Bermagui glamping site wins Airbnb Australia's Best Nature Stay Award

Rachel Wallbank and Brian Logue were shocked when Airbnb rang them to say their glamping site ‘The Shack’ was a finalist in its 2024 Best Nature Stay Awards. The other 12 finalists came from NSW, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.

They could not believe it in September when they learnt they had won. “Until the photographer was organised, I thought we had heard it wrong,” Rachel says. “To think little old Bermagui can compete in tourism against the bigger towns like Merimbula and Batemans Bay.”

The couple have been running The Shack for around five years.

“Many Airbnbs are purpose-built, but this evolved,” Brian says.

Originally part of their house, they detached it to make a studio or something similar for their two children. “Over time it has just evolved and here we are,” Rachel says.

The glamping site features an outdoor kitchen, shower and hot tub. That is complemented by a queen-sized bed, perfectly positioned to enjoy the breathtaking sunrises.

Rachel says ‘The Shack’ is particularly popular with young couples. “It has that romantic feel, with just a queen bed and sitting in the outdoor tub watching the stars.”

The structure has many sustainability features, including solar power. It was built with timber waste from rebuilding their own house, while the doors and windows came from a building materials recycling centre in Canberra.

Brian has a background in building and was ably supported by local tradespeople.

It is 17 years since Rachel and Brian moved from Sydney and bought the five-acre property that sits on the edge of Wallaga Lake within the Batemans Marine Park.

The property’s proximity to the beach, snowfields and many beautiful places to use their paddle boards and mountain bikes appealed to the sporty couple.

The property already had separate guest accommodation when they bought it. They originally used it for visiting members of Brian’s large family.

During the past 10 years though they have rented out ‘The Beach House’ as holiday accommodation. The little cottage, perfect for a family of four, is decked out in retro style.

“It was very popular because there wasn’t a lot of that type of accommodation down here,” Brian says. As for ‘The Shack’, it is pretty much booked out throughout the year, including winter.

In addition to running The Shack and The Beach House, Brian travels extensively across the Bega Valley and Eurobodalla shires and beyond as part of his work with NSW Fire and Rescue, while Rachel is an oncology nurse at the hospital in Bega.

Rachel wouldn’t have it any other way. “We do the holiday accommodation so that people can enjoy the area. I get a kick out of sharing it with people. It reinvigorates me telling people about all the things to do here.”

Guests are provided with paddle boards, canoes and bikes to fully explore the area, plus there is abundant wildlife on the property and nearby Merriwinga Creek.

The award was based on Airbnb’s data, guest scores and reviews, overseen by a panel of judges.

Brian says all their reviews are very similar. “They talk about the natural beauty, the birds, the kangaroos, the lake, the sunrises and the sunsets.”

Both the house and the guest accommodation are very private. The couple want to keep it that way and have no plans for expansion.

There is no internet or TV. “There is hours of entertainment watching the wildlife; you don’t need a TV,” Rachel says.

The area is well-known for bird watching. “An ornithologist stayed here and said it was the best bird-watching place ever,” Brian says. “He made a list of all the birds including the rare emu wren.”

That visit led Rachel and Brian to buy a bird-watching book and binoculars for guests’ enjoyment.

“That is what people talk about,” Rachel says. “It is nature TV.”