Cottage by the Sea

What Cottage by the Sea does

Cottage by the Sea is an Australian not-for-profit children's charity founded in 1890 and headquartered in Queenscliff, Victoria, providing experiential holiday programs for children experiencing vulnerability. The organization operates two purpose-built facilities: the Main Cottage (a sympathetically restored 1930s building featuring a multi-coloured spiral slide, adventure playground, basketball court, low-ropes course, sports shed, arts and crafts room, and water-view dining areas, with accessibility improvements completed in 2020) and the newly rebuilt Riptide Cottage (opened 2026, adding capacity for 700+ additional children per year plus a self-contained family respite unit with 28 child beds and 4 staff beds). Programs are delivered directly on-site and are organized into four core offerings: Take a Break (3-5 day programs for primary school children aged 7-12), REEF (a 2-year experiential learning program for ages 11-14 spanning primary-to-secondary school transition), Mentor (an ongoing program for REEF graduates aged 13-18 covering outdoor adventure, accredited training, mentoring, and interstate travel), and the Take a Break Family program (respite for families referred by welfare agencies). Children access programs through referrals from schools with ICSEA scores of 999 or below, welfare agencies, government health departments, and council services.

Name

Cottage by the Sea

Legal name

Cottage by the Sea, Queenscliff Inc.

Website

https://cottagebythesea.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1890

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Cottage by the Sea is an Australian nonprofit children's charity founded in 1890, delivering free seaside experiential learning programs in Queenscliff, Victoria, for vulnerable children aged 7-18 and families referred by schools and welfare agencies, funded entirely by donations, gifts in wills, and fundraising events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Children's Charity and Youth Social Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Child Care Services (6244), Community Housing Services (62422)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro primary industry

Coastal & Island Eco-Resorts (THAAAHAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Outdoor / Nature-Based Nursery & Forest Playgroups (EDACACAH)

Keywords

• Children's charity programs
• Outdoor adventure education
• Respite accommodation services
• Youth mentoring programs
• Charitable fundraising services

Headquarters

HQ city

Queenscliff

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Donations: Individual and corporate donations provide the primary funding for all programs. Donations can be made as one-time, monthly, quarterly, or annual contributions. The organization receives no government funding.
2. Gifts in Wills: Bequests and legacies left by supporters to provide long-term financial sustainability for the organization.
3. Fundraising Events: Annual events include the Annual Fair (operating for 100 years, raised $103,000 in 2026), Giving Day (raised $596,697 in 2026), Flinders Golf Day (raised over $40k), Race Day, and branch-hosted events.
4. Grants from Trusts and Foundations: Funding from philanthropic trusts and foundations including those identified as major donors for capital works.
5. In-Kind Donations: Support through donated goods, services, and professional expertise from branches, volunteers, businesses and community groups.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Cottage by the Sea is a not-for-profit children's charity operating in Queenscliff, Victoria, that provides free experiential learning and outdoor adventure programs in a seaside holiday environment. Its core offerings include the Take a Break program for primary school children (ages 7-12), the REEF two-year transition program (ages 11-14), the Mentor program for young people (ages 13-18), and a family respite program. The charity also offers financial scholarships to support participants' training and equipment needs.

Product overview

Cottage by the Sea is a non-government, not-for-profit children's charity offering a portfolio of outdoor adventure and respite programs for children experiencing vulnerability. The core programs include: Take a Break (weekly programs for ages 7-12), REEF (2-year transition program for ages 11-14), and Mentor (ongoing program for ages 13-18). Supporting offerings include Scholarships (financial assistance) and the Take a Break – Family program (respite for families). The organization operates two facilities: Main Cottage (Queenscliff) and Riptide Cottage (secondary facility). Programs receive no government funding and are provided through donations, gifts in wills, and volunteers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Take a Break: Weekly programs for primary school-aged children (7-12 years) focusing on inspiration, fun and opportunity.
• REEF
• Mentor
• Take a Break – Family program

Products and services

• Take a Break Weekly seaside holiday programs for primary school-aged children (ages 7-12) lasting 3-5 days, with activities including surfing, fishing, swimming, team building, and local attraction visits. Provided free of charge to children referred through schools scoring 999 or below on ICSEA or via welfare agencies.
• REEF Two-year experiential learning program (Recreation, Education, Environment, Friendship) for children ages 11-14 in Grade 6 to Year 7, comprising 10 programs over two years that support transition from primary to secondary school through outdoor adventure and leadership activities.
• Mentor Program for young people ages 13-18 (Years 8-12) who are graduates of REEF. Participants engage in outdoor adventure education, accredited training courses, volunteer work, mentoring, cooking programs, and interstate travel until age 18, provided they are studying or in training.
• Take a Break – Family program

Quantifiable outcome

• For every $1 invested, between $2.50 and $3.80 social and economic value is created
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ABN Group/Boutique HomescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022In 2022, ABN Group/Boutique Homes built a charity home in Point Lonsdale with auction proceeds of $1.39 million (later noted as $1.68 million) donated to Cottage for Riptide Cottage redevelopment. The partnership returned in 2026 with a second charity home built for sale. Boutique Homes also supports Cottage through working bees onsite.
• Vance JoyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Australian singer-songwriter who holidayed at the original Riptide motel as a child. His time there inspired his successful song 'Riptide'. He supported the rebuild with a generous donation and the facility was named in tribute to his song.
• Deakin UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Research partnership with Deakin University's Strategic Research Centre in Education (REDI) has produced evidence-based studies: 'The Difference Take a Break Makes' (2023), 'From Ripples to Waves' (2024), and 'Turning Points for Children Experiencing Vulnerabilities' (2026). Claire Higgins, Deakin's new Chancellor, officiated Riptide opening in 2026.
• Boardriders CommunitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2007The charitable division of Boardriders South Pacific (brands include Quiksilver, Roxy, Billabong, DC, Element, RVCA, Von Zipper, Volcom) has supported Cottage since 2007 with generous donations of wetsuits, paddles, backpacks and hosting an Annual Surf Day for program participants.
• The GordonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Gordon in Geelong has been a long-time supporter offering short courses for participants in the Mentor program.
• Searoad FerriesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership involves community support for fundraising events, donated services for programs, and a recycling initiative at Queenscliff ferry terminal where recycled cans and bottles become donations.
• Port Phillip Sea Pilots (PPSP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWith over 185 years of service operating 24/7, 365 days a year, they are a trusted local presence regularly attending Cottage fundraisers and making generous in-kind contributions. Invited Take a Break participants aboard their pilot boat for behind-the-scenes experiences.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Camp Quality: Australian children's charity providing camp and recreation programs for kids facing cancer and serious illness. Closest direct peer: delivers multi-day residential outdoor programs for vulnerable Australian children, relies on donations and volunteers, and operates a similar program-portfolio model.
• Mirabel Foundation: Australian charity supporting orphaned and vulnerable children. Listed as a partner organization of Cottage by the Sea (delivers coastal adventure programs to Mirabel kids). Comparable for programs serving vulnerable Australian children through recreational and supportive experiences.
• Variety - the Children's Charity: Australian children's charity providing support, experiences, and equipment to children facing disadvantage or with special needs. Comparable donation-funded model delivering experiences and grants to vulnerable children across Australia.

Others

• Royal Flying Doctor Service: Large Australian nonprofit health service. Comparable for board leadership (Board Chair Scott Chapman AM was CEO of RFDS Victoria for 14 years) and donation-funded community service model, though operating in a different mission area.
• Frontier Services: Australian nonprofit providing remote-area community services including youth and family programs. Comparable for similar service-delivery-to-remote-or-regional-children model and donation-driven structure.

Broad incumbents

• Barnardos Australia: Major Australian children's welfare charity providing child protection, family support, and out-of-home care programs. Comparable as a long-standing donation-funded nonprofit serving vulnerable children and families in Australia.
• Berry Street: One of Australia's largest independent family welfare organizations, providing.child protection, family services, and education programs. Comparable for children/youth residential programs and donation-funded Victorian footprint.
• Salvation Army Australia: Large Australian faith-based charity providing community programs including youth and family services, addiction support, and emergency relief. Comparable as a long-established donation-funded nonprofit delivering community-based programs to vulnerable populations.
• The Smith Family: One of Australia's largest children's education and welfare charities, supporting disadvantaged children through education, learning programs, and family support. Comparable as a donation-funded nonprofit serving vulnerable Australian children with educational/wellness programs.

Emerging players

• Brotherhood of St Laurence: Australian nonprofit tackling child poverty and disadvantage through research-backed programs. Comparable for evidence-based prevention/intervention programs for children experiencing vulnerability and use of social return measurement.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cottage-by-the-sea-queenscliff-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cottage by the Sea