Riverfront Luxury | Serenity to Celebration | Pets OK | Sleeps 14 | Tea Gardens

Just two and a half hours north of Sydney lies one of Australia's most quietly spectacular secrets.

Drift is a brand new luxury riverfront home on the Karuah River in Tea Gardens — where wildlife roams freely, the river stretches out to a protected island nature reserve, and the only sounds are birdsong, water and the wind through the Casuarinas.

Sleeping up to 14 across five bedrooms, Drift is perfect for couples seeking serenity, families making memories and groups celebrating together — with pets welcome by prior approval. Whether you're an overseas visitor discovering coastal New South Wales, a Sydney family chasing a long weekend, or a group of friends finally making the trip — Drift is where you exhale.

Arrive to made beds, fresh linen, towels and toiletries all provided, and a fully equipped gourmet kitchen ready to go. Launch a kayak onto the river, cast a line from the backyard, explore pristine surf beaches, or simply sit on the deck and watch the wildlife roll in. Everything is taken care of. Just show up.

Rated 10/10 by our guests.

The Property

A Rare Find — Riverfront Luxury That Welcomes Everyone

Drift is one of those properties that genuinely works for any group — whether you're two people seeking a peaceful riverside escape or fourteen friends celebrating together. Bedrooms are prepared according to the number of guests booked, so you only pay for what you need and the home always feels just right.

Multiple living areas, a gourmet kitchen and seamless indoor-outdoor flow make Drift ideal for shared meals, relaxed gatherings and extended stays. Golf groups, fishing trips, family reunions, milestone celebrations, overseas adventures — Drift has welcomed them all.

Wildlife — Guaranteed to Take Your Breath Away

This is the real deal. Drift sits within one of coastal New South Wales' most extraordinary wildlife corridors — and the animals here are not shy.
You will almost certainly see:

* Eastern Grey Kangaroos grazing on the riverbank at dawn — often just metres from the firepit
* Swamp Wallabies on evening walks
* White-bellied Sea Eagles and Ospreys riding the thermals above the river — including a resident nesting pair near the property
* Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos, Rosellas, Ibis and Herons along the waterline
* Echidnas waddling through the garden

With patience and a little luck:
* Dingoes moving quietly through the bush after dark
* Koalas resting in the surrounding Sclerophyll forest — look for the Swamp Mahogany, their favourite food tree in this area

For overseas visitors, this is bucket-list wildlife in a completely natural setting — no zoo, no tour bus, no crowds. Just you, the river and the animals going about their day.

Corrie Island & the Karuah River

Directly opposite Drift lies Corrie Island Nature Reserve — recently listed as a national park and one of the most pristine birdwatching destinations on the NSW coast. Paddle across on a kayak or SUP and circumnavigate the island at your own pace — a full-day adventure best enjoyed with a packed picnic, plenty of water and a deep respect for the environment. Truly unforgettable.

The bushland opposite the property forms part of a formally protected 3km wildlife corridor — classified as Sclerophyll Swamp Forest and never to be developed. The extraordinary views, the birdsong and the sense of untouched wilderness are here to stay.

Bedrooms & Sleeping Arrangements

Drift sleeps up to 14 guests across five bedrooms on two levels, offering flexibility, privacy and comfort for any group size.

Bedrooms prepared according to confirmed guest numbers
Fresh linen, towels and toiletries provided for all prepared rooms
Quality beds and furnishings throughout
Additional bedrooms remain unprepared for smaller bookings but are accessible

Fresh Linen — All Included, All Prepared

Every stay includes a full linen service prepared before your arrival so you can settle in straight away. No linen to pack, no beds to make.
Each guest receives:

* Fitted and flat bed sheets, pillows and pillowslips
* Quilts, quilt covers, extra rugs and throws
* Bath towel, bath mat, hand towels and face washers
* Tea towels

Kitchen & Living

The gourmet kitchen is ready for everything from lazy breakfasts to epic group feasts — quality appliances, generous bench space, all the essentials and those sweeping river views while you cook. Open-plan living and dining flows directly to multiple outdoor decks with uninterrupted views across the Karuah River to Corrie Island.

* Air conditioning throughout
* Natural light and river breezes year-round
* Full speed Wi-Fi with QR login
* Party platters and large scale cooking appliances

Outdoor & Water Activities — All Included

On the Water

* River kayak (1 person)
* Fibreglass SUP 10'6
* Inflatable SUP 10'6
* Snorkelling gear x 2
* Foam surfboards x 2
* Boogie boards x 2
* Crab pot — cast a line or drop a pot straight from the backyard

On Land

* Bikes x 2 for exploring Tea Gardens
* Beach accessories including family-sized Cool Cabana and beach table
* Dartboard, corn toss, badminton, croquet
* Multiple BBQ and outdoor dining areas
* Firepit area
* Board games, cards and Lego

Location — The Perfect NSW Road Trip Base

Drift is the ideal base for exploring one of New South Wales' most beautiful and diverse regions — and it's closer than you think.

Getting Here

* Sydney CBD - approximately 2.5 hours north via the Pacific Highway
(soon to be 2.25 hrs when the bi-pass is completed in late 2026)
* Newcastle Airport - 45-60 mins
* Hunter Valley - 45 mins
* Central Coast - 90 mins

Explore and base yourself at Drift

* Port Stephens — dolphins, whale watching, sand dunes and some of the most beautiful waterways in NSW
* Hunter Valley — world-class wineries, restaurants and cellar doors just over an hour away — a perfect day trip for wine lovers
* Myall Lakes National Park — drive the lakes, put your car on the punt and explore one of Australia's most beautiful lake systems
* Hawks Nest & Bennetts Beach — 6km (5 minutes) from Drift; pristine surf beach, rock pools and the famous Hawks Nest Surf Club for sunset drinks
* Jimmy's Beach at Winda Woppa — calm, sheltered swimming, perfect for snorkelling or SUP


In Town

* Two Fat Bakers, The Boatshed and Mumm's on the Myall
* Tea Gardens Hotel — pub, playground, trivia and live music
* Tea Gardens Country Club — lawn bowls, karaoke and raffles
* Hawks Nest Surf Club — epic sunsets, open weekends
* Hawks Nest Golf Club
* Local courtesy bus — pick up and drop off from all popular venues
* Mount Yaccaba — a short hike rewarded with panoramic views across Port Stephens and Myall Lakes
* Little Gibber — beach 4WD through the national park (permit required)
* Tea Gardens to Nelson Bay ferry — spot dolphins, pass Corrie Island and arrive in Nelson Bay for lunch

A special weekend or week starts here

Drift was built for the kind of weekend you talk about for years. A long table dinner on the deck as the sun drops behind the river. Wildlife drifting across the lawn at dusk. Kids launching off the bank on a SUP. Someone finally catching a fish.

The firepit going long after everyone should have gone to bed.
Whether you're here for one night or one week — Drift has a way of making time slow down.

Pricing & Booking

* Early check-in from 11am — make the most of your weekend from the moment you arrive
* Base rate covers up to two guests — additional guests charged per person per night
* Seasonal rates apply during Christmas, Easter and school holidays
* Professional cleaning fee applies to all bookings
* Refundable security bond held and released post-stay inspection
* Minimum stay requirements may apply during peak periods

Good to Know

* Pets welcome by prior approval
* Drift is a peaceful residential property — we welcome groups who respect our quiet neighbourhood
* Bedrooms prepared according to guest numbers booked
* Check-in 11am | Check-out 3pm
* Registration: PID-STRA-71749