10 of the coolest airbnbs on the NSW North Coast

A Coffs Harbour Airbnb known as Marlowes’ House has a magical link to Harry Potter’s Dumbledore. It’s just one of the 10 coolest places to stay on the northern New South Wales coast.

Peta had been visiting the Coffs Harbour area since she was a young girl, and when she spotted a property on the market at Woolgoolga she knew it was “the one”.

She built the incredible home in 2002 when she was pregnant, carrying son Marlowe, who today owns the property.

Marlowe is now 19 years of age and works as a screenwriter in Los Angeles - and while the retreat is officially known as Tranquilo Beach House, for the locals, it’s always been Marlowes’ House.

Tranquilo is one of 10 properties on our list of the coolest Airbnbs on the NSW North Coast.

“It was a labour of love,” Peta said of the development which began as a family home, before morphing into a venue for weddings and is now tourist accommodation.

Marlowe hails from a long line of artists.

His late grandfather, Richard Harris, played Dumbledore in the film adaptations of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

But back to Tranquilo, which is unique in many ways - with “extraordinary” wildlife, while the property is home to a billabong, one of only 10 coastal billabongs in Australia.

“You can have three families here and be very comfortable. It’s made for families,” Peta said.

“Australia for me is about the nature, the blue skies.

“Woolgoolga is a beautiful little town which is not pretentious, you go further north for that.”

Some of the add-ons of a stay at Tranquilo include a professional line-fisherman who can provide freshly caught seafood, and the services of a chef.

Stay for six nights, and a dinner party with live music and a Welcome to Country experience is “on the house”.

“Everything can be provided,” Peta said.

“You really don’t have to leave if you don’t want to.”

Here’s our Top 10 - with a range of locations, prices and offerings:

The Bach, Wooli

5 guests, 3 bedrooms, 4 beds, 2 baths.

This new beachside holiday home (completed mid-2020) offers guests a luxury escape.

Enjoy tranquil time lazing on the outdoor furniture and take in the spectacular views of Wooli Beach on the seating provided atop the sand dune (beach and ocean views are only available from the dune).

The house is powered by the sun and rainwater is used to water the garden and feed the outdoor shower for those refreshing post-swim rinses.

Boulders Beach Retreat, Lennox Head

14 guests, 6 bedrooms, 10 beds, 4.5 baths. This designer home, with 13-metre resort pool, is set on an 11-acre farm, 1km from the beach.

Bike tracks lead straight to the beautiful beaches of Lennox Head and Ballina.

There’s a designer kitchen, media room, and massive entertaining areas.

Guests are provided with firewood and marshmallows for the fire pit under the stars.

Temple Farmhouse, Byron Bay hinterland

9 guests, 4 bedrooms, 3 baths. Ultra-private accommodation set atop the rolling hills of Nashua.

75 acres to explore.

The farm aims to entertain all ages so you can sit back and enjoy a wine while the kids play in the mud kitchen, pick from the herb garden, go exploring for wallabies, and swim in the pool.

The fire pit is a surefire winner for groups and the 25-metre lap pool makes for Instagram worthy photos.

Riverside Retreat, South Lismore

7 guests, 3 bedrooms, 5 beds, 1 bath. Keep it simple at this peaceful and centrally located place.

Relax and unwind under the beautiful poinciana tree looking over the river after exploring the surrounding Northern Rivers.

You can walk into town to explore the cafes, shops and restaurants.

Tweed Coast Views, Tweed Heads

8 guests, 4 bedrooms, 5 beds, 1.5 baths. This property has a wide ocean, harbour and estuary vista, from Cook Island and the trawlers in the east, to Mt Warning and the hinterland in the west.

The open plan lounge and gourmet kitchen is central to a 6-metre cedar bi-fold door and 2-metre servery window.

Features include brushbox and mixed hardwood floors, large viewing deck, turfed courtyard, outdoor hot/cold shower, and guest room on separate level.

Never Never Cabin, Gleniffer

2 guests, 1 bedroom, 1 bed, 1 bath. A spacious cabin in a rural setting with views of the Never Never range.

Walk to the river. This private accommodation is 10 minutes from Bellingen, and a perfect nature retreat.

Have a soak in the claw foot-bath and watch the sun go down over the mountains.

Tranquilo Beach House, Woolgoolga

A 10,000-square metre Australian coastal house, with six luxuriously intimate suites, for a party of 14 to enjoy.

Built in 2002 from spotty gum from a local timber yard in Dorrigo, its design was inspired by the classic Australian Queenslander.

Stroll down the property and walk through a small enchanted forest over a sand dune to the 2-mile beach.

A mini wildlife reserve is shared with a troop of 50 kangaroos, schools of ducks, owls, turtles and birdlife.

To find out more visit www.tranquilobeachhouse.com

The Green, Ocean Shores

14 guests, 5 bedrooms, 8 beds, 2 baths. The elevated living room features cathedral ceilings, with two outdoor decks.

Kick back in the hot tub on the infinity deck which overlooks the championship golf course.

A fully-fenced playland area includes a cubby house, basketball ring, soccer goals, trampoline and sandpit.

The Green keeps styling and sustainability front of mind with most furniture sourced locally or recycled.

Amalfi, Coffs Harbour

8 guests, 4 bedrooms, 4 beds, 3 baths. This luxury penthouse has panoramic views of the Coffs Coast out to the Pacific Ocean and Solitary Islands.

From twilight, Amalfi sparkles with LED lighting with changeable colours indoor and out.

Create the mood to make memorable evenings.

Both bathrooms have a stone egg-shaped freestanding bathtub and rain showers - all lit with ambient chandelier and under bench LEDs.

Riverside Cottage, West Bungawalbin

8 guests, 2 bedrooms, 5 beds, 1 bath. There is always something exciting to do with 50 acres for motorbikes and a deep river for boats.

Enjoy birdwatching - with over 100 species of native birds - from the verandah.

The property is geared for adventure or relaxation - including guided activities.

There is an outside bath located in the old cattle yards.

Light a fire under it, and there is your hot water (great at night for a soak and a stargaze).