One hour from Sydney. Ferry access only. No roads, no traffic, no noise. Great Mackerel Beach is one of NSW's best kept secrets, and the Wellness Lodge puts you right in the middle of it, tucked between the beach and the ancient bush of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, looking out across Pittwater toward Palm Beach. Come to celebrate - a birthday, anniversary, hen's party or long overdue reunion. Come to reconnect with your family, your friends, or yourself. Come in summer for the beach, the kayaks and the warm open sky. Come in winter for the indoor fire, the sauna and the kind of stillness that's almost impossible to find this close to a city. Your kids will forget their screens - too busy kayaking on Pittwater, spotting lizards and wallabies in the bush, toasting marshmallows around the fire pit and watching movies with popcorn at the outdoor cinema under the stars. You'll forget your schedule, too busy doing nothing, and everything, at exactly the right pace. Families, multi-family groups, extended families, girls' getaways, guys' trips and wellness seekers all find their rhythm here. Hike the magnificent trails of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, swim and paddleboard on the beach, or simply sink into the swing bench on the front terrace and watch the world go by. Chef's kitchen. Italian BBQ. Infrared sauna. Outdoor yoga and gym. Gold class outdoor cinema. Indoor fireplace. Fire pit. Vinyl record player. Ping pong, darts and boules. Board games, books and blankets everywhere, so you are never short of somewhere to snuggle up in. Step off the ferry and feel the world fall away. The only problem is going back to it.

Hi I am an avid airbnb user. I have stayed as a guest in places across Sydney, Melbourne, Queensland, New York, Portugal and Majorca to name a few. I love it!! I have also hosted a few of my previous apartments and had really lovely experiences with my guests. I think Airbnb stays are special. As a guest, you really get a feel for where you are staying, almost like being a local. Nicola

The magic begins before you even arrive. Boarding the boat at Palm Beach and gliding across Pittwater, past bays and hamlets only accessible by water, you'll get your first glimpse of what makes this place so special, a quieter, slower world that most Sydneysiders don't know exists. As you pull into the wharf at Mackerel, the bush meets the sea. Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park creeps all the way to the water's edge, and the beach stretches out ahead of you — in all likelihood, completely empty. Wander to the rocks and spot soldier crabs marching, hermit crabs claiming shells, oysters clinging to the stone and, if you're lucky, a starfish or two. At the north end when the tide is up, gentle waves are perfect for littlies to jump and boogie board. At the south end, the water is clear and calm, ideal for swimming and snorkelling. We've swum with dolphins here and spotted turtles and watched skin divers pull lobsters from pots off the rocks. At the wharf, kids leap into crystal water at high tide, and as evening falls, fishermen young and old throw a line, we've caught bream, squid, flathead and tailor right here. Hire a tinnie from Barrenjoey Boat Shed at Palm Beach to try your luck further out, or explore the hidden private beaches tucked on either side of Mackerel. For walkers, Ku-ring-gai's trails begin right at your door. The 9.2km Basin and Mackerel Track and the 4.4km Aboriginal Heritage Walk both offer spectacular Pittwater views, stunning native bush and birdsong throughout. Walk far enough and you'll discover a waterfall and ancient Aboriginal rock art and engravings that stop you in your tracks. This is not a place you stumble upon. You have to choose it. And once you do, you'll wonder why it took you so long.