Sorrel kicks back at Bear Cottage.
Inside a Bear Cottage.
Lush surrounds at Bear Cottage.
Tucked away on Waratah Bay in South Gippsland, privacy, sea air and the chance to be in touch with nature awaits.
Tucked away on Waratah Bay in South Gippsland, Jill and Gary Butterfield have built four cottages that offer visitors privacy, sea air and the chance to be in touch with nature.
The cottages, which accommodate up to four, have nautical names — Cuttlebone, Shearwater, Nautilus and Gulls — and are just two minutes' walk from the beach. Each has 180 degree views across the bay, taking in Wilsons Promontory, the Anser and Glennie island groups, as well as Tasmania's Rodondo Island.
You need to take all food and drink with you, as well as beach towels, books and videos. Be sure to pack sturdy walking shoes, as there are plenty of rock pools and little sandy coves to explore. There is also a natural harbour, good for launching small boats, and it is possible you will see dolphins, seals, penguins or whales.
The central living area of Bear Gully Cottages has a full kitchen, a comfortable living room with a dining table looking across the promontory. There is a bathroom, laundry and separate toilet, television, VCR, CD, barbecue and carport parking. When the seas are cold and crashing on the shore, a gas log fire and electric blankets are provided to keep you warm and snug. In the warm months, meals can be taken alfresco, and you are welcome to pick vegetables and herbs in season.
There are sand gardens of Western Australian wildflowers around the cottages: their colours and scent attract many birds.
If you really want to unwind, you can swing in a hammock on your deck, taking in the Bass Strait shipping lanes through a telescope, or wait for night to arrive so you can see just how many stars there are. If you want to be a little more active, there are several walking tracks, lighthouses and lime kilns to explore, or you can fish from the rocks or discover some wonderful snorkelling spots.
Wilson's Promontory and Lighthouse are popular tourist attractions, just 30 minutes' drive away.
