A renovated home in Wollongong's northern suburbs boasts some of the most eye-catching views in the region.
And in 1999, it was those views that led to the current owners snapping up the Coalcliff home without being able to inspect the interiors.
"It was an old fibro miner's cottage, with a dunny out the back," co-owner Sean Linkson said.
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"At the time we weren't even allowed to look inside the building. We had to buy it without going inside, because there was a massive hole in the roof, and the owner couldn't afford to fix it.
"So, all the walls were rotting inside... She was too embarrassed to let anyone through.
"But it was all about the position for us. It was in the most remarkable street in the Illawarra in terms of view."
The three-bedroom, early 1900s weatherboard miner's cottage has undergone a contemporary renovation to create a one-of-a-kind waterfront home, 'Cliffhaven'.
The home is positioned at the northern end of the Sea Cliff Bridge and adjoined by council reserve on two sides. It's the first house on the right after heading north over the bridge.
Mr Linkson said the "spectacular" views of the home, located at 2 Paterson Road, Coalcliff had the wow factor, and impressed everyone who visited the home.
"The view is everything," he said.
"And the great thing about this house is that it doesn't have a neighbour on the right-hand side. So we get 270-degree views.
"We look up north along all the headlands of the national park, over the beach and ocean pool.
"But we also look right down south over the rock ledge and get a whole view down that way. And that direction is the beginning of the Sea Cliff Bridge."
Owners Mr Linkson and husband Philip Comans were living in Sydney at the time they purchased the home, and snapped it up as a weekender.
In recent years it has become their permanent home.
Two of the original bedrooms remain with high ceilings and cornices, but the home has been given a major renovation.
The master bedroom has been turned into a bathroom downstairs; the lounge room is now the kitchen; and the original lounge room is now the dining room. They also added a large extension on the ocean side.
"We wanted to keep the original cottage," Mr Linkson said.
"We took away all the asbestos on the outside and put weatherboard on it.
"But basically we kept the same floorplan, just moved things around a little.
"The original cottage is still an integral part of the renovating that we did over many years."
The couple are selling the home in order to split their time between the Illawarra and interstate.
They'll be downsizing to a smaller home in Wollongong's northern suburbs, while also spending time with family in Queensland.
"After 27 years we will miss it terribly, but it's been a remarkable journey and I'm pleased to hand it over to someone else," Mr Linkson said.
The home is for sale via Expressions of Interest, closing on May 1.
Selling agent, Kane Downie from One Agency said it the home was in an "amazing, exclusive" position onto the ocean rock platform.
"Every room in the house has a view... And it feels like you can almost reach out and touch the ocean.
"And it's an easy access to the rock platform and beach.
"It's an iconic home with those glass blades... People who have driven north off Sea Cliff Bridge would be familiar with the house."
Mr Downie said there wasn't a price guide, but comparable sales were 17 Coledale Avenue, Coledale for $5.2 million; 9 Coledale Avenue, Coledale for $5.5 million; and 2 Corbett Avenue, Thirroul for $6.1 million.
