Favourite bits.
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The story of the estate. São Lourenço do Barrocal has been in the same family for more than 200 years, and it was José António Uva (who is eight generation of the same family) who had a vision to turn the family property into a farm retreat he could share with others. The passion and dedication behind José António’s dream, and what he has created, is incredibly inspiring.
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The interiors. Perfectly simple and calming. The interior design was led by José António’s wife Ana’s design studio, AnahoryAlmeida (also responsible for the interiors of many of Lisbon’s finest restaurants) and it is a dream.
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Hortelão, their outdoor restaurant. The most beautiful place to dine between Spring through Autumn, this slow-food, farm to fork restaurant is located next to the pool, right by the organic kitchen garden, and is the perfect place to enjoy a dinner under the stars.
Ocean High
OCEAN HIGH
YAMBA, NEW SOUTH WALES • BEACH SHACK • SLEEPS 5 | 2 BEDROOM | 1 BATH
This classic beach house on the hill in Yamba is a real beauty. Only 250m from the main beach with its incredible ocean pool, and right in the heart of town, this classic beach shack is brimming with nostalgia for the simple summer beach holidays you once enjoyed as a kid. You can park your car out front and never need jump in it again.
Ocean High is walking distance from everything you will need on your Yamba holiday.
Recently refreshed and refurbished, Ocean High has a unique charm. There are two bedrooms. The master bedroom has a queen size bed and attached sitting room with a day bed (making it ideal for infants, or for lazy afternoons reading in the sun). There is a great sized kitchen and living area, bathroom, and big outdoor deck that is shaded from the sun. Kicking back in the evening and watching the pink sunsets from the deck is the best. Ocean High's location in the heart of Yamba couldn't be more perfect - across the road from my favourite cafe (Beachwood), a 2min walk uphill to the pub, 5min walk to the beach or the farmers market, etc. The house is the perfect coming together of simplicity and beauty.
Why I love it
I love Ocean High for its location. It is so central to everything and you really don't need your car at all. You can walk everywhere! Coffee and breakfast at Beachwood or The Kiosk on Main Beach, cake at Yum Yum, an afternoon drink at the Pacific Hotel, dinner at Karrikin or Drift - the options are endless. I also love the fact the house is so simple, a good old-fashioned (but zhuzh'd up) shack, which gives an instantly relaxed and laid-back feeling. I love sitting out on the deck watching the sky turn from blue to yellow and then pink in the evenings.
About the owner
Ocean High's host is Christian, a father of three that grew up around the world before settling in Byron Bay. He is the Chairman of the local Steiner school and the custodian of his own plot of sub-tropical rainforest. A terrible surfer (by his own admission) and life long skateboarder, drummer, race car driver and builder. When he is not in Australia he is most likely to be found in the south of France trying to keep his ancient wine maker from crumbling into the dust…
What to do nearby
Coffee and brekkie
at Beachwood Cafe
Wednesday
Farmers Market
Egg and bacon roll at The Kiosk
What to bring
Surfboard
Spring Suit
