Popular NSW South Coast nature retreat offers plenty of potential

101 Willinga Road – Bawley Bush Retreat, Bawley Point
$3.45 million
12 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, 2 parking spaces

Boutique tourism is enjoying strong sector growth, but entry opportunities of the right scale and potential are more difficult to locate.

An entrepreneur may find plenty to like about the Bawley Bush Retreat at Bawley Point on the NSW South Coast, an easy 25-minute drive north of Bateman’s Bay.

It’s the product of a 25-year labour of love by owners Pip and Bill Powell, who began with a vision and who have since patiently developed a tranquil 40-hectare nature retreat that’s become a fixture in the region as a venue for weddings, yoga getaways and more.

“I suppose it did start as a bit of a mad vision,” Bill says. “But there’s something very satisfying when you can look back and say ‘we created this’.”

Bawley Bush Retreat is a four-bedroom residence on the banks of a picture-perfect dam.

There’s another four-bedroom dwelling with a commercial kitchen and a dining/function room that enjoys views over the Willinga lake.

Also on the grounds are four guest cottages with the bonus of DA approval to build an additional 16 cottages, a seminar room, a shed and ancillary facilities.

There are also motor home sites and a camping glade.

“We set out to make our buildings appear as elements of the bush rather than being separate from it,” Bill says.

Bawley Bush Retreat is heavily booked until the end of the year.

“The holiday periods are always popular and we tend to be a venue of choice for weddings in the spring and autumn,” he says. “We also get significant repeat business from yoga operators.”

Bill says he and Pip are looking to slow down and he believes a new owner with vision and energy could take the retreat to the next level.

“The DA approval for further cottages is a bonus, but there’s so much potential in new areas like a restaurant or other food outlets,” he says.

“Bawley Point is a really attractive part of the South Coast, previously a bit of a hidden gem, but one that’s now steadily being discovered. It’s a great time to become a part of it and a terrific local community.”

An indicator of the area’s growing profile is the multimillion dollar stock horse estate, Willinga Park, that has been built on the other side of the lake by well-known developer Terry Snow.

Inspect: Contact agents. Agents: Bella Coastal Property, Jo Humphries 0417 276 793; Raine & Horne Mollymook, Ulladulla and Milton, Ben Pryde 0410 324 209.

Who’s in the market: An entrepreneur interested in running a popular venue may be interested in this retreat.