Welcome to Hotel Addict, a monthly column where I check into Australia’s best hotels and share what makes them worthy of your wishlist.
The Tweed Coast is an underrated hidden gem in Australia. While Byron Bay draws the crowds, this idyllic pocket of the NSW north coast offers something a little more calm – more peaceful beaches, incredible food and a relaxed authenticity. The highlight stay is Halcyon House, a property which has long been regarded as one of the best hotels in Australia and has been drawing in design-savvy travellers for 10 years. When I first started working in media I remember the design community’s excitement around it. I decided to check in a decade later to see if it still lives up to the hype.
This idyllic coastal stay has been drawing in design-savvy travellers for 10 years.
My car pulls up to the blindingly white building nestled in Cabarita Beach, the waves just steps away. The once sleepy seaside town got a serious injection of cool with the opening of Halcyon House in 2015. Sisters Elisha and Siobhan Bickle originally purchased the old Hideaway motel with the intention of turning it into a family beach house, but instead converted it into the now luxury accommodation. It exudes sun-bleached glamour with retro mid-century energy thanks to palm trees, breeze blocks, verandahs and outdoor walkways with elegant archways.
The family beach house is adorned with graceful archways.
The hotel sits behind Cabarita Beach.
I arrive early and am ushered to the bar area next to the pool to enjoy a welcome drink – a gin and tonic made with the region’s iconic Ink Gin, which turns purple when you add tonic. I sip it a little too enthusiastically before heading up to my room.
My design tastes have never leaned towards maximalism, but when it’s done right, I can’t help but feel in awe. Elisha and Siobhan called upon interior designer Anna Spiro to create a stay that evokes an old beach hotel layered with antiques and art. Spiro’s signature style is layered, colourful and bold, and features a mix of eras and styles. Blues, greens, corals and warm yellows come alive in patterned wallpaper, tiling and upholstered furniture, against lime-washed timber flooring and bright white walls.
The eclectic interior design features bold blues, vibrant prints and antiques.
Spiro’s signature style is layered, colourful and bold.
There are just 22 uniquely styled rooms and suites, so the property never feels busy, and I notice throughout the stay how calm it is. I’m staying in a Pool King Balcony room, which, as the name suggests, has pool (and partial ocean) views. At 40 square metres it’s spacious and the floor-to-ceiling windows and doors make it feel even larger, flooding the room with natural light. There’s a big balcony with chairs to relax on and take in the sea breeze and views.
By the decade mark, most hotels are starting to show their age. Here, though, that’s not the case. Timeless design choices (even in the bathrooms) and upholstered furniture that can be reinvigorated keep the space feeling fresh.
Relax in style.
Patterned tiles elevate the bathrooms.
Check into the Halcyon House for an elevated coastal stay.
Stay for the artistic flair.
The only fault I can really find is that there isn’t a chair at the desk – a subtle reminder, perhaps, that you’re here to relax, not work, so I make a beeline for the swimming pool. This delightfully sunny spot is lined with navy blue daybeds and beach umbrellas for lazily lounging between dips and listening to the calming sounds of the wind in the pandanus trees and palms. Morning yoga, spa treatments and a morning cold plunge are also available to wellness enthusiasts. Onsite shop Halcyon Atelier offers a curated selection of high-end designer fashion, accessories and homewares from brands such as Lucy Folk, Cecile Copenhagen and Matteau.
Relax on plush daybeds under the palms. (Credit: Kara Roselund)
I have a pre-dinner coconut daiquiri (10/10) before eating at onsite restaurant Paper Daisy – a hatted restaurant that draws guests from well beyond the hotel. On the current menu, designed by Executive Chef Baxter Newstead (ex Noma Australia, Vue de Monde and Michelin-starred Ekstedt in Stockholm), are refined coastal plates with Aussie touches such as lobster, carrot, finger lime and brown butter; seared kangaroo with beetroot, fermented blueberries and saltbush; and strawberry gum lamington, coconut and preserved cherry. As I’ve done with all of my Hotel Addict hotel stays, I pair the delicious bites with a couple of glasses of Chablis.
Full and content, I sink into the comfiest king bed for a peaceful sleep.
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AI Prompt
Bay lobster with carrot and brown butter at the two-hatted Paper Daisy restaurant.
The signature cocktails are unmissable.
Dine on seasonal, coastal plates.
In the morning, I head to Cabarita Beach for a calm morning stroll before enjoying breakfast back at Paper Daisy. The seasonal menu offers dishes such as open egg omelette with green onion, cold smoked fish and soured dill cream and macadamia muesli with banana, lemon balm and natural yoghurt – what more could you want from the start of your day?
Halcyon House does a fantastic job of balancing classic Australian coastal stay nostalgia with luxury. While the rooms and restaurant have evolved over the years, what hasn’t changed is that it still feels like a beloved beach house that’s been carefully elevated, in one of Australia’s most overlooked corners.
Details
Address: 21 Cypress Cres, Cabarita Beach NSW 2488
Best for: Design-savvy travellers and honeymoons
Room rate: From $$ per night
Getting there: There are very limited Ubers in this area. Car hire or booking a taxi to the airport is necessary. There are two Audi A1’s available for guest hire and bicycles for hire.
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Rachael Thompson is Australian Traveller's Evergreen Editor and Hotel Addict. She's responsible for the foundational content on AustralianTraveller.com, helping to manage and grow the brand’s destination guides. With a background in design and travel media, Rachael is dedicated to curating content that is as much informational as it is beautiful. She began her career at Belle magazine, before taking up editorial roles at Homes to Love and Bed Threads. When she's not writing, editing or optimising content, Rachael enjoys exploring the city's newest restaurants, bars and hotels. Next on her Aussie travel wish list is Lord Howe Island.
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
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
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
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
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
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.
