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What it’s like to stay at voco Gosford, the Central Coast’s newest hotel

Megan ArkinstallBy Megan Arkinstall
For the first time in 15 years, the Central Coast has welcomed a new hotel. Here’s a first look.

Located in the central hub of Gosford, luxury hotel voco Gosford has finally opened its doors after much anticipation. Part of the $375-million Archibald Precinct – a project locals and industry folk alike have been watching closely – voco Gosford is the region’s first new hotel in 15 years. Spanning two towers, this development has transformed the skyline of Gosford and aims to kickstart the revival of this waterfront city with ample potential that has seen some great new dining venues and breweries open in recent years. The voco is Gosford’s most exciting development to date.

I checked out the new hotel, which launched with incredible fanfare in early December.

Where is voco Gosford?

the voco Gosford, Central Coast exterior
The luxury voco Gosford’s location is where the action happens.

The voco Gosford is in the heart of Gosford on the Central Coast, around an hour from Sydney and 90 minutes from Newcastle by car, and just nine minutes’ walk from Gosford railway station. The property is also a short walk from the waterfront and Polytec Stadium, home ground of the Central Coast Mariners and host to many other sporting matches and events, such as NRL games, music concerts and community events.

Within 15 minutes’ drive of the hotel, you can explore Somersby Falls, the Australian Reptile Park, and the beachside towns of Terrigal – the new Terrigal Pavilion is a must-visit – and Avoca.

What is the style and character of voco Gosford?

the lobby of voco Gosford
Warm and earthy tones set a cosy and inviting vibe.

Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts, voco Gosford is a premium property inspired by the Central Coast’s laidback but playful spirit. It hits the brief with a calming colour palette of neutrals, soft greens and blues is a nod to the coastal locale, with brassand timber fixtures adding warmth.

The hotel is a luxury offering but doesn’t feel pretentious, with friendly staff and relaxed dining venues. Nods to the local area are given throughout the hotel, including the artwork and photography (the guest room hallways feature black and white images of places around Gosford, for example).

What are the rooms and suites at voco Gosford like?

a look inside one of the suites at voco Gosford
The suites are designed with a contemporary aesthetic.

The property features 130 guest rooms, including standard rooms with a king bed, premium rooms with a king or two queen beds and a balcony, and spacious suites with a king bed and balcony. All rooms feature walk-in showers and views over the bay or city.

Our premium king room is spacious, featuring a plush king bed with a mint green fabric headboard and subtle pastel-hued artworks above. The luggage bench and bedside tables are topped with a gorgeous Terrazzo, and the mini bar is housed within a chic freestanding mint green and timber cabinet (complete with L’OR pod-coffee machine). We have a corner lounge and table for enjoying room service (I order a delicious pumpkin and haloumi salad with grilled chicken for a late lunch), a small balcony with furniture and a huge television.

Hotel bathrooms are getting more attention these days, and ours is no exception. With a gorgeous powder blue vanity, taupe-coloured walls and floor with a dark blue feature tile, a spacious walk-in shower, brass tapware and a gold-framed backlit mirror, it’s the type of bathroom you want to get glam in. The shower and basin are stocked with large refillable Apotheke products.

What facilities does voco Gosford have?

holding a chicken burger at Archies, voco Gosford
The pub-style Archies bistro features much-loved pub grub.

The hotel is located within The Archibald Precinct, the Central Coast’s newest drinking and dining destination. The Lobby Bar is a stylish spot for a coffee or a pre-dinner drink.

Up a short flight of stairs, Archies is a contemporary space that comprises a sports bar and Ironbark, a pub-style bistro. The menu features classics such as burgers and chicken parmi, as well as a selection from the grill including an exclusive dry-aged cabinet (think striploin and tomahawk). There’s plenty of seating for large groups, including comfy leather booths and a fireplace in the centre. Next door, in a cosy space, Paolo’s Pizzeria serves antipasti, handmade egg pasta and woodfired pizza.

the dining interior of Astra restaurant, voco Gosford
Astra rooftop bar is on level 28 of the hotel.

The jewel in the crown, quite literally, is Astra. Perched 28 storeys above Gosford, Astra is a sophisticated restaurant and bar that serves fire-licked Japanese-inspired fare and cocktails with a killer view of Brisbane Water. With Michelin-trained executive chef Maxime Chasseriaud at the helm, the menu includes a raw bar selection and yakitori. This elegant space is centred around a striking green marble bar and filled with blush pink velvet furniture, which matches the sunset on the evening we visit.

On Level 5, there’s a well-equipped gym (with a day spa set to open in the first half of 2026), a glittering resort-style pool with views and Saltfire Buffet, which is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Saltfire’s extensive bar backs onto the hotel pool, so you can enjoy swim-up cocktails like you’re truly on holiday. The buffet breakfast has plenty of options including hot and cold dishes (eggs, bacon, salmon, cheeses, pastries, yoghurt, moreish granola and more). Low expectations are usually kept for hotel buffet coffee – but I am delightfully surprised. A huge tick.

As far as sustainability initiatives, the hotel is single-use plastic free and there are filtered water stations on each level. Parking is available below the hotel at $35 per day.

Does voco Gosford have access for guests with disabilities?

The hotel has flat terrain between the carpark and hotel entrance, accessible parking, and ramp access to restaurants and leisure facilities. Wheelchair accessible rooms, rooms with handrails, grab bars and handheld shower heads are available. Service pets are permitted.

Is voco Gosford family-friendly?

Yes, the hotel has rooms that can sleep up to four guests. Archies, Paolo’s Pizzeria and Saltfire Buffet are all child-friendly dining venues. Archies also has an indoor playground for children to enjoy while adults relax.

Details

A bathroom with a freestanding bath at voco Gosford
Bathrooms are ultra-chic.

Best for: This sophisticated hotel is the new darling of Gosford. It’s perfect for visitors who want to enjoy a luxe stay on the Central Coast with drinking and dining at their fingertips. It’s also convenient for those attending an event or sporting match at Polytec Stadium.

 Address: 108 Donnison Street, Gosford

Price: From $299 per night.

Megan Arkinstall
Megan Arkinstall is a freelance travel writer who you’ll often find at the beach, bushwalking or boating with her young family. She loves reliving travel memories through writing, whether that be sipping limoncello in a sun-drenched courtyard of Monterosso or swimming with green turtles in the aquamarine waters of Tropical North Queensland.
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Your guide to what’s new and exciting this summer on the Central Coast

    Kassia ByrnesBy Kassia Byrnes
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    From serene natural beauty to vibrant nightlife, with plenty of arts and culture in between, the NSW Central Coast has been enjoying a serious glow up.

    Just one hour from Sydney, the Central Coast has long been the perfect seaside getaway. And with its ECO Destination certification with a focus on sustainability, it’s a trip travellers can feel good about, too. Recently, new and exciting openings have turned the Central Coast into a place where incredible natural beauty is still on the table, but so is a vibrant and sophisticated arts, dining and nightlife scene.

    Find out what’s new to discover on the Central Coast.

    1. Gosford’s glow up

    room at voco gosford
    Book into voco and experience the best of Gosford.

    Long-time Central Coast lovers will hardly recognise Gosford these days. While always boasting gorgeous water views, a range of revamps and new openings have turned it into a busy hub of arts and culture, with an increasingly diverse and vibrant nightlife.

    Landmark lifestyle hotel voco Gosford is the perfect home base for a Central Coast getaway. At this IHG hotel overlooking sparkling Brisbane Water, guests can spend sunny days soaking in the rooftop pool (or just sipping a cocktail beside it). When it comes to meals, you can enjoy multiple venues serving up everything from modern Australian fare to fine-dining Japanese.

    Venture out to lay eyes on the Central Coast’s first permanent Moving Image Gallery (MIG) . Opened this year inside the Gosford Regional Gallery , the immersive space is a showcase of screen-based and digital art. While at the gallery, wander around the Edogawa Commemorative Garden, a traditional Japanese strolling garden complete with teahouse, koi pond and an ornamental bridge.

    Meanwhile, the revamped Gosford Regional Library has even more than books to discover. Now, it’s one of the best in the southern hemisphere – find exhibitions, historical archives and community initiatives for all ages at this perfect family-friendly escape.

    2. Newcomers to the dining scene

    table full of food at Amarilla restaurant terrigal
    Treat yourself to sundowners and snacks at Amarilla.

    The Central Coast has long been the perfect destination for gourmands, with everything from casual eats to fine dining elevating the local offerings. And three new destinations have been added to the map.

    Amarilla at The Haven in Terrigal is the perfect seaside venue for sundowners, with blissed-out beats providing the soundtrack. Book in for golden hour and choose bites from a Spanish tapas menu made for sharing. Do as the locals do and wash it all down with sangria – the Sunday Sangria Sessions have become a local institution.

    Also in Terrigal, Little Miss has brought a premium Mediterranean menu to the waterfront. Try the wagyu tartare with Greek caviar or butter-poached lobster and tomato bisque, paired with inventive cocktails and a handpicked selection of Lebanese wines.

    Over in Ettalong, Bar Toto is perfect for pre- or post-dinner drinks. This award-winning cocktail bar is known for its creative concoctions, along with craft beer, wine and antipasti platters to snack on. The interior sets the mood, with dim lighting and wooden furnishings.

    3. New Central Coast experiences

    winemaker at Firescreek Botanical Winery
    Book an experience at Firescreek Botanical Winery.

    It’s entirely possible (and recommended) to spend a Central Coast getaway relaxing on one of its many peaceful and pristine beaches. But for those who crave more, there’s a long list of options to keep you busy.

    Pop into the iconic Australian Reptile Park to see the new Weigel Venom Centre, a state-of-the-art facility that’s home to over 200 of the country’s most venomous snakes.

    Get out on the water with Sail Central Coast , which offers 20 years of expertise in yacht charters. Book the Sunset Sail & Dine yacht charter for a private afternoon cruising the waterways of Bouddi National Park and Brisbane Water, stopping at Anchor on Hardys for a two-course meal with a cocktail.

    For something completely different, Firescreek Botanical Winery is now offering an Aboriginal Storytelling and Wine Tasting Experience. Learn about local cultures, stories and traditions from an Aboriginal Elder, then enjoy a botanical-inspired wine tasting led by a local winemaking expert.

    4. Central Coast accommodation

    view from a cottage at Noonaweena
    Sleep in the hinterland at Noonaweena.

    There’s simply too much to experience on the Central Coast to only stay for one day. Turn your trip into a relaxing getaway by the beach.

    Allawah , a retreat on the banks of the Hawkesbury River, is accessible only by boat. This secluded two-bedroom cottage is the perfect place to unwind, allowing you to spend lazy days fishing, kayaking, paddling or unwinding with a book on your own private jetty.

    In the Kulnura hinterland, Noonaweena features a range of accommodation styles, from a luxe glamping bell tent to cottages and a treetop suite. It’s a leader in green travel, with 10 years of certification from Eco Tourism Australia. Relax in the onsite wellness centre or get active on various courts and in the gym facilities.

    To stay by the ocean at Toowoon Bay, book into Kim’s Beachside Resort . This adults-only property offers a luxury escape nestled within a sub-tropical rainforest. Along with 36 private timber bungalows, indulge in massages or reiki treatments at the dedicated spa, or stop by the cocktail bar and à la carte restaurant.

    5. Shopping on the Central Coast

    Umina’s Centred Ceramics central coast
    Try your hand at Umina’s Centred Ceramics’ pottery courses.

    For those after unique trinkets, handmade treasures and beautiful homewares, the Central Coast is a haven.

    Markets on the Central Coast have a special flavour. Wander the Umina Beach Markets at twilight, where you’ll find small businesses from the local areas, and the Norah Head Ocean View Markets , where you can soak up good food, live music and artisan finds by the beach after sunset. ‘Tis the season for the Christmas twilight edition of the Avoca Beachside Markets, celebrating the season with pop-up bars, tasty treats and plenty of unique gift options from local artists and producers.

    Galleria Ettalong has also added to the Central Coast’s recent makers and creators renaissance, wrapping cinemas, a dining precinct and over 40 boutique shops into one area.

    Sign up for a pottery course at Umina’s Centred Ceramics , or peruse the shop for a range of one-of-a-kind pottery made on the premises for a special souvenir.

    For more eclectic arts and homewares, pop into Blue Bird Collective Co . This marketplace supports over 35 small, local and handmade businesses, artists and creatives. Take the time to check out fashion, jewellery and homewares that won’t be found anywhere else.

    Start planning your coastal getaway at lovecentralcoast.com .