Set on a leafy 2-acre bush block, the Bird House was hand-built back in the '70s by a marine engineer and his artistic wife. Along with high timber ceilings and wavey walls it offers multiple indoor and outdoor living areas, an office nook, hot-tub, hammock, good Weber BBQ, outdoor entertaining area and a feeling of being surrounded by nature.

The house is fenced off from the rest of the block, so you have your own private garden front and back, surrounded by more gardens, ponds, and native trees connecting into the adjoining national park. The calls of many birds fill the air through the day, and at night you can hear the surf hitting the beach when it's big.

RECENTLY RENOVATED AND MODERNISED.

The house features upgraded electrics, new appliances, reverse cycle air-conditioning (warm in winter and cool in summer), Nespresso coffee machine, dishwasher, washing machine and dryer, a large flat panel TV, two X-Boxes, two renovated bathrooms, and new mattresses in every room.

High timber ceilings give the living areas a lovely open feel, while floor-to-ceiling windows let in the light and provide every room with views into the surrounding gardens.

Out the back there's an under-cover verandah that runs the full length of the house. That's where the spa is, as well as an outdoor sitting area that connects the living room with the BBQ area.

BEACHES AND WHALES.

The Bird House is under 4 minutes drive from One Mile beach, a sweeping curve of sand that offers everything from a family-friendly patrolled area through to excellent surfing.

You can also walk through the national park to Samurai Beach, our nearest, in around 15 minutes. Samurai is clothing optional. It can get excellent surf, particularly in the winter months, and there are lovely rock pools to wallow in at low tide.

5 minutes away you'll find fantastic whale watching (late May to early August) at Boat Harbour, as well as a sheltered beach which is great for small kids.

Nearby Kingsley is a secluded ocean beach that rarely gets crowded and can get good surf.

Both offer access to the Tomaree National Park walking trail, as well as great fishing, snorkeling and bird watching.

SHOPPING, EATING OUT AND NEARBY ATTRACTIONS.

Less than 10 minutes drive brings you to the small township of Anna Bay with a handy shopping centre and access to the famous Stockton sand dunes and beautiful Birubi beach.

10 minutes in the other direction takes you to the township of Nelson Bay, with dozens of shops, cafes, restaurants, pubs and clubs, boat hire and whale watching cruises, as well as access to the stunning waters of Port Stephens and another half dozen beaches.