The Island

A beautiful secluded island. The space The Island is our family home where we four siblings were raised. It's an incredibly special place to us. These days we get to bring our own kids here, and they love it too. For over 30 years we have been sharing this magical place with our family and friends. Now we are opening it up to share it with you and yours. The house is on the tip of the private and secluded Gareeba Island, on the Wallamba River, just 10 minutes outside of Tuncurry/Forster. It is a short boat ride from where you park your car to the property. There are no other houses, so once you arrive you are in your own little paradise. A member of our family will stay in the old shack in the next paddock. They will ferry you across the river in our boat and help you with anything you need, but the house itself will be exclusively yours. There are 3 bedrooms, each with a double bed, and a double fold out lounge in the sitting room. We will provide bedding for up to 8 people. If you want to bring tents and bedding you can have extra people camp- up to 12 people staying in total. If you want more than 12 people contact us and we can discuss it. We spend our time swimming, kayaking, fishing, going on little adventures down the island and surrounding waterways, hanging out on the big veranda, round the indoor and outdoor fires, and cooking and relaxing with our friends and family.  You’re in nature so expect lots to see lots of wildlife! There are heaps of birds, we often get pods of dolphins in the river, and share the island with all sorts of other creatures. There are beautiful gardens, seasonal fruit trees to help yourself to, and lots of outdoor areas to explore. The property is a converted old dairy farm house which still retains its rustic charms. It’s not slick and fancy, but it is super comfy, has everything you need and is a lovely place to spend time. It really is glorious. It’s perfect for families and groups of friends, but it’s also a sweet place for a romantic getaway. It’s a precious place to us and we hope that you love your time here as much as we do. Guest access You will have access to the whole house and gardens. The island is our family home so there will be a little food in the fridge and cupboard, and personal stuff around. But there will be plenty of room for your stuff too. You can use the indoor and outdoor fireplaces- wood is supplied. There are also two kayaks and a canoe you can use, but please take care of them! You will need to arrange trips across the river with your host. They will only be available within reasonable hours and for a limited number of trips per day, so please plan your travel, pack and shop accordingly. Kids and adult lifejackets are supplied for the boat trips. Other things to note Water skiing and jet skiing erode the island banks and destroy the surrounding natural habitat, so we don’t allow ski boats or jet skis to be brought to the island. It’s an Australian bush property so it has the usual insects associated with that. We provide mozzie coils in the summer, and we suggest packing your favourite insect repellent. The property runs on rain water so it is really important to conserve water. Please use it sparingly, particularly in dry times.