My Favourite Airbnb: A Three-Bed room Residence in Sydney’s Final Surf ‘Burb

I’ve been lucky sufficient to go to Australia 9 occasions. I’m a local New Yorker married to an Aussie, and our travels to his homeland over time have been a number of the most memorable of my life: crusing and snorkeling within the Whitsundays, backpacking within the Daintree Rainforest, seeing Fairy penguins storm the shore at midnight on Bruny Island, Tasmania. 

However earlier than any of those adventures start, we all the time spend every week within the first vacation spot we contact down in after getting off the aircraft: Sydney. This yr in January, we lastly returned after three years of journey restrictions, in celebration of my mum-in-law’s eightieth, who lives within the metropolis.

Sydney kinda has all of it: the most effective metropolis, the most effective seashores, the most effective espresso, the most effective avocado toast, the quirkiest inhabitants of unique birds, and the embodiment of the Aussie way of life. However, if you could get away from all of it—whereas nonetheless having all of it—you possibly can drive 45 minutes to the town’s final surf suburb: Dee Why. That is the place we determined to make our house base throughout the journey. A correct multi-night keep was a no brainer, and with no accommodations within the space, we booked an Airbnb.

No go to to Sydney is full with out stopping in Dee Why. This was removed from our first go to. Each time we’re on the town, a day journey is all the time on the agenda. This magic little seashore city simply north of Manly has a chill vibe that may’t be beat. Each time we return, I say to myself, “Man oh man do I wish to dwell right here.”

Set a block again from the primary road, the yellow brick constructing was flanked by tropical foliage and delivered the basic surfy vibes I’d been dreaming of. It was simple to seek out and completely located within the middle of the motion, with retailers and eating places to the correct, dunes to the left, and the ocean in all instructions so far as the attention may see.

The third-floor unit that greeted us—walkup, no elevator—was ethereal, cool, and had a contact of midcentury fashion. Three bedrooms, one with an ensuite lavatory, and a second full lavatory shot off from the hallway, which result in the loft-like residing space. All of it was encircled by a wrap-around balcony with ocean views. The glowing kitchen was absolutely stocked with an espresso maker, cookware, a water filtration station, and model new home equipment, together with a state-of-the-art washer and dryer (the last word luxurious on this house dweller’s opinion).

A bounty of scrumptious meals greeted us upon arrival. Within the kitchen, a recent loaf of bread, a handful of avocados, a bowl of tropical fruit, chocolate, popcorn, and eggs had been all superbly organized beside some splendidly aromatic frangipani stalks in bloom.

The city’s predominant drag, the Strand, was simply out entrance, and had modified fairly a bit since my final go to, in the easiest way doable. The place eating choices had been as soon as restricted to burgers and fries (or in my case as a vegetarian, simply fries) there was a bevy of potentialities: Aussie coffees on the Italian influenced Bambolina Dolci & Caffe within the morning and a smattering of Thai, Italian, Vietnamese, Mexican, and Japanese decisions for lunch and dinner. 

The stretch of sand out entrance remained the identical, fortunately: lengthy and golden, with guarded swimming areas and dependable surf. On the southern finish sat the fantastic Dee Why Rockpool, constructed into the ocean with the occasional wave crashing over the sting. Sunbathers crammed the stadium-style stairs on the edge and unfold out on the graceful sandstone rocks. Simply past sat the doorway to the Dee Why to Curl Curl coastal stroll, a surprising path by means of the cliff-top bush with wonderful views of the shoreline.

We walked north up the seashore to the boardwalk resulting in Lengthy Reef, a wild and exquisite peninsula with fascinating rock swimming pools to discover at low tide. It was great making new recollections in a spot the place I’ve so a few years of treasured ones. I can’t wait till our subsequent go to. See you quickly, Dee Why.