Our story.
Our little slice of paradise

In June 2018, just months after tying the knot in the picturesque backyard of Carrie’s folks in Central Tilba, we boldly traded the hustle and bustle of Sydney for a life by the sea. The city had its charms (like traffic jams and overpriced lattes), but the call of open spaces, starry skies, and a slower pace was simply too tempting to resist.

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Driving up the long driveway to our new property, we quickly realised we’d stepped into an ‘unexpected challenge’: six acres of wild trees, tangled vines, and a treasure trove of rubbish awaited us! But beneath the chaos lay beauty and potential, just waiting to be uncovered. Armed with our limited DIY skills (and a few hundred YouTube tutorials once we got WiFi and phone reception working), we rolled up our sleeves and got to work!

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Transforming Tilba Coastal Retreat felt like starring in a home renovation show, complete with our hilarious mishaps. Each suite was lovingly renovated, blending nature's charm with modern comforts, all while ensuring fire safety and sustainability. Every drop of water that sustains us comes from rainwater and our eco-architectural buildings for two of our suites are designed to work with the environment, harnessing natural light, cross flow breezes, and thermal flooring. Firewood comes from fallen trees, and we’ve removed energy-hungry features.

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Our dynamic dog duo, Tilly and Tana, embraced the countryside like they’d found paradise, and in 2023, little Piper joined the pack. Now, these three spend their days sprinting along the beach, keeping a watchful eye on the neighbouring goats and cows, and enthusiastically welcoming guests—honestly, they might just be the best part of our retreat!