youngsters are somewhat older, I don’t understand how a lot they’d benefit from the solitude.

Both means, for these searching for a peaceable and distinctive coastal escape to nature and easily take pleasure in being surrounded by ocean, it’s the right spot.

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