Escape to “Kookaburra Cottage” a riverside home less than 2 hours from Sydney/Newcastle. Located on the serene Hawkesbury River in a stunning valley. An idyllic escape for couples, families or solo adventurers our cottage is the perfect setting to unwind. Enjoy fishing or boating on the private jetty, watch captivating sunsets, stargazing by the outdoor fire, explore convict trails, hikes or simply relax and take in the peace and beauty. Early/late check-in/out & last minute discounts available.
The space
"Kookaburra Cottage" is situated in Gunderman, a small community located on the north bank of the Hawkesbury River between Wisemans Ferry and Spencer. Nestled beneath towering sandstone cliffs, this deep volcanic valley offers stunning views and adjoins Dharug National Park. Gunderman is derived from an aboriginal word meaning 'house by the stream'.
A warm and inviting open plan cottage with a deck overlooking the river and plenty of all day sunshine. Two well sized bedrooms and semi enclosed porch with rocking chairs. Enjoy year-round comfort with a reverse cycle air-conditioner, keeping you cozy in winter and cool in summer. Large windows bathe the home in natural light, highlighting the polished timber floorboards and relaxed Hampton style.
As Gunderman is somewhat remote, there are no local supermarkets, so be sure to come prepared with groceries and supplies. The nearby Wombat Café (5-10 mins away) serves hearty meals, while Spencer (10-15 minutes away) offers the Anchor restaurant/pub/bottleshop and a Thai eatery. Wisemans Ferry (25-30 minutes away) has a historic pub, bowling club, shops, coffee shop, post office, service station and a small supermarket (see below for more).
IMPORTANT >> Phone and 5G reception: Before you leave, download your arrival guide and set up google maps. The arrival guide includes the smart lock code to get into the house and wi-fi details. There is sporadic phone and 5G in the area once you get into the valley and almost none at the property until you get to the wi-fi. Wi-fi is satellite and high enough bandwidth to stream movies or work from the river.
Bedrooms:
- Master Suite: Queen bed, drawers, and a desk with river views. The north-facing window provides plenty of sunlight.
- Second Bedroom: Flexible setup with 3-4 beds. Includes a single that converts to a king and a low-rise bunk bed.
Amenities:
- Private Jetty: Direct access to the Hawkesbury River for fishing, boating, or relaxing by the water.
- Outdoor Entertaining: Spacious deck with BBQ, outdoor dining table, outdoor umbrella, large day bed and rocking chairs with stunning river views, perfect for dining or unwinding.
- Country Kitchen: Fully equipped, clean, and tidy.
- Living Area: Open-plan with ample seating and large windows.
Parking: Three spaces are available. Be cautious when parking near the garage, as the front path’s staircase cuts into this area and may be hard to see from the car. The garage itself is not to be used by guests.
National Park and hiking and mountain bike trails: The Gunderman area has several scenic trails in Dharug National Park. These trails are suitable for hikers of all skill levels as well as mountain bikers. Trails in the Gunderman area:
- Finchs Line via Settlers Road: A 6.7-mile trail that takes about 3 hours and 12 minutes to complete
- Mill Creek Circuit via 11km Track: A 5.1-mile trail that takes about 2 hours and 53 minutes to complete
Please do your research before doing one of these trails. There is limited phone reception if you get lost. For more, google "Best trails in Gunderman".
Guest access
Guests will have full access to the property, including the private jetty and outdoor entertaining areas.
The slip road that leads to the house is unsealed and a bit rough in patches so please take care when driving along it.
Other things to note
The River and Swimming: The river at our property is a truly beautiful and serene spot and is fantastic for boating, fishing, and other water activities. However, please be aware that the current can be quite strong, particularly when the tides are turning. The area is remote, there are no-life saving or emergency marine services close by. For this reason, we advise you to use extreme caution around the river, especially with canoes, kayaks and stand up paddle boards.
We don’t generally swim out the front, if we do it's usually just a quick dip. There are many creeks and tributaries in the area. If you choose to swim at the house, it's safest to do so during the turn of the tide when the water is still. You can easily check tide times by searching "tide chart Gunderman."
It is also not recommended to swim at sunset and sunrise as it is possible there may be sharks in the Hawkesbury River (not recommended for any salt water areas in Australia, not just the Hawkesbury). There was a reported shark attack in the area in the 1920’s but none since. There have been rare reports of bull sharks being caught on lines.
Life Jackets: We recommend that all guests under the age of 14 wear a life jacket when on the jetty or pontoon. We have a wide range of life jackets and vests available for all ages, stored in the shed under the house for your convenience.
Transport: A car is essential for exploring Gunderman and the surrounding areas. There is limited/no public transport.
Boat ramps: You can launch your boat at Spencer, whilst small, it is the recommended ramp as it is closest to the property. You can also launch from Wisemans Ferry, although it’s further away.
Boat & Pontoon: The pontoon is on the small size, it is recommended to hold a boat no more than 5-6 metres.
BBQ: It is an electric BBQ on the deck. There is a power-point next to the BBQ. You will need to get the element out of the sideboard cupboard, in the house, next to the breakfast bar. Please return the element to the sideboard on leaving.
Boots: Bring boots (and spare clothes) if you or your kids like to play on the shore, it can be quite muddy. It’s also suggested to wear boots around the yard or if bush walking.
Canoes, Kayaks, and SUP’s: If you bring them and use them outside the house, we recommend only at the turn of the tide and please wear a life jacket. Otherwise, there are loads of smaller estuaries and rivers in the area. We do not supply any of these (yet) but do supply life jackets. It is a beautiful place to explore and there is a small sandy beach about 500m up river on the south bank.
Outside fire: Please check the Rural Fire Service website before lighting the outside fire. You can google "Fire Bans NSW". Do not use the fire pit when there is a total fire ban. It is safest to only use the fire pit if the area is rated white or green. Please make sure that the fire is fully extinguished when you finish using it.
We do not supply firewood but you're welcome to bring your own. There are a lot of sticks and wood which you can collect in the bush around the area (as long as it’s not been raining).
Books and board games: There is a selection of novels and board games you are welcome to use.
TV and music: There is a smart TV and small Bluetooth speaker. The TV has regional free to air reception but does not have streaming services (although you're welcome to log in with your own account).
Wi-fi: There is wi-fi. Wi-fi is satellite and high enough bandwidth to stream movies or work from the river.
Device charging: There are USB sockets for charging, we have put out charging cables, although strongly suggest you take your own in case ours have gone missing.
Drinking and washing water: Kookaburra cottage uses tank water. All water is filtered through the main pump and perfectly fine to drink (in fact some say better than city tap water). If you prefer different water, please bring your own. Please be water conscious when showering or using outside taps and hoses.
Rubbish and Recycling: There is a staircase opposite the garage that leads up to the bins.
Shops and amenities: The closest amenities are in Spencer, Wisemans Ferry, Mangrove Mountain and St. Albans:
Spencer (10 min drive)
The Anchor - Awesome pub/restaurant/cafe overlooking the water. Has bands in summer on the weekend. Includes Bottle shop and general store (limited to snacks) >> limited hours, google "the anchor spencer"
Spencer Thai >> Great food and a beautiful authentic restaurant. Limited hours and you generally need to book, google "spencer thai"
Wisemans Ferry (25 min drive)
Great pub and food, Bottle shop, Bowling club, Pharmacy, small supermarket, petrol station
Mangrove Mountain (20 mins)
Cafe and General store, Pharmacy, Golf Club
St Albans (30 Mins)
Pub/Bottle shop, Clothes store, small shops
