Long Reef Beach House, Currarong review: An inside job well done

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This was published 11 years ago

Long Reef Beach House, Currarong review: An inside job well done

Fancy a dip? ... Honeysuckle beach, Currarong.

Fancy a dip? ... Honeysuckle beach, Currarong.Credit: Antony Lawes

Who needs the beach at a beach retreat? Antony Lawes finds comfy digs, a well-stocked kitchen and terrific views do the trick.

Staying at a beach shack in the depths of winter has its limitations. But they're not as great as you might think, especially if the shack is of the calibre of this one.

Sure, we didn't swim, much less spend a lot of time outdoors - the weather for the most part was raining or blowing a gale (although for the last morning, at least, it was glorious). The house wasn't all that big, either. One (admittedly quite large) open-plan living and dining room was it for communal space.

Simple ... looking out from the verandah.

Simple ... looking out from the verandah.

So for the first day, all five of us had to entertain ourselves inside, together, while we waited for the rain to stop. Getting in the car was pointless, too. The little hamlet where we were staying, Currarong, is 35 kilometres from Nowra, the nearest big town. And as for entertainment, there are only so many times you can go to the (well-stocked) general store.

For us, though, none of this mattered a jot. The house had an answer for every potential whinge, especially from three housebound children, and by the time we left reluctantly on Sunday we were all wondering when we could go back.

Currarong is a rather old-fashioned seaside town with a welcome absence of the tweeness and pretension that seems to have crept into many south coast hamlets over the years.

We read, dozed, played games, watched telly.

Aside from a few mansions, most of the houses are modest weatherboard and fibro affairs.

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As a colleague who knows these things assured me, our house, the Long Reef Beach House, occupies one of the best parcels of land in town. It is a short hop across the grassy foreshore to the water, which if you can't or don't want to venture to, can be seen in all its splendour from behind wide, sliding glass doors, or in warmer months from the long, wide verandah.

You can't swim in front of the house: the boat ramp takes care of that. Instead, you have to turn right and walk a few hundred metres to the beautiful, protected Abrahams Bosom beach, or if you fancy a gentler paddle, a nearby rock pool.

The living area at Long Reef Beach House.

The living area at Long Reef Beach House.

To the left of the house is Currarong Creek, over which is a much larger and less sheltered stretch of sand that looks as if it would usually have surf.

Long Reef Beach House is owned by Monica Trapaga - jazz singer extraordinaire, favourite of the preschool set, retailer of vintage furniture and homewares - and her husband, Simon Williams. It's a simple, single-storey weatherboard - a main living area facing the sea and three bedrooms (one of which has an en suite) running in a straight line back from the beach. The fourth and main bedroom, also with an en suite, is next to the living area and has views of the water.

Unlike most holiday houses, stocked with mismatched furniture bought for durability rather than taste, the furnishings in the Long Reef Beach House are stylish and comfortable. There are nice little touches, too, such as Voluspa candles and plenty of cosy throws and cushions in the two sitting areas that encourage you to use them.

A big dining table takes pride of place in the centre of the room - which is perfect for long, lazy meals - and in the far corner, probably the most well-stocked kitchen I have seen, with more appliances and utensils than in most working houses (apparently a legacy of Trapaga's love of cooking).

For those looking to do some serious cooking, the large back garden is full of herbs, vegetables and fruit trees, all available for guests to use.

The house also has a bookshelf stuffed with board games, DVDs and a seriously good collection of books. All these things made our day inside enjoyable. We read, dozed, played games, watched telly and generally hung out together, something we rarely do as a family.

By the end of it the kids were climbing the walls, but anywhere else (home included) they would not have lasted nearly as long.

The house, however, is only half the story. Close by are several tennis courts and a skateboard ramp, and if that doesn't hold your interest, the area is supposed to be great for fishing, although we managed to catch only a few very hungry toad fish. The garage is also well stocked with rods, lines and tackle that guests can use, as well as tennis racquets.

For the more adventurous, Currarong is the jumping-off point for the Beecroft Peninsula, which forms the northernmost point of Jervis Bay and has a rugged beauty that attracts bushwalkers, scuba divers and the army. (Much of the area is still a weapons range.)

On our second day, the clouds lifted and, itching to stretch our legs, we walked out to a place called Mermaids Inlet, a narrow gap in the cliffs on the far side of the peninsula.

A narrow path above the inlet gives fantastic views of the rugged cliff line; we scrambled through the nearby Gosangs tunnel out to a ledge high above the water. There is plenty to see on the way there - we stopped at a wreck of an old passenger ship, the Merimbula, and a secluded beach.

The writer was a guest of Destination NSW.

Trip notes

Where Long Reef Beach House, 29 Beecroft Parade, Currarong. (02) 4267 2225, www.longreefbeachhouse.com.au

Getting there Take the Princes Highway south to Nowra. From the highway turn left onto Kalandar Street and follow signs to Currarong. It's about 30 minutes from the highway turnoff.

How much During winter, two-night weekend stays are $700 for all four bedrooms, though you can pay less if you rent fewer bedrooms. At other times, two-night weekend stays are up to $900. Midweek nightly rates range from $180 for two bedrooms during winter up to $325 a night for four bedrooms at other times. All bookings require a minimum two-night stay. Peak Christmas school holiday rates are $3650 a week.

Style statement Beach chic meets inner-city comfort.

Perfect for One or more families (it sleeps up to eight and has three bathrooms), but would be just as comfortable for a couple.

Take the kids Absolutely. There are plenty of beaches and rock pools for them to explore.

Don't forget To bring all food and drink. The house is well stocked with condiments and sauces, and there is a general store that sells bread, milk and the basics. For other groceries, it's about 30 minutes to Nowra.

A shame about Some of the blinds. They were hard to open and close.

Kudos The views, the views.

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