It is a busy time of the year for the travel industry with new attractions and big plans. Travel editor Winsor Dobbin looks at a few options.
Central Coast goes international
The Central Coast is a favourite getaway destination for many inner west residents and is home to boutique favourites like Bells at Kilcare and Kim’s Beachside Retreat at Toowoon Bay.
Now Gosford is to get an international hotel as part of a new development project. IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced the signing of the seventh voco hotel in Australasia, partnering with leading Sydney developer ALAND to open voco Gosford in early 2025.
The new voco Gosford will form part of Archibald by ALAND, a mixed-use development precinct overlooking Brisbane Water.
Named after Archibald Acheson, the second Earl of Gosford, the development will cover 5,656sqm and will include 320 residential apartments, the 130-room lifestyle hotel, a portfolio of hospitality venues and an outdoor pool with swim-up bar.
The hotel will feature guest rooms of up to 41sqm and executive suites of up to 54sqm. Guests will enjoy views over the Central Coast, a street level pub and pizzeria, a rooftop sky bar and lounge on level 28, a signature restaurant under celebrity chef Dany Karam (former executive chef at Black Bar and Grill in Pyrmont), a wellness centre, and conference and events facilities.
“This is an incredibly exciting development, and we are delighted to be part of a project that will transform the city of Gosford into a new lifestyle destination,” said Cameron Burke, IHG Hotels & Resorts’ Director of Development for Australasia & Pacific.
“I have no doubt the addition of voco to the city will help drive tourism across the region, and the adjacent hospitality amenity is sure to be a popular driver of patronage.”
IHG is currently enjoying its largest ever period of growth in Australasia, with a significant number of new openings under its InterContinental, Kimpton, voco, Crowne Plaza and Hotel Indigo brands.
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Lakeside lifestyle
Looking for a day trip destination from Sydney? How about heading for Belmont on Lake Macquarie
and a meal at Martha, a new eatery at Belmont 16s Sailing Club?
The new 120-seat venue recently opened its doors and features a restaurant, bar area, and outdoor terrace with views across the lake.
The facilities have undergone a $20 million transformation.
Newly appointed Martha chef Tyler Rolfe says he is serving a Mediterranean-inspired menu that is centred around the restaurant’s state-of-the-art European Mibrasa ovens that impart smoky flavours from cooking over high temperatures and hot coals.
Entree highlights include cast-iron cooked halloumi with pickled cumquat and honey drizzle; char-grilled split prawns with Pukara Estate lemon and dill olive oil; and coal-roast cooled beet carpaccio with pistachio, tahini, goat feta, cranberry and toasted buckwheat.
Among the mains are market fish with charred asparagus, heirloom tomato and piccata; La Brasa marinated chicken with freekeh and pomegranate salad; charcoal-roast Riverina lamb rack with heirloom tomatoes, mint quinoa tabouleh and labneh; and a Great Southern Pinnacle Black Angus pasture-fed Scotch steak.
The drinks list showcases a mix of classic and playful signature cocktails named ‘Martha & Friends.’ with distinctive names like Mabel, Josephine, Madge, Elanor, and Gloria. The wine list heroes producers from the Hunter Valley alongside a selection of Australian and European producers.
“Martha is set to be an incredible new dining destination on Lake Macquarie for locals and visitors to the region,” says food and beverage manager Joel Simmons.
“Our front and back of house team are a bunch of seasoned hospitality professionals that are passionate about great service, food, and drinks, and we are all very excited to welcome our first guests to the venue.”
Martha is open for lunch and dinner Thursday to Sunday 12pm-3pm & 5pm-10pm. See www.marthadrinkanddine.com.au
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Tasmanian treat
Mount Field National Park is one of Tasmania’s most exquisite destinations.
It is also one of the best-kept secrets on the island state despite being located less than an hour from the capital city of Hobart, an increasingly popular short break destination.
Visit midweek and you can have exquisite rainforest walks and views of spectacular waterfalls virtually to yourself.
While tourists flock to Freycinet National Park on the east coast and the Cradle Mountain National Park in the north-west, the many charms of Mount Field remain largely undiscovered.
With its several spectacular waterfalls, and abundant wildlife, a short walk through stands of some of the world’s tallest hardwood trees and Tasmanian eucalypt rainforests leads to spectacular three-tiered Russell Falls.
There are few spots on the planet where the air is so fresh and clean and the area has been protected for its natural beauty since 1885, when it was set aside as Tasmania’s first nature reserve. Mount Field National Park was founded in 1916, making it one of Tasmania’s oldest national parks.
Mount Field is part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area so there is no accommodation inside the park, but just outside the gates you’ll find the beginnings of an exciting new accommodation project.
The first stage of Mt Field Retreat opened a few weeks ago with a collection of comfortable self-contained pods.
The complex is the work of Greg and Rachel Power and their children, who also operate Waterfalls Café and Gallery in the national park visitor centre.
There will eventually be 12 pods, a
conference and training centre and seven luxury villas as part of the complex,
which is a terrific base from which to explore the Derwent Valley and further
afield.
The pods are all impressively decked out with a king-size bed and plush sofa
bed, kitchenette with stove top and dishwasher, and a shower that delivers
plenty of hot water.
There are numerous power points and USB slots and some colourful artworks on
the wall. There are also TVs in both the lounge and bedroom, along with
Netflix.
Make sure you bring enough food with you. The nearest supermarket is a fair drive away and the local pub only serves dinner from Friday nights onwards. You can, however, grab breakfast and lunch just a short stroll away at Waterfalls café.
The National Park Hotel, also within walking distance of the pods, is a classic Australian country pub with friendly locals, a pool table and picnic area.
Canoeing, trekking, and cycling options are right on your doorstep and guests might spot a platypus in the Tyenna River, or endangered Eastern quolls scurrying through the undergrowth. You are a long way from Parramatta Road.
Rates range from $250-$303 a night and in winter the slopes of the Mount Mawson ski field are just a short drive away. Book direct for the cheapest rate at https://mtfieldretreat.com.au/
See more of Winsor’s travel stories at www.gourmetontheroad.com