Rockridge, New South Wales

General Visiting

Rockridge: Views from Downstairs

A statuesque Cape Cod-style beachhouse, Rockridge commands sweeping views across Pittwater to Barrenjoey lighthouse and beyond to the Pacific Ocean. Less than an hour's drive north of Sydney. We recently spent a long weekend at Rockridge.

You will never want to leave.
The villa was built in the 1940's, when it was lovingly designed by its original owner, Mickey McNicoll. Sadly, she only got to enjoy the house
for a few years before her husband, lost it in a poker game one Christmas, so we where told.

Rockridge has a charming blend of traditional craftsmanship, modern amenities and eclectic decor. The walls are adorned with sensual modern art that contrasts with black and white photographs dating from the 1920's to the 1940's showing the Palm Beach of another era.

The four-bedroom timber and stone house retains many of its original features, inlcuding wooden floors, beautifully crafted joinery and a stone fireplace. Just what you eed this time of the year on a beach holiday.

You will find an ardent beachcomber's collection of shells is crowded onto the mantlepiece alongside other flotsam and jetsam and a model yacht.

The contemporary country style kitchen, every tourist dream, has a table for impromptu suppers, but there's also a proper dining table for grand feasts and a dishwasher to make light work of the clearing up afterwards.

With two king bedrooms, one queen, and one bunk bedded room all with ocean views. Rockridge is ideal for families with children, or for a group of friends, but it also makes a very special private getaway for couples wanting some quit time.

There are three toilets, two showers and one charmingly old fashioned bathtub in which to give the complimentary Aveda and Aesop toiletries a work out during a good long soak.

The sunroom is an inviting place in which to curl up with a glossy magazine or one of the interesting books to be found in the compact library, or for an afternoon nap on the Indonesian day bed.
Pacific Island artifacts and cane chairs add a note of whimsy, and there are shaggy cushions and richly textured rugs for lazy days and nights in front of the fire, you also get ready cut fire wood so no need to find your own.

Outside we found a black tiled, stone-edged spa and plunge pool overlooking the ocean: with no immediate neighbours to interrupt you what better excuse is there for a midnight dip with a cold
martini in hand and twinkling stars overhead?

Beyond, in the surrounding acre of bushland and tropical palms, there are sun umbrellas, deckchairs and hammocks slung between trees.Pool and Spa

If you can tear yourself away from those awe inspiring views, the steps across the road lead down to Palm Beach. We took a sunrise swim in the ocean each morning and took a sunset walk along nearby Whale Beach before dinner at Jonah's or the Whale Beach Restaurant, where you will find the best food you have ever tried.

There is always time for some boutique shopping and a leisurely lunch at a cafe, or for the more active, tennis, fishing, boating or gold at the local nine hole course.
And if you're planning a quiet night in, take the five minute drive to Avalon with its fine range of food shops and delicatessens, where you can buy anything from organic fruit and egetables to artisan baked bread.

You will find as we did, Rockridge is about doing as much or as little as you like, from simply lounging around and enjoying the panoramic ocean views to hosting a glamorous dinner party.

The rates at Rockridge are fair. They range from $600 per night for up to eight people, with a minimum stay of two nights or one week, depending on season. The best season to visit Rockridge
is all season round. Winter or Summer you will find it a fascinating and beautiful place to spend some quite time.

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Accomodation and Information