Despite spending a lot of time on the South Coast, I'd never visited the small coastal town of Berrara, so I was extra excited by the upcoming adventure. The early bird catches the worm – or several strong coffees in our experience – so we left Sydney before sunrise for the three-hour(ish) journey to Berrara. The journey south was stunning in its own right and indicated the beauty to come.

As soon we entered Scribbly Gums, we dropped any stresses or worries we had. The house was instantly tranquil, inside and out, and you could tell that everything within the house had been lovingly crafted. Particular highlights were the bathrooms (complete with tubs!), the cosy living space, and the large outdoor entertaining area for the warmer months.

One of my favourite things about the South Coast is the instant accessibility to nature and Berrara was no exception. At Scribbly Gums, you're moments away from walking trails, beaches, surf breaks and a stunning lake. Kangaroos are everywhere and native birds sing the day away.

The next three days were spent reconnecting with nature, complemented by lots of food and wine and, of course, coffee. Lots of coffee. If this sounds like a weekend well spent, I strongly urge you to consider driving the extra 40 minutes past Jervis Bay, where you'll come across a lesser-known slice of heaven.