Mt Hay Retreat: The ultimate romantic getaway in Berry, NSW

Two hours’ drive south of the Sydney CBD and just five kilometres north of the pretty town of Berry, the exquisite family-owned and operated Mt Hay Retreat is set on a working farm in the foothills below an escarpment with panoramic views across rolling green hills all the way to the Pacific Ocean.

With six expansive suites, this luxury South Coast hideaway is made for a romantic getaway – complete with indoor pool and spa set above mature gardens, surrounded by 360 acres of farmland framed by native bush.

Mt Hay Retreat at night — Enjoy night skies uninterrupted by light pollution.

Mt Hay Retreat is much more than the sum of its remarkable facilities. It also emanates an indelible sense of calm and tranquillity, making it a lifestyle destination of rare distinction – it’s a two-time Gold Award winner (2021 and 2022) at the NSW Tourism Awards for Five-Star Luxury Accommodation for a reason.

The history and design of Mt Hay Retreat

In 1987, Sydney-based Wayne and Christine bought the farm with a 1960s fibro house as a weekend and holiday retreat for themselves and their five children. Family friend and retired Sydney architect Alex Gencur designed the main house and pool, which was completed in 2008. It was always the family’s dream to build a retreat which provided a sustainable income to ensure the property would remain largely untouched.

Mt Hay Retreat indoor pool — Dive into Mt Hay Retreat’s 33-metre heated indoor pool.

After a career in finance and sales in London, Anthony (one of original owner’s children) and his partner Louise decided to make the project a reality and spent four years working with the council, the architect and local builders to complete the retreat and gardens, which opened in July 2016. Today it is home to two generations of the family, a beef cattle herd, a few pet goats, two ever-eager welcome dogs (Griffy and Dougal) and lots of native wildlife.

Romantic rooms with endless views

The six open-plan, 80 square-metre suites fan out around the top of the hill to ensure that each has spectacular views while also ensuring privacy. Each has soaring ceilings and floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open onto expansive decks.

No matter where you are in the room – spending a lazy day in bed, relaxing on the sofa or sitting at the glass dining table – they’ve been designed to ensure guests can enjoy remarkable views at almost all times.

Mt Hay Retreat king suite — Enjoy sweeping vistas, no matter where you are in your room.

The bathrooms have large rain-head showers (perfect for two people) with windows overlooking private gardens. All rooms feature decadent baths; some are located out on the deck so you can drink in the view (and maybe a wine or two) in a beautiful private alfresco setting. Other rooms keep the bath inside its own stunning bathroom so that you can soak away your cares at any time.

If you do decide to lock yourself away for an intimate weekend, the rooms have everything you need to never have to leave. Kitchenettes have kettles, toasters, microwaves, refrigerators and capsule coffee makers. Large flat-screen televisions are connected to the internet for easy streaming service.

Mt Hay Retreat deck spa — Watch the sunset from your al fresco bath.

Each suite each has its own distinctive view and is individually designed with different colourways from sky blue, yellow and pale green accents to red, orange and mossy green tones. Two suites are wheelchair accessible with wider doorways, lower vanities, roll-in and out showers and easily moveable furniture.

Wander Mt Hay Retreat’s gardens, orchards and wildlife

Streams and dams dot the eight acres of gardens, which are planted with a fragrant mix of native and exotic flowers and bushes designed to attract the local wildlife.

Brush-tailed rock wallabies, eastern grey kangaroos, and wombats are regularly sighted, as are kookaburras, king parrots, rosellas, lyrebirds, eastern spinebills, and a pair of breeding wedge-tailed eagles. Not to mention regular sightings of superb fairy wrens, skinks, frogs and blue-tongued lizards.

Mt Hay Retreat gardens — Look for wildlife visiting the gardens.

There are also vegetable gardens and an orchard chock-a-block with orange trees, pink grapefruit, mandarin, lemon, kaffir lime and finger lime trees, whose fruit guests are encouraged to pick.

Enjoy Mt Hay Retreat’s unique offerings

One of the most popular offerings at Mt Hay Retreat is the huge hot tub and 33-metre heated indoor pool, which are enclosed in a beautiful glass house with more exquisite views across the landscape.

Enjoy a shaded wharf deck by the dam – perfect for a romantic picnic or glass of wine – while you feed the koi with retreat-provided food.

Mt Hay Retreat wharf, Berry — Take a picnic under the shaded wharf by the dam.

In addition, there’s a giant chess set in the gardens to while away an afternoon on and an enormous ‘cloud swing’ that offers some of the best views on the property.

Guests can order special champagne and local cheese and fruit platters, complete with handmade chocolate-dipped strawberries, while owners Anthony and Louise can also arrange for a local masseuse to perform in-room or on-deck massages.

Mt Hay Retreat cloud swing — Swing outdoors while you soak in the views.

What to do in Berry

Anthony and Louise are the ultimate hosts living on-site. They are always around to offer advice and touring tips, as well as deliver some extra ice or anything else you might need to make your getaway complete.

If you’re looking to explore the local area, some of their top suggestions will always start in the vibrant town of Berry, a ten-minute drive down the road. There, guests will find terrific shopping and a fabulous array of restaurants and cafes.

The famous Berry Donut Van. — Stop in Berry for coffee and donuts at the Famous Berry Donut Van.

They particularly recommend dining at South on Albany and Queen Street Eatery , cafes such as The Garden Berry , The Hungry Monkey , and the famous Berry Donut Van .

If you’re looking for some takeaway to enjoy back at Mt Hay, they recommend trying the prepared dishes from Pickled Ink , The Emporium and Flavours Shoalhaven (don’t worry, it’s still located in Berry).

Seven Mile Beach, Shoalhaven — Drive 15-minuts to spend the day at beautiful Seven Mile Beach. (Image: Destination NSW)

Seven Mile Beach, just a 15-minute drive away, is their favourite local beach while the Drawing Room Rocks bushwalk offers a fabulous hike up the escarpment where you get vistas of Kangaroo Valley to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east. Speaking of Kangaroo Valley, it’s well worth a drive along quaint country roads to explore it further.

Mt Hay Retreat wine on deck — Bring back your locally sourced wine and enjoy it on your deck.

What’s a romantic escape without a little wine? Luckily Anthony and Louise can suggest several of their favourite local wineries, like Mountain Ridge Wines , Silos Estate , Two Figs Winery and Cambewarra Estate .

Aussies might think they know what Port Stephens is all about – but it’s time to take another look.

You might’ve driven through this NSW coast town. Maybe even stopped for fish and chips or a quick dip. But spend a long weekend in the new Port Stephens , and you’ll seriously regret not doing it sooner. We’re talking treks across beaches, reef dives and up-close time with rescued koalas.

All in all? It only takes a day before you see Port Stephens in a whole new light, and not much longer until it’s locked in as your favourite family destination.

1. Stockton Sand Dunes

Port Stephens incredible Stockton Sand Dunes are the largest moving sand mass in the Southern Hemisphere. They shift like an endless magic trick across the Worimi Conservation Lands , a 4200-hectare coastal co-managed by the Traditional Owners.

Tear over them in a 4WD. Rev through valleys soft as melting ice cream on a quad. Carve down 30-metre slopes on a sandboard. However you choose to cross them, you’re guaranteed a seriously wild ride.

Four rugged 4WDs kick up trails of golden dust as they charge across the sweeping desert landscape. — Chase thrills across shifting sands. (Image: Destination NSW)

2. Scale Tomaree Head Summit Walk

A short climb through bushland opens up to the coastal drama of Tomaree Head . Spot Zenith, Wreck and Box Beaches. See the Fingal Island lighthouse and offshore rookeries where Australia’s rarest seabird, the Gould’s petrel, nests.

History buffs can’t miss the WWII gun emplacements. And if you’re hiking between May and November, bring binoculars. Travelling whales might just be breaching below.

Friends enjoying a scenic walk along the Tomaree Head Summit Walk in Tomaree National Park, Port Stephens. — Climb Tomaree Head for jaw-dropping coastal views. (Image: Destination NSW)

3. Watch out for whales

You’ve seen the spouts of migrating humpbacks and southern right whales from shore. Set sail from Nelson Bay to see them up close. Cruise straight into the action, with tail-slaps, barrel rolls and all.

And they’ve got competition from the local show-offs. Port Stephens bottlenose dolphins leap and play. Some tours even spot pudgy fur seals, spending lazy days soaking up the sun on Cabbage Tree Island.

A whale’s tail on the sea’s surface. — Watch for ocean tails. (Image: Destination NSW)

4. Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary

Pop into the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary to learn about the rescued koalas who climb, nap, snack and heal in this natural patch of bushland. Wander the immersive Sanctuary Story Walk to discover more about their habits, then head to the SKYwalk – a treetop platform constructed for spotting these eucalyptus-loving locals. Peek into the hospital’s viewing window, where sick or injured koalas may be resting in their recovery enclosures.

Not enough time around these adorable marsupials? Stay overnight in silk-lined glamping tents.

Koala sleeping in a tree at Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary, One Mile — See koalas in their natural habitat. (Image: Destination NSW)

5. Diving Port Stephens

Port Stephens has some of NSW’s best dive spots. At Fly Point, float through sponge gardens and coral castles thick with nudibranchs (AKA sea slugs). Halifax Park has blue gropers and crimson-banded wrasse, while Shoal Bay’s seagrass meadows hide pipefish, cuttlefish and octopus.

Accessible only by boat, Broughton Island is home to a vast array of marine (and bird) life. Snorkel with blue devilfish and stingrays at sites like The Looking Glass and North Rock. More experienced divers can head out with one of the many PADI-certified operators.

At nearby Cabbage Tree Island, expect to see shaggy-faced wobbegongs cruising along.

A couple suited up and ready to dive into adventure. — Suit up and dive into Port Stephens’ vibrant marine life. (Image: Destination NSW)

6. Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters

Not quite ready to dive in? Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters is the perfect way to spot local marine life without getting too deep. But there’s no obnoxious glass tank tapping here. Instead, this interactive aquarium allows guests to wade into natural-style lagoons that mimic the real thing.

Gently pat Port Jackson and bamboo sharks, hand-feed rays, and feel their sandpapery skin with your fingertips. It is all under expert guidance. If you want to go deeper, pop on a wetsuit and swim alongside tawny nurse sharks, white-tipped reef sharks and zebra sharks in the lagoon.

Family enjoying an animal feeding experience at Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters, Anna Bay. — Meet the ocean’s friendliest faces at Irukandji. (Image: Destination NSW)

7. Fish the estuaries

Fishing fanatics will fall for Port Stephens hook, line and sinker. Here, one of the largest estuary systems in the whole state sees tidal rivers and mangrove ecosystems. Waterfronts are thick with oysters, and residential fish that might include anything from bream, whiting and flathead, to blue swimmer crabs, kingfish and longtail tuna.

If you prefer to choose your own adventure and fish offshore, you can hire a boat from one of the marinas and set your own course.

three men fishing on a boat in port stephens — Join a tour or chart your own fishing trip. (Image: Destination NSW)

8. Taste new Port Stephens flavours

With plenty of activity to fill your days, refuelling on delectable cuisine becomes equally important. And Port Stephens answers the call.

Pop into Holbert’s Oyster Farm for fresh-farmed Port Stephens rock oysters and Pacific oysters, Australian king and tiger prawns, as well as a variety of tasty sauces to try them with.

Take a group to Atmos for an authentic Greek experience over large shared dishes and Greek-inspired cocktails. Or feast on sea-to-plate, modern Australian dishes at the pet-friendly Restaurant 2317.

A plate of fresh oysters. — Slurp your way through the region’s best oysters. (Image: Destination NSW)

Start planning your Port Stephens getaway at portstephens.org.au .

Find epic views and vibrant personality at this intimate Berry retreat