On the golden hour ferry from Palm Beach we spotted The Little Black Shack perched above the ocean at Great Mackerel. It was then, and again as we wheelbarrowed our belongings along the beach to reach the shack, that we knew we were in for a level of restfulness that you don't often come across.

The Little Black Shack is an original fisherman's shack, which has been lovingly restored and carefully curated into a cosy, nautical treasure. From every angle and outpost you can see the water, and in every nook in the house there's some oceanic antique to discover.

Waking with the sunrise, witnessing the tides, the soundtrack all day and night simply the ocean; we very quickly melted into this slow and sea-centric life. We had our coffees in bed in the morning, with the doors flung wide open to the salty air, keeping an eye out for dolphins.

Afternoons were spent chasing the sun on the deck or the hammock, or in the reading nook with a good book. In the evening, we'd fire up the pizza oven and sip wine with a view of the Palm Beach headland. Once the sun went down, we settled ourselves in front of the fire with a board game.

Great Mackerel is carless, which adds to the rare level of peace. When we felt the need to get out and about — which truly didn't happen much as once you're at the shack, you really don't want to leave — we would take the kayaks out from the rocks below the house, or go for hikes through the National Park.

On the ferry ride back to Palm Beach, we waved goodbye to The Little Black Shack with the hope that we'd be back one day soon - it's the seaside life for us.