Fernleigh Cottage Homestay accommodation is located in Stanwell Park, the first beach south of the Royal National Park.
The accommodation is a self-contained apartment on the lower level of our house with off street parking and separate entry. There is a large main room which has a king sized bed, a lounge setting including a double futon sofa bed, a table and chairs and a small kitchen area. There is a small adjoining bedroom which has a double bed with single bunk above, and there is also a small bathroom.
Outside there is a covered patio with a daybed, an outdoor table and chairs, a bbq, a small portable oven with 2 hotplates on top, with some pots and pans in the cupboard underneath.
There is also an above ground pool surrounded by decking and a spa available for guest use.
Stanwell Park is completely surrounded by bushland and the ocean. The area is famous for its Hang Gliding and Para Gliding from Bald Hill which overlooks the coastline from Stanwell Park to Wollongong.
Symbio Wildlife Park is close by.
Other activities include bushwalking, horse riding, golf, tennis and just relaxing on the beach.
The village of Stanwell Park has a bottle shop and some necessities can be found in some of the several excellent cafes. There is also an Art Gallery and Gift shops. The beach kiosk also serves wholesome eat-in or takeaway meals.
How to get there.
From the North: Drive south on the Princes Highway through Sutherland and Waterfall. After Waterfall stay on the M1 towards Wollongong. Take the Helensburgh exit and follow the signs to Stanwell Park. As you come to the bottom of the escarpment take the second turning to the left which passes the shops. After you pass the Stanny Temptations store, take the next street on your left, Stanwell Ave. At the end of a median strip planted with palms make a U turn into a service road and you have arrived.
From the South: Follow the Princes Highway to Bulli. After Bulli turn right into Lawrence Hargrave Drive and follow the coast to Stanwell Park. Shortly after Murrawal Rd (which is the first street on your right), veer right at the Articles Art Gallery building. Immediately after the gallery there are two streets to the right from almost the same point. Stanwell Ave is the second and higher street.
Train: Travelling by rail from both Sydney and Wollongong is a very picturesque journey with a 10 minute walk downhill from the station.
Local Attractions and Amenities
It is a 5 minute drive to Helensburgh, where you will find a local pub, boutique shops, cafes and restaurants, ATMs, and a supermarket.
There are great bush walks to do in the area, from 30 min to several hour walks, including the Wodi Wodi track to Mt Mitchell and beyond, Stanwell Tops, Bald Hill and the Coast track from Otford into the Royal National Park.
Also nearby are horse riding schools at Darkes Forest and Otford, Golf courses at Darkes Forest and a driving range at Helensburgh, Harley Bike Tours at Stanwell Tops, and many lovely nearby beaches.
Sea Cliff Bridge is a 5 minute drive, the only bridge of it's kind in Australia, which was built to reconnect the most northern suburbs of Wollongong to the other northern Wollongong suburbs.