Crowne Plaza Terrigal: The perfect seaside escape

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Crowne Plaza Terrigal offers a family-friendly beachside escape in perfect style. Here’s everything to know before you book your stay.

Terrigal is the perfect setting for a laid-back flop-and-drop getaway. The beach is long, the waves are gentle, the stores are cute and the food offerings are plentiful. Right in the middle of the action, sits the striking, 4.5-star Crowne Plaza Terrigal. Its understated elegance embraces and elevates the relaxed beachside feel, and the staff welcomes guests with warm and genuine smiles.

Perfect for families looking for some bonding time (and plenty of activities to keep young ones occupied), couples looking for a romantic getaway, or groups of friends wanting to hit the bars.

bedroom view at Crowne Plaza Terrigal
Inside or out, the view is unbeatable. (Image: Ryan Linnegar)

Location

The location of Crowne Plaza Terrigal really is its shining star. Right next to the heart of Terrigal on New South Wales’ Central Coast, you can barely even call the few steps it takes to reach the beach, or the many restaurants and cafes of this suburb, a walk. Not that you can’t turn it into a beautiful coastal walk if you choose to walk further on to the famous Skillion cliff in one direction, or along the water to Wamberal on the other.

aerial shot of Crowne plaza terrigal beach
Flop-and-drop with a Crowne Plaza Terrigal getaway.

As for Terrigal itself, just a 90-minute drive from Sydney, it’s a suburb that has really been booming in recent years. It’s become one of the happening places to visit on the Coast for seaside dining and/or drinks. You’ll find options that are as casual or as fine dining as you wish your occasion to be with pubs and cafes right next to bars and restaurants.

The beach here tends to be a calmer one, making it good for swimming. Plus there’s an ocean pool and heaps of rocks at the end of the sand for kids to play around.

view from inside a wave on terrigal beach
Take a dive into the calm waters of Terrigal Beach. (Image: Destination Central Coast)

Style and character

Elevated but easy, breezy beach vibes are definitely the order of the day here. With bright, crisp whites trimmed with marble, gold and wood. Crowne Plaza Terrigal has been a local icon for decades, but it still feels fresh and modern, especially once you step inside. The lobby feels quite grand, with a central spiral staircase and a very high roof.

We’ve caught them on a very busy weekend, the first weekend that really feels like summer. So service is a little on the slow side. Despite that, it’s also some of the friendliest service you’ll ever experience.

pacific king room at Crowne Plaza Terrigal
Relax into a colour scheme accentuating breezy beach vibes.

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Facilities

The pool here is amazing, especially for anyone who has ever wished to swim at the beach without dealing with all the sand. It looks out to the ocean and is just elevated enough that you can’t see the

There’s a gym, multiple in-house restaurants, a kids play room and special school holiday kids programs.

pool at Crowne Plaza Terrigal
Watch the beach as you relax by the hotel pool. (Image: Ryan Linnegar)

Rooms

Crowne Plaza Terrigal has 199 guest rooms and suites, all with balconies overlooking the outdoor heated swimming pool and outwards to the beach.

We stayed in the large Pacific Suite, complete with a king-sized bedroom, entrance hall, spacious dining and lounge room and a large wrap-around balcony, perfect for catching the sunrise in the morning and enjoying sundowners in the afternoon. The bathroom alone is the size of a small Sydney studio. It screams minimalist elegance, with wide floor-to-ceiling windows to make the most of the panoramic view and the light.

living room in the pacific king suit Crowne Plaza Terrigal
Spread out in the Pacific Suite.

Food and drink

There are several restaurant and in-room dining options here. Meribella is the upscale offering, with a charming bar attached for a pre-dinner cocktail and a curated degustation menu available. If you do book, add the wine pairing – the passionate sommelier makes it fun and keeps the wine selection unique and interesting. In the morning, Meribella becomes the sight of a buffet breakfast for guests.

meribella dishes at Crowne Plaza Terrigal
Feast on a tasty, curated degustation menu. (Image: Kitti Gould)

Downstairs, Terrigal Beach House offers a fun and funky pub with great views. Perfect for a drink or pub grub. If you don’t want to leave the comfort of your room, there’s an extensive in-room dining menu, or wander down to the pool and order a poolside menu at The Deck.

To be completely honest, the food is absolutely top-notch, but the service was incredibly slow at every venue and even when ordering in-room dining ahead of time. The good news is, that you’re right next door to Terrigal’s incredibly diverse food offerings and range of bars to suit your vibe – whether you’re ordering a pizza to take back to your room or enjoying a modern fine dining experience.

Terrigal Beach House
Enjoy a more relaxed setting at Terrigal Beach House.

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Does Crowne Plaza Sydney have access for guests with disabilities?

All Crowne Plaza Sydney levels are accessed via a lift, making rooms and restaurants easily accessible.

Is Crowne Plaza Sydney family-friendly?

Absolutely. Families with young kids won’t be alone among the guests here. The pool area includes a smaller paddle pool, there’s a kid’s playroom with games like foosball and special school holiday kids programs. Rooms are spacious with plenty of room for families, and the breakfast buffet caters to even fussy eaters.

Details

Address: Pine Tree Ln, Terrigal NSW

Best for: Families and couples

Price: From $260

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Kassia Byrnes
Kassia Byrnes is the Native Content Editor for Australian Traveller and International Traveller. She's come a long way since writing in her diary about family trips to Grandma's. After graduating a BA of Communication from University of Technology Sydney, she has been writing about her travels (and more) professionally for over 10 years for titles like AWOL, News.com.au, Pedestrian.TV, Body + Soul and Punkee. She's addicted to travel but has a terrible sense of direction, so you can usually find her getting lost somewhere new around the world. Luckily, she loves to explore and have new adventures – whether that’s exploring the backstreets, bungee jumping off a bridge or hiking for days. You can follow her adventures on Instagram @probably_kassia.
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After dark: 6 experiences along the Murray lighting up the night

(Credit: Serena Munro)

    Gemma Kaczerepa Gemma Kaczerepa
    See the Murray region in an entirely different light by exploring its night-time experiences and attractions.

    By day, the mighty Murray River is a majestic and ever-changing sight, with river red gums and wetlands stretching along 2500 kilometres. But by night, its cities, towns, villages and landscapes totally transform.

    From Albury Wodonga to Mildura, and everywhere in between, you’ll be in for a multi-sensory and memorable treat encompassing mesmerising light shows, guided ghost tours and vibrant celebrations that capture the nocturnal magic of the river.

    This is no ordinary nighttime adventure; the region becomes an entirely different world when the sun sets. Discover six must-do activities along the Murray that can only be enjoyed after dark.

    1. Share in ghostly tales

    Port After Dark tour Murray at night
    Hold on to your nerve when learning local ghost stories. (Credit: Campaspe Shire Council)

    If you’re up for something a little more spine-tingling, Port After Dark in Echuca is your best bet. Rumour has it that the Port of Echuca Wharf and the buildings around it have long been home to lingering ghosts and mysterious events – like the vengeful woman said to haunt an old tramway bridge and spirits searching for stolen money through the town centre.

    You can hear all about them on this guided lantern tour, which takes place on Wednesday and Saturday nights after dark. The stories are atmospheric and intriguing – you may even spot a ghost or two yourself. If you’d like a more intimate experience, private tours are also available to groups of 15 or more.

    2. Wander art installations

    Bruce Munroe's Fibre Optic Symphoinic Orchestra Murray at night
    See Bruce Munro’s immersive art installation. (Credit: Serena Munro)

    Right near the Perry Sandhills, sits an experience that feels almost otherworldly. Artist Bruce Munro (of Uluru’s Field of Lights fame) has created a Fibre Optic Symphonic Orchestra, a network of 80 Hills Hoists illuminated with fibre optic light combined with the sounds of an orchestra. The clotheslines glow and pulse in time to the specially composed score, immersing you in a dreamscape of light and sound.

    For a different light experience, you’ll find stillness at Trail of Lights, also curated by Munro. Located just 30 minutes away on Lock Island in Mildura, thousands of lights stretch over the landscape, spotlighting both the river and a series of Munro’s sculptures. The trail is intended to be a peaceful and meditative setting for wandering and reflecting.

    3. Learn through lasers

    Heartbeat of the Murray at night
    Travel 30 million years into the Murray’s past at Heartbeat of the Murray. (Credit: Ewen Bell)

    Discover a fascinating history in this dual act of lights and projections on the banks of the Little Murray River. Legends of the Mallee is a multimedia show in Swan Hill combining lasers and lights, which tells the story of the region’s rich past. Learn about the Wamba Wamba and Wadi Wadi Peoples who first inhabited the area, as well as the figures and events that shaped the Mallee of today.

    The river steals the spotlight in the Heartbeat of the Murray, a multimedia spectacle inside the Pioneer Settlement encompassing lights, lasers, sound and special effects against the natural backdrop. Through a sequence of large-scale animated projections, you’ll go back 30 million years to explore the Murray River’s formation before travelling to the present to learn how it supports modern communities.

    4. Light up the lake

    Lake Mulwala Laser Light Show Murray at night
    Watch the lights and lasers of Lake Mulwala. (Credit: Mulwala Water Ski Club)

    Travelling with kids? Head to Yarrawonga Mulwala and nearby Lake Mulwala for the family-friendly Laser Light & Sound Show. Lights and lasers are projected over the lake and onto curtains of fog, creating a colourful and high-energy visual display. The show suits all ages and tastes, set to a mix of songs that everyone knows and loves.

    You can take in the spectacle from either the grassy banks of the lake or book a table at the Mulwala Water Ski Club’s Malibu Deck Cafe, serving pub-style food and refreshing drinks, including excellent classic cocktails. If you’re watching from the foreshore, the show is entirely free, making it a great budget-friendly option.

    5. Be captivated by local culture

    Bullanginya Dreaming Murray at night
    Soak in the culture of the Bangerang People. (Credit: Laser Vision)

    Set aside an evening to explore Bullanginya Dreaming in Cobram Barooga – you’ll want ample time to take in the stories and symbolism of this immersive laser light and sound trail. The 1.8-kilometre trail explores the storytelling and culture of the Bangerang People, who have long cared for the lands around Bullanginya Lagoon in Barooga. The trail features 12 activations – each telling a different story – and combines dramatic lights and lasers with water and fire.

    Intertwined with the visual displays are Bangerang narratives, giving you meaningful insight into the area’s Indigenous heritage. It’s designed to be explored over 90 or so minutes, encouraging you to move slowly and thoughtfully.

    6. Discover a winter glow

    winterglow festival
    See the streets of Albury Wodonga come to life after dark. (Credit: Visit Albury Wodonga)

    Albury Wodonga comes alive as the weather drops, with an annual celebration of the season on Saturday, 15 August. WinterGlow takes over the CBD and features a vibrant program of things to see, do, learn, eat and drink.

    Take part in hands-on workshops that let you try different art forms and crafts. Feast on street food and winter warmers from local eateries. Browse for artisan wares at the night markets. Watch musical acts on the main stage. Or get involved in different activations, including a silent disco and giant maze. Artificial snow will be falling to add to the festive atmosphere.

    Even wandering the streets and laneways and soaking up the late-night energy will leave you feeling enchanted.

    Start planning a day-to-night adventure along the Murray at visitthemurray.com.au.