Firstly, let me say that we really appreciated that Yia Yia's Place is dog friendly! It is very difficult to find somewhere near the beach that will allow dogs and not charge the earth for it. Our Staffy is 10 years old, and used to being inside with us, so she was a bit sad for the first couple of days after realising she wasn't allowed beyond the front & back verandahs, but eventually she settled down to the routine of sleeping on the fully enclosed front verandah. It was great having the safety of that sturdy black security door so she could see all the comings and goings of dog owners walking their dogs in the shady park opposite Yia Yia's Place or on their way to the beach, but be safe and where we could keep an eye on her.
We had a lovely, relaxing week and Yia Yia's Place felt very welcoming. We think the owners have tried hard to provide their guests with all the comforts of home. There are two queen size beds and three single beds. The kitchen is very well equipped so it would easily cater for a decent sized family or group of friends to enjoy a meal either in the eat-in kitchen or al fresco out the back. The only thing we couldn't find was a cheese grater, but fortunately we brought one with us. We also appreciated that the house has been mostly renovated with good quality fittings and modern appliances, and everything worked as it should :o)
We love the layout of the house. There is a wide central hallway with doors off the kitchen and lounge room, so when you open them up, you get good cross-ventilation. The huge lounge suite and queen size bed were very comfortable. There's a second shower & toilet in the laundry conveniently located off the back verandah, and there is even an outdoor shower where you can rinse off the worst of the sand before heading indoors to relax.
Yia Yia's Place is just a short stroll from the dog-friendly main beach, or if you fancy a swim, Horse Shoe Bay is ideal for families. We live in Tamworth, so it was a real treat for us to be able to take our dog for a good long walk along the beach every day, to see and hear the waves rolling in and smell the fresh, salty air.
Our stay was in the off-season, so we didn't venture into the water for a swim, but we did enjoy a paddle as the waves rolled up the beach. Early morning is when the locals take their canine companions for a run before heading off to work, but after 9am we pretty much had the beach to ourselves. However, there are loads of holiday units in the vicinity, so I expect it would be very busy in the warmer months.
If you're looking for things to do, I recommend taking the short drive to Trial Bay Gaol and Smoky Cape Lighthouse. If you're planning to stay between September & early November, be sure to pack some binoculars because that is prime whale watching time apparently, and Smoky Cape Lighthouse is the ideal vantage point.
One thing to note: there is no internet access at the house. This is not a bad thing, it gives you time to pursue other activities, but if you need to use the internet while you're away, take a wander over to the Sea Breeze Beach Hotel where you can enjoy a drink while checking your emails or paying your bills.