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

Megan Arkinstall 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).

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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.

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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.

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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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This surprising regional town is making its mark on the culinary world

(Image: Visit Griffith)

    Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
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    With more than 60 nationalities calling it home and a century of Italian influence shaping its paddocks and plates, Griffith is a regional Australian town with serious culinary cred.

    It might feel surprising to learn that Griffith is one of Australia’s leading food destinations. In-the-know Italians have understood this for generations, drawn to the Riverina region’s fertile soils that reminded them of the terrain they’d left behind more than a century ago. These days, Griffith supplies much of the nation’s pantry: 95 per cent of Australia’s prunes come from the region, it’s the country’s largest citrus-growing area, and it’s a leading producer of almonds and walnuts. Even the pickles in every McDonald’s burger nationwide are produced in Griffith. This is not just a farming town; the Griffith food scene is leading the way.

    Here, culinary confidence is rooted in migration. Italian families began arriving from 1913, with a second wave settling after the Second World War. Today, Griffith has the highest proportion of Italian ancestry of any Local Government Area in Australia. Add to that more than 60 nationalities represented across the community and you have a town where food is driven not by trends, but by tradition. Griffith’s motto, ‘Taste our culture’, isn’t marketing spin; it’s the reality.

    Where the vines tell a story

    A hand pouring wine into a glass, with a table filled with food.
    Uncover the stories behind every glass. (Image: Destination NSW)

    The Riverina has long been dubbed the food bowl of Australia, but it’s also a wine region that remains largely under the radar. What sets Griffith apart is that every one of its wineries is family-owned, many spanning generations.

    Calabria Family Wines is one of the region’s standard-bearers. The Calabria story began in 1945 when Francesco Calabria planted his first vines; today, the family continues to shape the region’s identity while also stewarding the historic McWilliam’s Wines brand. McWilliam’s was the first winery to plant vines in the area, and its barrel-shaped cellar door – complete with a soaring stained-glass window – remains one of the most distinctive in regional NSW.

    Yarran Wines, run by the Brewer family, showcases estate-grown fruit across Mediterranean varietals that thrive in the warm climate. Expect bold reds and textured whites that reflect both heritage and innovation.

    Set inside the old ambulance station, Harvest HQ is owned and operated by the Riverina Winemakers Association and pours a rotating selection of local wines under one roof. It also features spirits from The Aisling Distillery, reinforcing the region’s collaborative approach to craft.

    At the table

    A flat lay of a steak.
    Dine where tradition meets a bold new generation. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    If the vineyards tell one story, the dining rooms tell another. Griffith’s restaurants are where tradition and next-gen confidence meet.

    Zecca Handmade Italian occupies the former Rural Bank building, an imposing Art Deco landmark from the late 1930s. ‘Zecca’ means money print, and the name is a nod to the Zecca di Venezia in Venice. Here, find the Riverina’s only producer of dried artisan pasta and traditional Italian recipes. Importantly, the growers and producers supplying the kitchen are listed on the menu as a transparent expression of the region’s farm-to-table ethos.

    Established in 1977 and still run by the Vico family, La Scala puts authentic Italian cuisine on centre stage. Expect handmade pasta, traditional wood-fired pizzas, slow-cooked sauces and dishes that follow recipes guarded like family heirlooms. For something more contemporary, Bull & Bell in Gem Hotel is a shrine to the Euro-style steakhouse that works closely with local farmers and artisans to showcase Riverina produce.

    And then there are the institutions. Bertoldo’s Pasticceria, now in its third generation, draws locals daily for cannoli, biscotti, crostoli and house-made gelato, alongside classic sausage rolls and potato pies. La Piccola Grosseria feels like stepping into an Italian alimentari, its shelves lined with continental goods that wouldn’t feel out of place in Puglia.

    Meanwhile, Limone celebrates local and seasonal produce across breakfast and lunch menus, enriched by the produce and stories of Piccolo Family Farm. Find pastries and sourdough baked daily, and pop into the onsite retail pantry for products from regional producers – including the Piccolo family’s own wine range, Caro Piccolo.

    From the source

    A plated Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod dish.
    Taste world-renowned Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod, straight from its source. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    Behind every menu is a producer. Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod is perhaps Griffith’s most high-profile export; the brand’s Murray cod and Aquna Gold Murray Cod Caviar have achieved global recognition. In October 2024, Aquna presented its products to King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the NSW Premier’s Community BBQ in Parramatta. Impressed by the producer’s sustainable farming practices, the King requested the cod be sent to Buckingham Palace – not bad for a fish farm in regional NSW.

    Mandolé Orchard champions almonds grown on a family-run farm, transforming them into almond milk and value-added products. At Morella Grove, olives are pressed into premium olive oil and pantry staples that speak to Griffith’s Mediterranean heart. These producers are not peripheral; they are central to the town’s culinary ecosystem. Learn about local sustainable farming practices during a farm tour.

    Mark your calendar

    A woman walking past a food mural, something you can spot during A Taste of Italy Griffith.
    Plan your visit around A Taste of Italy Griffith. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    For a town that helps stock Australia’s supermarkets, Griffith has remained curiously absent from the national dining conversation. That’s beginning to change. If you’ve been searching for a regional food destination with substance, heritage and a clear sense of identity, you’ll find it here in the Riverina, right under your nose.

    Time your visit to the Riverina region to coincide with A Taste of Italy Griffith, held every August. This week-long celebration of Italian heritage and culture offers a wide range of Italian-inspired events and experiences to enjoy. Expect long-table lunches, wine tasting experiences, cooking classes and a Makers in the Piazza market. The headline event is a ticketed long lunch – Festa delle Salsicce (Salami Festival) – where winners of the best salami are announced.

    Start planning your foodie getaway at visitgriffith.com.au.