Pretty Beach House, Pretty BeachCredit: Anson Smart
Woman relaxing in the pool at Pretty Beach House, Pretty Beach.
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Reconnect with your favourite people over fine food shared in spectacular surroundings on a special-occasion getaway to the New South Wales North Coast. Whether you’re celebrating an anniversary, a milestone birthday or simply seizing an opportunity to relax and rekindle cherished relationships, memorable stays and premium dining experiences abound.
Savour the Tweed
Nod off to a calming seaside playlist DJed by nature on an indulgent group getaway to the Tweed, at the northeastern tip of NSW. Just metres from the dreamy white sands of Kingscliff Beach, Marine Beach House sleeps up to 11 in five light, airy coastal-chic bedrooms, with plenty of space for entertaining, as well as nooks for relaxing.
Kick off your celebrations with a sumptuous contemporary Australian lunch at award-winning Paper Daisy restaurant in nearby Cabarita, set within boutique hotel Halcyon House, a similarly stylish getaway option ideal for discerning couples. Bond over the delightful flavours of the shared set menu available for groups of four to 20. Superb service combined with the sophisticated simplicity of dishes such as goldband snapper with grilled fennel, sorrel and citrus salmoriglio are bound to make it a memorable meal.
Or wow your crowd with lunch or dinner at Pipit in Pottsville, known for its creative takes on local and native produce cooked over wood and charcoal. Owner and head chef Ben Devlin’s flavour-packed three- and eight-course menus change frequently, assuring a new culinary adventure on every visit.
Retreat to the Byron Bay hinterland
Revel in the ethereal sight of the morning sun illuminating the mist-shrouded hills of the Byron Bay hinterland as you sip coffee on the wraparound deck of heritage-listed Hinterland House. Set on a macadamia orchard in Bangalow, 45 minutes south of Tweed Heads, this grand homestead with soaring ceilings and original artworks is flanked by two self-contained cottages, with space to sleep up to 16 of your nearest and dearest on the property.
Travel just five minutes up the road by car to The Hut, where a former schoolhouse framed by subtropical greenery sets the scene for a Mediterranean-style long lunch to remember. Here groups of eight and above are treated to the signature banquet menu featuring a seasonal selection of dishes designed to be shared as the sun streams in and the wine flows.
Pipit Restaurant, Pottsville Credit: Pipit Restaurant and Sabine Bannard
Pipit Restaurant in coastal Pottsville, north of Byron Bay.
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Pipit Restaurant, Pottsville Credit: Pipit Restaurant and Sabine Bannard
Pipit Restaurant in coastal Pottsville, north of Byron Bay.
Halcyon House, Cabarita Beach Credit: Destination NSW
Paper Daisy restaurant located within boutique hotel Halcyon House, Cabarita Beach.
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Halcyon House, Cabarita Beach Credit: Destination NSW
Paper Daisy restaurant located within boutique hotel Halcyon House, Cabarita Beach.
Chill out on the Coffs Coast
Relive the nostalgia of the beach holidays of your childhood on a relaxing escape with your family to Diggers Beach Cottage on the Coffs Coast, a 5.5-hour drive north of Sydney. Lap up the low-key vibe of your seaside base, just a 10-minute drive from Coffs Harbour, as you make yourself at home in the beautifully renovated, three-bedroom cottage sleeping up to seven people, perfect for a large or intergenerational family.
Follow a short track down to the sand to enjoy long, lazy days on the beach, then channel your inner top chef as you whip up a fancy feast for your brood in the modern kitchen. Or settle in for a relaxed brunch or lunch at licensed café The Hilltop Store, a 20-minute drive south in Sawtell, where the refined yet accessible menu could feature anything from house-cured salmon with avocado, grains, kimchi and a poached egg to a crispy buttermilk chicken burger with chipotle and vinegar slaw.
Come together on the Central Coast
Spoil a special someone with a bucket-list stay within easy reach of the city at Pretty Beach House on the Central Coast, just a 90-minute drive north of Sydney. Or book all four pavilions and revel in the exclusivity of having the run of the house at this sophisticated retreat overlooking its namesake beach on the Bouddi Peninsula.
You needn’t concern yourself with menu prices or splitting bills here, with all meals, snacks, non-alcoholic beverages and a considered selection of fine wines, cocktails and beers all included. Strike out to cool off at gorgeous beaches and hike peaceful walking tracks in neighbouring Bouddi National Park, or simply enjoy the luxurious property perched on a spectacular escarpment, savouring the sumptuous cuisine, dreamy infinity pool, serene spa, cosy guest lounge and elegantly furnished bedrooms at your leisure.
Diggers Beach, Coffs Harbour Credit: Destination NSW
Sun rises over Diggers Beach, Coffs Harbour in the state's North Coast.
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Diggers Beach, Coffs Harbour Credit: Destination NSW
Sun rises over Diggers Beach, Coffs Harbour in the state's North Coast.
Coffs Harbour Jetty, Coffs Harbour Credit: Destination NSW
Friends enjoying a walk on the Coffs Harbour Jetty, Coffs Harbour
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Coffs Harbour Jetty, Coffs Harbour Credit: Destination NSW
Friends enjoying a walk on the Coffs Harbour Jetty, Coffs Harbour
Peppers Craigieburn, BowralCredit: Destination NSW
The heritage property at Peppers Craigieburn, Bowral.
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Promenade back in time as Netflix’s Regency-era romp returns for Season Three, escorted by the elegant Bridgerton in Bowral extravaganza from 16-23 April. And whether you’re visiting The Ton for these enchanting festivities or simply searching for a sophisticated sojourn, all year round Bowral offers decadent feasts, opulent stays, charming countryside and more – all just 90 minutes from Sydney. Read on, Gentle Reader, to learn why the Southern Highlands are the Diamond of the Season and beyond.
Make your grand entrance
Emerald hills garnished with vineyards, grand estates and a bewitching village atmosphere… Bowral’s highlights harken back to a most refined moment in history – and now they’re celebrating Bridgerton’s greatly anticipated return with a host of soirees. As befits such a momentous occasion, Empire Cinemas Bowral will host four exclusive screenings for The Ton before the new episodes hit Netflix (from May 16). Plus, you’re cordially invited to a Regency-themed Garden Party amid the stately grounds of the Milton Park Country House Hotel, where you’ll see and be seen in sprawling formal gardens, and enjoy a host of Bridgerton-themed entertainment. Nearby, Retford Park also entices with a picturesque 1887 homestead, self-guided art trail and a picnic-perfect historic garden for all seasons.
Bendooley Estate, Berrima Credit: Destination NSW
The scenic grounds of Bendoley Estate, Berrima.
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Bendooley Estate, Berrima Credit: Destination NSW
The scenic grounds of Bendoley Estate, Berrima.
Milton Park Country House Hotel and Spa, Bowral Credit: Destination NSW
The scenic grounds of Milton Park Country House Hotel and Spa, Bowral.
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Milton Park Country House Hotel and Spa, Bowral Credit: Destination NSW
The scenic grounds of Milton Park Country House Hotel and Spa, Bowral.
Sip your way around The Ton
Raise a toast to Lady Whistledown’s long-awaited new chapter with Sohi’s mouth-watering tipples – their premium gin, vodka and vermouth are available to quaff all over town, including at Hearth by Moonacres, Bistro Sociale and The Royal Hotel. And, let your thirst for discovery lead you along the Southern Highlands Wine Trail, where you’ll sample the region’s cool-climate drops at more than 60 vineyards and 15 cellar doors. Swill Tempranillo, Chardonnay, Riesling, Grüner Veltliner, Pinot Gris, Pinot Meunier, Albariño, Pinot Noir and Gewürztraminer at Centennial Vineyards; unwind between the vines at the grand Bendooley Estate; and clink glasses at Mount Ashby Estate, where red, white and culinary delights are served alongside French antiques and lashings of bucolic charm.
Shall we promenade?
Whether you’re courting a suitor or slipping out of the drawing room for fresh air, a gentle wander is one of life’s simple pleasures. Take a leisurely turn through historic Berrima; Australia’s best-preserved Georgian village unveils an intriguing selection of Regency-era relics, including the 1830s Courthouse, convict-built Surveyor General Inn and the National Trust-listed Harper’s Mansion. Bask in the majesty of manicured gardens in Bowral, Mossvale, and Robertson, where lavish plantings reveal nature’s extravagance – especially during the Tulip Time festival each spring. Afterwards, assemble your favourite dukes and duchesses to while away the day with croquet, cycle between quaint villages, or saddle up your trusty steeds for a relaxing meander along the Canyonleigh Trails.
Centennial Vineyards, Bowral Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a romantic getaway at Centennial Vineyards, Bowral.
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Centennial Vineyards, Bowral Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a romantic getaway at Centennial Vineyards, Bowral.
Bendooley Estate, Berrima Credit: Destination NSW
Autumn at Bendooley Estate, Berrima.
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Bendooley Estate, Berrima Credit: Destination NSW
Autumn at Bendooley Estate, Berrima.
Discover the talk of The Ton
Bowral boasts a bounty of treasures old, new and noteworthy if you’re seeking a modiste-crafted frock for your society debut, exploring the arts, or collecting key pieces to makeover your manor. Start with a visit to Dirty Janes, a unique marketplace where 90 individual sellers peddling all manner of retro, vintage, antique and artisan-made finds. Indulge your guilty pleasure for scandalous storytelling at Books Ever After, a romance-genre specialist home to an impressive selection of special editions to tantalise your imagination. And, take your cue from Bridgerton’s elite and let your impeccable taste in art and furnishings do the talking. The Ngununggula Southern Highlands Regional Gallery, Bowral Art Gallery and Milk Factory Gallery showcase the cultured art and soul of this inspired region, while Suzie Anderson Home has a wide range of premium style essentials to create your own Regency-influenced sanctuary.
Retreat to elegant chambers
From plush private residences to luxe suites catering for your every whim, the Southern Highlands offers a host of auspicious accommodations worthy of society’s highest echelon. Revel in the prestige of a grand estate to call your own on the grounds of The Rift Estate. This palatial 19th Century mansion presents a self-contained Coach House to accommodate 13 people, complete with cosy fireplaces, claw-foot bathtubs and lush lawns perfect for croquet and bocce. For a gracious stay amid rustic vistas reminiscent of the English countryside, look no further than the five-star boutique hotel, Osborn House. Nearby, the chic comforts continue at the Georgian Moss Manor, where thoughtful creativity and interior design unite for an exclusive art-hotel experience. Around the town, the historic flair also rolls into the early 20th Century, with the Berida Hotel, Peppers Craigieburn and the Links House Hotel delivering memorable stays where modern amenity and heritage flourishes converge. Wherever you choose to rest your tiara-toting head, you can find your own Bridgerton in Bowral all year round.
Osborn House, Bundanoon Credit: Stephanie Hunter
One of the Premier Suites at Osborn House.
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Osborn House, Bundanoon Credit: Stephanie Hunter
One of the Premier Suites at Osborn House.
Bradman Museum, Bowral Credit: Destination NSW
Exploring sporting history at the Bradman Museum, Bowral, Southern Highlands
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Bradman Museum, Bowral Credit: Destination NSW
Exploring sporting history at the Bradman Museum, Bowral, Southern Highlands