Our connection to the land provides a place for growth and wellness. Caring for self and others further promotes good health and happiness. Through sharing we can find fulfilment and purpose. When any one of these ingredients is missing our wellbeing becomes threatened. Short term respite is provided for adult people with disabilities at Little Tern Beach House, Crescent Head.
Beach Stay: NDIS Short Term Respite & MTA Accommodation
Little Tern Beach House – NDIS Respite by the Sea
Located in Crescent Head, NSW, Little Tern Beach House offers a luxury coastal STR experience that’s tailored to your goals, your needs, and your rhythm. This is not a group facility — it’s a boutique, participant-led retreat where support meets serenity.
Escape to Little Tern Beach House—Your NDIS Respite Haven for Over-18s!
Calling all NDIS participants over 18—book your dream respite stay at Little Tern Beach House in Crescent Head’s premium dress circle! Just 200m from the beach, this fully self-contained retreat is designed for able-bodied adults and their carers seeking relaxation and adventure. From beach days to tennis, fishing, and more, it’s the perfect getaway tailored to your needs.
Why Little Tern Beach House?
Little Tern Beach House offers NDIS respite that blends luxury with seaside fun, exclusively for participants over 18. Steps from the shore and surrounded by top facilities, it’s your ideal home-away-from-home. Spread the word to fellow participants and book now for a rejuvenating escape by the beach!
Foodie Fun at Little Tern Beach House
Your carer can take you shopping for fresh ingredients to cook or BBQ together at Little Tern Beach House. Craving a night out? Stroll 200m to enjoy takeaway, a pizzeria, or delicious meals at nearby restaurants, the Crescent Head Tavern, or the local bowling club—all perfect for adult tastes!
These activities are available at no additional cost and are supported by our team as part of your STR stay:
Optional Add-Ons (Privately Paid)
These experiences are available for individual STR guests or as private extras. While not NDIS-funded, they can enhance your stay:
Prime Location, Tailored Luxury
Little Tern Beach House—our reimagined 1950s shack—delivers comfort and style for NDIS participants over 18. With luxury finishes and a vintage coastal vibe, it’s all about your wellbeing. Less than 400m to the beach and 200m to the tavern, supermarket, or country club—everything’s close by!
Little Tern Beach House Highlights
- **Easy Access**: Remote smart lock for stress-free check-in
- **Spacious Setup**: 2 toilets, 2 showers (indoor & outdoor), plus a separate laundry with LG washer-dryer combo
- **Chic Style**: Polished hardwood floors, fresh paint, and a soothing palette
Access Information
Little Tern is mobility-friendly but not fully wheelchair accessible.
Outdoor Relaxation
Rinse off with a hot/cold outdoor shower, then lounge on the covered deck with ocean views. The new hardwood deck and Cottesloe 4-Piece Lounge Setting offer pure comfort for adults seeking respite done right.
Affordable Add-Ons
Hire brand-new surfboards for $30/day or $200/week (invoiced separately)—perfect for adventurous over-18s!
Sleep Soundly at Little Tern Beach House
- 3 bedrooms (sleeps with ceiling fans and plush new mattresses
- Bedroom 1: King bed (air-conditioned) for staff
- Bedroom 2: 2 double beds with luxury mattresses
- Bedroom 3: Queen adjustable bed for personalized comfort
Living Large
The air-conditioned open-plan living area at Little Tern Beach House features Starlink WiFi, a smart TV, and a sleek kitchen with marble benchtops and a Miele dishwasher. Sink into the Burlington 3-seater with heated backrests, massage features, and zero-gravity recline—ultimate relaxation for adults!
Bathroom Comfort
- Step-free, glass-free shower with P4 slip-rated tiles
- Ambulant-compliant Tono Tornado Flush Toilet (AS 1428.1:2021)
- Heated towel rail for a touch of indulgence
Extras You’ll Love
- **5-in-1 Tap**: Filtered sparkling, chilled, or ambient water—plus hot and cold—all in one stylish design
- **Cocktail Vibes**: Stocked with essentials, glassware, and dehydrated citrus from our family farm
- **Coffee & Tea Heaven**: Breville Oracle Touch Coffee Machine with beans, plus teas and teapots
Personalised Care
It is our priority to provide a respite experience that is directed by you and personalised to your unique NDIS goals. Whether you’re seeking rest, therapeutic engagement, or functional assessment, we co-design your stay to reflect your needs.
Book Your NDIS Respite Now!
Little Tern Beach House is calling NDIS participants over 18—book your respite stay today and experience luxury, comfort, and beachside fun crafted just for you! Contact us now to lock in your dates—spaces fill fast, so don’t wait!
Enquire Now - [email protected]
We’ll work with you to ensure your stay aligns with your goals and budget
Ready to Recharge?
Little Tern Beach House is more than a place to stay — it’s a place to restore, connect, and be supported. It’s STR with soul. And it’s only available through Yellowbird.
Located in Crescent Head, NSW, Little Tern Beach House offers a luxury coastal STR experience that’s tailored to your goals, your needs, and your rhythm. This is not a group facility — it’s a boutique, participant-led retreat where support meets serenity.
Escape to Little Tern Beach House—Your NDIS Respite Haven for Over-18s!
Calling all NDIS participants over 18—book your dream respite stay at Little Tern Beach House in Crescent Head’s premium dress circle! Just 200m from the beach, this fully self-contained retreat is designed for able-bodied adults and their carers seeking relaxation and adventure. From beach days to tennis, fishing, and more, it’s the perfect getaway tailored to your needs.
Why Little Tern Beach House?
Little Tern Beach House offers NDIS respite that blends luxury with seaside fun, exclusively for participants over 18. Steps from the shore and surrounded by top facilities, it’s your ideal home-away-from-home. Spread the word to fellow participants and book now for a rejuvenating escape by the beach!
Foodie Fun at Little Tern Beach House
Your carer can take you shopping for fresh ingredients to cook or BBQ together at Little Tern Beach House. Craving a night out? Stroll 200m to enjoy takeaway, a pizzeria, or delicious meals at nearby restaurants, the Crescent Head Tavern, or the local bowling club—all perfect for adult tastes!
These activities are available at no additional cost and are supported by our team as part of your STR stay:
- Beach walking along the Crescent Head coastline
- Swimming in the ocean or creek
- Bodyboarding in safe, supervised areas
- Nature trails and bushwalks
- Rock pool exploration & coastal discover walks
- Coastal photography walks
- Movement therapy including beach yoga and aqua mobility in Killick Creek
- Enjoy outdoor games or a firepit evening
- Unwind inside Little Tern Beach House
- Sensory integration activities such as guided art, nature-based crafts, and creative expression sessions
Optional Add-Ons (Privately Paid)
These experiences are available for individual STR guests or as private extras. While not NDIS-funded, they can enhance your stay:
- Swimming at the local Crescent Head pool
- Bowls at the Crescent Head Country Club
- Mini golf
Prime Location, Tailored Luxury
Little Tern Beach House—our reimagined 1950s shack—delivers comfort and style for NDIS participants over 18. With luxury finishes and a vintage coastal vibe, it’s all about your wellbeing. Less than 400m to the beach and 200m to the tavern, supermarket, or country club—everything’s close by!
Little Tern Beach House Highlights
- **Easy Access**: Remote smart lock for stress-free check-in
- **Spacious Setup**: 2 toilets, 2 showers (indoor & outdoor), plus a separate laundry with LG washer-dryer combo
- **Chic Style**: Polished hardwood floors, fresh paint, and a soothing palette
Access Information
Little Tern is mobility-friendly but not fully wheelchair accessible.
- Front entry: 10 steps
- Rear entry: 2 steps with optional portable ramp
- Ramp suitable for light, non-motorised wheelchairs only due to turn circle limitations at the main entryway
Outdoor Relaxation
Rinse off with a hot/cold outdoor shower, then lounge on the covered deck with ocean views. The new hardwood deck and Cottesloe 4-Piece Lounge Setting offer pure comfort for adults seeking respite done right.
Affordable Add-Ons
Hire brand-new surfboards for $30/day or $200/week (invoiced separately)—perfect for adventurous over-18s!
Sleep Soundly at Little Tern Beach House
- 3 bedrooms (sleeps with ceiling fans and plush new mattresses
- Bedroom 1: King bed (air-conditioned) for staff
- Bedroom 2: 2 double beds with luxury mattresses
- Bedroom 3: Queen adjustable bed for personalized comfort
Living Large
The air-conditioned open-plan living area at Little Tern Beach House features Starlink WiFi, a smart TV, and a sleek kitchen with marble benchtops and a Miele dishwasher. Sink into the Burlington 3-seater with heated backrests, massage features, and zero-gravity recline—ultimate relaxation for adults!
Bathroom Comfort
- Step-free, glass-free shower with P4 slip-rated tiles
- Ambulant-compliant Tono Tornado Flush Toilet (AS 1428.1:2021)
- Heated towel rail for a touch of indulgence
Extras You’ll Love
- **5-in-1 Tap**: Filtered sparkling, chilled, or ambient water—plus hot and cold—all in one stylish design
- **Cocktail Vibes**: Stocked with essentials, glassware, and dehydrated citrus from our family farm
- **Coffee & Tea Heaven**: Breville Oracle Touch Coffee Machine with beans, plus teas and teapots
Personalised Care
It is our priority to provide a respite experience that is directed by you and personalised to your unique NDIS goals. Whether you’re seeking rest, therapeutic engagement, or functional assessment, we co-design your stay to reflect your needs.
Book Your NDIS Respite Now!
Little Tern Beach House is calling NDIS participants over 18—book your respite stay today and experience luxury, comfort, and beachside fun crafted just for you! Contact us now to lock in your dates—spaces fill fast, so don’t wait!
Enquire Now - [email protected]
We’ll work with you to ensure your stay aligns with your goals and budget
Ready to Recharge?
Little Tern Beach House is more than a place to stay — it’s a place to restore, connect, and be supported. It’s STR with soul. And it’s only available through Yellowbird.
Summary from the Official NDIS Guidelines (October 2025)
Short Term Respite (STR) is a funded support under the NDIS that allows participants to be cared for by someone other than their primary informal supports — giving carers a break while ensuring continuity of care.
According to the NDIS, STR may include:
Standard accommodation: Clean, comfortable, accessible spaces with basic amenities — such as hotels, motels, cabins, cottages, hostels, short stay rentals, or respite facilities.
Support in your own home or a homestay: NDIS funds the supports, not the accommodation, and only if the homestay is not provided by friends or family.
Support for everyday activities: Personal care, meal prep, mobility, cleaning — the same supports informal carers would normally provide.
Support worker accommodation: If overnight support is required or no local support worker is available near your STR location, NDIS may fund their stay.
Not covered: Cruises, tours, holiday-style travel, activity entry fees, or accommodation for informal carers.
Transport: STR funding does not cover transport to and from your respite accommodation or activities if you can travel independently or use public transport. You should factor in travel costs when choosing your STR location. If your NDIS plan includes separate transport funding, you can use it to:
- Travel to and from your STR accommodation
- Travel to and from any activities during your stay (if not already included)
- If you live in a remote or very remote area, you may be able to use your Core budget to fund travel supports. Additional funding may be considered to help you access STR if long-distance travel is required.
STR is designed to sustain informal supports — not replace them — and must align with your NDIS goals. It’s not a holiday, but it can be restorative, empowering, and deeply meaningful.
Participants are likely to have a number of days where their support arrangements will be different. These are non-typical days and may include funding to provide replacement support, or respite, in group based facility or in home support.
Evidence from consultations to date indicates that support can generally fall into one of three levels:
Short Term Respite (STR) is a funded support under the NDIS that allows participants to be cared for by someone other than their primary informal supports — giving carers a break while ensuring continuity of care.
According to the NDIS, STR may include:
Standard accommodation: Clean, comfortable, accessible spaces with basic amenities — such as hotels, motels, cabins, cottages, hostels, short stay rentals, or respite facilities.
Support in your own home or a homestay: NDIS funds the supports, not the accommodation, and only if the homestay is not provided by friends or family.
Support for everyday activities: Personal care, meal prep, mobility, cleaning — the same supports informal carers would normally provide.
Support worker accommodation: If overnight support is required or no local support worker is available near your STR location, NDIS may fund their stay.
Not covered: Cruises, tours, holiday-style travel, activity entry fees, or accommodation for informal carers.
Transport: STR funding does not cover transport to and from your respite accommodation or activities if you can travel independently or use public transport. You should factor in travel costs when choosing your STR location. If your NDIS plan includes separate transport funding, you can use it to:
- Travel to and from your STR accommodation
- Travel to and from any activities during your stay (if not already included)
- If you live in a remote or very remote area, you may be able to use your Core budget to fund travel supports. Additional funding may be considered to help you access STR if long-distance travel is required.
STR is designed to sustain informal supports — not replace them — and must align with your NDIS goals. It’s not a holiday, but it can be restorative, empowering, and deeply meaningful.
Participants are likely to have a number of days where their support arrangements will be different. These are non-typical days and may include funding to provide replacement support, or respite, in group based facility or in home support.
Evidence from consultations to date indicates that support can generally fall into one of three levels:
- Between the equivalent of 7 and 14 days per year: where the family provides support most days. This support is provided to the participant so that the informal carers can attend key activities relevant to other members of the family.
- Between the equivalent of 14 and 28 days per year: where respite is a strategy to build capabilities for independence.
- No more than the equivalent of 28 days per year: where the family provides support most days and informal care is at risk of not being able to be sustained due to severe behavioural issues or where the person requires intensive informal support.
**Bathroom Comfort**
- Step-free, glass-free shower with P4 slip-rated tiles
- Ambulant-compliant Tono Tornado Flush Toilet (AS 1428.1:2021)
- Heated towel rail for a touch of indulgence
**Bedroom 3**
- Queen size electric adjustable bed
**Loungeroom**
- Sink into the Burlington 3-seater with heated backrests, massage features, and zero-gravity recline. All electric.
Please note, it is not an accessible house. There are 10 steps at the front. But if you walk around the side of the house to the back, you can enter via the back door where there is only 2 steps to enter into the house.
- Step-free, glass-free shower with P4 slip-rated tiles
- Ambulant-compliant Tono Tornado Flush Toilet (AS 1428.1:2021)
- Heated towel rail for a touch of indulgence
**Bedroom 3**
- Queen size electric adjustable bed
**Loungeroom**
- Sink into the Burlington 3-seater with heated backrests, massage features, and zero-gravity recline. All electric.
Please note, it is not an accessible house. There are 10 steps at the front. But if you walk around the side of the house to the back, you can enter via the back door where there is only 2 steps to enter into the house.
🌿 Little Tern Weekend Respite – 1:1 Support Model
At Little Tern, our weekend respite program offers a calm, structured, and empowering environment where participants receive personalised 1:1 support. The model is designed to promote emotional wellbeing, independence, and meaningful community engagement through a blend of therapeutic and practical support.
🗓 Example Weekend [2 night] Respite Schedule - can be tailored to your individual needs.
At Little Tern, our weekend respite program offers a calm, structured, and empowering environment where participants receive personalised 1:1 support. The model is designed to promote emotional wellbeing, independence, and meaningful community engagement through a blend of therapeutic and practical support.
🗓 Example Weekend [2 night] Respite Schedule - can be tailored to your individual needs.
- Start: Friday at 2:00 PM
- End: Sunday at 2:00 PM
- Friday 2:00 PM – Saturday 8:00 AM:
Participants are supported by a Psychologist and Occupational Therapist (OT). This time focuses on:- Emotional regulation and settling into the respite environment
- Supporting routines, communication, and preparation for the weekend
- Gentle therapeutic engagement in a calm, structured setting
- Saturday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM:
A qualified Support Worker provides 1:1 support for community access activities, such as:- Visiting parks, markets, or local events
- Recreational outings like swimming, bowling, or nature walks
- Practicing real-world skills in a fun, supported way
- Saturday 5:00 PM – Sunday 2:00 PM:
The Psychologist and OT resume support, focusing on:- Saturday Evening:
- Wind-down routines and emotional regulation
- Meal preparation and cooking together, followed by a shared evening meal to promote social connection and independent living skills
- Sunday Morning:
- Gentle exercise (e.g., stretching, walking)
- Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) such as:
- Stripping and remaking the bed
- Light cleaning and tidying
- Practicing functional living tasks in preparation for returning home
- Travel preparation and transition support for a smooth return home by 2:00 PM
- Saturday Evening:
- Person-Centred: Every plan is tailored to the participant’s unique needs, strengths, and goals.
- Therapeutic & Practical: We combine clinical insight with hands-on support to create a holistic experience.
- Empowering: Our goal is to build confidence, independence, and a sense of belonging.
- Safe & Supportive: A consistent team ensures emotional safety and continuity of care throughout the weekend.
