SCENIC SOUTH COAST
Keshnee Kemp discovers the NSW South Coast is full of beauty, rolling hills and pristine coastline.
After a scenic drive two hours south of Sydney, we arrive in the stunning NSW South Coast where rolling hills meet deserted beaches and pristine ocean.
We’re headed to Willow Vale, just minutes from Gerringong and 10 minutes from Berry.
From the Princes Highway we take a turn right and head up a no through road to Jerrymara.
We were excited by the photos from Homeaway, where we found the property, but arriving here we’re impressed beyond our wildest expectations.
Before us, beautifully manicured gardens stretch as far as the eye can see, trees sway in the gentle breeze flowing through the valley and two homes appear before us.
We first explore the homestead, which is timber and wrapped in lush green vines. It’s a recently renovated property, externally a cottage and internally a pristine home with polished floorboards and all the mod-cons to make a weekend away a dream.
After buzzing ourselves in with a code, we’re greeted by a welcome note and a take-home gift display on a custom-made timber kitchen island, the first of many wonderful surprises from Kate, the home’s owner.
The homestead is spacious, but not oversized. Sun flows through the floor-toceiling windows and drenches the kitchen and lounge area, with its furnishings in French provincial style. Large couches beckon us, but it’s the deck we head to first.
The view is the stuff country holiday house dreams are made of: well-tended hedges, a pool, a fire pit and a tennis court are all in sight.
Back inside to our left, there’s a large dining table that would seat at least 10 people and outside there are three dining areas, offering plenty of alfresco choice.
There are three bedrooms in the home, handy for accommodating our friends who are due to arrive any minute, each room with its own en suite bathroom.
We make our way outside to the large wraparound deck and spot the cottage to our right. We wander across the yard and buzz ourselves in.
It’s light and spacious with two bedrooms, each with a bathroom, and a large lounge. Huge glass doors open to a verandah and seated area for more of the same views.
Dogs are welcome at Jerrymara and our chocolate Labrador is in heaven exploring the grounds with our toddler.
At 4.30pm a caterer arrives with a beautiful platter of fruit, cheeses and chocolate, and Kate texts to tell us she’s organised fresh pizza bases from the local pizzeria so that we can enjoy the pizza oven outside.
During our stay we end up playing quoits and bocce, and sipping wine and warming ourselves by the fire.
We also spend hours with the kids in the pool, on the sun loungers and on the tennis court. We cook together and eat inside the first night; we try the pizza oven the second and wish we had our own at home.
It’s no wonder Jerrymara took out the silver award for indulgence in the annual Homeaway Holiday Rental Awards – after two nights here we’re relaxed and reconnected, feeling like we’ve been away much longer and are making promises to come back. https://www.homeaway.com.au/holiday-rental/ p9218358