Meet Bernie

As a boutique property photographer in Port Macquarie, I photograph a lot of stunning Airbnb's. But every now and then I photograph somewhere truely special. Bernie's Place is one of those. Bernie sadly passed away and his son Lee inherited his dad's home. Together, Lee and Emily have renovated the cottage, but they didn't wipe Bernie from the story. They kept him in it. Bernie's prized possessions remain scattered throughout the home and that decision has made this place feel really special.

White Australian suburban home with front porch, white picket fence, and lush green garden shrubs under clear blue sky.

Meet Lee & Emily

I quickly realised Lee and Emily aren't normal Airbnb hosts. Individually, they both spotted tiny marks that no other human on Earth would ever notice and immediately sprinted for a cloth. At one point Lee said, "I wouldn't be able to sleep tonight if I left that there." I laughed but secretly thought, I can see that about you. The place is immaculate.

Its Not a House its a Home!

This isn't a soulless Airbnb. This is like staying at your grandma's house… just beautifully modernised (without the smell). It has warmth. It has personality. It has stories and man does it have GAMES!

Scrabble board game with tiles spelling WELCOME, BERNIES PLACE on a wooden table.

Bernie's Place is Filled with Natural Light

Bernie's home faces north and the front lounge room and master bedroom are absolutely flooded with beautiful natural light. It was a crisp winters day when I photographed his home but inside was toasty. It's elevated enough to feel peaceful whilst being in the heart of Port Macquarie. Bernie's church pew still sits proudly on the front porch and I can absolutely see why he loved it there in the morning sun.

The Castle Vibes

I lost count of how many TVs there were and then I walked into the media room. Holy moly. That's not a TV... THIS is a TV. It's a converted garage and honestly feels like your own private cinema.


But my favourite discovery was out the back. It's giving major The Castle vibes. You know "the pool room"...except this is the pool room without the pool table, think more bar, dart board and funky vibes. It's full of Bernie's special treasures, quirky memorabilia and little bits and pieces collected over a lifetime. I was genuinely surprised I didn't spot a set of jousting sticks. I walked in and my first thought was, I need a tequila!


One of Bernie's old wardrobes is filled with games. I found a Scrabble set and discovered the pieces were tucked inside a hand-stitched vintage bag tied up with a ribbon. Then I found an old scorecard and immediately wondered... was Bernie a wordsmith? That's the magic of this place. It constantly has you wondering about the life Bernie lived before it became an Airbnb. The whole property is a reminder that homes are meant to be lived in, not just styled for Instagram.

A rustic bar area with XXXX beer sign, dartboard, Coca-Cola sign, playing cards and beer bottles on a wooden table.

Out The Back

You walk through "The Pool Room" aka Bernie's quirky parlour room to the big old school back yard with plants planted long before I was born. I spotted a mandarin tree. The pull was real, I knew Bernie was watching his prized mandarin tree but the kid who spent winters climbing and eating her way through Aunty Kath's mandarin tree needed one. Sorry Bernie. She was a bloody beauty!


And then I found myself thinking...

I wonder if Bernie sat here.

I wonder how many seasons he patiently waited for the purple flowers on his tree to appear.

I wonder if he sat out the back eating mandarins fresh off the tree.

Or was he more of a beer & poker man?

Vibrant purple flowers blooming on branches against a clear blue sky, photographed from below in natural sunlight.

This Is Why I Love Boutique Property Photography

People think Airbnb photography is photographing beds and bathrooms. It's not. It's photographing stories. It's helping future guests feel something before they even arrive.


Looking For An Airbnb Photographer In Port Macquarie?

Own an Airbnb, holiday home or boutique accommodation on the Mid North Coast? Hello I'm Kris and I'm bloody glad you are here. I specialise in Airbnb photography in Port Macquarie, creating bright, natural images that tell the story behind your property and help attract more bookings. Because guests don't just book accommodation anymore. They book a feeling. Call me!

Wooden dresser with mirror and small plants in a cozy bedroom with hardwood floors and a floral armchair.
White Australian suburban home with covered porch, white picket fence, and lush green shrubs in the front yard.
Black lantern wall light on white weatherboard home exterior with decorative porch column and railing.
Bright bedroom with timber bed frame, blue pillows, hardwood floors, ceiling fan, and large window with garden views.
Purple flowers blooming on branches against a clear blue sky in natural sunlight.
Vintage cream-colored retro radio with antenna on white shelf against white wall.
Cozy outdoor bar area with white stools, wooden counter, colorful sombrero, and Explosives sign in background.
Bernie's Place rustic wooden sign with decorative metal botanical wall art on corrugated iron wall.
Vintage white cast iron hand water pump surrounded by lush tropical plants in a garden setting.
White table and chairs on lush green lawn surrounded by mature trees in a sunny backyard garden setting.
Rustic corrugated iron cottage exterior with bare branches in foreground bathed in warm golden sunlight.
Wooden cabinet with glass-door displaying upside-down wine glasses on top shelf and white floral tea cups with saucers below.
White patio chairs and table with fresh oranges in a sunny backyard garden with citrus trees.
A charming grey weatherboard house with blue roof tiles surrounded by lush garden trees.
Twin bedroom with geometric blue bedding on white frames, hardwood floors, and natural light from a window.