Preston Beach Escape: The Story Behind the Stay (Part 1)
Some places feel more than just a home; they hold memories, emotions, and an unbreakable connection to the past. Preston is not just a holiday house; it’s a piece of my family’s history, a place where my heart feels at peace, and a sanctuary I now share with others looking for their escape.
A House Built on Friendship & the Love of the Ocean
In the late 1980s, my parents built this home as a kit house, adjusting the plans to suit their lifestyle. They had close friends who also owned holiday homes in Preston Beach, and that sense of community made them choose this slice of the coast over other locations like Jurien Bay or Lancelin. They were absolute beach people; nothing made them happier than days spent by the water, with the sun on their skin and salty air in their lungs, laughing, fishing, and sharing a beer or two with their friends and family.
I have vivid childhood memories of arriving at the house when it was still in the lock-up stage, with no internal walls, just an open space where we all called goodnight from our separate corners. It felt like camping but better. Summers were filled with parties, kids running wild, and endless beach days. It was a place of pure freedom, adventure, and connection.
A Place of Love & Loss
Preston Beach was always my parents’ sanctuary, which they cherished deeply. Their ashes were scattered in the ocean elsewhere, but every time I step into the water, I wonder where they are, off exploring the world's great oceans.
Before my dad passed, he asked me to help Mum sell the house. But deep down, I knew it would be difficult for her to let go. I remember bringing her here one last time, watching her sit on the balcony with a drink in hand, a kookaburra landing nearby as if to say goodbye. It was a moment I’ll never forget - heartbreaking, yet beautiful in its way.
After she passed, I came to the house, ready to prepare it for sale. But as I walked through the rooms, I knew I couldn’t let it go. I called my husband, then my brother.
Stay tuned for Part 2, where I share how I transformed the house into a welcoming retreat and built a new chapter at Preston Beach Escape. My brother wasn’t interested in keeping it, so I bought his share and made the house my own. I have since been told that Mum always believed I would end up owning the house and knowing this, I feel sure she would be so happy with what I have done.