Do you love the idea of a garage with a remote, lift to the front door, acres of glass and marble, landscaped gardens, restaurant deliveries? Then this is not for you.

If you love extensive views of water and bush, on the edge of a National Park, a jetty at your door, an environment with no cars, and an old black Kelpie, then maybe it is.

Bar Point is a water access only settlement on the Hawkesbury River, just north of Sydney. Water access means what it sounds like. You get here by boat from Brooklyn, about 20 minutes away. The house-sit comes with a boat, so you'd need have a boat licence, or be happy to get one, and some experience, though the river is generally pretty benign. When you're out the boat lives at a marina berth in Brooklyn, with an off street car spot. There's a station at Brooklyn, but services are more frequent at Berowra, about 10 minutes away (by car).

You need to be reasonably independent and organized. There's no supermarket around the corner. Commuting to Sydney is possible - people here do it - but in winter time you'd be travelling home in the dark and cold. It's definitely better suited to a retired or work-at-home person.

Phone coverage is good. We use 4G for internet and it's OK but probably wouldn't suit someone with a high bandwidth requirement.

In return for the minor challenges of life here, the surroundings are spectacular - cliffs, waterfalls, bush and the enormous Hawkesbury estuary. Other dogs are welcome and it's a very safe, though un-fenced, environment for them. If they like swimming, as ours does, it's heaven, with a tidal beach and a spring fed pond.

The house is modern and everything just works. It has an air-conditioner, but who'd turn it on when you can light the combustion stove? The stove and the sun heat the water. It has on-site wastewater treatment but that all just takes care of itself. This isn't a 'city' house but it's certainly not off the grid living either. Electric cooking, and also an oven under the wood stove, microwave, dishwasher, washing machine and dryer. Satellite TV. Tank water, but plenty of it, and spring water backup. There are 3 bedrooms, and a study, so an ordinary house in an extraordinary place.

Ralph The Riverdog is almost blind, and a bit deaf (aren't we all) but very able to get around his environment. He sleeps a lot and doesn't need much exercise. He doesn't take any notice of other dogs. He becomes the elder statesman and ignores them. Mostly he needs food and attention, like the rest of us.

...and there's a climbing area nearby in case you're in to rock climbing. Oh, and oysters and fishing, and canoeing and exploring the many creeks that join the river.

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