Australian Traveller competition terms and conditions

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General terms and conditions of entry for Australian Traveller Media competitions and giveaways.
  1. Instructions on how to enter and prize information forms part of these Terms and Conditions. Participation in any competition is deemed as acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.
  2. The promoter is Australian Traveller Media Pty Ltd (A.B.N. 29 113 975 438). of Suite 101, 15 Belvoir Street, Surry Hills NSW 2011 (Promoter).
  3. Competitions are games of skill and as such, winning entries are selected based on the creativity or accuracy of entries submitted.
  4. Entry is open to residents of Australia aged eighteen years or over only. Employees of the Promoter and their immediate families, suppliers, associated companies and agencies are ineligible to enter. Persons under the age of 18 years are not considered adults and therefore are not able to enter. If a winner is discovered to be under 18, they will automatically be disqualified.
  5. Promotion commences and closes on the dates shown. Only the winner(s) will be notified by email and must respond within 48 hours or the prize may be reallocated. Reallocation will be based on remaining competition entrants.
  6. Australian Traveller Media reserves the right to share entry data with the prize promoter. On the occasion that this occurs, Australian Traveller Media will clearly specify this for privacy reasons.
  7. To enter, entrants must follow the entry instructions and answer all competition questions. Entries must be received by 11.59pm on the closing date. Incomplete or automated entries will be disqualified. Multiple entries from the same IP address, same email address or from automated competition entry services are invalid.
  8. One entry per person and per household. Multiple entries from the same person or same household will be disqualified.
  9. The promoter’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
  10. Prize is not transferable or exchangeable and cannot be taken as cash. No responsibility is accepted for any variation in the value of the prize. If the prize includes travel and accommodation it is the responsibility of the winner to liaise with the prize provider if cancellations or changes are made by the provider. The Promoter cannot take responsibility for cancellations to bookings. Transport to and from an event and all other ancillary costs are the responsibility of the winner.
  11. All competition entrants must reside in Australia. Winners entering from outside Australia will be disqualified.
  12. The Promoter reserves the right to, at any time, verify an entry or entrant and disqualify an entrant the Promoter has reason to believe has submitted an entry not in accordance with these Terms and Conditions.
  13. All entries in the competition become the property of the Promoter. The Promoter collects personal information from entrants to conduct the competition and may, in the course of business, disclose the personal information to third parties, as required. Entry in this competition is conditional on provision of the personal information requested. Entries may be entered into a database and the Promoter may use the entrants’ names and addresses for future promotional, marketing and publicity in various forms by the Promoter, and the entrant consents to such use. Entrants may direct any request to access their personal information to the Promoter. Additionally, all literary works submitted as part of an entry become the property of the Promoter and it is a condition of entry that those literary works may be used by the Promoter for their own promotional, marketing and publicity purposes without restriction. The promoter may share the entry details with the prize provider.
  14. The Promoter reserves the right to modify, suspend or terminate the competition without notice.
  15. The Promoter is not liable for any loss (including loss of opportunity) or damage (including, but not limited to, direct, indirect or inconsequential loss) or personal injury in relation to this competition or the use of, or participation in, the prize.
  16. Terms and conditions of any prize tickets must be adhered to. Some events have age restrictions and these must also be adhered to.
  17. Prizes can only be sent to addresses in Australia and any tickets are only valid in or from Australia.
  18. These Terms & Conditions will bind this and any future entry by you into a competition on an Australian Traveller Media site and may be updated from time to time.

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How to spend a restorative weekend on the Central Coast

Leave the frenetic pace of city life behind for a weekend of relaxation and entertainment on the Central Coast.

Home to more than 40 idyllic beaches, an eco-certified wilderness and a burgeoning hospitality scene, the Central Coast is a favoured holiday destination for good reason. Located just 90 minutes north of Sydney, you can easily enjoy a day trip here. But with so much to offer, this coastal haven deserves at least a weekend of your time – especially when a stay at Encore by Mingara makes lingering so effortless.

Here’s how to spend a memorable weekend on the Central Coast discovering its best offerings.

Day 1

Afternoon

Modern, comfortable room interiors at Encore by Mingara, designed for a restful stay on the Central Coast.
Savour a slow morning before heading home.

Holiday mode can be switched on as soon as you check into Encore by Mingara, a centrally located boutique hotel in Tumbi Umbi. Loved for its sleek rooms, diverse offerings and unbeatable location, in 2026 the property even received the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award. Taking cues from its coastal surrounds, the hotel’s design is luxurious yet welcoming. A sophisticated palette of ocean blues, ochre and sand tones is complemented by light joinery and punctuated by abstract artworks by the hotel’s artist in residence, Sarah Isbel Hill.

As the hotel is conveniently found in the Mingara Destination Precinct, you can spend a leisurely afternoon exploring the property’s impressive offerings. Energise the body at Mingara Recreation Club – complete with a world-class gym and Olympic-sized swimming pool – or pop into one of many restaurants or bars. You can also grab a wine from the bottle shop to imbibe in the comfort of your luxurious Harmony or Bravo suite; these generously sized rooms feature plush king beds, separate lounge spaces and dedicated working areas.

Evening

couple dining inside restaurant at encore by mingara
Treat yourself to an evening of great food and cocktails.

There’s no need to venture out when your hotel gives you access to fantastic dining options. Allow plenty of time to savour the culinary dishes at modern Australian restaurant, Hadley’s. Helmed by chef Peter Streckfuss, the relaxed eatery’s menu spans rib-sticking bites such as wood-fired pizzas and chicken parmigiana through to premium meats and fresh seafood. Pair them with the solid line-up of Australian and international wines.

Mosey over to Hadley’s Bar for a post-dinner nightcap. The stylish cocktail lounge’s mixologists shake up masterful tipples using the bar’s extensive spirit collection, as well as pouring local craft beers and fine wines.   

Day 2

Morning

Waterfall along the Girrakool Loop Track, at the Brisbane Water National Park, on the Central Coast.
Explore the Central Coast’s great outdoors. (Image: Destination NSW)

With so much happening onsite, it’s tempting to stay put, but early birds can start their day by catching the sunrise at nearby Toowoon Bay, where a vivid display of warm tones is reflected in the calm waters.

Back at Mingara Recreation Club, top up your caffeine levels and try treats including scrolls, cakes, scones and tarts at The Roasted Berry. Or settle in for smashed avo or a mushroom bruschetta.

Fuelled and ready to go, spend some time exploring the Central Coast’s natural beauty. The region is a playground for outdoor lovers who can discover the Brisbane Water National Park, a haven for hiking, cycling and fishing. The 12,000-hectare reserve features stunning waterfalls, including the three-tiered Somersby Falls, and vantage points such as the Staples Lookout, which offers panoramic vistas of Brisbane Water and Woy Woy Bay.

Afternoon

Friends enjoying a tour through Distillery Botanica, Erina.
Sip the flavours of Distillery Botanica. (Image: Destination NSW)

A well-deserved lunch in the garden at Distillery Botanica awaits just a 20-minute drive away. The brainchild of herbalist and master distiller Philip Moore, this innovative distillery is found in a lush landscape and produces a range of botanically infused craft spirits. Tuck into bruschetta, toasted sandwiches and charcuterie boards, paired with standout concoctions like the Framboise Martini with Botanica Vodka or Botanica Raspberry Liqueur, vanilla, lime and pineapple.

Evening

Head back to Encore by Mingara to freshen up for dinner at the onsite restaurant, Ming Dragon. The Chinese eatery offers a traditional yum cha experience with succulent favourites such as sweet and sour pork and steamed prawn dumplings.

End the night on a high note with entertainment at Mingara Recreation Club. The jam-packed schedule includes live music, major touring acts and big-name tribute band performances, such as Live Baby Live: The INXS Tribute Show.

Morning

Breakfast at The Roasted Berry encore by mingara
Enjoy breakfast at The Roasted Berry.

The dreamy rooms at Encore by Mingara make sleeping in a little too easy, so take the morning at your own pace with a lie-in and a final swim or a yoga or pilates class. Amble down to The Roasted Berry for another delicious breakfast before your departure.

Afternoon

Guest examining a freshly farmed pearl on a tour of the Broken Bay Pearl Farm, Mooney Mooney.
End your escape with a pearl farm visit. (Image: Destination NSW)

Another highlight of the Central Coast is the Broken Bay Pearl Farm on the Lower Hawkesbury River, a must-visit on your way home. Head to their ‘shellar door’ and join a tour out on the water, where you’ll discover their working oyster leases and indulge in the freshest Australian Akoya, Angasi and Sydney rock oysters. You’ll also get to witness a live pearl harvest and learn the fine art of pearl grading. Those with an appetite can also enjoy a gourmet grazing lunch while soaking up scenic river views. Commemorate the weekend with an elegant pearl memento from the farm’s shop.

Start planning a Central Coast weekend at your own pace at encorebymingara.com.au.

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