Check into this Merewether Airbnb and get better acquainted with a Newcastle music legend
If you’ve spent any time in Merewether, chances are you’ve walked past, or noticed it as you’ve parked your car - the iconic 1960s beach shack perched above Merewether Baths, owned by Silverchair’s Daniel Johns.
Well, it’s had a major glow-up, and now you can actually stay there. Yep, the two-bedroom, two-bathroom home, with uninterrupted views of Newcastle’s most iconic beach strip, can now be booked on Airbnb for $450 a night.
Daniel purchased the home back in ’96, just after his 17th birthday, and for years the house has sat in all its original retro glory. Following a recent seven-month makeover, the retro shack has been transformed into a bold, colourful beachside retreat and is now open for you to stay in.
Invited in by Daniel to take a look, you first notice the home hasn’t lost any of its 60’s style charm, with original timber floors, vintage lights, stone fireplace, and no doubt plenty of stories hidden in the walls.
For those who check in, much of your time will be spent discovering the treasure trove of items which have been collected by Daniel over the years, along with the quiet nods to his legendary music career.
Starting with the gorgeous green tree frog that welcomes you at the front door, to the bedside art piece that’s been wrapped with the Young Modern album graphics, and a larger-than-life wall-mounted guitar hand-painted by Daniel himself.
Inside, floor-to-ceiling windows stretch the length of the house, framing some of Newcastle’s most iconic views, and make for the ideal viewing platform at sunrise and sunset, even on an overcast, rainy day the views will make you smile.
Outside of the music edits and outlook, as you would expect, it’s an unapologetic bold interior style, think peacock-blue kitchen cabinets, lush velvet lounges, and art adorning every wall, in particular the loungeroom which displays artwork created by Daniel himself.
Aside from the dining table, every light, ornament and furniture piece has been repurposed ensuring ‘the love shack’ as affectionately nicknamed already by guests, has been brought back to life in all its former glory.
Even the bathroom hasn’t lost any of its 60’s feels, with the retro sage green tiles working with the original details along with a few little modern updates.
The main bedroom’s orange-toned arched entry takes you on a wild graffiti design ride, also painted by Daniel, and makes for a perfect introduction on what’s to come.
Perhaps the most striking room of them all, the main bedroom merges a hand-painted navy mural together with the Warhol wall.
This tribute to legends of past and present was created by Daniel, using the pages of one of his old coffee table books, as a way of repurposing the art to view all of the different Warhol images on full display rather than being hidden away in a stack of books.
Together with those million-dollar views, this room gives off some serious laze-around-with-breakfast-in-bed kind of vibes.
The outside’s just as fun – a pink-and-blue facade and extensive balcony that’s ideal for catching the morning sunrise, or settling in with bevvies and a bbq into the evening.
For those who travel with their four-footed friends you’ll be happy to hear the house is completely dog-friendly too.
So if you’re thinking of visiting Newcastle, or you’re a local who just wants to live like a Merewether rockstar, this is your chance. The airbnb is now open and taking bookings.
