5 of the best Bundeena beach shacks

Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
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Hop on the train to Cronulla and the ferry to Bundeena for a close escape from Sydney.

Although Bundeena is just a short ferry ride from the beachside suburb of Cronulla, it feels downright bucolic. It’s an accessible getaway that will make you feel like you’re worlds away from Sydney. Regardless of the season, the spindle of a suburb bustles with activity, especially on the first Sunday of the month when the resident artists open their studios for the Bundeena Maianbar Art Trail. That’s when sails are hoisted and yachts drop anchor off Jibbon Beach, weekenders spill from the train in Cronulla to the ferry and Sydneysiders make a day trip of it by travelling to Bundeena via the Royal National Park. This most bohemian suburb in the Sutherland Shire also has some great places to stay. Here’s our low-down on the best beach shacks to stay at in Bundeena.

Gunyah Beach in Bundeena.
Views out to Gunyah Beach in Bundeena.

1. Bundeena Beachshack

Kayaking up Cabbage Tree Basin is one of the best things to do in Bundeena and the fibreglass pleasure crafts are complimentary when you stay at the Bundeena Beachshack. The secluded shack is located on Gunyah Beach, which was built in 1926 near to the Royal National Park, the second oldest gazetted national park in the world. The rustic, self-contained cottage, the last remaining fisherman’s cottage still standing, has been faithfully restored to offer the ultimate barefoot luxury: there’s a private sun-bathing platform above the beach, a dine-in veranda and pergola-covered courtyard area strung with fairy lights. Bring a page-turner and curl up near the window or don a mask and flippers and go for a snorkel near the jetty.

Bundeena Beachshack exterior
The secluded Bundeena Beachshack is located on Gunyah Beach.

Best bit: Dozing off to the sound of waves lapping the shore.

 

Address: Near Gunyah Beach, beachshack.bundeena.com

2. Bundeena Beach Shack With a View

Cronulla locals call Bundeena residents Bundanesians. And from the water, the beachside suburb could easily be mistaken for a slice of South-East Asian paradise. For Sydneysiders who haven’t been to Bali for a while, Bundeena is the next big thing. This fibro shack is clean and comfortable and has a history as a holiday home that stretches back to the 1950s. There’s no better way to unwind in Bundeena than by kicking back with the birds singing outside the windows. It’s a nostalgia-inducing experience. If you’re industrious, you could hire a kayak and paddleboard over to Cronulla. Otherwise, stay put and enjoy a spot of beachcombing near Bonnie Vale or a sundowner on the new deck.

Bundeena Beach Shack With A View
Unwind on the deck at Bundeena Beach Shack With a View.

Best bit: The outdoor bath.

 

Address: Near Simpson’s Bay, Airbnb.com.au

Exterior of Bundeena Beach Shack with a view
The fibro shack offers a nostalgia-inducing experience.

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3. Ethel & Ode’s

You will get a feel for the flip-flop life in Bundo, as it’s affectionately known in the Sutherland Shire, when you book a stay at Ethel & Ode’s. Want to catch up with the extended family but enjoy the privacy of your own space? Ethel & Ode’s has a few different spaces to suit. Inspired by the memories of the owners’ grandparents, this contemporary offering includes the big house, which accommodates eight people, the bunkie a self-contained studio for two located just steps away from Jibbon Beach, and fogo an adults-only retreat with absolute waterfront views. Order a breakfast box from Audley Dance Hall, learn to meditate at the Bundeena School Hall or join the local Harold Holt Swim Club for an ocean dip every Monday, Wednesday and Sunday from the Bundeena Wharf.

Ethel & Ode’s view from bedroom
The picturesque views from inside one of the bedrooms at Ethel & Ode’s.

Best bit: The proximity to the beach and to the Jibbon rock art engravings.

 

Address: Near Jibbon Beach, ethelandodesbeachhouse.com

Ethel & Ode’s exterior in Bundeena
Ethel & Ode’s has a few different spaces to suit numerous sized groups.

4. Bundeena Beach House

Sitting smack-bang over the sand on Little Gunyah Beach is where you will find Bundeena Beach House, which is one of the original fishing huts in the village. The property includes the original beach shack alongside the original cottage, which have both had a facelift and, together, sleep up to four guests in comfort. The Bundeena Beach House is just the place you want to relax in after all that beachside living as you can wander, barefoot, from the beach to one of the local cafes and back again without having to get in the car.

Bundeena Beach House
Find Bundeena Beach House sitting smack-bang over the sand on Little Gunyah Beach.

Best bit: The north-facing deck which juts out over the beach.

 

Address: Near Little Gunyah Beach, bundeenabeachhouse.com.au

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5. The Periscope House

Most of the beach shacks in Bundeena are pretty low-key cottages and bungalows. But if you want to go all out, and stay in a luxury home in Bundeena, you can perch yourself at Periscope House, one of the most luxe and lofty hangouts on offer in Bundeena, located on the cliffs overlooking Port Hacking. You won’t need to use your car at all during your time at Periscope House as you will find everything you need in the four-bedroom house (including a gourmet welcome hamper). A vast horizon and rolling waves await holiday-makers who like to take to the water or flop on the powder-soft sand here. But it’s the location of Periscope House that is most alluring: it’s the perfect place to feel new again and enjoy a soothing escape in Sydney.

Luxury beach house The Periscope House in Bundeena
The Periscope House offers a more luxurious stay in Bundeena.

Best bit: You won’t need a periscope to appreciate the perspective, as the massive windows frame the views.

 

Address: Near Cabbage Tree Point, Luxico.com.au

View of The Periscope House in Bundeena and its private beach
Take the stairs down to the private beach during your stay at The Periscope House.

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Carla Grossetti
Carla Grossetti has written across print and digital for Australian Traveller and International Traveller for more than a decade and has spent more than two decades finding excuses to eat well and travel far. A prestigious News Corp cadetship launched her career at The Cairns Post, before a stint at The Canberra Times and The Sydney Morning Herald gave way to extended wanders through Canada, the US, Mexico, Central America, Asia and Europe. Carla was chief sub editor at delicious and has contributed to Good Food, Travel & Luxury, Explore Travel, Escape. While living in London, Carla was on staff at Condé Nast Traveller and The Sunday Times Travel desk and was part of the pioneering digital team at The Guardian UK.
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This surprising regional town is making its mark on the culinary world

(Image: Visit Griffith)

    Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
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    With more than 60 nationalities calling it home and a century of Italian influence shaping its paddocks and plates, Griffith is a regional Australian town with serious culinary cred.

    It might feel surprising to learn that Griffith is one of Australia’s leading food destinations. In-the-know Italians have understood this for generations, drawn to the Riverina region’s fertile soils that reminded them of the terrain they’d left behind more than a century ago. These days, Griffith supplies much of the nation’s pantry: 95 per cent of Australia’s prunes come from the region, it’s the country’s largest citrus-growing area, and it’s a leading producer of almonds and walnuts. Even the pickles in every McDonald’s burger nationwide are produced in Griffith. This is not just a farming town; the Griffith food scene is leading the way.

    Here, culinary confidence is rooted in migration. Italian families began arriving from 1913, with a second wave settling after the Second World War. Today, Griffith has the highest proportion of Italian ancestry of any Local Government Area in Australia. Add to that more than 60 nationalities represented across the community and you have a town where food is driven not by trends, but by tradition. Griffith’s motto, ‘Taste our culture’, isn’t marketing spin; it’s the reality.

    Where the vines tell a story

    A hand pouring wine into a glass, with a table filled with food.
    Uncover the stories behind every glass. (Image: Destination NSW)

    The Riverina has long been dubbed the food bowl of Australia, but it’s also a wine region that remains largely under the radar. What sets Griffith apart is that every one of its wineries is family-owned, many spanning generations.

    Calabria Family Wines is one of the region’s standard-bearers. The Calabria story began in 1945 when Francesco Calabria planted his first vines; today, the family continues to shape the region’s identity while also stewarding the historic McWilliam’s Wines brand. McWilliam’s was the first winery to plant vines in the area, and its barrel-shaped cellar door – complete with a soaring stained-glass window – remains one of the most distinctive in regional NSW.

    Yarran Wines, run by the Brewer family, showcases estate-grown fruit across Mediterranean varietals that thrive in the warm climate. Expect bold reds and textured whites that reflect both heritage and innovation.

    Set inside the old ambulance station, Harvest HQ is owned and operated by the Riverina Winemakers Association and pours a rotating selection of local wines under one roof. It also features spirits from The Aisling Distillery, reinforcing the region’s collaborative approach to craft.

    At the table

    A flat lay of a steak.
    Dine where tradition meets a bold new generation. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    If the vineyards tell one story, the dining rooms tell another. Griffith’s restaurants are where tradition and next-gen confidence meet.

    Zecca Handmade Italian occupies the former Rural Bank building, an imposing Art Deco landmark from the late 1930s. ‘Zecca’ means money print, and the name is a nod to the Zecca di Venezia in Venice. Here, find the Riverina’s only producer of dried artisan pasta and traditional Italian recipes. Importantly, the growers and producers supplying the kitchen are listed on the menu as a transparent expression of the region’s farm-to-table ethos.

    Established in 1977 and still run by the Vico family, La Scala puts authentic Italian cuisine on centre stage. Expect handmade pasta, traditional wood-fired pizzas, slow-cooked sauces and dishes that follow recipes guarded like family heirlooms. For something more contemporary, Bull & Bell in Gem Hotel is a shrine to the Euro-style steakhouse that works closely with local farmers and artisans to showcase Riverina produce.

    And then there are the institutions. Bertoldo’s Pasticceria, now in its third generation, draws locals daily for cannoli, biscotti, crostoli and house-made gelato, alongside classic sausage rolls and potato pies. La Piccola Grosseria feels like stepping into an Italian alimentari, its shelves lined with continental goods that wouldn’t feel out of place in Puglia.

    Meanwhile, Limone celebrates local and seasonal produce across breakfast and lunch menus, enriched by the produce and stories of Piccolo Family Farm. Find pastries and sourdough baked daily, and pop into the onsite retail pantry for products from regional producers – including the Piccolo family’s own wine range, Caro Piccolo.

    From the source

    A plated Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod dish.
    Taste world-renowned Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod, straight from its source. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    Behind every menu is a producer. Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod is perhaps Griffith’s most high-profile export; the brand’s Murray cod and Aquna Gold Murray Cod Caviar have achieved global recognition. In October 2024, Aquna presented its products to King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the NSW Premier’s Community BBQ in Parramatta. Impressed by the producer’s sustainable farming practices, the King requested the cod be sent to Buckingham Palace – not bad for a fish farm in regional NSW.

    Mandolé Orchard champions almonds grown on a family-run farm, transforming them into almond milk and value-added products. At Morella Grove, olives are pressed into premium olive oil and pantry staples that speak to Griffith’s Mediterranean heart. These producers are not peripheral; they are central to the town’s culinary ecosystem. Learn about local sustainable farming practices during a farm tour.

    Mark your calendar

    A woman walking past a food mural, something you can spot during A Taste of Italy Griffith.
    Plan your visit around A Taste of Italy Griffith. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    For a town that helps stock Australia’s supermarkets, Griffith has remained curiously absent from the national dining conversation. That’s beginning to change. If you’ve been searching for a regional food destination with substance, heritage and a clear sense of identity, you’ll find it here in the Riverina, right under your nose.

    Time your visit to the Riverina region to coincide with A Taste of Italy Griffith, held every August. This week-long celebration of Italian heritage and culture offers a wide range of Italian-inspired events and experiences to enjoy. Expect long-table lunches, wine tasting experiences, cooking classes and a Makers in the Piazza market. The headline event is a ticketed long lunch – Festa delle Salsicce (Salami Festival) – where winners of the best salami are announced.

    Start planning your foodie getaway at visitgriffith.com.au.