What it’s like to stay at Anchorage Farm Narooma, a nature-hemmed hideaway on the NSW South Coast bound to make you melt inside.
A stillness has settled over the Wagonga Inlet. Gums frame the horizon like tall custodians of dusk, the water beyond flushed copper and luminous in the waning light. Bellbirds drown out distant car engines. Chickens, absorbed in their small, earnest excavations, peck about the garden. It’s the kind of place that shrinks your everyday worries to their proper size, reminding you how little they matter in the grand scheme of things.
We’re staying at Anchorage Farm Narooma’s Shucker Shack, an annexed van turned tiny home offering a unique nature-hemmed hideaway on the far NSW South Coast. The 40-hectare farm is owned by the Dudley family and is also home to five off-grid campsites, along with three more tiny homes set to open in the coming months. On our hilltop perch, we coax open a bottle of sparkling and pare away at a generous wedge of local Tilba cheese.
Cheers to relaxing at the Shucker Shack.
Everything here feels crisper than usual, as if someone has grabbed hold of the lens of life and sharpened its focus. The produce feels brighter, the horizon vaster, the air purer, the sky darker. Away from the hullabaloo of the city, my mind feels clearer, too. My partner and I tuck into the dozen famous Narooma oysters – fresh as they come – our host Merri Dudley has kindly left in our fridge, and we find ourselves chatting about what it might be like to live here one day.
Where is Anchorage Farm Narooma?
The Shucker Shack sits on a hill with views over the Wagonga Inlet.
Anchorage Farm Narooma is situated 3.5 kilometres from the main street of Narooma, a township on NSW’s South Coast that’s about three hours’ drive from Canberra or five from Sydney. The farm lies within easy reach of all Narooma’s attractions (including its world-class mountain biking trails) yet still feels secluded thanks to its peaceful perch on a hill overlooking the stunning Wagonga Inlet. Around two minutes’ drive away is the popular Oyster Farmer’s Daughter, a much-loved waterfront spot for beer, light bites and super-fresh seafood.
The backstory
Family-owned and operated Anchorage Farm Narooma is welcoming to all.
Chickens roam freely around the farm.
Wake to the peaceful sounds of birdsong.
Anchorage Farm Narooma is owned by the Dudley family, with husband-and-wife duo Brad and Merri Dudley managing the guest-facing side of the accommodation. Brad and his brother Mark inherited the farm when their father, Bill, sadly passed away in 2023. When asked why they decided to open the farm up to overnight guests, Merri says it is a way of honouring Bill’s love of boat building, turning his projects into spaces for others to enjoy.
“Bill welcomed others to the farm and Narooma with a natural generosity and a strong sense of community that left a lasting impression on us, and has helped shape the foundation of what we’ve created here," Merri elaborates.
Anchorage Farm Narooma is readying to open three brand-new tiny homes expected for mid to late 2026: two that have been converted from boats Bill had built and a renovated bus that served as the original Narooma school bus in the 1980s.
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Staying in the Shucker Shack
The Shucker Shack features a firepit and terrace where guests can soak in the views.
Open since January 2025, Anchorage Farm Narooma’s Shucker Shack feels like a warm hug. There is no Wi-Fi (our phones still have reception, however). Furnishings are comfortable but not ultra-modern. But there’s something that feels very homey about it all.
The shack exterior is laden with planks of wood and features a terrace area with two seats and a firepit. Cradled on one side by bird-filled gum trees and boasting beautiful inlet views on the other, it’s a magical place to switch off and disconnect from day-to-day stress.
The bedroom sleeps two and features a small kitchenette.
Small touches make for a memorable stay.
The lounge area is simple and homey.
Step inside the Shucker Shack and you’ll find a clean, self-contained space. Ideal for couples, it is separated into two main areas: a living space with a small ensuite, and a bedroom housing a double bed and small kitchenette, plus breakfast stools overlooking the inlet.
If you’re a stickler for sleek contemporary finishes and flashy design, I suggest you look elsewhere. But if you’re willing to overlook a leaky tap here or there, you’re in for a treat.
Guests can enjoy fresh eggs from the farm.
In the morning, I receive a text: ‘Hope you slept well! I have a fresh sourdough loaf here…let me know if you’d like me to bring it over’. How could one decline? Oven-warm, it is truly delicious. We have to restrain ourselves to just two pieces each so as not to fill up before the breakfast we’ve booked nearby.
Granola and fresh eggs from the farm’s chickens wait on the bench; local cheese and oysters fill the fridge. There are plenty of great places to eat in Narooma, but those who prefer a home-cooked meal can make use of the shack’s electric fry pan, microwave, toaster, kettle and gas barbecue.
Enjoying oven-warm sourdough.
Later, after returning from dinner at Quarterdeck – one of the most popular restaurants in Narooma, we step out of the car to an unexpected delight. Up above, the sky is dark and exceptionally clear, studded with a carpet of stars so dense I don’t know how anyone could possibly count them all. Both our jaws gape open; it is extraordinary.
After a hot shower, we’re drawn back outside again with cups of tea in hand. In the distance, Fleetwood Mac’s Everywhere echoes across the inlet. I’m not sure how long we remain out here in silence, enjoying the stillness, enjoying each other’s company.
The perfect place to find pure peace.
“Guests seem to love the tranquillity, the wide-open space, the wildlife, the views and the sense of peace they feel while they are here," Merri tells us, waving us off as we reluctantly head home the following morning. “Many tell me they don’t want to leave!"
We certainly don’t.
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The verdict
A peaceful, tiny home retreat surrounded by birdlife and gum trees, where phones are gladly cast aside. The Dudley family have created something very special – Anchorage Farm offers warm, heartfelt hospitality with personal touches you won’t find when staying at large hotel chains. I want to tell everybody and nobody about it at the same time.
The details
Address: 360 Riverview Rd, North Narooma NSW 2546
Best for: couples (the tiny homes) and families (the campsites) longing for a grounding return to nature
Price: from roughly $240/night in the Shucker Shack (two-night minimum stay) and $49/night at one of the farm’s campsites
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Eleanor Edström is Australian Traveller’s Associate Editor. Previously a staff writer at Signature Luxury Travel & Style and Vacations & Travel magazines, she's a curious wordsmith with a penchant for conservation, adventure, the arts and design. She discovered her knack for storytelling much earlier, however – penning mermaid sagas in glitter ink at age seven. Proof that her spelling has since improved, she holds an honours degree in English and philosophy, and a French diploma from the University of Sydney. Off duty, you’ll find her pirouetting between Pilates and ballet classes, or hunting down Sydney's cosiest cafes.
Discover the magic of a Sydney staycation in summer at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney.
Sydney City is magical in summer. Warm summer evenings beg to be spent sipping cool cocktails at one of many al fresco and rooftop bars. Ferries and buses are ready to transport travellers to the best nearby beaches for salty days on the sand. National parks and rainforests are waiting to be explored. And the city’s events calendar is packed, from live music to cultural attractions. All elements that call for a Sydney staycation.
Discover where to eat, stay and play for the perfect local getaway.
Where to stay
The Fullerton Hotel Sydney
Sleep inside a 151-year-old icon.
Amid the bustle of the perfect Sydney staycation, one needs a place to escape to and recharge. Enter, The Fullerton Hotel Sydney. The hotel is an icon in its own right – nestled inside the 151-year-old building that was originally Sydney’s General Post Office, its heritage-listed sandstone walls and Victorian renaissance grandeur have been carefully preserved – providing a rare chance to sleep within Sydney’s history.
Despite its fascinating history, the hotel isn’t short on modern, luxurious comforts. Rooms and suites are available in both the modern high-rise with gorgeous views over the clock tower and lively city below, or inside the historical post office building itself.
Heritage rooms maintain their old-world style.
Either way, guests can enjoy sophisticated touches, including a deluxe bed and pillow menu, Harman Kardon Bluetooth speakers, a digital concierge, a Vittoria coffee machine and amenities from the Balmain bathroom collection.
The team at this five-star hotel provides excellence and a quality experience for all their guests, while amenities like a gym help with a well-rounded stay. For a peaceful moment with sweeping city views, enter The Fullerton Club Lounge on level 28. This private haven for dining and relaxation is available to any guests staying on the hotel’s club floors and suites.
Add to this a central location in the CBD’s Martin Place, with easy access to Sydney’s top attractions, and convenience meets style.
Where to drink & dine
1. The Bar
Indulge in the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea.
Inside The Fullerton Hotel Sydney’s lobby, The Bar does more than sling a few delicious cocktails (although it certainly does that well). Its brown leather chairs and glass ceiling create the perfect, almost al fresco, setting for the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea.
Served daily from 12 to 4 pm, the afternoon tea is a nod to the cherished social occasion it once was during the Victorian Renaissance era. People like to dress up for this afternoon tea, and if you’re lucky, a pianist often sits down at the on-site grand piano, just adding to the elegance.
The afternoon tea is served high tea style, offering reimagined British flavours of the Victorian Renaissance era with a unique blend of Australia’s culinary heritage. A sweet layer offers delights like a Malted Milk Envelope (a milk mousse layered between two biscuits), Bakewell Pudding (a super tasty egg-based pudding), and Apple Charlotte.
On the savoury layer, expect finger sandwiches with fillings like cucumber, egg and smoked salmon. While classic pinwheels and stuffed eggs almost make the menu. And, of course, all finished off with traditional scones served with cream and mixed berry jam.
Can’t fit in a whole afternoon tea? Be sure to at least order a slice of the 32-layered chocolate cake, a decadent mix of dark chocolate crémeux, fresh whipped cream, and Valrhona Azélia chocolate sauce.
2. The Place
Dine in the stunning GPO atrium.
On level one of The Fullerton Hotel Sydney lives The Place – the hotel’s restaurant, in an atrium overlooking the former GPO. Here, dine on Modern Australian cuisine – think fresh, local seafood and a Riverina steak sandwich – along with a touch of Singaporean signature dishes, like Thai-style green curry or chicken satay. All in the shadow of the GPO clock tower, enjoying the GPO atrium’s natural light.
3. Local gelato
Enjoy ice cream in the sunshine. (Image: Destination NSW)
What is summer without ice cream and/or gelato? Luckily, there are plenty of options just a short walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, whether you’re craving a midday pick-me-up or an after-sun treat.
What to do/see
1. GPO Heritage Tour
Be awed by the building’s history.
Want to know more about the building you’re staying in? The Fullerton Hotel Sydney offers a complimentary 90-minute GPO Heritage Tour. Follow a knowledgeable tour guide to discover the stories, tales and legends of the former Sydney General Post Office building.
From the iconic clock tower (completed in 1891) to the black-and-white tiled staircase at 1 Martin Place, which was once the main entrance to the GPO and today serves as a prominent feature of the building to the 24 stone faces (mascarons) on the Martin Place side of the building. Part of the 1880s-era facade (designed by architect James Barnet), each represents different states, countries and continents.
2. Circular Quay
Catch a ferry from Circular Quay. (Image: Destination NSW)
An easy walk or light rail ride away from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, lies the bustling Circular Quay. Here, you can sit for a drink and nibbles at the Opera Bar, or head into the iconic house itself for a show. It’s also a major ferry port, becoming your gateway to Sydney’s beaches, Luna Park and even Sydney Zoo.
3. Royal Botanic Gardens
Wander through Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. (Image: Destination NSW)
Just beyond Circular Quay, discover Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. Wander through this 30-hectare, heritage-listed, botanical garden – exploring its differing sections, from Australian native botanicals to garden beds of vibrant flowers to towering groves of international trees.
It’s also the perfect place for a picnic, so pick up supplies before you come and enjoy a spot on the grassy meadow looking out into the harbour.
4. Theatre Royal
Take in a show at Theatre Royal. (Image: Daniel Boud)
Just a one-minute walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, take in a show at Theatre Royal. Built in 1976, the theatre has been offering a broad range of entertainment since the 1990s. Expect a show roster that ranges from the classics (like Cats) to the modern) like Pretty Woman: The Musical).
