The best boutique stays on the Central Coast

Soak up some seriously serene Central Coast bliss with our top pick of boutique hotels.

From Terrigal, Avoca, Copacabana and Macmasters Beach to Bateau Bay, The Entrance, Ettalong, Umina, Patonga and Killcare – you’ll need more than a few days to explore the vast beauty of the Central Coast.

As more cotton on to the unique offering of the region, holidaymakers must be organised well in advance if they plan to travel during the high season – which, let’s be honest, is most of the time these days. We’ve done the work for you and scoped out some of the town’s most eligible luxury accommodations below, or you can also check out our comprehensive guide to Central Coast accommodation for everything from camping stays to luxury hotels and resorts.

Bells at Killcare Boutique Hotel, Restaurant & Spa

Killcare is situated on the Bouddi Peninsula, marking the start of the Central Coast. You’ll find Bells at Killcare housed atop its cliff sides, with dramatic views of the Pacific Ocean.

The luxury five-star cottages, suites and villas provide much by way of Hampton’s design and opulence. Washed-back blues, bleached linens, driftwood walls and wide-striped awnings will remind you of summer’s past. Ralph Lauren furnishings are scattered throughout, perfect for sitting among lush native landscapes to a soundtrack of the local kookaburras.

And while the rooms at Bells make it worthy of a stay, the accolades of the restaurant make it a day-trip dining destination all on its own. Wild Flower Bar and Dining showcases a menu inspired by sun-drenched destinations like the Mediterranean and Morocco. Seafood from local waterways is served up in a bistro-style space, surrounded by Kate Swinton wallpaper and screen-print cushions.

Bells at Kilcare — Bells at Killcare’s luxury five-star cottages, suites and villas provide much by way of Hampton’s design and opulence.

Kims Beachside Retreat

Totally secluded on the sands of Toowoon Bay, relaxation is at the top of the to-do list at Kim’s Beachside Retreat .

Each of the 34 adults-only bungalows and villas is fully equipped, perched metres from the beach and shaded by ancient Norfolk Island pines. There is a forest filled with palms and tropical greenery, plus a stunning symphony of Whip birds, Lorikeets and Honey Eaters singing a morning chorus.

Choose between views of the beach or garden and indulge in the clean, luxurious amenities of your room. There are heated Jacuzzi, indoor spa baths or private swimming pools on offer, as well as a smart cocktail bar, a prime beachfront location, great food and on-site massages.

Kims Beachside Retreat — Stay in total seclusion on the sands of Toowoon Bay at Kim’s Beachside Retreat.

Pretty Beach House

It’s one of NSW’s most luxurious stays and certainly worth every penny. Also housed within the beauty of Bouddi National Park, Pretty Beach House has been living up to its name since its opening in 2015. A string of awards and accolades followed its inception, including being named in the Conde Nast Gold List and Hot Hotels of the World.

Rustic in charm and build, PBH blends effortlessly within its coastal bush surrounds. It is constructed from decommissioned railway timber pylons, handcrafted in 1883, locally sourced mud bricks, and artisan-cut sandstone, with the inclusion of brass and copper features throughout.

An off-grid blacksmith from the Blue Mountains made the bar, and original artworks by Arthur Boyd, Sidney Nolan and John Olsen don the walls. For furnishings, earthy tones are scattered throughout, as well as bedding made from hand-loomed luxurious Italian Busatti linen.

Bouddi National Park is the land of the Darkinjung people and is home to around 100 ancient indigenous artworks, three of which are located on the hotel property.

The historical artworks are between 8000 and 10,000 years old and are proudly shown and explained to guests every evening during a special Welcome to Country smoking ceremony led by a local Aboriginal elder around the outdoor fire.

Pretty Beach House is one of NSW’s most luxurious stays.

Escala Luxury Suites

Open the French doors, step out onto a private garden and enjoy the fresh country air at Escala Luxury Suites.

Located among the rolling hinterland hills of the Central Coast, this is the perfect getaway for those who appreciate a little inland beauty. The two self-contained suites are surrounded by a breathtaking valley, packed to the rafters with bird life and native fauna.

A private driveway lined with Murraya hedges leads to your front door. Inside you’d be forgiven for thinking you had stepped into a French postcard. Provincially upholstered dining tables match the floor-to-ceiling curtains, and a king bed accommodates a maximum of two people.

Both suites are identical and have an ensuite bathroom with bathrobes, slippers, a hair dryer and Roberto Cavalli amenities. The open room interior includes a kitchenette, dining and lounge area, an air conditioning system, Wi-Fi, Netflix and an iPod-docking station.

Privacy is the priority here. Guests have access to the whole property, which boasts a private outdoor swimming pool, heated spa, expansive garden, sunbeds and a parking space.

Enjoy the fresh country air at Escala Luxury Suites.

Boathouse Hotel Patonga

The local pub at the cute coastal hideaway of Patonga has a new lease of life. Guests are now invited to drink downstairs and sleep upstairs at the Boathouse Hotel and neighbouring cottage.

Former owners Andrew Goldsmith and Pip Robb opened in sleepy Patonga at the end of 2018 and added rooms the following year, complete with the blue-white and driftwood aesthetic. The wooden ferry can bring you here from its Palm Beach sister, transporting the famed nautical vibes with it.

The offering includes three apartments above the hotel, idyllic for couples, families and groups. There are kitchenettes and balconies, as well as white-shuttered windows and low swing seats with views toward the pier. White-tiled bathrooms are stocked with L’Occitane products.

Next door, the similarly-decorated Patonga Cottage accommodates up to 10 guests. Bi-fold doors open to a large timber deck, outdoor kitchen, fire pit and swimming pool. Downstairs, the Boathouse serves as the ‘hotel’ restaurant, bar and kiosk. And on Mondays and Tuesdays, when the restaurant is closed for dinner, staff can arrange wine and cold seafood platter to be sent to your room.

Beach House Patonga — Boathouse Hotel Patonga is idyllic for couples, families and groups.

The heavens take centre stage at this Outback NSW glamping lodge.

Crane your neck. Look up. If it’s nighttime in a major Australian city, you might see a faint dusting of stars. Now imagine yourself out in the bush. Here, those stars aren’t just scattered dots – instead, they’re smudged across the sky in endless, glittering streaks. Welcome to Wilderluxe Lake Keepit , a new glamping lodge in one of the most picturesque corners of outback NSW.

Between its eight stargazing tents, Gilay Guest Lounge, and shared tales of the Dreamtime night sky, this retreat is designed to exist in harmony with the breathtaking lake and surrounding landscape. Intrigued? Here’s everything you need to know.

Bathed in warm light, a couple watches the sun dip beyond the horizon. — Watch the sky melt into magic at Wilderluxe.

Getting to Wilderluxe Lake Keepit

Wilderluxe Lake Keepit is in the NSW Northern Tablelands, bordered by the Great Dividing Range. The lake itself is hard to miss: this mammoth body of water is two-thirds the size of Sydney Harbour.

Just 40 minutes from Tamworth and close to Gunnedah, it’s on the inland route between Sydney and Byron Bay. Drive or take one of the daily flights to Tamworth’s airport.

Aerial view of Wilderluxe. — Let vast waters and towering ranges set the scene for your escape.

Wilderluxe Lake Keepit rooms

Don’t settle for a paltry room when you can sleep directly under the cosmos. Wilderluxe offers eight domed ‘Star Tents’ , all named after Aboriginal sky stories – like Djirri Djirri, the sacred messenger bird, Baiame, the Sky Father and great creator, and Dhinawan, the Emu in the Sky constellation.

On a clear night, use your tent’s retractable roof for gazing above or wander to the outdoor bathtub on your private deck to soak under the night sky. No need to go anywhere. You can stay put come evening with a kitchenette inside and a gas barbecue on the deck.

A couple gazes up at a sky ablaze with stars at Wilderluxe. — Sleep beneath the stars.

Style and character

When it comes to aesthetics, Wilderluxe Lake Keepit stays on trend. The encampment blends with its surroundings, building up layers of minimalist visuals that mirror the ever-changing curves of the water.

Earthy tones, natural materials and timber finishes also anchor the retreat in its bushland surrounds. It’s enough to deepen the sense of calm you’ll experience as you drive off-grid, and this is only heightened as you spot kangaroos grazing at dawn or hear the chatter of native birds by the lake.

The dreamy sunset at Wilderluxe. — Go off-grid in style at Wilderluxe Lake Keepit.

Wilderluxe Lake Keepit dining

‘Dinner and a show’ hits differently with the property’s Big Sky dinner experience . Hosted in the Gilay Lounge, enjoy complimentary drinks and a grazing table with the host, followed by a screening of Big Sky Dreaming, a film produced exclusively for Wilderluxe guests in which Kamilaroi storyteller Uncle Len Waters narrates tales of the Dreaming above.

Once your imagination has been fed, it’s time to take a seat fireside for a glass of Australian port and a serving of s’mores.

Keen to explore the wider area? Staff can provide barbecue and picnic hampers, stuffed with regional meats, cheeses and organic local fare.

Wilderluxe Lake Keepit facilities

While you could very well spend all your time in your tent, sometimes it’s time to hit pause on the celestial show. Instead, make your way up to the Gilay Guest Lounge, where you can relax on the deck overlooking the lake or the outdoor fire pits. It’s a great way to unwind and clink glasses with other stargazers.

The Gilay Lounge with the view of the lake. — Unwind by the fire and raise a glass at Gilay Lounge.

Wilderluxe Lake Keepit experiences

No need to turn nocturnal; when the sun rises, there are still plenty of ways to touch the sky.

Lake Keepit hosted the 2020 Women’s World Gliding Championships, and it’s one of the best places in Australia to stretch your wings. The local Soaring Club operates year-round, meaning you can book a gliding experience any day of the year – or opt for a scenic flight to take in the vast beauty from above.

Prefer to keep your feet on solid ground? There are plenty of walking and cycling trails in and around the area. Luckily, bikes are part of the Wilderluxe package. All you have to do is ask a staff member for their favourite route, throw a picnic onto the back and cycle off into the great beyond.

Alternatively, nab a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) or kayak and head out onto the lake. Or, if you’re feeling lucky, borrow a fishing rod and try your chances.

A person kayaking through serene waters. — Paddle into peace.

The details

A two-night minimum twin-share accommodation package includes Big Sky dinner and drinks experience, plus daily continental breakfast. As well as access to leisure equipment including mountain bikes, kayaks, SUPs and fishing gear.

The interiors of the glamping tent. — Let nature restore you, while luxury takes care of the rest.

Start planning your outback glamping adventure at wilderluxe.com.au.

The best luxury accommodation on the Central Coast