Andy McCutcheonBio - Friendly Resort - Review
September 7th 2007 01:10
Sea Breeze Resort
“Just West of the Great Barrier Reef, North of Agnes Waters, South of the Town of 1770 and “East of Eden” lies a property where conceivably, Heaven meets Earth.”
Perched atop an escarpment of oceanfront land within a 1600-acre nature reserve, Sea Breeze has an undeniable spirituality that touches everyone uniquely but leaves all that experience it with a renewed sense of inner peace and connectedness.
Sea Breeze was four years in the making and is the brainchild of entrepreneurs Michael Baevski of Midell Developments and his wife Dellarose Swanson-Baevski, owner of Awaken Designs in Brisbane.
This property is the first in a long line of exclusive accommodations provided through Drew Kluska and his team at Outback Encounters that I believe will elevate the way you think about holidays to a whole new level.
To describe Sea Breeze is somewhat like the proverbial “how long is a piece of string”.
Firstly, the design concept incorporates environmental sustainability to the smallest detail. Polyurethane tanks hidden within the slope of the land allow for the collection of 96,000 liters of rainwater but given it’s proximity to the ocean and the effect of residual salt spray, the collection mechanism is electronically gated to provision for the first ½” of rainfall to rinse the roof before being allowed to pass into the rainwater tanks making it de-void of salt or other environmental debris.
Use of the stored rainwater is then put to use as drinking water in addition to cooking, cleaning, bathroom facilities and filling the 10m-lap pool.
As an extension of the rainwater collection system, water used in those services are then re-collected and broken down to their molecular level by way of a high pressure ionizing purifier and pumped to a gray water holding tank that is then used for such things as watering plants or washing vehicles with future pending approvals for use in washing machines.
The vision of Sea Breeze has become a worldwide model for a six star quality of life that’s in harmony with its natural surroundings while at the same time barely placing a scratch on the landscape it co-exists with.
Barely visible to the naked eye from a short distance, its architecture, chosen colour palette and use of natural materials and textures both serve to camouflage and blend into its environment
As I stepped out of my vehicle and breathed deeply following a light rain, the unforgettable aroma of wet western red cedar filled my lungs. A cleverly designed walkway led me straight to the slatted cedar gates with stylishly imported handles.
Sliding the gates open I received my first glimpses of “Shang-ri-la”, and with the warm ocean breeze upon my face, I discovered perhaps how it received its name “Sea Breeze”.
The entranceway to Sea Breeze abridges two wings, one designed for sleeping and the other for living and while completely protected, it is also completely open, giving the impression that the building is just an extension of nature itself and allows the warm sea air to welcome you to your sanctuary.
Located to the right at entry level showcases a gourmet cooks dream kitchen and while you are far removed from civilization, you can still be “one” with your juicer. Everything you could possibly imagine, required for the preparation of gourmet quality meals is at your fingertips and the view from the kitchen’s solid stone work-island is nothing less than inspirational.
Of course if divine dining is your thing but the preparation of it is the object of your escapism, professional house staff are available during your stay. Prior to your arrival, your culinary desires are expressed in detail to Drew and his team and upon your arrival you will find the fridge pantry and cellar fully stocked with the finest attention to detail.
If your tastes are somewhat non-traditional or you prefer a specific stockist, a helicopter is available to acquire those items and it is a service that will pacify even the most discerning client and their most obscure whims.
Behind the open concept kitchen is a pantry that houses top of the range, Italian imported dinnerware on restaurant quality stainless racking, as well as the bulk of your staple foods. On the opposite side, accessible from the exterior is a lockable storage room with a climate controlled wine fridge and additional shelving.
The remainder of the living wing of the house is tiered down and away from the kitchen and it flows smoothly through the formal dining area to a cantilevered yoga platform through to a luxuriously comfortable lounge area that is arguably the crème de’ la crème of vantage points as far as the view is concerned.
The high tech Bose sound system allows you to fill your world with a symphony of sound or gives you the option of relaxing peacefully while listening to the symphonic sounds of nature.
Beyond the lounge on the lower level is access to an expansive deck area ideally set up for al fresco dining, sunbathing, relaxing in the spa or doing laps in the pool.
The sound of ocean waves crashing on the rocky shore below is a mantra for relaxation and in combination with the warmth of the sun and the coolness of the ocean you can literally feel stress and tension evaporating from your body and being carried away by the gentle sea breezes.
In the sleeping wing of the house located on the opposing side of the living wing, understated luxuries await the weary traveler.
The master bedroom in its soothing pale green palette, unique textures and earth-toned accoutrements is a retreat like no other. One of the most striking features is a bank of shutters on the east wall that when opened allows commanding views of the ocean and surrounds.
As the shutters are folded back that space becomes a living, breathing picture. Original vintage signed surfing pictures adorn the walls adding to the calming effect that you sense throughout the entire house.
Both the picture window and the wall adjacent to the bathtub open, allowing you to have a relaxingly soft rainwater bath and / or shower, in what feels like the outside, overlooking the ocean, yet in complete anonymity even from other guests within the house. It is an incredibly liberating feeling
The bed and mattress, imported from France is arguably the most comfortable I have ever slept in. From the stylish coverings to the tactile throw pillows to the 200 count Egyptian cotton sheets sleeping in this bed will be an experience you will not soon forget.
There are three bedrooms available and all of them while laid out differently are modeled after the master with ensuite bathrooms, understated opulence and all, while in complete seclusion.
While the sleeping wing of the house is an oasis of solitude, it’s an experience that really shouldn’t be kept all to yourself and like many things is best shared with family and friends. It represents an uncharted benchmark for entertaining guests.
If you wish to venture away from the house, the property also features a 1950’s flavoured beach house complete with an up-market BBQ and dining area, wet edge pool and an expansive deck area with teak lounge chairs.
If catching a few waves is more your thing, the secluded cove and private beach area represent some of the best surfing in Australia with long, slow rollers that pump all day long and surf conditions can be checked daily from a purpose built surf tower that views roughly 10km of beachfront.
Nature lovers will enjoy walking the Red Rock Trail, a public hiking trail that borders the property and allows you to view loggerhead turtles native to the area laying their eggs in the cool sandy cove directly below the house.
Guests are encouraged to volunteer in the area by marking the location of the turtle eggs to ensure safe hatching and maintenance of the species. Additionally, flocks of rare cockatoos and other wild birds can be spotted either from the Red Rock Trail or through patches of rainforest within the confines of the nature reserve or from Deep Water National Park.
If diving or snorkeling is more your passion, there are public tours available from the harbour at 1770 that will take you out to Lady Musgrave Island and other parts of the Great Barrier Reef or alternatively you can take Sea Breezes’ 75’ Superyacht out to the reef and stay on it overnight if you so desire.
Sea Breeze is one of those top ten “must do’s” in a lifetime.
When I first arrived at Sea Breeze, I instinctively thought it had derived its name from it’s proximity to the ocean and the resultant anabatic winds, but as I had time to relax, reflect and be somewhat introspective I realized that you can’t see “breeze”. You can see the “effects” of breeze, branches waving, waves forming or wind chimes dancing but you can really only “feel” the breeze.
I left Sea Breeze rejuvenated with a renewed sense of fervor and creativity.
I could show you pictures of this property from every conceivable angle. I could write a book detailing everything from the stainless steel screw caps to the imported Italian mosaics and grout, but in every endeavour I would fail in describing how this property makes you feel. Like it’s namesake, you simply must experience it to feel what Sea Breeze is all about.
Text by Andy McCutcheon
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