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Observatory View Cottage - a place of pure escape

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Exterior
Living area
Property grounds
Property grounds
Interior detail

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 4

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Fireplace
  • Washer
  • Kitchen
  • Pool
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

Map
Firefly, NSW
  • Villa d'Esta Vineyard
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Forster Town Beach
    ‪38 min drive‬
  • One Mile Beach
    ‪42 min drive‬
  • Forster, NSW (FOT)
    ‪38 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Kitchen
Balcony
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Observatory View Cottage - a place of pure escape

Just one of our gorgeous guests reviews ;

Tanya's cottage is the perfect little place for a tranquil getaway! The moment you arrive you feel like you're in another world. The expansive views are just something. The cottage is so cosy, beautifully laid out and have 360 views. It's a quintessential country style cottage with all the modern ammenities. Tanya was very easy to deal with and a very attentive host. We will definitely be back :)

* 3 hours north of Sydney is your 'best of both worlds' getaway
* Unique, clean, cozy and just beautiful, 2 bedroom private cottage with a selection of beautiful beaches from just 30 mins away
* The gorgeous Tallwoods Golf Course only 30 mins away, with Blackhead Beach, Blackhead Markets and recently renovated Hallidays Point Tavern just minutes from the golf course
* Local village - Nabiac is a 10 minute, picturesque drive, offering gorgeous giftware, vintage, craft and op shops, variety of eateries inc The Greenhouse Cafe, a good ole' fashioned take away, the Bakery and the Nabiac Hotel (with courtesy bus available on Tues, Fri and Sat nights). For recreation, Nabiac also offers a tennis court (bookings essential), swimming pool, park and oval. With the convenience of grocery stores, butchers, chemist, newsagency, hair and beauty, Nabiac has everything you need !! The well known National Motorbike Museum also resides in Nabiac - 'Nabiac - be amazed' !!
* The village of Krambach also 10 mins has a traditional pub and cafe. Follow the Krambach Rd to the gorgeous Gloucester Shire/Barrington Tops for a day trip - only 40 mins away!!
* Villa d'Esta Winery 5 mins, Great Lakes Paddocks about 25 mins away
* Bike/walking track behind property
* Sitting pretty atop the hill, with uninterrupted skies, the cottage surrounds are perfect for setting up a telescope and star gazing
* Nabiac Farmers Market is on the last Saturday of each month, excluding December. The market is continually growing, with over 80 stalls at last count !! It's a fantastic morning out, starting at 8am through to 12 noon. Music plays in the background as you wander the market observing the amazing displays of produce and talent in the region.

As the song goes, I found my thrills on (blueberry) - observatory hill. Observatory View Cottage sits atop a hill, boasting the views once enjoyed by the old observatory which stands beside it, taking full advantage of spectacular and uninterrupted views of the starry nights. This fully renovated 2 bedroom light filled cottage takes pride of place on 100 undulating acres in Firefly, just a 10 min drive off the Pacific Highway, in the hinterland of the mid north coast of NSW. Only 3 hours north of Sydney, or 1½ hours from Newcastle or Port Macquarie, this holiday cottage is bursting with its own unique style.

The main bedroom featuring a king sized bed opens upon a view of distant dams, forest, and paddocks, with a large grassed clearing in the foreground. The second bedroom with a queen sized bed overlooks the other side of the hill, which complete with hills hoist empties into the valley beyond. Both beds are fitted with high quality crisp linen, with a large sofa lounge in the sitting room providing another sleeping option for further guests.

The sitting and dining areas front an open plan fully self contained new but rustic kitchen, complete with stone sink and coffee machine. If cooking inside is not for you, a 2 burner gas BBQ is available – that is, if you can motivate yourself to move off the comfort of the timber deck first.

There is a separate toilet and bathroom with large shower, and a laundry with the full complement of whitegoods to cater for any cleaning incurred in a rural lifestyle. Air-conditioning or an electric log heater make the cottage comfortable for all seasons.

Enjoying fresh tank water, and an outdoor garden setting amongst the trees, soak up the tranquil landscape whichever way you choose. This country cottage offers a taste of both modernity and history, where city comforts blend with rustic charm. With views from every window and the village atmosphere of Nabiac, the sandy white beaches of Forster, the glory of the mighty Manning River in Taree and Wingham, or the dramatic escarpment of Gloucester and Barrington only short drives away, this is a getaway that should not be missed.

Property owners Tanya and Troy are available nearby should you need any assistance, but otherwise the privacy of this retreat and all it has to offer can be yours to enjoy.

Please note:- Check-in and Check-out times can be made flexible subject to availability. Please ask if you have a special request.

Review

Review:

We enormously enjoyed four relaxing and indulgent days at this beautiful cottage. A fantastic breath of peace and fresh air, in gorgeous surroundings. 


Thanks very much for rescuing our Easter and for looking after us so well. We had a great break. Our two year old is still talking about it (misses the puppy)! On the way back to Sydney, she kept on asking to go back to the “Holiday House!”. 


The cottage itself was beautiful – stylish, tastefully renovated, offering city comfort with country charm. Super comfortable beds – we all slept better than we had in we had in months - gorgeous bathroom, lovely open plan kitchen. 


We also loved that the cottage has such a soulful history - with the old observatory on the grounds. Lovely to have our own private lawn and gardens - and the view from both lounge and main bedroom over the rolling country hillside was amazing, the deck perfect for relaxing with a nice glass of wine – or two. It was a great launching point for adventures to the surrounding area, and just for relaxing, cooking and reading a book…


Thanks again and we will be back!


Cheers

Breakfast Option

Stay more than one night and receive a complimentry breakfast hamper for the first morning - bacon, eggs, bread and juice, along with homemade Granola muesli and youghurt. Milk is always provided along with tea and coffee. If your break away is purely for rest and relaxation, pop into Nabiac where the Greenhouse Cafe (open 7 days per week with the exception of public holidays and currently Covid 19 restrictions) serves up delicious breakfast, brunch and lunch meals and a selection of amazing cakes and slices, all made in-house by their full-time pastry chef. The Nabiac Hotel is also open 7 days per week for lunch and dinner (of course subject to current Covid 19 restrictions) and offers a courtesy bus on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday nights. The bus can pick you up from the cottage and bring you 'home'.

Property manager

Tanya

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Pool
Kitchen
Washer
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 2:00 PM
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Children MUST be supervised outdoors AT ALL TIMES.
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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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 not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a first aid kit
Property registration number PID-STRA-6292-2

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Firefly

Located in Firefly, this holiday home is in a rural area and on a river. Villa d'Esta Vineyard and Honeycomb Valley Farm are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Wallamba Nature Reserve and Bullocky Wharf Reserve. Discover the area's water adventures with nearby power boating, or enjoy the great outdoors with horse riding.
Map
Firefly, NSW

What's nearby

  • Villa d'Esta Vineyard - 8 min drive - 4.1 km
  • Honeycomb Valley Farm - 17 min drive - 12.5 km
  • Forster Town Beach - 38 min drive - 37.7 km
  • One Mile Beach - 42 min drive - 39.7 km
  • Forster-Tuncurry Golf Course - 42 min drive - 40.0 km

Getting around

  • Taree Station - 39 min drive
  • Taree, NSW (TRO) - 42 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Krambach Hotel - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Brooks Beate Lieselotte - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Krambach Cottage - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Doranwoods Cafe - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪Commercial Hotel - ‬14 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Observatory View Cottage - a place of pure escape pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Observatory View Cottage - a place of pure escape?

Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Observatory View Cottage - a place of pure escape?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Observatory View Cottage - a place of pure escape located?

Situated on a river, this holiday home is 0.2 mi (0.3 km) from Wallamba Nature Reserve and 2.5 mi (4.1 km) from Villa d'Esta Vineyard. Honeycomb Valley Farm and The National Motorcycle Museum are also within 12 miles (20 km).

Reviews

10

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. 31 out of 32 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 32 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 32 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 32 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 32 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Steven P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Escape
A beautiful place to disconnect, unwind and spend time with the family
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Phoebe J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cottage stay
Our stay at the Firefly cottage was very enjoyable and relaxing. Tanya took great care to make sure we were happy and had everything we needed. We especially appreciated the additional touches with the excellent breakfast basket. The property itself supassed our expectations, and we had a memorable and comfortable getaway. We would highly recommend this lovely place. Thank you!
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

James S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing - highly recommend for a break!
Our second time at this awesome property, this time with our three year old. She loves it and so did we! The property is serene and you can shut off the world. The neighbours with their horses were loved by the little one. The lovely touches they put in to make you welcome really add the cherry on top. Turn your phone off and enjoy Thanks for having us!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sandra B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Charming cottage
Absolutely loved Tanya's cottage. It is the perfect little cottage for a peaceful, restful stay. The view is amazing and the night sky twinkles with the stars. The cottage is well laid out, cozy, and comfortable. Tanya was easy to deal with. We will definitely be back.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lynda H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We will be back!
Absolutely beautiful location. Felt like home away from home. Comfortable and warm inside the cottage and clean and crisp outside. Tanya’s attention to detail is remarkable and her warmly welcome was felt.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Hugo S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful spot!
Beautiful, clean and comfortable little cottage with gorgeous views of the surrounding farmland. Very cozy and really lovely to stay in. Nearby Nabiac was also beautiful and visiting the Krambach markets a real highlight for us. Host (Tanya) also very friendly and easy to communicate with. Overall 5 stars, would certainly love to come back!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lindy V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
So much serenity....
"How's the serenity? So much serenity". A favourite line from "the Castle" is a perfect fit for "the Cottage". Such a restful, comfortable space with a beautiful outlook and the bird life is amazing. I actually couldn't drag myself away and stayed an extra night. Host Tanya was so accommodating and easy to communicate with.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Tanya S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Highly recommended
Gorgeous well appointed cottage in a beautiful & serene location. Rocking chair on the deck was my favorite spot! Tanya is a warm & friendly host & has created a great balance of allowing guests to enjoy a peaceful stay but equally is on hand if you need to contact. Highly recommend for a relaxing getaway!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Janita O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Easy with a touch of sensory overload. Beds are amazing.
Simplistic- refreshing - worth every dollar
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Amanda P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Tranquil Breakaway
Beautiful breakaway where we unplugged and recharged. The place was absolutely quiet and relaxing. Tanya provided everything we needed to unwind. We had 2 days of complete relaxation.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Vanessa C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Charming Cottage
Total privacy and beautiful outlook. A cosy cottage with all you need. Big comfy beds and a delicious breakfast provided to cook up. Terrific spot and highly recommend.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Rachael F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely
Was a lovely stay and my mum and I really enjoyed. Brekkie was great too 😊
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2022

8/10 Good

Louise M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A peaceful escape
A peaceful escape from the busyness of life. Beautiful outlook, especially on the rocking chair on the verandah.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2022

10/10 Excellent

Ollie Z.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Hidden Gem
A piece of paradise is what is waiting for you when you arrive. Tanya made myself & my man feel at home the whole time we were there. From the cottage to the views and the little bits inbetween was just amazing. Very clean & homely. It was fantastic to sit on the porch & take in the beautiful scenery. Its a must. Will definitely be back again, but stay longer than we did. Thank you Tanya & your family for making our weekend away magical. 😀😀😀😀

10/10 Excellent

Keith V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Peaceful Getaway
We had a great break and the location was exactly what we were looking for. The cottage had everything we needed and was extremely comfortable and clean. it was a real escape from the city (for a short time). some of the best views at sunrise and sunset. The owners were very accommdating and the welcome package was much appreciated. Thanks Tanya and Troy
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2020

10/10 Excellent

Emily S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A place for contemplation
Such a tranquil place and so clean, homely and comfortable. The rural views are lovely and uninterrupted, as was that of the stars!! Tanya was a wonderful host and was helpful throughout.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Jessamine C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A magical place!
Tanya was absolutely one of the best hosts that I have had the pleasure meeting- impeccable communication, warm, and so welcoming. Upon our arrival, we were greeted with a lovely welcome message on the door! The cottage was thoughtfully decorated, clean, and well serviced. Thank you Tanya for providing us with a generous range of breakfast supplies- homemade granola, bacon, eggs, toast, yogurt, milk and juice! We absolutely loved our country escape. The tranquil surrounding was exactly what we had hoped for- it helped to nourish our tired souls. We look forward to returning to this gem on the hill soon!Thank you Tanya and Troy!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2020

10/10 Excellent

Leigh C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing Weekend
Wonderful hospitality with beautiful views combined for an amazing weekend away. Felt so welcome and looked after. Will definitely be back
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2019

10/10 Excellent

Danielle G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
You'll have to pinch yourself to know your not dreaming.
This is honestly my #1 favourite place I've visited so far that I will be endlessly suggesting to anyone that will be coming out this way or better yet just advise them to go out of their way to come here because it is well worth it. Tanya has thought of everything to make your stay here the best experience you could have with the subtle little quirks like personalized welcoming messages, easy reminders for where things are to make an outdoor fire in the fire pit and even complimentary homemade granola! It definitely feels like a home away from home with it's cozy interior, oversized bed in the main room and plenty of warm blankets. If you are able to will yourself back inside the house again after laying your eyes on the stunning view of the stars outside or hanging out with the cows right along the fence, there's endless entertainment indoors with a range of board games, interesting books where you can sit on the couches near the heater, a piano for the musical kind and if your staying more than a couple nights there's also a tv for movies. I couldn't recommend this place more!
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Preeti P., Sydney

Best Detoxing Getaway!!
We were delighted by how quite, private, clean and perfect this cottage and it’s surround are. We feel completely relaxed and the kids loved it too. Lovely host and we are already planning our next stay here. Highly Recommended.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2019

10/10 Excellent

Naras R.

5 stars for this stunning place
This place exceeded our expectations. We've stayed in quite a few places through different hosting platforms, and Tanya was one of the best hosts we've had. The house has all amenities as listed and super clean, comfy, and beautiful. Definitely recommend to those looking for an observatory feel because you will definitely get it. We loved watching the Milky Way trail in the night sky. We'll be back for sure!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2019

10/10 Excellent

Cam J.

Wow, what a magic place
Thankyou so much Tanya & family for an amazing two night stay at Observatory View Cottage. My son and I loved the peacefulness versus hectic city life and the cottage is so light and bright & has absolutely everything you need. A welcome note to us on the door made for a really positive first impression and Tanya is friendly to any enquiries you have. Thankyou for the nice touches of fresh homemade provisions in the fridge & bread allowing for a hearty breakfast before trekking off for golf, time at the beach and in Nabiac. The coffee machine also received a workout and was really appreciated. Tanya had even thought of fruit iceblocks in the freezer for the warm days. The resident Jack Russell puppies bought much joy and company to us and were always around the cottage. Outside the cottage, the huge grassy area made for plenty of sport and generally wearing everyone out which then allowed for some chilling in the rocking chair out on the deck taking in the incredible view. When referring to views the stars at night are a real highlight - so visible and bright, you can see why the old Observatory is next to you. It's been a fantastic break & felt like much more than two nights but we didn't want to come home. We recommend the cottage to everyone and look forward to returning Regards Cam & Jerry
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2019

10/10 Excellent

Tanya K.

Great Escape
From the drive in, the scenic route via the dirt road brings you to this quaint little cottage up on the hill with the most gorgeous, open landscape. The night sky is mesmerising. Winery down the road, Nabiac village has a lovely cafe and a great array of shops. This cottage is conveniently located, a country getaway and yet being only half an hour to the beach. Perfect spot!
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Well worth the visit - highly recommended
Our stay at Observatory View Cottage was out of this world. The cottage is well equipped and beautifully situated. The Nabiac Hotel is a must for dinner, fantastic fare if you can drag yourself away from the ambience of the cottage. The Greenhouse Cafe is also worth a visit for breakfast. Our host, Tanya, was friendly and attentive with all booking details and instructions provided. A delightful stay for anyone looking for a romantic and peaceful getaway.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Marlene L.

Peaceful with charm and country hospitality
My husband my 2 daughters and I spent a much needed break at this cottage. Tanya and Troy were lovely hosts providing us with wonderful breakfast which included a very memorable home made granola. We also enjoyed the open fire pit and marshmallows which were a highlight under the starey Sky. we recommend this place highly. It's location is perfect 30min to foster and 30min to diamond beach providing guests closeness to wonderful beaches while being embedded with nature and farm life. My young ones enjoyed seeing all the farm animals, as well as wild ones. We will try to make time to come back!

About the host

Hosted by Tanya

Host profile image
We are a family of five, three children at High School in Tuncurry My hubby grew up on a farm, I grew up on the Northern Beaches of Sydney, needless to say, we had very different upbringings !! After living in residential areas of Sydney and moving around a little, we decided a property was a lovely option for our three children to grow up in and for my hubby to get back to his roots, his passion - the land !!

Why they chose this property

We were looking for a rural property that was within a reasonable distance to beaches and the gorgeous bodies of water that spoil this region.

So, like many, we looked and looked for the 'right' property and was a little disheartened when nothing really sat right with us. We saw properties that were move-in ready, some that needed a little touch here and there but just not 'us'. We completely disregarded this property to even inspect due to it's lack of photo's online. It caused us major apprehension when our local real estate agent said "I'm taking you up there" as, on paper, it had everything we were essentially looking for. The property, as suspected, was in total disrepair in every way. Buuuttt, there was 'something' about this property, something truly magical, it had SOUL, it had character and it was really unique. The old owner created an amazing home for their family but we could see when we met him though, he was ready to move on.

We bought the property six years ago and have been working hard on it ever since (I don't think work ever stops on a property of any kind !!). Lets just say it has been a BIG project !! We have been able to create that same soulful feeling and give this property back is life which we are really proud of and even prouder to be in a position to share it with guests. When people come here, the common remark is 'It just feels good, has such a nice feel about it. There really is just something about this place'.


What makes this property unique

Well this property is just one-of-a-kind. It has a homemade Observatory (currently not in working order, hoping to restore one day!!). The old owner built the Observatory and all his telescopes he used in it, quite remarkable, don't you think ??!! So this property has THE ideal position for star gazing. On a clear night, the starry sky here is simply incredible, I still get amazed by it.

When he moved, he left alot of his belongings, we found photo's of him building the structure with his kids helping (or maybe supervising, not sure lol ??!!).

He was such an incredible man with many many interests ie astronomy (hence the observatory of course!!), mathematics, languages, music and photography (he built his own dark room too !!). His interests were evident in the books he left behind. These are displayed and available to you to have a look at in the cottage (please be careful with them if you do take a look).

When I was 'restoring/renovating' the cottage, I tried to stay true to his interests and his passions. I reused/recycled alot of what was left on the property to make this property unique and with it's own style, not like any other.

Languages:

English