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Smiths Lake Retreat - located at Smiths Lake

Photo gallery for Smiths Lake Retreat - located at Smiths Lake

cosy cottage nestled in rainforest
Rainforest views
Dining and kirchen area
Partially covered rear deck is secure for dogs
Room

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 4

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Pet friendly
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Smiths Lake, NSW
  • Smiths Lake
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Blueys Beach
    ‪13 min drive‬
  • Bull Island Nature Reserve
    ‪27 min drive‬
  • Forster, NSW (FOT)
    ‪31 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 2

Toilet

Main Bathroom

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Balcony
Dining area

About this property

Smiths Lake Retreat - located at Smiths Lake

Smiths Lake is a small coastal village approximately 3.5 hours north of Sydney, within the beautiful Great Lakes District. Smiths Lake which surrounds the village is seperated from the ocean by Sandbar Beach a secluded and pristine beach.

SMITHS LAKE RETREAT

The 2 bedroom western red cedar cottage is nestled within a tropical rainforest reserve, with cabbage tree & pacific palms, towering gum trees which are home to cat birds, brush turkeys, black cockatoos, kookaburras, whip birds, bats, possums.....and lots more.The rain-forest at the rear of the house is home to a large bat colony in the warmer months. The bats fly off at dusk to feed elsewhere & most of our guests find this an amazing experience to be able to witness nature so close from the comfort of their own private tree house.

The large partially enclosed rear deck is positioned looking out to the rainforest to maximize the feeling of seclusion and privacy.

PROPERTY DETAILS

2 Bedroom cottage, split level open plan, sleeps 4 adults (1 king & 1 queen bed). Polished boards throughout, with modern stainless steel kitchen.

Fully furnished with w/machine, dryer,WiFi, TV, DVD, gas BBQ, bath & shower, 2 toilets and gas heater.

Lush organic cotton sheets & fluffy king towels supplied.

200m stroll to the sandy beaches and clear waters of Smiths Lake & the boatshed cafe.

Many surfing, fishing and patrolled beaches within 5-10 minutes drive.

Close to local shops which includes Butcher, Baker, Bottle shop & general store.

Dog friendly (at the owners discretion), with dog friendly area at nearby at Cellito Beach.

The rain-forest at the rear of the house is home to a large bat colony in the warmer months. The bats fly off at dusk to feed elsewhere & most of our guests find this an amazing experience to be able to witness nature so close from the comfort of their own private tree house.

Property manager

Ann Smith or Craig Kingston

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet friendly
Outdoor Space
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 12:00 PM
Check out before 12:00 PM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed
2 dogs maximum
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Outside only

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Property Registration Number PID-STRA-6927, 2428

About the neighborhood

Smiths Lake

Located in Smiths Lake, this cottage is on a lake. Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse is a local landmark, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Bramble's Reserve and Wallingat National Park.
Map
Smiths Lake, NSW

What's nearby

  • Smiths Lake - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Sandbar Beach - 11 min drive - 6.1 km
  • Blueys Beach - 13 min drive - 8.8 km
  • Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse - 23 min drive - 21.5 km
  • Bull Island Nature Reserve - 27 min drive - 20.9 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Frothy Coffee - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪The Good Food Store - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪Kembali Cafe - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Drift Cafe - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Pacific Palms Seafood - ‬7 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Smiths Lake Retreat - located at Smiths Lake pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Smiths Lake Retreat - located at Smiths Lake?

Check-in begins at 12:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Smiths Lake Retreat - located at Smiths Lake?

Check-out is at 12:00 PM.

Where is Smiths Lake Retreat - located at Smiths Lake located?

Situated on a lake, this cottage is 0.2 mi (0.3 km) from Smiths Lake and 2.2 mi (3.5 km) from Bramble's Reserve. Sandbar Beach and Wallis Lake are also within 6 mi (10 km).

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 45 out of 59 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 12 out of 59 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 59 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 59 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 59 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Tim W.

Excellent property

We had a great stay, the house was awesome and in a great location close to the lake !
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Rose T.

Quiet retreat

A gem of a place a short gentle stroll from smith lake foreshore and frothy coffee. Everything you could want for a comfortable stay. Worth a special mention are the amazing wildlife and the ultra comfortable recliner.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Randi B.

Lovely stay at this beautiful house

The house is perfect in every way. Everything is very clean & in great condition. Beds are very comfortable. The living area is large and airy but cozy feeling. View from the back porch feels like you're in the middle of the jungle (tons of birds, bats and wildlife stirring was our usual alarm clock in the morning). Perfect location close to Smith Lake and all of the surrounding beaches and nature walks. Will definitely stay again next time we visit the area.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Igor P.

A very comfortable house

A spacious, clean and well furnished house close to the beach (5 minutes walk).
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Nicole W.

Outstanding :)

Beautiful location and everything you need for a relaxed vacay !
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Cheryl B.

Hideaway at smiths lake

We have stayed here before and love the quiet area of smiths lake. It's very relaxing and this cottage is clean, comfortable and close to the lake and beach. The bats can be a bit noisy in the morning but I love that I can take my little dog on holidays with me.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth K.

Great house, great location!

Smiths Lake Retreat is a great property. The location is great and only a few shorts steps from Smiths Lake. There are some gorgeous national parks in the area. We made it to Booti Booti and the Seal Rocks/Treachery Camp area. Amazing coastal views at each park. One day we rented a boat from the Frosty Coffee Boatshed...right at Smiths Lake and about a 5 minute walk. The price was very reasonable and the lake was great. The house is lovely and has everything you need to cook some great meals. We did all our grocery shopping in Forster. A highlight are the flying fox bats that live behind the house. They are just fascinating to watch...especially when they take off for the evening. The only downside to the house, is it doesn't have any fans...except in one of the bedrooms. During the day it got quite warm, but in the evening it wasn't too bad. But a fan for the main room would have been nice. All and all it was a great trip and we would definitely return to Smiths Lake Retreat!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Liz h.

Perfect Christmas hideaway

We had a fantastic break over Christmas at Smiths Lake Retreat. The house is great and has everything you need with everything set in an open plan room looking out to rainforest. Smiths Lake is so quiet and peaceful which was exactly what we were looking for. It was real escape from the city. There's a good fresh seafood place on the way to Blueys and the local shops have a butcher, general store and bottle shop so you really don't need to leave the area at all. Our two staffies settled right in and there is a big deck for them to relax on and Cellito (dog friendly) beach is a short drive away. We thoroughly recommend Smith Lakes Retreat and are looking forward to another visit.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

NICOLE B.

Beautiful property in the perfect location

Smiths Lake Retreat is a fantastic property in the perfect location. We had the most relaxing time at the beautiful home with our two small dogs. The views from the rear deck are breathtaking and we spent many hours watching the birds, bats and wildlife in their habitat. The home itself is perfectly presented, with a fantastic kitchen, and the owners have provided everything needed for a comfortable and enjoyable stay. We could not have asked for a better property and experience and hope to return again soon.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Paul H.

Perfect relaxation retreat

We couldn't have been any happier with the house. It is warm, welcoming, spotlessly clean and has everything one needs to unwind. It has a lovely backdrop to the rainforest and we had a hard time deciding whether us or our dogs were more fascinated watching the fruit bats in the forest wake up in the early evening. The house is a 2 min walk away from the lake with the prettiest little beach, which is a beautiful spot to watch the sunset. Thank you Ann, we had a great weekend-away from home and would love to come back soon.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Fabulous value

We had a lovely weekend at Smith's Retreat. The house was perfect for our family and our two dogs. We would definitely stay there again. Ann was very responsive and flexible for our needs.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Vanessa B.

Just what we were looking for

We were looking for a house that suited two couples for time away without children, the Smiths Lake Retreat was perfect! Positioned close to the water and the cafe for easy walking access. The house had everything we needed and as it was surrounded on one side a back by beautiful rainforest providing us a private and quiet weekend.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Angela K.

Amazing

Smiths Lake Retreat was a perfect break. The house is so welcoming and relaxing. It was everything we needed!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Wonderful!

The house was perfectly positioned, only a 5 minute walk to the famous "Frothy Coffee Boatshed" and really wonderful surroundings of rainforest. The flying foxes were an absolute treat to wake up to each morning. A really amazing experience to be amongst so much wildlife. The house was well equipped with all that was needed. Thank you so much, we had a really lovely short vacation and would love to come back in the near future.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Dream Vacation

We needed a place to decompress from a hectic work year and Smiths Lake Retreat was the perfect location, whether you want to do a little or a lot. We chose this time to do very little and took advantage of the beautiful back deck with the stunning scenery of all the flora and fauna. We will definitely be back and next time we will probably be more adventurous but then again that back deck is soooo relaxing. 
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

What a wonderful place to stay. We thoroughly enjoyed it. So clean, comfy and peaceful. Our dog love

What a wonderful place to stay. We thoroughly enjoyed it. So clean, comfy and peaceful. Our dog loved the lake and nearby Blueys Beach. Wish we could have stayed longer. Thankyou Ann and Craig :-)
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

My family and I along with our two dogs had a wonderful time at the Retreat. We switched off comple

My family and I along with our two dogs had a wonderful time at the Retreat. We switched off completely from the city and loved the rainforest surroundings, the great cafe down the road for breakfast, along with shops for supplies just a short walk away. Great location, great house. We cannot wait to book again. p.s. Smith's lake is tidal!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Our family of two adults and two children stayed at Smiths Lake Retreat over the June Long Weekend.

Our family of two adults and two children stayed at Smiths Lake Retreat over the June Long Weekend. It was exactly as the pictures are - absolutely beautiful.It was clean, dry, warm and peaceful. A short walk to the lake took us to the local boat shed/ coffee shop were we had great coffee, cake and boat hire. The kids are already asking when we can go back!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

My husband, 3 children and small dog Ruby had a great time. We used to holiday in Smiths pre childre

My husband, 3 children and small dog Ruby had a great time. We used to holiday in Smiths pre children and it was great to return with them. The house is amazing and the bats incredible. We'll be back for sure.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

The property is a very carefully designed and well thought out for the size. The house is very close

The property is a very carefully designed and well thought out for the size. The house is very close to the lake and close to nearby beaches. A lovely spot and I would recommend staying at the smith lake retreat.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

My boyfriend, dog Larry and myself stayed at this property over New Year 2012. We had a great time!

My boyfriend, dog Larry and myself stayed at this property over New Year 2012. We had a great time! The house is spacious for its size with modern kitchen and bathroom(s) that can't be beat. There is a large outdoor entertaining area, overlooking the forest which is breathtaking. We had constant entertainment from the (hundreds) of bats that inhabited trees 20m metres away, which was nothing short of spectacular at dusk. The lake is a few minutes walk away and considering the time of year surprisingly quiet; it is a short walk to a liquor store, bakery and small convenience store and approx 30kms from Forester which has everything. We loved it so much we are considering buying in the area. Thank you to Ann  providing we dont buy next door, we will be back.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

A fantastic spot, close to the lake, beach and coffee shop (although it is not good coffee unfortuna

A fantastic spot, close to the lake, beach and coffee shop (although it is not good coffee unfortunately).Lots of attention to detail in the house; sharp knives in the kitchen were a bonus. Great little deck out the back, facing the fruit bat colony. You feel right in the middle of a rainforest. All in all a great, dog-friendly house in a wonderful area - highly recommended.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

We had a fantastic long weekend at Smith's Lake Retreat. The house is adorable and very functional a

We had a fantastic long weekend at Smith's Lake Retreat. The house is adorable and very functional and it's close to the lake and beach. We absolutely loved the flying fox colony out the back. We will definately be back and highly recommend it as a short or long stay retreat. Thanks again for your hospitality.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Great place for a small family plus dog. Very nicely furnished and spotlessly clean. The rainforest

Great place for a small family plus dog. Very nicely furnished and spotlessly clean. The rainforest at the back is fantastic and very peaceful.The close proximity to the lakes and beaches make it a great place to stay.We have stayed there a number of times now and hope to return again in 2011.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Perfect romantic getaway. We had a very relaxing time in this home away from home. There are plenty

Perfect romantic getaway. We had a very relaxing time in this home away from home. There are plenty of activities to choose from: going sailing on the lake, fishing, sunbathing on the beach, walking through beautiful state forests or simply reading a book on the deck surrounded by birds and the serenity. A must to stay at!

About the host

Hosted by Ann Smith or Craig Kingston

Host profile image
My Husband and I enjoy spending time in our holiday cottage, we live in Newcastle NSW but love spending time in the beautiful Smiths Lake area.
We are happy to make it available to other people to enjoy for weekend or longer.

Why they chose this property

We purchased this property due to its close location to Smiths Lake & also to some spectacular pristine beaches.

What makes this property unique

Very private, with large back deck to enjoy the rain-forest outlook. Walking distance to the lake, great for dogs.
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