Steve was an executive in a medical device company operating in Sydney Australia, Denver Colorado and Miami Florida USA. Lesley was a registered nurse working in many hospitals in Sydney.

Following several diving holidays in Coffs Harbour they moved here in 1980 for a break and established a local scuba diving business that still operates successfully today.

After 8 years of operating the dive shop, dive school and boat charters, Steve was enticed back into his profession in Sydney that later resulted in them both moving to the USA to live. At the end of 1999 they finally decided to return to Coffs Harbour and Woolgoolga in Australia, buy a farm near the coast and turn it into holiday accommodation "Halcyon Retreat".

With a wealth of experience gained from years of business and holiday travel, Steve and Lesley have a good understanding of the accommodation needs of the traveler. Having established many of the local dive sites off the Northern Solitary Islands in the 1980's they certainly have an understanding of the underwater world of the Solitary Islands Marine Park. Being also keen kayakers they can also give good advice on the areas National Parks and quiet escapes.

Halcyon Retreat is named after halcyon the kingfishers and we have both fishing and forest species on the property, the smaller azure kingfisher on our lower creek side slopes and the larger kookaburra seen and heard throughout. Halcyon Retreat is also named after "Halcyon Days", originating from Greek mythology referring to the calm and peaceful 14 days about the winter solstice. We hope you have the opportunity of enjoying the scenery, peace and calm of Halcyon Retreat.