Lana Verco finds an absolute beachfront pad is the ideal place to recuperate

Life is full of contrasts. A few months ago I was in hospital, recovering from brain surgery to remove two tumours. Now I'm gazing at the surfers gliding across the waves of Boomerang Beach from the second-storey balcony of a luxurious beach house.

With the sea breeze on my face, a glass of riesling in one hand and my love's hand in the other, it seems life doesn't get much better than this.

We're staying at Azure at Boomerang Beach on the Mid North Coast. Although any style of accommodation would have suited us fine - given this is our first break since my surgery and we're in desperate need of a holiday - we feel spoilt with this absolute beachfront home.

Azure is one of two dwellings in a duplex and features a contemporary open-plan living area with a wall of glass doors flaunting the uninterrupted ocean vistas. Steps lead directly from the back garden to the white sand of pretty Boomerang Beach, which is just the right length for a stroll.

The interior decor is sleek and fresh with white walls, honey-coloured wooden floorboards and a plush L-shaped couch.

When I open the expansive glass doors, sea breeze circulates through the entire house, which has three bedrooms - a twin and queen downstairs, and a king with ensuite upstairs.

The main bathroom has a deep tub you could almost swim in and both have under-tile heating, so the floor is lovely and warm when you step out of the shower.

The kitchen has a breakfast bar with stools and is equipped with every modern appliance imaginable, including a coffee-making machine.

A big-screen TV dominates the entertainment area which has a well-stocked DVD library. The cosy gas fireplace is especially romantic for our winter visit. Although we didn't try them, the outdoor hot showers in the private tropical courtyards are sure to be a novelty in summer.

At night we fall asleep to the relaxing roar of the beach on the giant king-sized bed. It's so soft I imagine I'm lying on a cloud floating above the ocean. The hospital bed I slept in for seven weeks now feels like stone in comparison and, tonight, a lifetime ago. It seems a holiday is exactly what the doctor ordered.

While you can easily spend your days at Azure watching the changing moods of the sea from either the upstairs balcony, kitchen, front deck or lounge, the local area is worth exploring. Surrounded by the Great Lakes and some of the best beaches on the Mid North Coast, as well as an abundance of national parks, the area is overflowing with natural beauty.

The area is best observed from the Cape Hawke lookout tower in the Booti Booti National Park, where you'll get 360-degree views north, south, east and west taking in Wallis Lake, the aqua waters of Forster, Seal Rocks and all the way to the Great Dividing Range. But be warned, the steps leading to the lookout are treacherously steep and climb 440metres. Although there are rest points every 100 metres, for someone still experiencing balance and co-ordination issues climbing this was like Mount Everest to me. The magnificent view from the top was well worth the effort, though - even if my boyfriend had to give me a piggyback all the way down.

Also worth a visit is the Two Cows Cafe tucked in the hills 10 kilometres south of Bungwhal on the Lakes Way drive. A charming rustic homestead with wooden tables on the veranda and country artefacts adorning the walls, the hearty food is delicious and served with authentic country cheer.

We return to Azure in the late afternoon after our day of sightseeing. Clutching a mug of coffee from the machine, one of which I am now convinced we have to buy for our home, we watch the waves rolling in and crashing on the sand from the outdoor setting on the back deck.

Just as we are commenting on how perfect this moment is, a school of dolphins swim past the breakers. I can't help but think that if life is a series of contrasts, this is definitely one of the sweeter moments.

The writer was a guest of Tourism NSW and Azure at Boomerang Beach.

TRIP NOTES

Address: Azure at Boomerang Beach, 1/118 Boomerang Drive, Pacific Palms

Bookings: Phone (02) 6554 0666. Rates: $1100 for a low-season weekend and $1300 weekend and other times.

VERDICT

A comfortable luxurious home with the beach on the doorstep.

Why you'd go: For a relaxing beach getaway with all the creature comforts of a hotel, but with the privacy of your own home.

Why you wouldn't: Pricey. See rates above.

FIND TIME TO

* Sip coffee overlooking Smith's Lakes at the Frothy Coffee Boatshed (Amaroo Drive, Smiths Lake).

* Visit the lighthouse at Seal Rocks and take in the stunning ocean vistas.

* Cook a seafood barbecue on the gas barbie on the back deck overlooking Boomerang Beach.

* Visit local pizza joint Hueys at Blueys (201 Boomerang Drive, Blueys Beach) for your pepperoni fix and take in the quirky surf memorabilia.