Soon to Be Opened Luxury Country Escape
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!
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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!
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 that is coming soon. 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!
