Jervis Bay’s newest luxury holiday home

26 Jan 2021

When our group of eight entered the front door of Mandala Beach House, Callala Bay, we did what anyone would do: we immediately began to explore our new digs.

The natural starting point was the downstairs area, with its living area, three bedrooms and games room, followed by its backyard, with lovely alfresco dining and barbecue area and heated saltwater pool.

We were already thoroughly impressed.

Little did we realise that when we climbed the stairs to the second level, we were about to be positively blown away.

Upstairs at Mandala Beach House sits the main living area and kitchen, a stunning achievement in interior design with views over the pristine waters of Jervis Bay below.

As our party emerged from the staircase one by one, a chorus of “ooohs” and “ahhhs” could be heard like echoes around the house. 

We knew straight away the next couple of days were going to be enormously enjoyable – not to mention mightily relaxing.

Callala Bay

The coastal village of Callala Bay lies on the northern edge of the world-renowned Jervis Bay, less than three hours’ drive from Sydney and Canberra, and a 30-minute drive from Huskisson.

Callala Bay is a quiet, lesser-known Jervis Bay town. It has a real locals vibe while also boasting a slew of luxurious holiday houses, of which Mandala Beach House is the newest.

Hiking and cycling trails hug the foreshore, and Jervis Bay National Park sits on Callala Bay’s doorstep. The bay itself is a veritable playground for swimming, kayaking, boating, fishing, and stand-up paddle boarding. When in season, whale watching is a must.

The town has a shopping centre with everything you need from an IGA to a bakery, cafe, butcher, pizza restaurant, fish and chips shops, and more. The shops are just a four-minute drive or 20-minute walk from Mandala Beach House.

Mandala sits at the southern end of the suburb on Callala Point with wonderful views out to the bay.

A 10-minute walk north-west is Callala Bay Jetty and the Callala Bay beach; a 10-minute walk south across Callala Creek and you’ll reach Callala Beach, the longest beach in Jervis Bay. You can follow Callala Beach all the way to Currambene Creek, a narrow strip of water that separates Callala Beach from Huskisson.

Mandala Beach House

Mandala Beach House is Callala Bay’s newest beach house, effortlessly combining barefoot luxury with laid-back sophistication.

Accommodating up to 12 guests, it has everything you need for a family or group getaway.

There’s a fully equipped kitchen, spacious living and dining area, multiple hangout zones, and five thoughtfully designed bedrooms and ensuite bathrooms. There’s also a games room that can double as a sixth bedroom, and a furnished balcony off the upstairs living area also with views over the bay.

If the upstairs living area is gasp-inducing, the upstairs master bedroom is equally breathtaking. Featuring a walk-in wardrobe, luxurious ensuite and deep-set bathtub with views of the bay, you can bet it’ll be highly prized by house guests.

The backyard features a stunning alfresco dining area complete with bar fridge, gourmet barbecue and plastic drinkware to enjoy by the heated saltwater pool. We stopped by the local butcher on the very first day to make sure we made the most of this wonderful barbecue area.

There’s also ducted air-conditioning throughout, ceiling fans in the bedrooms, a laundry with washing machine and dryer, and top-notch baby facilities should you have any little ones with you for your visit.

The design

Mandala Beach House owner, Melanie Horner, grew up on the South Coast and knows very well the coastal appeal of Jervis Bay, and in particular Callala Bay as a lesser-known, pristine pocket in the Shoalhaven region.

“We created Mandala Beach House so that people could experience the wonderful Jervis Bay region from a comfortable, stylish, and family-friendly setting,” Mel says. 

“The response has been amazing. Before we were ready to receive our first guests, we had a series of bookings and enquiries from people eager for this style of accommodation in the area.” 

Along with the guidance of interior stylist Jessi Eve, Mandala’s relaxed coastal style is fitting of the South Coast lifestyle. The skylights and clerestory windows throughout flood the home with natural light, which lent itself well to Jessi’s fresh palette of timber, neutral tones, and raw texture. 

“Influenced by natural elements, I pulled together a palette of sandy neutrals and grey stone tones paired with soft sky pastels and ocean blues. Textures and materials were connected to nature through natural cotton, linen, rattan, and timber,” Jessi says.

And although the styling evokes holiday vibes from the moment you arrive, hero pieces add to Mandala’s luxe factor, such as the dining table that seats all 12 guests, or the beautifully rustic Indian leaning mirror and the Bamileke coffee and side table, both from T & C Furniture. 

“Holiday homes, in general, are moving more towards a beautiful homely feel rather than sterile and purely practical accommodation,” Jessi says.

“The most popular places nowadays are Instagram-worthy with lots of visual interest at every corner, both in the design and styling. For me, Mandala Beach House nails that.”

 

Exploring the bay with Jervis Bay Wild

No visit to Jervis Bay is complete without exploring the many wonders that the bay has to offer, and we did exactly that with a Jervis Bay Passage tour thanks to local tour company Jervis Bay Wild.

The Jervis Bay Passage tour is the best way to see all of Jervis Bay’s key landmarks from the water, including:

• The tall cliffs of Point Perpendicular, home of a spectacular escarpment upon which sits the famous Point Perpendicular Lighthouse.
• The picturesque Honeymoon Bay, a small, sheltered bay popular with campers and day-trippers who want a peaceful area to snorkel, paddle and laze about.
• The world-famous Hyams Beach, known for its pristine, powdery white sand – among the whitest sand beaches in the world. 

…and much, much more.

And of course, it’s not just the beautiful Jervis Bay landmarks that you can see on the Jervis Bay Passage tour.

Our October stay was a couple of weeks too late to catch the whales, but as we made our way back from the eastern edge of Jervis Bay towards our docking point at Huskisson, we were joined by a pod of dolphins who swam alongside our boat for a few minutes.

One boat passenger was heard to say, “They’re guiding us home!”, which is exactly what it felt like as these incredible creatures accompanied us all the way to to shore.

Special shout-out, also, to Jervis Bay Wild's trademark Boom Netting, which hangs from the back of the boat and allows you to sit and experience what is best described as a "cruising spa bath" while the boat pulls you gently along the waters of Jervis Bay.

Upon arrival at Huskisson, we disembarked from the vessel and popped in for a lovely lunch at the Huskisson Hotel, surely one of the best beachside pubs in Australia with a massive beer garden and dining area, not to mention a hugely varied – and delicious – brasserie menu.

Stay at Mandala Beach House 

Mandala Beach House is now accepting bookings for 2021. Rates start from $1,300 per night for weekends (Friday / Saturday) and $900 per night for midweek (Sunday to Thursday).

SPECIAL OFFER – WINTER SPECIAL! 

Take advantage of the Mandala Beach House Winter Special for bookings starting from June 1, 2021. From June to August, stay at least two nights and receive a night free (subject to availability).* 

* Please note, the Mandala Beach House booking system is unable to quote you for the free night and the standard tariff will be quoted. Please submit a booking for the total nights required, and your hosts will re-calculate the tariff and call you to confirm your booking. 

The winter special also applies to Mandala Beach House’s sister property, Sundara Beach House in Gerringong.

Booking details and social media:

For bookings: www.mandalabeachhouse.net

Facebook: Mandala Beach House Jervis Bay

Instagram: @mandalabeachhouse