The Rough Diamond by the Sea


Recently, I had the joy of photographing Braelee Stays’ seaside Airbnb in Scotts Head — one of only a handful of spots on the east coast of Australia where you can watch the sun set over the ocean. Forget the crowds of Mindil Beach Markets in Darwin or “Staircase to the Moon” in Broome (been there, seen it — sometimes spectacular…ok I’m not brave enough to go there) there is no struggling for a spot to watch the sunset over the ocean in Scotts Head!


From the outside, this apartment is what real estate agents might call a rough diamond. But step inside this boutique accommodation and you're walking into a freshly renovated coastal oasis. In a past life, it was a humble 1980’s two-bedroom apartment. Now, it’s a spacious one-bedroom apartment, stylish, and perfectly set up for a weekend escape… or a wine-and-cheese photo shoot (more on that later).

Golden sunset over ocean waves with silhouetted palm fronds hanging above the tropical beach scene.

Forget Broome's famous Staircase to the Moon and enter Scotts Head Staircase to the Sun!

The Town That Makes You Slow Down


Scotts Head is the kind of place where you exhale, a place to slow down. Everywhere you go, people smile and say hello and often stop for a friendly chat.  There is only so much shopping you can do and a couple of cafes so no decision fatigue here just plenty of time for rest and relaxation.

Two people sit together on a wooden deck overlooking a calm body of water during sunset.

The viewing deck over the ocean is the perfect spot for a sundowner (or two) to watch the day fade away.

Sunset Over the Ocean in NSW!


I grew up just over an hour south in Port Macquarie and I have travelled around Australia four times (no judgement, I love a sunburnt country), and yet somehow never realised Scotts Head had this golden trick up its sleeve: sunsets over the ocean! From the apartment I took the short 3 min stroll to the beach, honestly not expecting much and then captured my favourite ever sunset image!!! I chatted with locals, met a dog so photogenic it deserved its own Instagram account, and even got waylaid at the local bottlo where…

Silhouette of person fishing at sunset on rocky coast with palm fronds framing mountains in distance.

The kind of town the kids go fishing after school. Bless.

Enter the Free Sausage and Canned Pink Gin


…a sausage sizzle was in full swing. Not a fundraiser. Not an event. Just… sausages. Free. Because that’s the kind of town Scotts Head is. The bottlo owners insisted I stay for “another” (unclear whether they meant sausage or gin, but either way, dangerous territory). Knowing this was a trap for the weak at heart (booze) I managed to escape and retreat safely back at my new little apartment for my night of child and hubby free relaxation, bliss.

Cheese Platters, Imaginary Friends, and Questionable Artistry


I poured myself a vino “for artistic reasons” and made a cheese platter “for a photo.” By the end of the night, my creative direction included an imaginary friend also drinking wine. I wondered when I delivered the gallery what my client thought of the photo of the dining table with two wines, candle burning, and a cheese platter? Affair for sure! For those still reading I drank my imaginary friend’s wine and I loved him even more for being such a kind-hearted sharing gentleman who expected nothing from me in return!

A romantic candlelit table setting at a restaurant with white curved booth seating and wine glasses.

Imaginary men are the sweetest!

Sunrise, Foam, and Relentless Friendliness


The next morning, despite a mild wine-and-imaginary-friend hangover, I made it down to the beach for sunrise. After recent heavy rains, the water was brown and frothy — but still weirdly beautiful. Only a dozen or so people were out, and I spoke to at least half of them because, well, you can’t not in Scotts Head.

Dramatic clouds roll across majestic mountaintops at sunset with golden light illuminating the misty landscape.

I wasn't leaving my bed at dawn without getting a photograph or two

Banana Bread, Blueberries, and a Diet in Tatters


Back at the apartment, I baked (ok I toasted Aldi) banana bread smothered in butter. For the photos, I placed blueberries on the side, then promptly put them back in the pack because I’m not here to pretend. Later, I staged a quinoa flake muesli photograph, a recipe I'd recently learned from my shoot with Port Macquarie Cooking Classes — not feeling particularly “quinoa,” but it turned out so good I ate a second breakfast. I can honestly tell you I did also consider checking out the wholefoods café Driftwood in town for breaky no. 3…but decided this gives me a reason to go back to Scotts Head.

A series of plates with summer fruits and desserts including watermelon slices, berries, and whipped cream garnishes.

Breaky number 2 post sunrise walk.



Thanks Mum for reading this far. Love you. x


On the off chance anyone else happens to stumble across this and you need a photographer to photograph your airbnb property or boutique accommodation I'd love to chat to you. I'm based in Port Macquarie but I'm happy to travel anywhere on the Mid North Coast or beyond. A small travel fee may apply. You can check out more of my property photography work here.

Cozy bedroom with rattan headboard, white bedding, glasses and coffee on tray, and potted white flowers against brick wall.
Misty coastal landscape with silhouetted native plants against a dramatic foggy ocean and rocky shoreline background.
Bright modern dining space with white tulip table, white chairs, natural light, and wooden shelf against cream walls.
Ocean waves crash along a misty coastline during sunrise with dramatic cloudy skies and mountain silhouettes in the distance.
Beach safety and warning sign at Forster Beach against a sunset backdrop with palm trees and ocean waves.
Laptop, coffee cup, and slice of chocolate cake on white table with sunlit window in background.
An amber glass jar and a decorative white seashell displayed on a white surface with wooden trim.
A green and white duffle bag sits on a wooden floor beneath a decorative palm tree wall art in natural lighting.
Quiet suburban street on an overcast day with houses on a hill, power lines overhead, and a blurred purple flower in foreground.
A series of plates showing the progression of eating a healthy salad with fresh ingredients and blue leaf pattern dishware.
A red and yellow playground structure sits among tall trees at dusk, creating a moody outdoor recreational scene.
A person in a white shirt slices fresh watermelon on a wooden kitchen counter beside large windows.
Cozy reading scene with a lit candle, straw hat, and books on wooden table against exposed brick wall.
A series of interior shots showing arched mirror frames mounted on white walls with exposed brick accents.
Modern laundry room with white cabinets, wood accents, and built-in storage featuring a sleek washing machine and clean design.