Soon to Be Opened Luxury Country Escape


NOTE: OMINA RETREAT OPENED SINCE THIS POST WAS WRITTEN.


When you're invited to spend a weekend at the soon-to-be-opened exquisite Omina Retreat to photograph it, you don't just jump at the opportunity—you sprint, cameras in hand, like it’s the last slice of cake at a wedding!  There are airbnb’s then there is Omina Retreat in a boutique accomodation class of its own.  A little over an hour west of Port Macquarie you will find this tranquil remote paradise.  Think stunning vistas, star gazing, clean air, fire cooked meals, soaking in a hot tub under the stars, relaxing in the outdoor sauna, stunning gorgeous beautifully styled interiors, luxurious high end finishings, think PURE RELAXATION!

Contemporary bedroom featuring black and white minimalist art prints and textured pillows.
Outdoor lounge area with striped umbrella and comfortable seating overlooking mountain views.
Food grilling on open fire pit with mountain landscape in background.
Modern bedroom with abstract artwork, brown bedding, and minimalist decor.
Modern black cabin with wooden barrel sauna in rustic outdoor setting.
Elegant bathroom with round mirror, stone sink basin, and warm lighting fixtures.

Fresh Country Air


With the babysitter sorted (we love you Mum x) Rodgie and I jumped in the car and headed west. The drive is beautiful. Big green paddocks of rolling hills, beautiful meandering streams, pops of purple from the flowering jacaranda trees, cattle grazing on the side of unfenced country roads and old shacks - remnants of lives gone by. At one point on the drive a farmer was herding cattle across the road, so we stopped the car, I jumped out eager to show off my country girl ways pushing the cattle up slowly (“SLOW DOWN TONSIL!!!”) just the way Dad taught me. The farmer thanked me, and we continued, destination Omina Retreat here we come!

White SUV parked on a dirt road with directional signpost in rural countryside setting.
Rolling green hills with grazing cattle and distant mountains under blue sky.
Small wooden shelter beside a winding dirt road under a large oak tree in pastoral landscape.

Luxury Accomodation Like No Other!


Upon arrival we could see all the hard work that Port Macquarie couple Chris and Leasa Harris have put into it. Some of you will know these local legends from the likes of Salty Crew Kiosk or Bills Fishhouse in Port Macquarie.  I’ve got a massive style girl crush on Leasa.  Be warned though, you may never be able to live the same way again after visiting Omina Retreat! There is luxury at every turn, soft feather filled hand stitched linen cushions, gorgeous one-off handcrafted timber furniture pieces, stunning curated interiors, beautiful big artworks - oh and don’t get me started on the divine dreamy soft bed linen! The fluffy cloud like doona was next level, so much so that I messaged Leasa when I got home with a list of all the things (there is a lot) I wanted to buy asking where they are from, the doona topping the list! It’s a must have!!! It was an expensive weekend of shopping given there wasn’t a homewares shop in a 100km radius! 

Minimalist bedroom with black and white artwork, checkered pillows, and contemporary lighting fixtures.
Spacious living room with large sectional sofa and panoramic windows overlooking hills at a country airbnb in NSW.
Cozy living space with wood stove, floor-to-ceiling windows and mountain views.
Minimalist dining area with wooden table and abstract orange artwork in modern cabin.
Luxurious bathroom featuring gold vessel sink, round mirror, and panoramic window with mountain views.
Cozy bedroom corner with abstract wall art, striped pillows, and potted greenery on wooden side table.
Modern bedroom with mountain views through large windows and minimalist decor at Omina Retreat NSW
Custom built-in wooden closet with shelving and storage solutions in a modern walkthrough wardrobe.
Contemporary living room with gray sectional sofa and expansive windows showcasing mountain valley views.
Modern bedroom with brown bedding, abstract artwork, and natural light flowing through large windows.
Modern patio with umbrella seating area overlooking rolling hills and mountain landscape.
Modern black cabin with outdoor hot tubs and patio area set against mountainous backdrop at dusk.

Nude in the Bush!


Those that truly know me, know I’m a massive prude. Nudity simply isn’t in my prudish little world. But, within hours of arrival at Omina I was stripping naked in the living room, squealing like Little Miss Piggy and doing a nudie dash to the outdoor fire warmed hot tub (sorry you probably don’t need that visual). I had packed swimmers (of course I had) but with not a person in sight for a million miles it felt like overdressing.  After soaking in the hot tub for what seemed like hours it was time to get out. It was about now that I realised that involved a very bad angle of my hind quarters climbing out. I made Rodgie get out first. Turns out some of my prudish ways remained even at Omina.

Black modern cabin with cedar barrel sauna and hot tub on at dusk in country NSW.

Dream Kitchen


After a beautiful relaxing soak, it was time for some wine and pasta making.  The view from the kitchen over the rolling hills is breathtaking. I can honestly say it is my favourite kitchen I’ve ever cooked in. The kitchen is stocked with everything any budding chef could hope for. Much to Rodgie’s delight I took some photos of our food before we sat down and ate our garlicy lemon and king prawn fresh pasta which we washed down with a crisp glass of Semillon soaking up the view. 

Modern kitchen with wooden cabinets, concrete countertops and fresh ingredients displayed on the island.
Fresh ingredients including pasta, lemon, herbs, and olive oil arranged on a dark surface for cooking preparation.
Luxurious dining setup with mountain views through large windows and fresh ingredients on the table.

Dating My Hubby


The afternoon meandered away with Rodgie and I enjoying each other’s company, chatting and engaging in a way that never seems to happen in the hustle and bustle of everyday life with a very active, extremely talkative 6 year old. We just sat, enjoying the view with not a care in the world and talked like we did in the days when we were first dating.

Outdoor lounge area with white cushioned chairs and striped umbrella overlooking scenic valley views.

Fire Cooking Time


Then it was time to have a play with the outdoor firepit. I’ve been following a guy on Insta who does fire cooking and I really wanted to try to recreate a recipe of his. Putting three cheeses in a dish for two people is an error (the wine earlier may have kicked into this decision-making process). Also don’t waste $7 of grapes on a fire. It’s a bad idea! Who knew smokey fire cooked grapes is not a thing? Fire warmed olives in olive oil, garlic and red wine vinegar with fresh lemon thyme is however a thing! If you try this make sure you use whole olives otherwise pitted olives turn to mush. 

Food grilling over an open flame on a black cooking grate with mountain scenery in background.
Evening gathering space with string lights and fire pit against a mountainous backdrop at sunset.
Outdoor fire pit with flames burning beneath a black cooking grate in a mountain setting.

One Too Many Dances


After a few fireside wines, one grape each and an outrageous amount of gooey cheese we headed back inside for some dancing to Johnny Cash video clips in the lounge room until an unknown time. Told you it was like we were dating again. There are thankfully no photos of this red-hot mess. 

Farewell Omina Retreat


Sometimes the only way to get over a night of dating your husband after a 10 year hiatus from dating is a hair of the dog. So, on Sunday we sadly packed up our bags and headed to The Pub with No Beer in Taylors Arm, about a 30 minute drive from Omina on a narrow winding dirt road that you hold your breath on each corner hoping not to meet a testosterone filled P plater on the bend! We were thankful our car sick babies (yep Isla and our dog, Milo) weren’t with us!

Rural road sign viewed through car window with green countryside in background.
Purple jacaranda tree in bloom along a rural dirt road with rustic mailbox.
Rolling green hills and pastures dotted with trees in a scenic rural landscape on a sunny day.
Winding dirt road through Australian bush with wooden structure visible among trees.

Bad Sign Posting


Taylors Arm is a beautiful very very VERY small country town. Somehow, we drove up the only street in town both oblivious to the only pub in town and kept driving out of town. We both commented the pub could use some better sign posting then did a U-turn keen to find the pub made famous by Slim Dusty.  I’d been dragged to this pub a few times as a kid to watch Slim play and I was ready to relive some childhood memories. Upon arrival it became very apparent it wasn’t the sign posting that was the problem!

Rustic pub sign painted on large rock with wooden fence posts in foreground.
Weathered vintage sign reading 'The Pub With No Beer' in rustic outdoor setting.

The Pub With No Beer in Taylors Arm


It’s a rustic old pub filled with memorabilia completely different to what my memories were of it. A friendly local we met told us Slim hadn’t played there since 91!  We listened to the very loud Sunday band warming up, every drumbeat was felt internally. We both chewed on a beer and then headed on home before the band had a chance to start. We were no longer in the mood to boogie!

Taylors Arm Hotel The Pub With No Beer country hotel bar
Walls adorned in memorabilia at Taylors Arm Hotel The Pub With No Beer

Where to Find Omina Retreat


Before we got home, we had both agreed we were heading back to Omina once it opens. I have no doubt this place will be fully booked for months in advance so get in quick before the crowds catch on. Oh and maybe start doing sit-ups, it's confronting seeing your partner that nude, that close, in daylight!!!! 


Find Omina Retreat on Instagram, Facebook or check out their website. To see more photos of this stunning property you can view my full photo gallery here (that's how I deliver my online galleries to clients just incase you are planning to have your property photographed).


I absolutely loved this shoot and I’m keen to get out to some more stunning properties on the Mid North Coast and surrounding areas. So spread the word about Kristen Shaw Photography and help a girl out on a few dates! No nudist colonies…well just yet anyway!

Modern black cabin with wooden hot tubs nestled in rolling green hills at sunset.