In May 2024, I spent a lovely week retreating in the village of Bundeena. Bundeena is a village that’s uniquely placed – it is surrounded by the Royal National Park, and yet it’s just across the Hacking River from the suburban expanse of Cronulla and the Sutherland Shire.

The week was spent having dips at its beaches, and walking the National Park and around the village. I was almost completely on my own, and yet since I was in the village, I wasn’t alone really. I had nice little chats with locals every day.

I think I’ll start the series with beach views. Bundeena is blessed with quite a few. They’re not ocean beaches, hence not spectacular or expansive. I like them because they have a cosy feeling about them and are rarely crowded. And staying in the village meant that they were always just a short walk away.