Bear Cottage

Home
Australia
Sydney, NSW
Bear Cottage

Bear Cottage is the only children’s hospice in NSW, one of only three in Australia, and the only one in the world affiliated with a children’s hospital.

Bear Cottage provides support, respite and end of life care for children with life limiting conditions and their families. Located on Sydney’s Northern Beaches in Manly, our vision is to be as far removed from a hospital environment as possible. Staff don’t wear uniforms and children’s rooms are designed to be like a normal bedroom. This ‘home away from home’ is complete with a therapy dog called Beau, who is always around to provide some extra comfort. That said, Bear Cottage is set up to provide excellence in paediatric medical care 24-hours a day, and our affiliation to Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network means we have access to some of the best medical resources in the world. Bear Cottage has ten children's bedrooms and three family units. Children may stay at Bear Cottage unaccompanied or with family or carers. There is communal tea room, lounge room and outdoor areas to relax and enjoy the view. There is a quiet room, spa room, multi sensory room, teen room with TVs and video game consoles, messy play area and an outdoor wheelchair swing and seesaw. With a wheelchair accessible pathway down to Shelly Beach nearby, it is possible to enjoy the beachside location and the city of Sydney is just a short ferry ride away. Bear Cottage has a Child Life Therapist, Music Therapist, Art Therapist, Physiotherapist and Social Worker as well as a full time chef and housekeeping staff. Families can do as much or as little as they choose whilst staying at Bear Cottage. There is no charge to families for their stay at Bear Cottage and we rely on the community for donations. For more information, please visit our website at www.bearcottage.org.au

18/12/2025

Santa flew in to Bear Cottage today, swapping his sleigh for a Toll Ambulance Rescue helicopter to surprise the children and families at Bear Cottage. 🚁🎅

He was joined by the incredible Toll air crew and NSW Ambulance doctors and paramedics, who helped deliver Christmas gifts kindly donated by helicopter base staff, their families and friends. The crew took time to explain how the helicopter operates, giving children and families a behind-the-scenes look at their lifesaving work.

It was our pleasure to welcome Assistant Commissioner Cameron Edgar, Director Aeromedical and Special Operations, Diane Tremain, General Manager ACE Training Centre & Contract Manager and Scott Watkins, Senior Vice President Toll Aviation, who took time to celebrate with our families, staff and volunteers.

This special visit has become a favourite annual tradition and we are so grateful to these real-life heroes for bringing joy, generosity and plenty of smiles to Bear Cottage. Thank you to everyone who helped make this magical day possible. ❤️🎄

16/12/2025

MOMENTS FOR MINDFULNESS | In paediatric palliative care – and in everyday life – moments of calm, connection and understanding matter more than ever. The My Brain Books bundle has become a beautiful tool for helping children make sense of their feelings in a way that’s gentle, empowering and easy to understand, wherever they are on their journey.

💛 My Brain Is a Home helps kids understand the “thinking brain” and “feeling brain,” giving them language for big emotions.

💛 My Breath teaches simple breathing techniques to calm the body during stress, fear or pain.

💛 My Mindful Brain brings mindfulness to their level, helping them stay grounded during tough moments.

💛 My Brain First Aid offers practical strategies for coping, self-compassion and asking for help.

These books create space for honesty, comfort and connection – supporting children, families and staff through some of the most tender moments of care. A gentle way to nurture emotional wellbeing.

Thank you so much to Orlanda Bettison for this thoughtful donation. 💕

12/12/2025

Last Sunday we came together for our magical Bear Cottage Family Christmas Party, and it was wonderful to welcome our children and families for such a special celebration. 🎄

From face painting and ice cream to carols, rides and festive craft, the day was filled with joy. Santa and Mrs Claus were a highlight and brought plenty of festive cheer. But above all, it was the love, laughter, and deep sense of community that made the day unforgettable - the very essence of our Bear Cottage family. 🎅

Our Christmas Party is a treasured part of our Bear Cottage Family Support program, and with more than 500 people joining us this year, it’s clear how meaningful these moments are. They offer our families a chance to reconnect, reminisce, and celebrate together. 💕

📸 Please enjoy our Christmas Party Album.

✨ THANK YOU ✨ This amazing day would not have been possible without the incredibly generous support of so many: Ben & Jerry's Manly, Bright Balloons, Cakes By Kathleen, Channel 9, Clown Doctors, Corporate Bodies, Fantasy Art, GC Brands, International College of Management, Sydney (ICMS), KD Amusements, Kennards Hire, Kidz Zoo, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Luke Walker, Merlin Entertainments, Nyssa Milligan, Scene to Believe, Seven Miles Coffee Roasters, Sign Fairy AU - Sydney Northern Beaches, Sonja Mole, Sydney Sealife Aquarium & Madame Tussauds, The Australian Golf Club, Wholly Schnit, the generous community for their donation of Christmas gifts – and last but not least, our amazing Bear Cottage volunteers and staff. 👏

10/12/2025

🎁 A huge thank you to the incredible corporate teams helping at the Bear Cottage Christmas Wrapping fundraiser at Westfield Warringah Mall – which runs from now until Christmas Eve!

With hundreds of presents to wrap, every helping hand makes a difference – and we are so grateful to the organisations and individuals giving up their time to support this very jolly event. A special shoutout to long-time supporters, Seven Miles Coffee Roasters, for taking up the challenge today!

We also extend our heartfelt thanks to Westfield Warringah Mall for providing this wonderful opportunity to bring the community together and support Bear Cottage. 👏

Your generosity and spirit are helping us spread joy to the children and families at Bear Cottage this festive season.🎄

05/12/2025

Today, on International Volunteer Day, we celebrate the extraordinary people who give their time, hearts and endless compassion to Bear Cottage.

Our volunteers bring generosity, kindness, empathy and warmth into every corner of our home away from home. They lift spirits, bring comfort, and help create cherished memories for our children and their families. Bear Cottage simply wouldn’t be the same without them.

Yesterday, we had the pleasure of thanking our wonderful volunteers in person at our annual Volunteer Christmas Party – a small gesture compared to the enormous difference they make every single day.

To each one of you – thank you. You are the heart of Bear Cottage, and we are so grateful for the warmth and joy you bring. 💕

03/12/2025

It was our pleasure to welcome our wonderful Channel 9 Santa’s helpers to Bear Cottage as we prepare for our upcoming family Christmas party! 🎄✨

It truly takes a village to bring events like this to life, and we’re incredibly grateful for their annual support in helping us bring joy to our children. 🎁

And a heartfelt thank you to our friends from GC Brands for generously donating our festive treats, and to Wil and Lisa – our amazing volunteers who ensure every detail comes together beautifully. ❤️

01/12/2025

🚗 When imagination becomes pure magic…

When Paige decided that she wanted to create her own car wash – we were ready to help make this happen.

Using simple cardboard, paint and crepe paper – Paige made the best homemade car wash you’ve ever seen!

Today was all giggles, colours and creative chaos . . . the very best kind 🙌🏻

At Bear Cottage, supporting children as they express themselves, is at the heart of what we do. 💕

19/11/2025

Fresh air, warm sunshine, and the endless blue of the sea. ☀️ 🌊

The simple joy that a stay at Bear Cottage can provide. 💕

13/11/2025

At Bear Cottage, kindness is something we see and feel every single day - but sometimes, it shines in the most beautiful and unexpected ways.

Recently, one of our young siblings, Anya, decided that our Bear Cottage staff needed a little pampering. She set up her very own “salon,” complete with appointment bookings, relaxing music, delicious snacks, and plenty of laughter and conversation about nail colours and hair styles.

When we asked Anya what inspired her, she said: “𝗦𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗲, 𝘀𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝘆 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺.”

It was a joyful reminder that kindness doesn’t have to be big or elaborate to be powerful – sometimes, it’s found in a simple act of care and connection or making someone smile.

Thank you, Anya, for bringing so much sparkle, joy, and kindness to Bear Cottage – and for ensuring we all had great nails.

06/11/2025

A heartfelt thank you to the Australian Chamber Orchestra (𝗔𝗖𝗢) for generously donating tickets for the children and families of Bear Cottage to see 𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳…𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘪𝘵? - a sparkling celebration of imagination, friendship, empathy, courage and love.

A few of our families were able to attend and all shared with us that the show was absolutely fantastic - a true treat for everyone! And it wasn’t just a performance… it was a chance to create special memories, to laugh, to be inspired, and to share a magical moment as a family.

We are so grateful for the opportunity - thank you again ACO for your continued generosity and helping us make these unforgettable moments possible!

31/10/2025

Halloween at Bear Cottage was full of fun, laughter, and plenty of spooky surprises! 👻

With costumes, games, Halloween crafts, and lots of tricks and treats – there were smiles and giggles around every corner. 🎃

The children had a wonderful time helping to decorate the house – which is now covered in cobwebs (and not because our housekeepers took the day off)! 🕸🧙🏻

We loved seeing every child be part of the magic and making memories that will last long after the cobwebs come down.

Happy Halloween and a big Boo from Beau! 🧡

23/10/2025

𝗠𝘂𝗺’𝘀 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱 – 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗮 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘀

"At our recent Bear Cottage Mums weekend, we had the privilege of witnessing something truly powerful: a space where mums of children with complex needs could simply be. No expectations, no judgement – just space to rest, reflect, and connect.

We saw mums who carry so much, every single day – often without rest, recognition, or a chance to voice their own needs. We saw the emotional labour that is so often invisible: the deep love, the grief, the fear, and the strength it takes just to keep going. But we also witnessed something just as powerful: connection.

When these mums came together, something shifted. Stories were shared – sometimes through laughter, sometimes through tears. In those moments of peer support and mutual understanding, the weight was shared. It became just a little lighter. This is why spaces like this matter.

As social workers, we often talk about the importance of community, mutual aid and care. At Bear Cottage, we saw all of that in action – mums supporting one another – not because they had to, but because they 'get it'.

Self-care isn't selfish – it’s survival. Asking for help isn’t weakness – it’s a brave and necessary act of love, for themselves and their families. These mums don’t need to be perfect. None of us do. What they need and deserve is space to be human, to be held, and to be reminded: you are enough and you are doing an incredible job.

We left the weekend with deep respect and a renewed commitment to keep showing up – for these mothers, and for the networks of care that sustain them. We walk beside you. Always." 𝙇𝙮𝙣𝙙𝙖 𝘽𝙚𝙚𝙧, 𝘽𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝘾𝙤𝙩𝙩𝙖𝙜𝙚 𝙨𝙤𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙧. 💕

We are incredibly grateful to the wonderful organisations who so generously support these weekends: Channel 9, St. alma Freshwater, Sah Sin Massage, Poetica Bar & Grill, The Boathouse Shelly Beach and Bear Cottage volunteer Yasco Newton.

Address

2 Fairy Bower Road
Sydney, NSW
2095

Telephone

+61299768300

Website

https://bearcottage.schn.health.nsw.gov.au/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Bear Cottage posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Bear Cottage:

Want your practice to be the top-listed Clinic in Sydney?