6 THE GISBORNE HERALD TRAVEL Carefree in Killcare

Justine Tyerman apologises for praising the Putty Beach at Killcare, NSW. PICTURES Justine Tyerman Aussie landscape . . . and the weather.

ike most patriotic Kiwis, I am The region is part of the Bouddi National loath to praise anything remotely Park and is rich in wildlife and history. Australian and have, until now, Around 100 Aboriginal sites have been maintained a lofty opinion that no discovered on the peninsula, including AussieL landscape could possibly compete with middens, engravings and rock shelters New Zealand’s beaches, lakes, mountains and of the Guringai people, the traditional national parks. custodians of the region. But a recent trip to the New South Wales’ On our walks, we learned about the Central Coast has made me recant. I feel fascinating geological phenomenon of almost apologetic, even guilty, but I am about tessellated pavement where rock to rave about a special place I discovered last has been fractured over millions of years week in — so stop reading now if of and into shapes you don’t have the stomach for such a spiel. resembling a pavement or mosaic floor. I We spent a long weekend at a beautiful wanted to take them home for my garden. beachfront home at Killcare, a small We stayed right on the beach at Killcare settlement on the Bouddi Peninsula, 90 in a stunning Luxe Houses vacation home minutes’ drive from . belonging to a Sydney family. The substantial It makes me feel traitorous to my Kiwi roots abode with five bathrooms, four-bedrooms to utter such words, but the landscape there plus a huge, sunny bunkroom, sleeps eight is simply awesome — necklaces of pristine adults and six children with ease and comfort. beaches, separated by rugged headlands with The three-level design of the home allows bizarre rock formations, where enormous for all age groups to have their own space. waves crash against sheer cliffs sending Every room has magnificent ocean views and Leaping for joy . . . Sophie on the deserted Maitland Beach, NSW, Australia. curtains of foamy spray metres into the air. the bedrooms, including the bunkroom, open We hiked along spectacular coastal tracks onto balconies. which took us to remote beaches where the The main entrance, living, lounge, kitchen sand is golden and squeaks underfoot like and dining area are on the middle floor. fresh powder snow. The kitchen with its long marble bench and The water, even in July, was still warm island is designed to handle large gatherings. enough for swimming and in a sunny pool The oval dining table, made from weathered, sheltered from the breakers by giant rocks recycled wood, is forgiving and fuss-free. at the far end of Killcare, children splashed There’s an outside dining option in a semi- and played as if it was mid-summer. The enclosed patio beside the pool and a BBQ air temperature was a balmy 23-25 degrees station which is so well-equipped, it’s really a compared with a chilly 8-10 at home. second kitchen. My only exposure to Australian beaches in Plump, comfy couches, recliners, floor the past has been Sydney’s Bondi, Tamarama, cushions, a wall-mounted wood-burner and Bronte and Coogee, tourist hot-spots a 62-inch flat-screen television make for a seething with people year-round. But Killcare versatile, cosy, relaxed lounge and living area and neighbouring Putty, Maitland and Tallow with a stunning panorama of the beach. beaches are all but deserted at this time of There are also two bedrooms, two the year, apart from a few surfers and dog- bathrooms and a garage on the middle floor. walkers. Our Sydney-based daughter, Sophie, When in need of peace, the adults can take found the seclusion and lack of people blissful refuge in their top-floor, two-bedroom, two- after the stresses of life in the big city . . . and bathroom retreat with a spacious lounge and being only 100km away, Killcare is easily do- television. able for a weekend. The younger ones have their own sunny, Waves crashing on the rocks at the far end of Putty Beach, Killcare.