Surrounded by national parks and magnificent beaches only 45min. drive from Sydney Opera House

This simple holiday cottage, located 3m. from the water’s edge on Scotland Island, only 45min. drive from Sydney's CBD. It combines the vernacular of a by-gone sea side shack with a flimsy quirkey collective of marine inspired ‘found object’ furnishings to create its own unique charm - a perfect compliment to the magnificent panoramas of the surrounding waterways.

The cottage consists of one double bedroom, a single bedroom, & a large sleeping loft. There are 2 day beds in the open plan living/kitchen room, the whole nestled in gum trees amongst the sparkling waters of Pittwater. It has its own beach in front & sculpture garden to the rear. It boasts no mod cons, but offers a relaxing beach style charm and simplicity – the perfect antidote to the rush & bustle of today's hectic life style.

There is an outdoor terrace and another entertaining area with BBQ and chiminee on the waters edge. The tropical garden is terrraced, stepping up behind the house to one of two unsealed ring roads circulating the Island. The Island is not connected to main land water or sewerage systems, so all water is collected in tanks, and the toilets are septic.

Scotland Island is a car free, 'nature' island to the north of Sydney. Despite its small size its residents are a mix of permanents & weekenders, popular with artists, writers & other home based creative industries. Many island residents commute daily into the city for work. Houses are located discreetly around the water's edge and the natural tree canopy is maintained to camouflage the houses and blend the island with the surrounding national parks.

Regular ferry services or a 24 hour water taxi service link the island to Church Point, on the mainland car park. A car swap can be organised or the public bus service, or car hire used to connect to all of Sydneys wonderful tourist attractions

Kuringai Chase National Park, with its aboriginal rock paintings, wild life and rocky coastline lies a kayak ride away to the north, likewise the fabulous Northern Beaches of Sydney to the east, including the exclusive Palm Beach and funky Avalon.

Wild life is abundant and dolphins and penguins have been seen swimming in front of the house. An injured whale sought refuge in Pittwater last year. Sailing races are held regularly and make a noisy spectacle from the living room. Sailing, swimming, kayaking, bushwalking, surfing, bike riding, snorkling and fishing are popular activities in the vicinity.

I am a designer (landscape architect/urban designer), 62 years old, with 3 adult children living in Sydney. I am now ready to enact my long held dreams of living in a foreign country, to enjoying new lifestyles, friends, cultures and surrounds, whilst working on my own personal projects in art and design.

I am looking for an exchange of approximately 3 months, to enable me to settle into the local neighbourhood. Friends from Australia and Europe will visit me for varying lengths of stay, whilst I am away. I have 2 long standing friends who live in La Reunion so will delight in sharing their every day lives.