Shack Life

The survival story of three Royal National Park communities

By: Ingeborg van Teeseling, Cooper Brady (Photographer), Dean Saffron (Photographer)

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Paperback | 4 May 2026

At a Glance

Paperback
306 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
25.6 x 21.59 x 2.11

Paperback

RRP $82.49

$71.75

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Shacklife tells the story of a rare and enduring coastal community living lightly in a heritage-listed shack settlement, set in pristine coastal bushland. Built on cooperation rather than consumerism, the community has survived for generations through shared responsibility, volunteering, and a deep connection to place.

Drawing on local history and lived experience, the book traces how this oÆ¯-grid settlement evolved. From depression-era shacks built on freehold land which was then incorporated into the Royal National Park, its people had to take on successive governments to keep their shacks. It's a community story of struggle to survive with State Heritage Listing ensuring these simple beach shacks remain to the present day.

Residents continue to care for both each other and their environment. From operating volunteer surf life saving clubs, a Landcare group to hosting walking tours that share knowledge of the coast and sustainable living, the community's story is one of quiet service and stewardship.

Part social history, part portrait of place, Shacklife explores what it means to belong to a landscape, to protect living heritage, and to sustain community in a world of increasing change.

Industry Reviews

'For me this place is still magical. When I walk in, open the curtains and see that view, it is like I have never been anywhere else in my life.' - David Gillis, shack owner, Burning Palms

'A rare mix of clear intelligence and sumptuous imagery.' - Elizabeth Farrelly, Sydney Morning Herald

'This wonderful and long overdue book has captured the proud heritage of the shack communities and shown how their history has mirrored the greater Australian story.' - David Hill, author of 1788, The Gold Rush and Australia and the Monarchy

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