Kyah Boutique Hotel & Blaq Restaurant + Bar, BlackheathCredit: Steven Woodburn
Kyah Boutique Hotel & Blaq Restaurant + Bar located in Blackeath located in the Blue Mountains of NSW.
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Engage in a time-honoured Australian tradition in a new way with a stay at a reimagined drive-in motel on an epic New South Wales road trip. Reminisce about holidays gone by as you make new memories at your retro-styled stay. Here are seven characterful options worth seeking out, from north to south.
Relive childhood beach holidays at the Blue Water Motel in Kingscliff
Memories of childhood beach holidays come rushing back in low-key Kingscliff, a low-rise and low-key beach town on the far North Coast. Even more so at the Blue Water Motel, where renowned interior stylist and designer Jason Grant has recast an 1980s motel into an effortlessly stylish homage to the area’s early days as beach holiday destination. Feel soothed by the pastel-blue hues of your room as you cosy up in bed, switch off the clam-shell lamp, and drift off to sleep to the sounds of the ocean, less than 200m from your door.
Retreat to The Sunseeker in Byron Bay
Step back into ‘70s Byron Bay at The Sunseeker, a red-brick motel transformed into an oasis of retro-styled relaxation in this buzzy North Coast holiday town. Check into one of the 12 spacious guest rooms furnished with custom pieces, or perhaps one of the nine bungalows if you’re travelling with kids, and proceed directly to the poolside tiki bar. Claim a lounger by the kidney-shaped pool, surrounded by subtropical gardens, and savour a specialty cocktail while your kids hit the nature-inspired playground. When you’re refreshed and ready to venture out, it’s only a short walk to the beach or into the heart of town.
Kick back at The Cubana in Ballina
Rewind to the golden era of travel in an affordable way at The Cubana, the newest old hotel in the peaceful coastal town of Ballina, a 30-minute drive south of Byron Bay. Here vibrant pops of colour and ‘60s-style furnishings (geometric cushions, round mirrors and neon signs) have breathed new life into the motor inn, setting the scene for a fun stay in easy reach of central Ballina. Enjoy a splash in the pool and a cocktail from the retro-caravan bar, as well as the convenience of a fully equipped kitchen for those nights you prefer to stay in. (If you loved The Cubana in Ballina, look out for its sister hotel, around a three-hour drive south in Nambucca Heads.
Find an art deco sanctuary in the Blue Mountains
Lean into the bohemian charm of Blackheath in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, with a stay at The Kyah, a ‘70s resort reimagined into a graceful 46-room boutique hotel with a chic art deco aesthetic. Furnished in a made-for-cosying-up palette of soft pink, forest green, rust-red and moody grey, it’s the ultimate retreat after an invigorating Blue Mountains ramble. Settle in for a memorable meal at on-site restaurant Blaq (also open to non-guests), where you can taste the freshness of produce plucked straight from The Kyah’s gardens as you savour the beauty, diversity and terroir of the NSW wines featured on the expertly curated wine list.
Blue Water Motel, Kingscliff Credit: Blue Water Motel
Blue Water Motel, Kingscliff
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Blue Water Motel, Kingscliff Credit: Blue Water Motel
Blue Water Motel, Kingscliff
Kyah Boutique Hotel & Blaq Restaurant + Bar, Blackheath Credit: Steven Woodburn
Kyah Boutique Hotel & Blaq Restaurant + Bar located in Blackeath located in the Blue Mountains of NSW.
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Kyah Boutique Hotel & Blaq Restaurant + Bar, Blackheath Credit: Steven Woodburn
Kyah Boutique Hotel & Blaq Restaurant + Bar located in Blackeath located in the Blue Mountains of NSW.
Uncover a ‘50s-style stay in the Shoalhaven region
Get an unexpected taste of desert chic in historic Berry, a two-hour drive south of Sydney, where a mid-century motor inn has been lovingly restored in a palette of tangerine and mustard hues that transports you straight back to the time this small motel was built. Take advantage of The Berry View’s seamless car-to-door check-in — all 13 rooms have Smart-Lock technology — and enjoy the relaxing countryside views through the picture windows as you sink into your comfy bed after a busy day exploring Berry.
Be a kid again at The Isla in Batemans Bay
Indulge your inner child at The Isla in Batemans Bay on the South Coast, where the motel makeover features a ‘Cantina’ housing two custom vending machines dispensing everything from canned cocktails and local craft beer to microwave popcorn and toothpaste. Enjoy your drinks by the pool in the shade of a retro umbrella, or retreat to the stylish poolhouse to curl up with a good book on a rainy day. After a day at the beach, enjoy a blissful rain shower in your contemporary room fused with retro design staples like oak and terrazzo, before flopping onto a king-size bed.
Drive into a mid-century dream in the Murray
It’s hard to resist the allure of the retro neon sign marking the entrance to the Astor Hotel Motel, just off the Hume Highway in the Murray region hub of Albury. Fresh from a full-colour facelift of its façades, this ‘60s motel is more inviting than ever. While a renovation of its 45 comfortable guestrooms is still in the works, weary travellers will be delighted to discover that the bar, bistro, coffee cart and beer garden have all had a mid-century makeover. Order some Southern fried chicken and pretend you’re on Route 66.
The Isla, Batemans Bay Credit: Destination NSW
Fresh from a designer renovation, The Isla in Batemans Bay is a boutique motel fused with a modern take on 1980s aesthetics like oak and terrazzo. All rooms offer luxury king-size beds, LEIF organic bath products and a fully stocked kitchenette, while the Grand Suite adds extra luxe with a private plunge pool and ocean views.
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The Isla, Batemans Bay Credit: Destination NSW
Fresh from a designer renovation, The Isla in Batemans Bay is a boutique motel fused with a modern take on 1980s aesthetics like oak and terrazzo. All rooms offer luxury king-size beds, LEIF organic bath products and a fully stocked kitchenette, while the Grand Suite adds extra luxe with a private plunge pool and ocean views.
The Isla, Batemans Bay Credit: Destination NSW
Fresh from a designer renovation, The Isla in Batemans Bay is a boutique motel fused with a modern take on 1980s aesthetics like oak and terrazzo. All rooms offer luxury king-size beds, LEIF organic bath products and a fully stocked kitchenette, while the Grand Suite adds extra luxe with a private plunge pool and ocean views.
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The Isla, Batemans Bay Credit: Destination NSW
Fresh from a designer renovation, The Isla in Batemans Bay is a boutique motel fused with a modern take on 1980s aesthetics like oak and terrazzo. All rooms offer luxury king-size beds, LEIF organic bath products and a fully stocked kitchenette, while the Grand Suite adds extra luxe with a private plunge pool and ocean views.
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