Your hosts
Meet Matt & Mandy
The family behind Drift, and why this stretch of the Myall River became their home away from home.
Matt and Mandy met at university, where they were both studying business. Between them they've built careers in marketing, management and advertising across Australia, Asia and Europe.
Both grew up on Sydney's North Shore. Soon after marrying in 2003 they moved to London, their base for the next ten years. They came home for two of those years, when their daughters Sammy and Sophie were born, then went back to London. They returned to Sydney for good just before Sammy started school, settling in North Balgowlah on the Northern Beaches, with Mandy expecting their son James.
That's when they discovered Hawks Nest and Tea Gardens. It became the family's summer holiday spot, and often their escape for the rest of the year too. Sammy, Sophie and James grew up spending their holidays on these beaches and waterways. Now that they're teenagers and young adults, this corner of the coast is the family's home away from home.
How Drift began
In 2020, on Mandy's birthday, the family was coming back from a fishing charter when they spotted a few roofs poking out above the mangroves, on a stretch of river they'd never explored. The next morning they rode their pushbikes out from their holiday rental in Hawks Nest to find it, and found the block that would become Drift. The rest is history.
Covid arrived soon after the block settled, and building was delayed for a long time. Matt and Mandy finally got the keys to Drift in May 2024.
Mandy
During Covid, Mandy decided she wanted a career change and work that felt more meaningful. She applied for what she called a "fun job" as a guide at Taronga Zoo Sydney. For almost five years since, she has been part of the guest experience team, running high-end personal tours for guests of Taronga's Wildlife Retreat. Her passion for wildlife, conservation and looking after guests has shaped the experience at Drift.
Matt
Matt was a top-ranked cadet at school and has kept building practical skills ever since. He's a handyman, bushman and fisherman, and now a beach 4WD expert, with plenty more skills that come in handy as co-host of Drift.
Your hosts
Matt and Mandy love hosting their own family and friends at Drift, and they're just as committed to making sure your family and friends have a wonderful stay. Before, during and after your visit, they're happy to help with any question, request or local tip.