It may not have the dramatic vistas of Melbourne’s Great Ocean Road, but the stretch of coastal roads between Sydney and Newcastle in New South Wales also contains many charming seaside towns and scenic beaches. The best thing about them is their relative anonymity, and so the beaches and cliffs are unlikely to be packed with tourists – fantastic for travelers who crave some serenity far from the madding crowd. The towns are also great options for an overnight pit stop for trips up or down the New South Wales coasts. The coastal village of Catherine Hill Bay lies virtually at the mid-point between the two major cities, and here are 10 of the best Airbnb vacation rentals in the area. Read on to find out more!
1. Modern guesthouse near an old-school pub (from USD 1652)
Essentially a one-street town, Catherine Hill Bay nonetheless is a heritage-listed village, one of only two in New South Wales. Its most obvious heritage building is also its only pub, the Catho Pub, and it retains its quaint and earthy charm with cheap beer, tasty bar food as well as regular live music. This cozy guesthouse is just 200 meters (0.12 miles) down from the pub, but its modern decor is miles away from the traditional feel of the pub. But should you choose this accommodation, you will be able to enjoy the best of both worlds, even along this tiny township about 90 minutes away from ultra-urban Sydney.
Catherine Hill Bay, New South Wales, AustraliaAccommodates: 6
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the deck and portable barbecue help to make for a very comfortable stayour stay was relaxing and so comfortableCleanliness:
overall a fantastic experience comfortable clean and very relaxingthe cottage is clean and roomy with everything you needa great place to stay very comfortable clean and very friendly and accommodating hostswe had a fabulous time - very clean close to the beach and amenititesneat and clean modern beach shack a stones throw from catherine hill bay surf clubHost:
super friendly hosts who were quick to communicate and to make us feel welcomehosts were very friendly and super quick to helpthe beach is stunning and the people friendlydeclan the host was great at responding and very thoughtfulvery welcoming and super helpfulRead more reviewsLocation:
great value and perfect location beach shackbut nice and close to the beach (2 min walk)comfortable stylish place quick walk to beachgreat location can't wait to go backfantastic place right next to a magnificent beach in a beauthiful little town
2. Beautiful beach house with stunning ocean views (from USD 424)
Catherine Hill Bay is the oldest continuous settlement in the coastal suburbs around Lake Macquarie, and overlooks a gorgeous crescent beach that offers great waves for surfing. There is even a surf club right by the beach where you can learn some life-saving skills from a surfer. If you prefer a more sedate stay, then look no further than this splendid beach house, just a stone’s throw away from the surf club. It sleeps up to eight guests, and has pleasant verandahs and gardens to relax by. But the jewel in the crown is its beautiful sun-room and its balcony on the second floor, which boasts an outstanding view of the beach and the ocean. It is truly a million-dollar view worth staring at for a couple of days.
Catherine Hill Bay, New South Wales, AustraliaAccommodates: 8
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
great having some kitchen staples provided toothe beds were super comfythe house description and photos are accurate the house is well equipped and very comfortablethe kids loved the garden right off the deck and kitchenwe had a lovely relaxing weekend with a fully equipped kitchenCleanliness:
very clean everything you need is suppliedit was clean fresh lots of spacethe house was incredibly clean and the area was nice and quietHost:
paul was such a relaxed hostpaul was responsive and professionalpaul is a generous host who is lovely to deal withpaul is a great host quick reply & has tastefully decorated in a casual beach themepaul was responsive and provided thorough info about the propertyRead more reviewsLocation:
super close to the beach plus only a short trip to other close beachesamazing location with easy beach accessgreat location and great houselocation and house was perfectabsolutely amazing place and location
3. Cottage with a private pier
Catherine Hill Bay is flanked by the Pacific Ocean in the east, and Lake Macquarie in the west. This is the largest coastal saltwater lagoon in Australia, even bigger than the Sydney Harbor, and it naturally offers plenty of opportunities for recreational activities such as fishing, kayaking, and water-skiing. This lovely cottage in the adjacent settlement of Nords Wharf is located right beside the lake, and even has its own private pier. You can easily spend hours fishing from the pier, or you can just laze around the front patio of the cottage and admire the sunset views while you cook up a fine BBQ meal.
Accommodates: 5
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the cottage itself was comfortablethe beds were comfortable and there was ample space and couches for everyone to relax onCleanliness:
very clean and comfortableextremely clean & tidythe places needs a really good spring clean under/behind lounges/beds very dusty and more cobwebsthe accommodation was spotless and i would definitely stay againnot large so easy clean before checking outHost:
both the place and the host were amazingvery friendly and always very quick to reply to any questions we hadjane was great as host and very accommodatingjane was such a lovely and helpful hostjane was more than accommodating and very helpful :)Read more reviewsLocation:
great location right on the waterthe location of this place is excellentlovely location right on the waterthe location and area is wonderfulgreat location very peaceful and relaxing
4. Cottage in a lakeside resort
North of Catherine Hill Bay is the Cams Wharf, a quiet village beside Lake Macquarie which contains a delightful lakeside resort-cum-holiday home that is perfect for a family vacation. This cozy bungalow, dubbed Kingfisher Cottage, lies beside a peaceful arboretum and can host up to six guests. What’s great about this lodging is that you can have access to the resort’s facilities, such as swimming pools, spas, tennis courts, a children’s playground, a restaurant, a cafe, and BBQ areas. If that’s not enough, the resort also rents out bicycles, kayaks and even jet boards for you to enjoy some water sports on the lake. You will not be short of recreational ideas if you stay here.
Cams Wharf, New South Wales, AustraliaTop guest reviews
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our family really enjoyed our stay here especially with the kids loving the poolsnice quiet location close to pools and lakekids loved heated pool and jet surfingCleanliness:
it's very clean and tidyperfectly clean with all the little touches thought ofthe house was clean and cosy with a smooth check in processtravellers can expect a great clean and stress-free stayclean & spacious cottage in fantastic complexHost:
quick responsive booking from the hostsvera was a great hosteasy to communicate with hostgreat house in a really nice place with great hostshighly recommend the stay here vera was very prompt on contact and very helpfulRead more reviewsLocation:
great location within the raffertys resort complexgreat place to stay for location and serenityits a beautiful place located in a beautiful resortgreat location tidy house friendly neighbours and good communicationsgreat place nice quiet and great location for the kids
5. Snug renovated miners cottage
Even if you are staying in a quiet seaside village like Catherine Hill Bay, you are less than a two-hour drive away from Sydney, Newcastle and Hunter Valley, making it a great base for your exploration of this popular tourist region of New South Wales. The renovated miners cottage is a great accommodation option at Catherine Hill Bay, just a two-minute walk from the beach and children’s playground. Its snug interior will be a soothing balm to your tired legs after a day trip around the region.
Catherine Hill Bay, New South Wales, AustraliaTop guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the deck was great to unwind on after the kids went to bedCleanliness:
if the property was clean and the power issue fixed it may be a good place to stayRead more reviewsLocation:
lovely location and great place to relaxfantastic rustic pad short walk to the beachwhat a great place to stay we definitely book again
6. Lodge with a private jetty and kayaks
The host of the above-mentioned cottage has another accommodation nearby, and this is a larger lodge, with three bedrooms instead of two, capable of hosting up to seven guests. This house also comes with a private jetty, as well as kayaks and life vests, making it a great option for a family vacation by the lake. If you do not feel like getting into the water, the lake is also ideal for driving or cycling around, with many coastal tracks lining it, where you can discover your own private scenic spot to have a great lakeside picnic.
7. House with two outdoor decks to enjoy scenic views
Just opposite the historic Catho Pub is a fantastic lodging that is designed such that the main outdoor deck lies in the middle of the premises, flanked by the kitchen, living room, and bedrooms. With a long table and comfy chairs, you can easily enjoy your meals while lounging on the deck. But that’s not all, as there is a second deck next to the living room that overlooks an expansive grassland which stretches towards the beautiful beach in the distance. A track leads you straight to the beachfront, perfect for a stroll to take in the sunrise from the ocean.
Catherine Hill Bay, New South Wales, AustraliaTop guest reviews
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tv even has chromecast and wifi providing entertainment at nightwell laid out and kitted out with everything you need for a comfortable beachside getawayRead more reviewsLocation:
brilliant house in a great locationwhat a great house and in a world class locationwonderful location and perfect house for a relaxed family get together over christmasthe pavilions is a beautiful place for some time awayvery beautiful and relaxing space a few minutes walk from the beach
8. Quality townhouse by lakeside
Newcastle is the oldest seaport in Australia, with plenty of surf-friendly beaches to enjoy. Meanwhile, Hunter Valley is the country’s oldest wine-producing region, and you can take tours around the region to sample fine wine and nosh. These make for great day trips out from the Lake Macquarie region, so even if you are based in accommodations such as this quality townhouse in the lakeside resort, you should get out and explore beyond the lake to fully enjoy what this region has to offer.
9. Comfortable townhouse in a lakeside resort
This is another wondrous townhouse at the lakeside resort in Cams Wharf, newly renovated and capable of hosting up to eight guests. The host even has two recliner chairs for you unwind in comfort while watching the TV or reading a book. But with all the resort facilities close by, it would be a shame to just laze about in the house. Why not take a long hike along Lake Macquarie, or drive to the Watagans National Park nearby, for scenic vistas of the lake. Plan it such that you return back to the resort in time to see the sunset over the lake while dining at its restaurant. Now that’s a perfect ending to a perfect outdoor holiday.
Cams Wharf, New South Wales, AustraliaTop guest reviews
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couch is really comfortablewe enjoyed all the pools as did our boysoutdoor swimming pools are shallow and preferably for kids or just for a little fun 4loved the heated poolthankfully there was a heated pool perfect all year roundCleanliness:
the place was great clean and relaxinghouse was spotless and comfortablethe place was very clean comfortable and had everything we neededplace was clean and was larger in reality than the picturesvery clean house very comfortable beds and lounge area and easy check-inHost:
highly recommend the place and hostchristinane is a great host and always responded messages quicklyvery thoughtful hosts and we’ll definitely be staying there againchristiane is a great host quick replies and very accomodating to our plansgreat host and everything you need for a family get awayRead more reviewsLocation:
best location for summera great place and location to stayperfect location for families love the resort lifestylegreat location in raffertys and great thoughtful touchesa great location and the accommodation was excellent
10. Guestroom set in tranquil lakeside house
While Catherine Hill Bay has its undeniable scenic charms, it does not have many other amenities, save for its historic pub. For those who prefer to be close to convenience stores and eateries, the small lakeside suburb of Gwandalan, west of Catherine Hill Bay, may be a better option. There are grocery stores, bakeries, pizzerias and even a bowling club around the town, and you can still enjoy great views of Lake Macquarie in guestrooms such as this one set in a tranquil townhouse right next to the lake.
Gwandalan, New South Wales, AustraliaSuperhost Accommodates: 2
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
as it was cold the blankets were warm and the pillows the most comfortablethe bed was super comfy toogreat view to the lake clean an cozy place and most importantly friendly hostCleanliness:
everything was clean and tidythe room is clean and tidybeautiful place and very cleanclean comfortable accommodation with lots of personal touches that made me feel welcometranquil and sparkling cleanHost:
jan was the perfect hostlovely place and great hostjan is a wonderful hosthost very friendly & welcomingjan is a great host and has a wonderful homeRead more reviewsLocation:
great location and would definitely recommend staying hereit’s in a great locationthis house is in an amazing location with a great viewstunning location and very friendly welcoming hostwe would definitely recommend jan's place
Scenic spots great for a peaceful vacation
The accommodations around Catherine Hill Bay are usually close to great scenic areas, whether they are surf-friendly beaches or tranquil lakesides. So if you feel the need to escape the urban jungle of Sydney or Newcastle, Catherine Hill Bay is a convenient and wonderful option for a peaceful, rustic vacation.