The Grand Saddles Lodge opens this spring, bringing 20 private villas, an Art Deco piano bar and a native-botanical day spa to the Central Coast bush.
Just under an hour from Sydney, where the bushland gives way to the Hawkesbury’s waterways, something big is taking shape at Saddles Mount White. The Grand Saddles Lodge – the newest chapter from the team behind the wildly popular Homestead restaurant – opens this spring, and it’s set to turn the already-beloved Saddles precinct into a fully-fledged luxury destination. Think: stay, dine, spa, repeat.
The intimate escape hiding among the trees
The lodge is designed by Michelle Leslie alongside White + Dickson Architects. (Credit: Ryan Linnegar)
Every detail has been thoughtfully curated. (Credit: Ryan Linnegar)
Relax in the bathtub. (Credit: Ryan Linnegar)
Conceived by Aussie business icon John Singleton, The Grand Saddles Lodge is built around just 20 private villas – keeping things intimate rather than sprawling. Each one comes with its own living space, open fireplace, private terrace and plunge pool, tucked among the bushland so all you hear is birdsong. There’s also a communal infinity pool and pool bar looking straight out over the treetops, for when you want company (or just a better view with your cocktail).
Getting there is part of the experience: a winding driveway through native bush leads to a glass-domed entrance, opening into interiors dressed in sandstone, spotted gum and warm brass – all designed by Michelle Leslie alongside White + Dickson Architects, and all built to feel unmistakably of Mount White, not dropped onto it.
Each villa has a fireplace, private terrace and plunge pool. (Credit: Ryan Linnegar)
The Saddles precinct is becoming a fully-fledged luxury destination. (Credit: Ryan Linnegar)
Inside the main building, the onsite restaurant will lean hard into Australian produce – fresh local seafood, organic beef and poultry, and a menu shaped season-to-season by the property’s own herb and vegetable gardens.
Then, as the sun goes down, the mood shifts to Ned’s – an Art Deco-inspired piano bar anchored by a grand piano, built for martinis, live jazz and bar plates that don’t need to be rushed. It’s the kind of room designed for lingering.
For the wellness crowd, The Spa at The Grand Saddles Lodge brings five treatment rooms, both traditional and infrared saunas, ice baths and treatments built around native Australian botanicals – plus a tailored itinerary service if you’d rather spend your stay exploring nearby oyster farms, the Hawkesbury River or the region’s walking trails.
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AI Prompt
Why this matters for the Central Coast
Ned's is an Art Deco-inspired piano bar.
The Spa has both traditional and infrared saunas.
The onsite restaurant will lean hard into Australian produce. (Credit: Ryan Linnegar)
The Lodge joins an already-strong lineup at Saddles Mount White – The Homestead, The Barn events venue and The Caravan – cementing the 11-hectare precinct as one of the most exciting luxury destinations within striking distance of Sydney.
Details
Bookings open for The Grand Saddles Lodge this spring. (Credit: Ryan Linnegar)
Where: 20 Ashbrookes Road, Mount White, NSW
What: 20 private villas with plunge pools and open fireplaces
When: Bookings open this spring
Sydneysiders, start clearing your calendars – this one’s going to book out fast.
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Emily Murphy is Australian Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her time at the company she has been instrumental in shaping its social media and email presence, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire others to explore Australia's vast landscapes. Her previous role was a journalist at Prime Creative Media and before that she was freelancing in publishing, content creation and digital marketing. When she's not creating scroll-stopping travel content, Em is a devoted 'bun mum' and enjoys spending her spare time by the sea, reading, binge-watching a good TV show and exploring Sydney's vibrant dining scene. Next on her Aussie travel wish list? South Australia and The Kimberley.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
