Rose Bay Homestead - Farm House & Golden Boathouse

Step back in time to enjoy the charm of an authentic Homestead on 27 acres of forest and fields with a classic Red Barn and a Golden Boathouse on the ocean. Wander back behind the house through the fields to discover forested trails, or across the road and down to the Golden Boathouse, situated on a sheltered cove that’s perfect for kayaking, canoeing and watching the sunset from the deck. Available for vacations, weddings, events, and holidays. Special rates apply for weddings and events. The space The Rose Bay Homestead is ideal for a large family, multiple families, and groups of friends who love nature and outdoor fun. It’s available annually from May through early January, including Thanksgiving and Christmas! It’s PERFECT for weddings and events (special rates apply). You’re a 4-minute drive to two of the best beaches in Nova Scotia: Hirtle’s Beach and Kingsburg Beach. You’re a 2-min drive to Sand Dollar Beach, and 1-min drive (or a 20 min. walk) to the Rose Bay General Store and Bistro. You’re a 15-min drive to historic Lunenburg, the UNESCO World Heritage Site with restaurants and shopping, and only a 1.5-hour drive from the Halifax International Airport. Original homesteads with acreage, deep forest, water views and ocean access are becoming difficult to find – and ours is less than fifteen minutes from historic Lunenburg! Our goal is to provide an opportunity for families and friends to relax, reconnect with nature and with each other during a summer of fun that will linger a lifetime in memory. The Farmhouse: This 150-year-old Farmhouse is in excellent condition inside and out with all the necessary modern amenities. Facing the ocean, the house comfortably sleeps 9 people in beds (13 including the sofa beds). Upstairs offers 3 bedrooms: 2 rooms each have a queen bed, dresser and sitting area, 1 smaller room has a double bed, dresser, and closet. (These rooms could have air conditioners that can be hooked up if needed, but the sea breeze keeps things cool.) There is a full bathroom located upstairs with a bay window, double sink vanity, large whirlpool bathtub and shower combination. On the main floor, a long 4th bedroom doubles as a den, sleeping 5 with a bunk bed (single over double) and a sofa that pulls out into a double bed (this room has the option of having an air conditioner installed in the window). The den also offers a smart screen TV, Blu-Ray, DVD and VCR (Netflix and a large collection of movies on Blu-Ray, DVD and VHS are included). The living room, dining room, and kitchen follow an open concept floor plan. The living room also has two sofa beds that pull out into double beds, an oak table, a sound system that hooks into your computer or iPod, a quality library, puzzles, games, kids’ toys and books, and an ocean view. There is also an alcove upstairs with vintage dolls, a dollhouse, and a cupboard full of more fun toys. The dining room seats 14, with a server cabinet and a China cabinet at either end, and French doors opening onto the back deck. The sunny, south-facing deck runs the length of the house at the back. It is equipped with a BBQ, tables, chairs, and umbrellas for outdoor dining. The kitchen is fully equipped for those who love to cook. Household appliances include: full fridge and extra half fridge, chest freezer, microwave, electric stove and oven, dishwasher, coffee makers of every style including a Keurig, kettle, toaster, blender, food processor, handheld mixer, washing machine and drier, iron and ironing board, and several vacuum cleaners. There is a booster seat for toddlers and a Harmony play-and-go crib for infants. The laundry nook is off the kitchen hall and contains a half bathroom (toilet and sink). Linens, bath towels, and beach towels are provided. A clothesline is located in the backyard for drying beach towels and bathing suits. There are numerous window fans and stand-alone fans for the hottest days, though the breeze off the ocean keeps things fairly comfortable throughout the summer. We have added four portable air conditioners, stored in closets, but which can be hooked up if needed. Heating in fall and winter is provided by an oil furnace with forced air throughout the house, electric baseboard heaters are located in top floor rooms to boost the heat, making it a cozy vacation rental year-round. There is WiFi throughout the house and compact office work stations in the den, master bedroom, and blue bedroom. There is a fire circle with Adirondack chairs to enjoy campfires in the backyard, as well as a couple of picnic tables for lunches under the shade of maple trees. The Barn: The Barn is available for storing bikes (rentals obtainable in Lunenburg) and there is an arts and crafts centre for kids of all ages (art supplies are provided for use) as well as a rustic “clubhouse hangout” for rainy days. The Barn has electricity with lighting and electrical outlets around the craft center, and we supply a jug of water and a wash basin for cleanup, as there is no running water in the barn. Beach gear and lawn games are also provided and are stored in the barn. Field and Forest: Behind the Farmhouse is a large field from which a lovely trail leads deep into the forest to an old hunter’s blind (not currently safe to climb, so please refrain). The property backs onto the Lower LaHave Commons, a forested conservation area, which affords a great expanse of contiguous habitat for wildlife like deer, fox, coyote, porcupine, snowshoe hare, a diversity of birdlife, and very rarely a sighting of bear or cougar. At the back of the field on the right side, Ree has her private “Zoologist’s Cabin” where she overnights when necessary. She also has a “Cook Shack” and Outhouse near her cabin. The Ocean Lot: The Rose Bay Homestead is composed of two lots, one on each side of the road, that we refer to as the “Ocean Lot” (5 acres of field, forest and rocky ocean beach) and the “Farmhouse Lot” (27 acres of field and forest). These two properties are advertised separately as short-term vacation rentals, but they can be rented together for weddings and larger events, schedule permitting. The blue Ocean House and its accompanying old Blue Boathouse are both colour-coded blue and are situated near the ocean on the right side of the Ocean Lot hill, as you face the ocean. The Blue Boathouse is for exclusive use by guests staying in the Ocean House. The guests renting the Farm House Property will have access to and exclusive use of the Golden Boathouse (currently under construction) that is colour-coded to match the Farm House. The Golden Boathouse is located on the opposite side of the hill from the Blue Boathouse, i.e. on the left side of the Ocean Lot as you face the ocean. Each boathouse has a deck overlooking the water with its own set of boats and boating gear, small BBQ, and glamping setup. The exciting new construction of Ocean House, the protection of the waterfront with a boulder sea wall, and the Golden Boathouse and Outhouse means that there will be newly planted grass in many areas where landscaping activities have taken place. It will take a year or two for this new grass to grow in thick again. Golden Boathouse: There is an option to rent our two kayaks, one canoe, paddles, life jackets, and safety equipment for an additional fee of $100 for a stay of a week or more (only $50 for a weekend stay) with a signed rental agreement and waivers for every person in your party. Canoes and Kayaks may also be rented in Lunenburg. We have outfitted the Golden Boathouse as a “Glamping” (“glamorous camping”) site that is off grid with bottled water supplied but no plumbing. There is a pine sleigh-bed-style double bed (with fresh bedding in plastic tubs), a faux-leather sofa bed (that folds down to sleep two), oriental carpet, outfitted camp kitchen complete with Coleman propane gas stove, pots and pans, kitchen utensils, plates, bowls, cutlery, and a makeshift wash station for washing hands and dishes. Bottled drinking water is provided and can be refilled in the Farm House Kitchen. Wash water can be obtained from the rain barrel outside. There is an outhouse (compostable Loveable Lou) and solar shower stall with a portable hanging camping shower water bag behind the boathouse to complete your glamping experience! The Teepee (still pictured in old aerial photos): We are saddened to report that our teepee was destroyed by the hurricane / tropical storm that hit Nova Scotia in September 2023. With increased frequency of storms, we have heeded the story of the three little pigs and built a more solid structures, i.e. the “Ocean House” and Golden Boathouse in an effort to increase our guest accommodations and ensure they are safe from the elements. Background on our Teepee and Honouring Local Indigenous Cultures: When our friend, Mi’kmaq elder Joe Michael, suggested in 2017 that we get a teepee for our Rose Bay Homestead as a meeting place for cross-cultural sharing, we thought it was a great idea. We asked our mutual friend, Mi’kmaq elder Danny Paul, to order our teepee for us. Arriving all the way from an Indigenous company in western Canada, it was an 18-foot diameter canvas teepee, complete with a liner for use in colder weather. Danny Paul also cut, cured, and peeled the teepee poles from his own land up in Cape Breton. Then he delivered the canvas and poles and taught us how to pitch the teepee. Joey Sack, a Mi’kmaq Firefighter, also cut and prepared an additional five strong poles. These formed the main support tripod and lift pole. The teepee slept six people comfortably. In our library in the farmhouse, you can learn more about the Indigenous cultures who have been caretakers of our Earth for time immemorial. We also recommend a visit to Kejimkujik National Park to learn more. John and Ree continue to work cross culturally in their respective careers in film, Inuit art, and conservation biology and welcome Indigenous guests and people of all backgrounds to the Rose Bay Homestead. Teepees and Yurts: Teepees and Yurts can be rented and set up on the property during your stay. For more information. Contact Little Foot Yurts and/or Katah Events. Weddings and Events: Wedding and event rentals can be arranged separately in advance and require a different fee structure. We invite you to share the beauty of the Rose Bay Homestead and surroundings with your favourite people for these special events! Please inquire about packages and rates. Discounted rates may be available for May, June, September, and October. Inquiries are welcome and a tour of the property and facilities can be arranged. For availability, please contact Ree. Policy on having dogs at the Rose Bay Homestead: We love dogs. We want to keep welcoming dogs as part of family vacations and events held at the Rose Bay Homestead. Please help us do this by following these rules, for your dog’s safety and well-being, as well as for the well-being of our property and wildlife. We have four overall goals: 1) Keep your dog safe; 2) Keep the wildlife safe; 3) Keep the grass clean and safe for kids to play; and 4) Keep the carpets and upholstered furniture clean. To achieve these goals, please abide by the following Dog Rules: 1) Your dog must be on a leash at all times when outside so he/she doesn’t chase or scare wildlife, encounter our porcupines and skunks, or run on the road where the traffic threatens. 2) You must scoop up, bag, and throw away in the garbage any dog droppings (please bring your own poop bags). 3) When inside the house, dogs are only allowed in the den, not on the carpeted areas of the house. There is a baby gate to keep your Dog in the den and prevent him/her from entering the living room where there is wall to wall carpeting. The den has its own door onto the back deck so please enter and leave the house with your dog through this door. 4) Please bring a dog-bed or blanket for your dog to sleep on. 5) If your dog gets muddy or sandy feet, please wash them off, or hose off his/her feet with the outside hose before letting him/her enter the house. 6) Please check for ticks and if possible, use flea and tick medicine a month before your visit. And please brush your dog outside often to minimize dog hair in the house. 7) Dogs are allowed in the Golden Boathouse, but they are not permitted on the beds, chairs or sofa there. Canoe and Kayak Rentals: There is an option to rent our two kayaks, one canoe, paddles, life jackets, and safety equipment for an additional fee of $100 per week with a signed rental agreement and waivers for every person in your party. Please provide and bring with you:  Wind breaker and layered clothing  Cell phone and GPS in a zip-lock bag  Drinking water and snacks  Water shoes for wading into the shallows while launching and landing the boats  Sunscreen, sun glasses, hat  Bug repellant (it will dissolve the nylon in PDFs and throw rope, so please use with care to avoid contact with nylon and plastics) Canoe and Kayak Rental Rules: 1) All people participating in canoeing and kayaking must sign a waiver, or, if under the age of 19, have a supervising adult sign on their behalf. 2) All people participating in canoeing and kayaking must wear a personal flotation device (PFD) at all times, of a suitable size and securely fastened. 3) You must take the provided pump and safety kit with you. Each boat has a dry bag kit that contains: Bailer, throw rope, towline, air horn, first aid kit. (Also bring a flashlight and cell phone in a waterproof zip-lock bag.) PFD’s have a whistle attached to the zipper. 4) At least 2 adults must be in the canoe. Unsupervised children under the age of 16 are not allowed to paddle the canoe or kayaks alone. 5) Maximum Occupancy: The maximum number of guests permitted in the canoe at one time is 3 people, or 2 adults plus 2 children under the age of six. The maximum number of guests permitted in the kayak is 1 person. 6) Canoes and these kayaks are NOT designed to be used on the open ocean, and are NOT safe out on the open ocean. Don’t be fooled by a calm day, as strong currents can carry you out to sea and a fog can roll in obscuring the shoreline. Canoes and these kayaks are ONLY meant to be used in calm water, sheltered bays and close to the shoreline. Note: Spray skirts are not provided, as inexperienced kayakers can become trapped. 7) Paddle only in the daylight and return well before dark. Please clean out and sponge down the boats when finished for the day. Sponges and buckets provided. 8) Check the weather forecast and tide tables before embarking and cancel canoeing and kayaking if winds, storms, lightning, fog, or tidal fluctuations are predicted. We recommend boating on a rising or high tide, as Lower Rose Bay is quite shallow and at very low tides you can get stranded on a mud flat. 9) Never leave the canoe or kayaks in the intertidal zone unattended. Canoe and kayaks must always be brought up well above the highest high tide area, and stored on the kayak racks by the boathouse. Guest access With the small exception of the Zoologist’s Cabin and accompanying out-buildings, it's all yours to enjoy: Farmhouse, Barn, Private Golden Boathouse, Shared Waterfront on Lower Rose Bay, Nova Scotia with 27 acres of field, forest, and rocky beach habitat. It's your own private family summer camp and wildlife conservation area! If you love nature, this is heaven! Other things to note Note that electronic navigation devices put our address farther down the road than it actually is, causing people to overshoot. Watch the house numbers. When you see 226 and 227, our address is immediately after that and you can't miss our sign with the civic number 244 below it, and the big red barn. Ree will try to meet you upon your arrival to show you around and make sure your questions are answered. We have added a lock box for a self-check-in option, if needed or desired and extra keys are in a basket on the kitchen counter. Having your meals out on the back deck in the summer is heavenly! But insect repellant is a must, as the mosquitoes think so too! Please be very careful crossing Kingsburg Road, as there can be heavy trucks and fast vehicles. Listen and look both ways. Hold onto small children and keep dogs on a leash at all times. We have two large nylon tents measuring 8-ft by 13-ft, suitable for camping. For an additional fee of $50 each we would be happy to set them up and supply sleeping bags and camp cots or pads for family members wishing to camp outside. Wedding and event rentals can be arranged separately in advance and require a different fee structure. We invite you to share the beauty of the Rose Bay Homestead and surroundings with your favourite people for these special events! Please inquire about packages and rates. Discounted rates may be available for May, June, September, and October. Inquiries are welcome and a tour of the property and facilities can be arranged. For availability, please contact Ree. As we mentioned earlier, our goal is to provide an opportunity for families to relax, reconnect with nature and with each other during a summer of fun that will linger a lifetime in memory. Registration Details STR2425B0770