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Port Stephens is a large sheltered bay with many spurs and fabulous beaches. Nearest is One Mile Beach which is part of the longest barrier sand dune in Australia, usually deserted except for surfers. Explore the coastline while staying at Ocean Muse. With its eco-principles, innovative architecture and inside-out design, Ocean Muse is a showcase for contemporary Australia. Built in 2000, its two connecting pavilions have arched roofs which allow light and air to flow freely, so there's no need for air-conditioning.
From every point of Ocean Muse, the views are sublime: north-facing window-walls on the ocean side, a series of terraces overlooking the native bush and adjoining National Park, and a large garden with infinity lap pool for al fresco living. There's a wonderful feeling of seclusion and privacy, yet it's only 5 minutes' walk down to the endless surf and sand dunes of One Mile Beach.
Modern complimentary colours - dove grey, limewash blue, rose pink and dark creams - are used to break up large spaces with feature walls complemented by bold contemporary art chosen by the owner, who owns a gallery in Sydney. Enjoy the luxury of high quality furnishings and finishing - corian, polished timber floors, mosaic tiles, teak decking, countertops of decorative concrete with embedded shells and quartz.
There are three bedrooms - 2 doubles and 1 quadruple - sleeping up to eight people. The master bedroom is in its own 'pavilion' which you enter via a small covered walkway that connects the two buildings over the pool. A vast king sized bed sits on a polished wooden platform set against a row of cupboards; in front of them, there is enough space for a long desk and a cot if required. French windows open onto a private terrace with small planter table and chairs, from where you can admire the extraordinarily beautiful view. Steps lead down to its own patch of lawn. The ensuite bathroom has double sinks and a wet-room double shower with an opaque glass rear wall and pebble-set bench around. The separate toilet is perhaps the best loo with a view you’ve ever seen.
The other bedrooms are on the floor below. The 2nd bedroom has a queen sized bed, oyster coloured walls, rattan side tables and shelving, and an opaque window wall. The marine blue 3rd bedroom has 4 x single beds and a witty pair of paintings, one showing a figure swimming towards you and the other showing the same swimmer powering away from you. Between the two bedrooms is a long light solar powered bathroom with double round sinks, a long mirror, a wet-room shower and extensive, Corian-surfaced cupboards.
There's an up-to-the-minute galley-style kitchen with shiny stainless steel appliances: a huge fridge-freezer with an ice-maker, a five-ringed cooker, a microwave, excellent storage, and a sink with superb views across the bush to the bay. The surfaces are made of a beautiful decorative concrete embedded with shells and quartz stones. Beside the sink, windows open to create a clever little hatch for passing food to the terrace, where a dining table seats 8 in comfort; a sill beside the window allows dirty dishes to be cleared away quickly.
Beside the open plan living area is an indoor dining table (also for 8) - perfect for evening dining or when the sea breeze gets up. As for al fresco dining, there's a choice of a sheltered, gas-fired barbecue by the entrance or a conventional barbecue on the downstairs terrace.
Anna Bay itself is not renowned for its restaurants but there are plenty of fine seafood eateries a little further afield. Recommendations include Zest, Sandpipers, Merretts and Chez Jules around Nelson Bay and more.
As for shopping, Anna Bay is fine for basic provisions, while Nelson Bay about 8 kms away has supermarkets, delis and speciality food shops.
Features of Ocean Muse – Port Stephens
• Ocean villa with 3 bedrooms - eco-based 'pavilion' design
• Bedding: 1 x king, 1 x queen + 1 x 4 share singles
• 2 x bathrooms with Aveda toiletries
• Maximum natural light and air flow
• Louvred windows with insect screens
• Ceiling fans for summer
• Views over Anna Bay and One Mile Beach from all rooms
• Extensive indoor/outdoor decks and patios with barbecue
• Large open-plan living-dining-kitchen area
• Fully equipped kitchen with Miele appliances
• Open fireplace
• Family room with billiards table
• Televisions
• Huge private garden
• Bathrooms have underfloor heating
• Solar-powered hot water
• Infinity-wet edge swimming pool
• Bathrobes
• High quality linen throughout
• Beach towels provided
• Gas heater in downstairs living area and main bedroom
• Pool deck furniture-parasols, plantation chairs and loungers
• Cupboard storage for long stays
• Undercover parking for 3 cars
• Library of CDs and films
• CD/DVD player housed in an entertainment cabinet
• A separate laundry room with all amenities
• Weekly service for 7+ days
• Children welcome - cot available on request
Minimum night stay
Peak season: December - January / Easter
December and January – 1-2 week min where available
Easter Holidays – 1 week min
All other times – 2 night minimum
An additional linen charge applies for each bedroom used.
Check in/out: In: 2.00 pm / Out: 1000am
Arrival: All of our houses have dedicated caretakers who will meet you upon arrival, supply the keys and make you familiar with the house and the area.
Ocean Muse Location
Anna Bay, Port Stephens
Getting to Ocean Muse - Port Stephens
Ocean Muse is on the edge of a National Park on the outskirts of Anna Bay, near Port Stephens on the Lower North Coast.
By Air: Newcastle Airport (45km) or Sydney Airport (215km). A number of domestic airlines can provide the short flight from Sydney or other major cities.
By Car: We recommend driving to tour up the beautiful NSW coast, and for ease of getting there. Hire cars are available at Sydney and Newcastle airport and in the city - advance booking essential. It's 170km north of Sydney - a 2-2½ hours drive from the CBD - and 1 hour north of Newcastle.
By Coach: You can get a luxury coach from Sydney to Port Stephens, then catch a taxi for the last leg of your journey.
By Train: Port Stephens is accessible by train from Sydney Central Station, but it's less convenient as the train stops in Newcastle, and from there you have to get a bus to Port Stephens, then a taxi to Ocean Muse.
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