Short term accomodation near Manly, personally hosted
A self-contained Spanish Mission studio in Balgowlah — a quiet residential suburb a 30-minute walk from Manly Beach, Sydney. Hosts are accessible. Fresh bread each morning. Coastal walks from your door.
WHAT A STAY LOOKS LIKE
Your own space, close to the things that matter
Three things that define a stay at Sellin Shells.
The Studio Suite
A self-contained lower ground floor suite in an authentic Spanish Mission home. Whitewashed floors, natural timber, linen textiles, and a private walled courtyard that is yours alone.
Queen bed, sofa, full bathroom, and private entrance
Air conditioning, heating, HDTV with Netflix, and WiFi
Step-free throughout — single level access
The Welcome Experience
Your hosts are next door. Hosting is not incidental to them — it is the thing they do with care. Each morning, you’ll have fresh bread, butter, jam, biscuits, tea, and coffee on the bench.
- Welcome provisions on arrival — every guest, every time
- Personal orientation: walks, transport, best nearby cafés
- Available on-site — a host who knows your name, not a lockbox
Balgowlah and Manly at your door
Balgowlah sits just far enough from Manly’s main strip to be peaceful, and just close enough to walk there in half an hour. Fairlight Beach is a few minutes on foot. Coastal walks begin at the door.
- 30-minute walk to Manly Beach and Manly Ferry
- Fairlight Beach tidal pool — a short, quiet stroll
- 5–10 minutes to Sydney Road — buses to CBD and Manly
YOUR HOSTS
A small B&B with a German heart and a Manly address
Your host knows only too well the experience of navigating an unfamiliar city, wanting to feel grounded rather than transient. Sellin Shells is not a property managed from a distance. Your hosts Judith and Andrew live upstairs, and they are the reason guests return.
Jules is also a photographer and psychologist — someone who notices details, reads rooms well, and creates environments with intention. The studio reflects that. Every object in it was chosen. Nothing is there by accident.
Simple.
An uncluttered room
with everything that
matters and little else.
Delightful.
Considered interiors
— soft light, fresh
linen, found objects.
Peaceful.
A residential street,
away from the hustle
of Manly’s Corso.
Personal.
A friendly face nearby, always with great recommendations and travel tips.
WHY SELLIN SHELLS
A private residence near to nature
Four things that make Sellin Shells different from every other option on the Northern Beaches.
Personally hosted
Jules and Andrew are on-site. Every guest receives a personal welcome, a walk-through of the area, and fresh provisions on their first morning. The reviews mention Jules and Andrew by name because that is how hosting is meant to work.
A home, not a listing
The studio is styled with restraint and intention — whitewashed floors, rattan and linen, a brass lamp, stacked books, a round elm table. It is a home that happens to be available for a few days. Guests feel it the moment they step inside.
Genuinely local
Jules has lived in Balgowlah since 2007. She knows the café worth walking to, the coastal track most visitors miss, the quiet swimming spot at Fairlight Beach. Guests leave knowing a place, not just a postcode.
Your own peaceful space
A private entrance. A private courtyard. No shared walls with strangers, no lobby, no room service, no noise from the floor above. The studio is fully self-contained — come and go as you please, at whatever pace the Northern Beaches calls for.
WHAT GUESTS SAY
Five stars, every time
All reviews are verified stays on Airbnb, October 2025 – February 2026
★★★★★
“The most enjoyable stay I have ever had — and it was the warm and friendly welcome from Jules and Andrew that made it so special. The accommodation is very high quality. A genuinely warm, wonderful home. We would love to come back.”
— Richard, February 2026
★★★★★
“A perfect place to relax after a long flight. Jules made us very welcome and the accommodation was really comfortable. Close to Manly and some lovely walks. Highly recommend.”
— Neil, January 2026
★★★★★
“Loved staying here. So comfortable, and I loved the special touches — bread, jam, milk on arrival. Great location, very quiet. Jules was so accommodating. Will definitely stay again.”
— Debbie, December 2025
WHERE WE ARE
Balgowlah, Fairlight, Manly - and the Northern Beaches at your doorstep.
Sellin Shells is on a quiet residential street in the heart of Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
Balgowlah
The home suburb. Residential, calm, and walkable.
Manly
30 min walk or short bus. Ferry to CBD from Manly Wharf.
Balgowlah Heights
Short walk to Forty Baskets Beach lookout.
Fairlight
5 min on foot. Home to Fairlight Beach tidal pool.
Seaforth
Neighbouring suburb. Equally quiet.
Sydney CBD
Bus to Sydney Road then ferry to Sydney city.
QUESTIONS GUESTS ASK BEFORE THEIR STAY
Everything you need to know
If your questions aren’t answered below, send Jules a message and she will respond promptly.
How far is Sellin Shells from Manly Beach?
Balgowlah is a 25–30 minute walk from Manly Beach along residential streets and coastal paths, or a short bus ride from Sydney Road (5–10 minutes’ walk from the studio). The Fairlight Beach tidal pool is closer — about 15 minutes on foot. Jules will show you both routes on arrival.
Is the kitchen set up for self-catering?
The kitchen is set up for easy and comfortable self-catering — two-plate electric cooktop, microwave, fridge, toaster, kettle, full crockery, cutlery, and wine glasses. For mornings when you would rather someone else made breakfast, there are good cafés a short walk away on Sydney Road and in Fairlight village. Jules can point you to the best ones.
How many people does the studio sleep?
The studio accommodates up to three guests. The standard rate of $200 per night is for two guests; a third guest is available at an additional nightly charge. A cot is available if you are travelling with a young child.
What is the minimum stay?
The minimum stay is two nights. For longer stays — a week or more — send Jules a message and she will discuss the details directly.
How do I get to the city without a car?
Sydney Road is a 5–10 minute walk from the studio. Buses run regularly from there to Manly Wharf, where you can catch the Manly Ferry to Circular Quay — one of the great commutes in Sydney. Jules will walk you through the bus routes and timetables personally when you arrive.
Is Balgowlah quiet? I am looking for somewhere away from the crowds.
Balgowlah is a residential suburb. The streets are quiet, the neighbours are settled, and there are no bars or nightclubs nearby. Manly’s main strip is close enough to reach easily, but far enough that you will not hear it from the courtyard. Guests who specifically want peace tend to find it here.
MAKE AN ENQUIRY
Your own space, close to people you came to visit
Send Jules your dates and she will come back to you promptly.
STRA Registration: PID-STRA-35037 • Available 8am – 6pm