Home away from home: The transformation from rundown house to luxurious coastal retreat

It’s a bold statement to make, but one that is rather justified – no other country in the world does beach houses quite like Australia.

It’s fond memories of childhoods spent by the beach that inspired one family to create Salt at Shoal Bay – a luxurious coastal retreat.

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Located a mere 2.5-hour drive north of Sydney, Shoal Bay is a scenic suburb of Port Stephens in NSW. It’s here that owners Lauren and Michael Charge spent much of their childhoods and while never crossing paths, shared the same memories of hitting the beach and jumping off jetties in the area.

Years later, after meeting and starting their own family, the couple would often find themselves back at Shoal Bay for seaside holidays and family visits. Though one fateful afternoon in February 2016, a “For Sale” sign outside a rundown two-storey house gave the Charge clan an entirely new perspective. The family realised there was a gap in the local market for a beautiful homestay designed for large groups.

After a two-year journey from the initial purchase, today Salt at Shoal Bay is a sight to behold, with the main house divided into two self-contained levels, along with a third free-standing cottage at the rear.

The upper level, sleeping 11, features high raked ceilings, large glass windows framing panoramic views of the bay, and a verandah that provides front row seats to Shoal Bay Beach across the road.

The ground level, sleeping 10, presents a private backyard deck, complete with an outdoor dining and barbecue area, serving its own views of the Tomaree and Yacaaba headlands; while the cottage, sleeping six, is entirely separate, showcasing lofty raked ceilings and an open plan design, sprawling out onto a large courtyard with views of the headlands.

The Charges have found joy in watching not only their own children create the same memories they did growing up, but other families too.

That was always the goal – to create a space where families, like theirs, could return to year-after-year, with the promise of creating their own unforgettable summers.

While in Shoal Bay

Go for a surf at Zenith Beach

Situated at the base of Tomaree Mountain, Zenith Beach is a short beach track that provides breathtaking scenery. Popular with the locals, this hidden gem is loved for its reliable surf breaks, so don’t forget to bring your surfboard.

Enjoy lunch at Shoal Bay Country Club

Sit for a long, lazy lunch upstairs at the nearby Shoal Bay Country Club, where you’ll find their onsite cafe with 180-degree views across the bay, and a menu featuring wood-fired pizzas, classic pub grub, and fresh seafood galore.

Cross the road to Shoal Bay Beach

Shoal Bay Beach is a family-friendly stretch of white sands and calm, clear blue waters. Pack a picnic and spend the entire afternoon gazing out to the waters, and you may just spot some dolphins frolicking about.

Climb Tomaree Mountain

Tackle the short walk to the summit of Tomaree Mountain, 161 metres above the Port Stephens entrance. Along the way, unparalleled views of Port Stephens and the north coast are also up for grabs.