4.9 from 380+ guest reviews
A family-run guesthouse with eight rooms and holiday units on the NSW South Coast. Book with us directly for the best rate — always.
Welcome to Saltbush
We’re Jo and Mark. In 2014 we swapped Sydney for a tired 1960s guesthouse 250 metres from Wattle Point Beach, and spent two years bringing it back to life. Today Saltbush Lodge has eight rooms and two holiday units set around a native garden and saltwater pool.
We still make up every room ourselves, bake the breakfast sourdough on Saturdays and know the best spot to see the whales. Come for a weekend — most guests end up booking next year before they leave.
“Felt like staying with friends who happen to run a beautiful hotel.”
— Michelle, stayed in October
Rooms & rates
No “call for rates”, no surprises at checkout. Prices below are per night for our direct guests, including GST. Friday and Saturday nights are slightly higher.
Stay 7+ nights, save 15%
Quiet, light-filled and a 3-minute stroll to the sand.
$189
$169
per night
Our most popular room for couples. Opens onto a private deck in the native garden, with a plush queen bed, rain shower and a proper coffee machine.
Weekends $199 · Booking sites ~12% more
Guest favouriteWake up to the water — sunrise over the bay from bed.
$279
$249
per night
Upstairs suite with floor-to-ceiling windows facing the bay, a king bed, deep soaking tub and a lounge nook. Breakfast hamper included every morning.
Weekends $289 · Booking sites ~12% more
Self-contained with a kitchenette — great for longer stays.
$212
$189
per night
A compact studio with kitchenette, queen bed and sofa bed, washing machine and your own entrance. Weekly rates available for stays of 7+ nights.
Weekends $219 · Booking sites ~12% more
Pet-friendlyRoom for the whole crew, plus the dog.
$312
$279
per night
Full kitchen, open-plan living, two bedrooms, a fenced courtyard and a BBQ. Pet-friendly on request — we even leave out a water bowl and treats.
Weekends $329 · Booking sites ~12% more
Why book direct?
Booking sites charge small guesthouses like ours up to 18% on every stay. When you book here, we pass that saving back to you — and you get a few extras the big sites can’t offer.
| What you get | Book direct | Booking sites |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest available price | ||
| No booking or service fees | ||
| Free late checkout when available | ||
| Welcome bottle of local wine | ||
| Talk directly to the owners | ||
| Flexible changes to your dates |
Amenities
NBN fibre in every room — stream, work, video call.
One space per room, boat & trailer parking on request.
Open 7am – 9pm, September to May.
Hampers with sourdough, eggs and fruit from nearby farms.
Well-behaved dogs welcome in the holiday unit.
Borrow bikes, boogie boards, umbrellas and chairs free.
Shared garden BBQ area with a fire pit for winter nights.
Arriving late? Get a door code by SMS — no waiting.
Gallery
Book direct
Pick your dates and room and see the exact price instantly. Send the request and Jo or Mark will confirm by email within the hour (8am – 7pm). Nothing is charged until we confirm.
Guest reviews
4.9
212 reviews
Tripadvisor
5.0
174 reviews
“We've stayed all along the South Coast and this is the one we'll keep coming back to. Spotless, the breakfast hamper was beautiful, and waking up to that view was something else.”
“Brought the kids and our labrador — the fenced courtyard was perfect. Jo at reception gave us a hand-drawn map of the best rock pools. Booking direct was cheaper than the apps too.”
“Stayed nine nights for work. Quiet, comfortable bed, fast Wi-Fi and the weekly rate was very fair. Little touches like fresh milk in the fridge on arrival go a long way.”
Location & local area
Take the Princes Highway south and turn off at the Wattle Point sign — we’re the white house with the blue shutters on the corner of Banksia Parade. Canberra is 2 hours 40 minutes away.
Policies & FAQ
Check-in is from 2pm and check-out by 10am. Self check-in is available any time after 2pm — we'll text you a door code on the day. Early check-in or late check-out can often be arranged; just ask.
Free cancellation up to 7 days before arrival. Within 7 days we charge the first night, unless we can re-let the room. Peak periods (Christmas–January and Easter) require 30 days' notice.
Two nights on Friday and Saturday, three nights on long weekends and seven nights from 26 December to 10 January. Single weeknights are always welcome.
Yes — well-behaved dogs are welcome in the Two-Bedroom Holiday Unit for a $25 per stay cleaning fee. Please mention your dog in your booking request.
Booking sites charge small properties like ours 15–18% commission on every stay. When you book with us directly, we keep that money in the local business and pass part of it back to you as a lower rate and extra perks.
The Garden Queen Room is on ground level with step-free access and a walk-in shower with grab rails. Get in touch and we'll happily talk through your needs.