Why Sutherland Downs Retreat is a Top Family-Friendly North Coast NSW Accommodation
Looking for the perfect family getaway on the North Coast of NSW? Discover Sutherland Downs Retreat in Coomba Bay, where countryside meets coastal charm. At Travellarks, we’re proud to showcase exceptional properties like Sutherland Downs, where Ben and Ali, the passionate owners, share their top holiday hosting tips. Whether you’re planning a family reunion, a work retreat, or just a relaxing break, their insights will help you create a memorable guest experience. Learn how Sutherland Downs Retreat creates unforgettable stays for families and groups.
Meet Ben and Ali: Owners of Sutherland Downs Retreat
We’re Ben and Ali, proud parents of three kids and long-time residents of Sydney’s Northern Beaches. After searching for rural properties close to our favourite beaches, we found Sutherland Downs—our dream property on the North Coast of NSW. With its spacious grounds and proximity to both the beach and the bush, it’s the perfect place for family groups looking for an unforgettable escape.
How We Started in the Accommodation Business
Living near Dee Why, we’ve always loved the idea of owning a large, rural property in one of our favourite parts of the world! After a couple of unsuccessful attempts, we were thrilled when our offer on Sutherland Downs was accepted. The vision was clear: we wanted to offer spacious, family-friendly and affordable accommodation in a location that feels like a home away from home. Our goal is to provide a unique experience for guests, and after years of hosting, we’re more committed than ever to creating a memorable stay.
Top Hosting Tips from the Owners of Sutherland Downs Retreat
1. Foster Community Connection
We’re proud to have built a fantastic local team—Becky, our manager, and Aiden, who helps maintain the property—ensuring everything is sparkling and ready for guests. Our friendly, local tradespeople are invaluable in keeping everything in top shape. Being connected to the community elevates the guest experience, creating a sense of home.
2. Know Your Target Market
At Sutherland Downs, we’ve found that multi-family groups are the ideal guests. Our spacious accommodation is perfect for large families, groups of friends, or retreats of all types. Whether it’s a family reunion or a birthday celebration, a yoga or surf retreat, Sutherland Downs suits all kinds of events and is designed to create lasting memories. It truly suits all seasons and occasions.
3. Put Yourself in Your Guests’ Shoes
Creating a welcoming, comfortable space for our guests is a top priority. From the moment they arrive, we want them to feel like they’re at a special getaway, designed with everything they need to relax and unwind. By always considering our guests’ needs, we’ve made Sutherland Downs a place people want to return to year after year.
4. Offer Something Extra
Guests book fee free through Travellarks North Coast NSW accommodation without the booking fees and the small touches have the biggest impact. Like our grazing platter on arrival, 6 pack of local craft beer, a bottle of Great Lakes Wine. But the absolute crowd pleaser? A bag of carrots to feed our friendly ponies, Blackie and Zorro! Plus we have ever increasing entertainment facilities and amenities, and sports games like trampoline, games room, firepit, hot tub, even recently a Pickle Ball court! And so much more.
5. Listen to Guest Feedback
We’ve always been committed to listening to our guests. They rave about the spacious accommodation (we can host up to 21 guests!) and the quiet, peaceful environment. They love the ponies, Blackie and Zorro, and the pool and games room are also big hits. By paying attention to what guests love, we can continue to improve and offer the best possible experience.
6. Know Your Area
The natural beauty around Sutherland Downs is one of the best features of the property. We’re close to world-class destinations like Seal Rocks and Blueys Beach, as well as hidden gems like the Pacific Palms Reky Club (where you can get $1 oysters on Sundays!). The Whoota Whoota Lookout hike is just one of the many scenic spots nearby. Our guests appreciate local knowledge just as much as they value the luxury amenities we offer. The world seems to value experiences over the material things in life more and more. This means that perhaps the absolute mod cons in a house are often not as highly regarded as some awesome local knowledge about where to get fresh prawns or local craft beer.
7. Focus on High – Impact, Low – Effort Tasks
As property owners, it’s easy to fall into the trap of spending all our time on tasks we enjoy. But we’ve learned that focusing on high-impact, low-effort tasks can yield the best results. We try to strike the right balance between time, money, and quality—making sure every aspect of the guest experience is top-notch without overextending ourselves.
8. Seek Continuous Improvement
Sutherland Down’s Retreat give their Top Hosting Tips as owners of a North Coast NSW accommodation. This includes always having safe and secure improvements and following the council’s legal and engineering guidelines with safety ensured. We’ve now installed a wood fired hot tub with a cracking view of a property and lake. We will also commence our dream fruit orchard dream in the late winter / early spring. If you’d like to help, bring seeds!
9. Choose the Right Platform for Listing
I’m a big fan of ‘delegated decision making’ which is where you put your trust in someone to make a choice for you. The way Travellarks said that they chose only properties with certain attributes, ensuring every guest has an awesome experience, really appealed. Also, being around the energy of the Travellarks team who work hard with owners to grow their platform and encourage our skills. Plus, they’re fee-free with them so it helps us keep more of our hard-earned revenue!
Sutherland Downs Retreat: Your Next Family Escape on the North Coast NSW
Ben and Ali’s hosting tips at Sutherland Downs Retreat in Coomba Bay show how thoughtful, family-focused management can turn a North Coast NSW accommodation into an unforgettable getaway. With spacious, comfortable facilities, local insights, and a focus on memorable experiences, the retreat is perfect for family reunions, group getaways, and special celebrations. Guests return year after year, enjoying the peaceful surroundings, fun activities, and welcoming atmosphere.
At Travellarks, we’re proud to support small businesses like Sutherland Downs Retreat by offering fee-free direct bookings, helping owners keep more of their revenue while ensuring guests have seamless, memorable stays.
Ready to plan your next escape? Book your stay at Sutherland Downs Retreat or explore other family-friendly North Coast NSW accommodation and group getaways on Travellarks to find your perfect holiday property, more wedding accommodation and more.
