Entire home

Quiet Private Sustainable Harbourside Cottage - The Rangers Cottage

Photo gallery for Quiet Private Sustainable Harbourside Cottage - The Rangers Cottage

Private entrance from the street, free parking on the street.
Private courtyard, with table and chairs for 4 guests and electric bbq in summer
Living, dinning, kitchenette, ceiling fans, smart tv, games, books and toys.
Bedroom, with aircon, ceiling fans, can be set up as a king or two single beds
Sunny front garden with seating looks out onto native bush.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 440 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Breakfast included
  • Parking available
  • Barbecue grill
  • Washer
  • Air conditioning
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

Map
Balgowlah, NSW
  • Balmoral Beach
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Manly Beach
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Taronga Zoo
    ‪10 min drive‬
  • Sydney, NSW (RSE-Rose Bay Seaplane Base)
    ‪37 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

1 Single Bed and 1 King Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchenette
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

Quiet Private Sustainable Harbourside Cottage - The Rangers Cottage

Welcome to the Rangers Cottage - your quiet, sustainable, harbourside home away from home!

Set in a quiet leafy cul de sac, with a bush reserve on one side of the street and a secluded arm of Sydney Harbour just a stone's throw away, the Rangers Cottage offers a delightful home away from home. Wake up to the sound of birds in this newly refurbished, fully self-contained, sunny Cottage. The cottage has a main living room with a couch, smart TV, comfortable seating for 4, a range of books, games and toys for all ages, a dining table, and a well-equipped small but clever kitchenette, a nice comfortable space to kick back and feel at home in. The bedroom has a comfortable king bed that can also be set up as two single beds along with Air conditioning, a desk, ceiling fans, plenty of space to unpack into, a bathroom with a walk-in shower, heated towel rail and heat lamps, laundry facilities and a private outdoor courtyard that seats four and an electric bbq in summer. An ideal spot to "live like a local" when you visit for a holiday, to see friends and family or for work!

On The Harbour
The Cottage is located on the famous Manly to Spit Walkway, with Manly about a 30-minute walk away ( or five minutes by car). Picturesque Forty Baskets Beach (a sandy and safe harbour beach with an enclosed swimming area jetty, rock pools, free barbecues and swings) is an easy eight-minute walk through the bush reserve on a sealed path. A great cafe serving delicious coffee, breakfast, lunch and ice cream is a three-minute walk via a pedestrian bridge across a cascading stream. Opposite it is North Harbour Reserve, which features a popular children's play area.

The Cottage sleeps up to four guests in a king bed or this can be converted to two singles in the bedroom and a double sofa bed in the main room. With all the conveniences of home, it is family-friendly and ideal for short and medium-term stays. - But NOT suitable for pets and is strictly NO SMOKING

Facilities
Main room: comfortable L-shaped sofa, dining table(seats up to four), Smart TV with Netflix, Wi-Fi-connected stereo system, and ceiling fan.
Kitchenette: Bench top oven, induction cooking plates, microwave oven, refrigerator, dishwasher, stone bench tops, cookware, crockery, glassware, cutlery, kettle, toaster and coffee maker.

Bathroom: shower, toilet, vanity, heated towel rail, heat lamp and fan.

Laundry: Washing machine, drying rack, iron and ironing board.

Bedroom: King-size bed that can be set up as two single beds, bedside tables and lamps, wardrobe, dresser, luggage racks, air conditioning, block out blinds, floor rugs, fold down desk and chair, Wifi speed 92mps and and a ceiling fan.

Parking: Free on the street. The cottage has a private entrance from the street.

We have set up the cottage to be as sustainable as possible while keeping it comfortable for you. Some of the steps we have taken include, generating our own power on site with solar and buying renewable energy, offering you a compost bin to use - if you wish, we collect water in rainwater tanks, use environmentally friendly cleaning products and personal care items that are refilled, transport cards for you, reusable water and coffee cups.
We love welcoming guests from ALL backgrounds!
About us

We live next door and are on call to answer any of your questions and help make your stay as enjoyable as possible.

We offer a special rate for stays of a week or a month.

If your traveling with young children a travel cot, a high chair and a selection of toys can be provided. You will also find a range of books for all ages.

Getting Around
A free Manly Council operated shuttle bus ( to Manly ferry wharf and local shopping destinations) runs past the end of the street (100m). Normal buses also operate along this route including peak hour services to the Sydney CBD. The closest supermarket, along with a selection of over 20 restaurants is 10 minutes walk away.

Natural Australian Beauty
The Ranger's Cottage is so named because it was originally inhabited by the local forest ranger over 100 years ago. Because we are so close to the bush we do enjoy a wide variety of bird life in the garden so don t be surprised if you find your self being observed by the inquisitive Kookaburras or chatty Rainbow Lorikeets. On your way to the beach or cafe you may also spot Pelicans and other sea birds or shy lizards sunning themselves on the rocks.

The cottage opened in 2012. Since then we have listed with various sites. We have recently been closed for 18 months for renovations and in that time our original listing with Stayz and Home Away has finished. We did not manage to transfer to the new platform in time and so have lost our past reviews. Here are a sample of some of the reviews that I did manage to save before this happened.

"Home Away Down Under", " Well kept Secret", "the ultimate Grand Parents crash pad"

What an amazing place to stay. I loved the location, the setting, the nearby bush, the coastal walk and the lovely family beach that is a favourite of mine- Forty Baskets. The Cottage is super clean and has so many little homely touches... games, books, flowers fruit. My children and I felt very spoilt when we stayed. Felicity was there when we needed her, but the rest of the time we were very private. Highly recommended for small families and also couples, for a romantic out of the way but still central Northern Beaches getaway.

What a wonderful place to Stay- Felicity and Dave's Rangers Cottage. I loved being across the road from proper australian bush and wandering down the hill to one of my favourite Northern Beaches. We stayed here during a heat wave and I was amazed and deeply grateful that the cottage was cool and a retreat from the adventure of a 40 degree day. Felicity is charming and gracious host and there are so many touches she gives the place that make it feel like a home but even better than that a glamorous home. Highly recommended.

We enjoyed a local getaway when relatives visited from overseas. It is a short walk down a quiet path to Forty Baskets beach, where we swam each day. The cottage has a fully enclosed yard and has a range of toys and books so it is very child friendly. Felicity is a very friendly and accommodating host, and provides all the essentials for you stay. Highly recommended.

A gorgeous cottage set in a beautiful quiet leafy surburb. Great location, lovely light breakfast included, free parking, access to the free shuttle into Many and the wharf. Numerous cafes and restaurants nearby, easy access to local walks. The cottage was very clean and equipped with everything that you need including free wifi. Felicity was extremely friendly and helpful. We will definitely return!

We loved our stay at the Rangers Cottage. Very comfortable for 2 adults and 2 kids. Next to the beach, parks a ferry ride away from Sydney ( fantastic views from the ferry!!) few nice restaurants and public transport nearby ... perfect for us. The cottage is clean, cute, and peaceful. The owner, Felicity is a wonderful host, helpful and caring. A great place to stay in Manly/Sydney. Thanks for having us stay at he your place.

We have stayed at Manly many times at various locations but found the Rangers Cottage so quiet and peaceful away from the street noise etc down in Manly itself. The location is convenient to everything: restaurants, walks, Manly Ferry, as well as swimming and kayaking spots. Our hosts were friendly and welcoming without being intrusive and the cottage itself is charming. It has all of the amenities that we required and we will certainly go back for another stay.

We loved our stay at The Rangers Cottage - a charming cottage on the edge of a beautiful national park. A pleasant half an hour walk to manly or swim in one of the more local beaches. A great cafe nearby and welcoming, a friendly hostess who provided great information on the local amenities and public transport.

We spent 10 nights with our daughter and loved it. It had all the comforts of home. Our host Felicity was fantastic! She was helpful and friendly, nothing was to much trouble. Good old Kiwi hospitality! the cottage was comfortable and cosy, with everything we needed. We were delighted to find how clean and well furnished it was. We would have no hesitation in coming back to stay at the Rangers cottage and we will definitely recommend the cottage to our family and Friends - ps loved the brownies.

We loved our two days spent in the Rangers Cottage Manly. We found ourselves immersed in nature, surrounded by so many birds other than those that we are used to seeing in Europe. The cottage is really nice, clean and spacious. The kitchen is well-equipped. Nothing is missing. You feel like at home! With some brownies waiting for you? Felicity is so kind and friendly. She also helped us to make some phone calls for our trip because our English is not so perfect. I definitely recommend this lovely place. The centre of Manly is easily accessible by bus or on foot. There is a supermarket very close and that charming cafe just around the corner where you should absolutely stop by for a coffee or lunch - Sonia and Adrien - Switzerland.

It is a gem—the little house is bright and airy, beautifully decorated, has everything you need, is comfortable in every way, and is well-appointed. It has its own little garden. It is a happy place to be. I would be there tomorrow if I could! Felicity, the owner, and her family are very welcoming and tremendously helpful and live just across the garden fence should you have any queries.

Rangers Cottage is perfectly situated for beaches (Forty Baskets and Reef beach are at the end of the street/ beach path) beach walks through Sydney Harbour National Park, coffee stops at the nearby cafe (Forty Beans) easy walking to the down town Manly with all that it has to offer.

Property manager

Felicity Stevens

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Breakfast included
Kitchen
Washer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Similar properties

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Check out before 10:00 AM
default

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
default

Events

No events allowed
default

Pets

No pets allowed
default

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
Property Registration Number PID-STRA-17870, 2093

We should mention

A car is not required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Sydney

Located near the beach, this holiday home is in Balgowlah, a neighbourhood in Sydney. Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House are notable landmarks, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Circular Quay and Overseas Passenger Terminal. Travelling with kids? Don't miss Taronga Zoo and Luna Park Sydney. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Balgowlah, NSW

What's nearby

  • Balmoral Beach - 8 min drive - 6.2 km
  • Manly Beach - 8 min drive - 3.4 km
  • Taronga Zoo - 10 min drive - 8.1 km
  • Sydney Harbour Bridge - 12 min drive - 11.4 km
  • Sydney Opera House - 16 min drive - 13.9 km

Getting around

  • Sydney North Sydney Station - 12 min drive
  • St. James Station - 15 min drive
  • Sydney Airport (SYD) - 41 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Fish Face - ‬12 min walk
  • ‪I Love Pizza - ‬12 min walk
  • ‪Aggy's Corner - ‬20 min walk
  • ‪Effie’s - ‬13 min walk
  • ‪Noodle Blast - ‬14 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Quiet Private Sustainable Harbourside Cottage - The Rangers Cottage pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Quiet Private Sustainable Harbourside Cottage - The Rangers Cottage?

There is free parking nearby.

What time is check-in at Quiet Private Sustainable Harbourside Cottage - The Rangers Cottage?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Quiet Private Sustainable Harbourside Cottage - The Rangers Cottage?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Quiet Private Sustainable Harbourside Cottage - The Rangers Cottage located?

This family-friendly Sydney holiday home is located by the sea, 1.9 mi (3 km) from Manly Beach, and within 6 mi (10 km) of Taronga Zoo and Balmoral Beach. Curl Curl Beach and Dee Why Beach are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 17 out of 20 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 20 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 20 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 20 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 20 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Christina K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful time at The Ranger's Cottage
We had a fabulous time at The Ranger's Cottage. It's a great set-up, fantastic location and Felicity is a wonderful host; nothing is too much trouble.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Felicity B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Delightful location
Lovely property in a delightful location. Perfect for a couple seeking peace and quiet. Close to the beach and the coastal trail and walking distance from all other amenities. Charming host who couldn’t have been more helpful.
Stayed 14 nights in Dec 2022
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Angela W.

A perfect retreat
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Rangers Cottage. The amenities were first class with a lot of thoughtful extras. The cottage was peaceful and private with a great location near to Forty Baskets beach. We will definitely will return.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Michael and Avril B.

Our lovely Manly Holiday
Lovely cottage in beautiful surroundings, we had a most enjoyable stay, perfect for a rest full holiday and to recharge your batteries. And with easy access to Manly. Would definitely recommend. Best wishes to you and your family.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Kate F.

Fantastic location,self contained,really lovely
My dad & his wife had the pleasure of staying here when visiting in Jan. Felicity is really lovely & welcoming. The place is wonderfully compact (perfect for a couple) & clean. It is really nicely done out & perfectly situated very close to north harbour reserve & just a small walk to 40 baskets beach. The buses to manly are easy or it's a really enjoyable 30 min walk with amazing views. They loved the local cafe & the quiet street. Would highly recommend :)
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Markus F.

Simply wonderful
We are a German Expat family living for some years in Hong Kong. This Christmas it's been our second time in Felicity's Cottage and it has been again simply wonderful. The Cottage is so cozy and clean, situated close to national parks, beaches and an amazing walkway to Manly. The kids love the garden and the playgrounds nearby. And Felicity took really care of us, letting us feel like being at home. For us, the best of our Expat-time in Asia: Holidays in Felicity's Cottage! Markus
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

William H.

Perfect in every way
My husband and I stayed for two weeks in November. Everything about the Rangers Cottage was perfect. It was a complete home from home. Everything you needed was catered for (even beach towels and beach bag!). I would give the cottage 100% in every category - location, cleanliness, layout, facilities, everything was thought of. Felicity was a delight - so helpful and thoughtful. I would recommend the cottage to anybody travelling to Australia - we hope to be back as soon as possible. A complete treasure in the most beautiful part of the world!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Cathleen D.

Exactly as depicted in photos on site; clean, homely, comfortable; all the little things catered for
Felicity greeted us as we arrived at 6pm and made us feel most welcome - a truly warm and friendly person. The cottage was all that we had hoped for and more - the breakfast supplies were as promised and the cupboards were filled with everything that you require for a holiday away - you just need to buy the food and drinks and all the condiments and wraps that you require are supplied for you. A lovely beach is within a 5 minute walking distance and public transport is close to hand - this is the best way to get around /Manly/Sydney as parking is a hassle. Great restaurants close by to walk to, in a lovely bush area with parking outside the cottage and if you ever need anything, Felicity is more than happy to assist. Homely, wonderful, pleasant and most of all, a great place to make as a base to visit the sites of Sydney or just to relax with a wine and cheese platter sitting on the garden setting provided reading a book and relaxing. Thank you Felicity :)
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2016
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Liz S.

Fabulous - beautiful suburb of Manly
We were so glad we chose to stay out of the city of Sydney and enjoy a small suburb in Manly. As a family of four the Rangers Cottage was perfect with all we needed. Its a lovely property and area close to Manly and the Rangers Cottage has been very well thought out as far as what you may need, very impressive. The local buses are wonderful which can take you to the local shops or Manly on the hour and then connect with ferrys to Circular Quay. We did this 4 out of 7 days and loved the trip. The scenery around Manly and even of the bus trip to and from Balgowlah is beautiful and well worth it. We found we didn't need a car the public transport was perfect for us which also contributed to a very relaxing week for us. 10 mins to Manly and 30 minutes by ferry to Sydney. Felicity's knowledge and guidance was invaluable for us as tourists! Thank you so much and we wouldn't hesitate to recommend your accommodation. The bridgeclimb will last in the boys memory forever! Liz & Michael, Melbourne

10/10 Excellent

Gregory B., Brunswick West, Victoria

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Balgowlah beauty
Balgowlah was a mystery when we booked, “sort of near Manly” we thought. Little did we know it’s adjacent to national park reserves and superb little beaches in the heart of Sydney harbour. The Rangers Cottage is a comfortable little self contained residence best suited to a couple but comfortably accommodated our family of 4. Our host Felicity was very welcoming and supported our stay very well. We would be happy to stay again.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2022

10/10 Excellent

Dene S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
excellent location!
the cottage was very clean and private. Very close to the water and a cafe.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2020

8/10 Good

nigel b.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Review.
Great location, cute cottage. Would like more time there to explore the area further.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2020

10/10 Excellent

Simon M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Balgowlah Cottage
Everything you could want for a short or extended stay. Convenience, location and privacy.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

Samual S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The beautiful Ranger cottage
The Ranger Cottage was our perfect little getaway, it contained everything we needed including a high chair and cot. It is located in a wonderful position close to beaches, walking trails and a lovely cafe. Felicity was a great hostess, very friendly and approachable.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Stayed 10 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

D B., Southern Highlands NSW

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A little Gem of a property - no hesitation in recommending.
A small private cottage in a quiet suburban area offering easy street parking, situated within a delightful 25 min walk to Manly Ferry past spectacular beaches, and a 2 min walk to a super local beach, great cafe and good transport. The kitchen is well equipped with everything you would need, the cosy lounge is perfect for a couple to relax in after a days sightseeing. The king sized bed is really comfortable, the bedroom peaceful, warm and has plenty of hangers and space for your suitcases so you can keep the small but perfectly styled room uncluttered. The shower is a good strong and hot, very modern and spotlessly clean. The owner has given this fantastic property a great deal of thought and care for her guests comfort and enjoyment, and we have no hesitation in recommending this property. Great little touches which were very appreciated such as milk, bread, and fresh fruit on arrival, not to mention a couple of OPAL cards for your transport needs. We found Felicity (your host) a very kind, welcoming and considerate person who will go out of her way to ensure you are happy.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Jackie v.

Perfect for some R&R
Great cottage filled with everything we needed and more. Lovely and warm and private, yet close to so much. Lovely to walk some of the nearby Manly to Spit walk. Really comfy bed and pillows. Well equipped kitchen. Very helpful friendly host.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Spacious holiday cottage near coastal path
A light, freshly decorated and fully equipped holiday cottage in a quiet residential neighbourhood close to the popular Manly - Spit Head coastal path. We loved the walk into Manly Cove and we stopped en route for a swim at family-friendly Fairlight beach. A car is helpful here, especially on the first/last day if you have suitcases but otherwise we used the buses to travel around the North shore and into the city. We walked up to the main road where the city service was plentiful so it wasn't too much of a problem.
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2019
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Jo M.

Rangers Cottage
I had the best stay at the Rangers Cottage! The property was immaculate, Felicity has thought of every home comfort you could possibly need and was a fabulous host. I would recommend the Rangers Cottage to anyone and everyone. Suits families or couples. Situated in a lovely suburb, approximately 25 mins walk along beautiful coast line (with young children in tow!) to Manly where you catch the ferry into Sydney Harbour - no better way to see the City! Lovely walks and National Parks on the doorstep and so close to the attractions of the city.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Jeffrey G.

Fantastic Stay in Balgowlah!
The Ranger's Cottage is one of the nicest rentals in the North Sydney area. My wife and I stayed there with our two small children and very much enjoyed the quiet neighborhood, the natural beauty, and its close access to shops, attractions and playgrounds. While the beach was a little bit of a walk, the Manly-Spit Walkway is so stunning in both directions we were absolutely enthralled by the clear waters, friendly people, and mild weather of Sydney's North Harbour. The cottage itself is cozy, warm, and clean, and the proprietors are excellent hosts. They were in close contact, and made booking and payment for the rental a breeze. In addition, we had everything we needed when we arrived after a long journey, and were comfortable to ask questions anytime during our stay. Considering the ideal location and top-notch hosts, we would recommend this rental to any traveler interested in seeing Sydney, Manly, or the Northern Beaches. Besides accommodating our family, it also has plenty of appeal for couples and privacy for the single traveler. We especially liked the proximity to the Sydney ferries, the mall on Condamine Street, and the stores along The Corso in Manly. Most helpful was the formation kiosk at the ferry terminal, which pointed us to the bus line along Sydney Road, a godsend after a long day at the beach with small children. If you plan on staying near Sydney, we give The Ranger's Cottage our highest recommendation. Thank you, Felicity!

About the host

Hosted by Felicity Stevens

Host profile image
We are a family of four who are originally from New Zealand. We moved to this part of Sydney 20 years ago originally for 2 years and fell in love with all it had to offer and so we stayed. This is our family business and all the family are involved in some shape or form to make it work. I have a background in fashion and prior to that worked in Hotels. We enjoy welcoming guests from all over the world to our special enchanted corner of Sydney and hope we can make there time enjoyable.

Both Felicity and David are aware of the emissions and waste that are created when we travel so over the years we have taken steps to set the cottage up to create less. We have been inspired by many guests who over the years have cheered us on and taught us about what they do in their homes. We have done the heavy lifting in setting up the home and if you want to take further steps to join while you stay with us you are welcome to but we are also happy if you don't.

We love meeting guests from all over the world and sharing our special part of Sydney with them. Over the years, we have welcomed many guests who choose to come and live like a Sydney local and or to visit local friends and families, and we have had the privilege of getting to know more families in our neighbourhood.

Why they chose this property

When we set up the Ranger’s Cottage as a holiday rental, we thought about the kind of place we’d love to stay in as a travelling family—somewhere welcoming, comfortable, and practical, with everything you might need to feel at home. It’s not a fancy five-star hotel, but it’s clean, cosy, well-equipped, and full of thoughtful touches that our guests appreciate. Many have said it feels like a true home away from home.

We chose this area because we love living here ourselves. It’s peaceful, and we wake each morning to the sound of birdsong. There’s native bushland just across the street and even more to explore a little further around the corner. We often spot wallabies on our local walks—especially along the famous Manly to Spit coastal track, which we feel lucky to have right on our doorstep.

Despite the tranquillity, we’re also incredibly well-connected. You can walk to the heart of Manly in around 30 minutes, or hop on a bus and be in the middle of Sydney’s city buzz in about 45. And at the end of our street, two beautiful local beaches are just a short stroll through the bush.

Many of our guests tell us how much they love feeling like a local while staying here—and we couldn’t agree more. And since we live next door, we’re always happy to help if you have any questions during your stay.

What makes this property unique

It’s not every day you find a freestanding cottage so close to the beach in Sydney—and that’s just the beginning of what makes our place special.

The Ranger’s Cottage is part of local history. Originally the farmhouse for this area, it was once home to the talented artist Brownie Downing and her creative family. Over the years, we’ve heard wonderful stories from locals—like when the park ranger used the cottage while checking on nearby farms. There’s a lot of heart and history here.

Beneath its charming exterior, the cottage is double brick and fully insulated, which helps it stay cool in summer and warm in winter. And while it’s tucked in a quiet, leafy spot surrounded by native bushland and birdsong, you’re only a short walk to hidden local beaches and the famous Manly to Spit coastal walk—and just 30 minutes to the heart of Manly or 45 minutes into the city.

We’ve also worked hard to make the cottage a more sustainable place to stay:

We generate around 75% of our electricity with solar panels and buy the rest from renewable providers.
Water-efficient fittings, energy-efficient lighting, and a reverse-cycle air conditioner help lower energy use.
We’re phasing out gas and moving to fully electric for both environmental and health reasons.
Refillable and bulk-bought cleaning and cooking staples help reduce waste.
Guests are provided with composting, recycling, and thoughtful extras like reusable shopping bags, containers, and water bottles.
If you're looking for a place that’s comfortable, full of character, and trying to do things a little better for the planet—you’ll feel right at home here.

Languages:

English