Time for a break?
It’s been a while since you’ve had a break. The last time you had some time off was Christmas, and Christmas is a flurry of packed shops, tinsel and unwanted fruitcakes from your weird great-aunt.
You don’t need much – just a weekend away somewhere that’s not too far away. But where to go? Maybe Sydney? No, too busy. How about Newcastle? No, you go there all the time. Out of ideas?
Well, we’ve got a secret place for you. It’s only 20-30 minutes away from you, it’s quiet, and there’s plenty of places to eat and stay, and plenty of stuff to do. It’s the Central Coast Hinterlands!
For most of us Coasties, the Hinterlands is sometimes just a minor blip on our radar, but there’s so much to explore so we’ve decided to pick out some of the most delicious places to eat, some of the most relaxing places to stay, and some of the most entertaining things to do on your weekend away.
A weekend away must – absolutely MUST – start with a great meal. You need some good sustenance to help you get through all that sleeping and lying around you’ve got scheduled, and the best sustenance has to be the custom menu at The Springs Peats Ridge. Every weekend, Head Chef Dan creates something new and tasty based on the freshest local products available in the local area. Fill your tummy with enticing entrees, mouth-watering mains, and delectable desserts – and make sure you have a glass of wine – or three. Hey, it’s a weekend away – treat yourself!
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Everyone knows that after you and your partner stuff your faces for a few hours, you’ll need somewhere comfy to slip into a food-induced coma – and there’s nowhere better than Waterfall Springs Retreat and Wildlife Sanctuary. The boutique accommodation is nestled amongst 33 acres of rainforest, so there’s no chance of anyone disturbing you as you dream of those carbs and all that sugar. When you eventually awake from your food coma, you’ll be able to explore the stunning property which doubles as a wildlife sanctuary for wallabies. Maybe don’t feed them – they might slip into a food coma too, and their snoring might disturb the other guests!
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After a good meal and a good night sleep, you’ll be refreshed and ready to go for Sunday. But, let’s be honest here – no one wants to do anything too strenuous on a Sunday. There’s a reason why it’s the day of rest. And, trust us on this one – there is nothing more relaxing than a Sunday drive in a Hinterlands. We were lucky enough to go for a drive George Downes Drive in Kulnura in a beauty of a Nissan X-Trail thanks to Nissan Gosford and Wyong, and let us tell you – it reignited our love of driving. Normally, we spend the time in the car getting increasingly frustrated in standstill traffic on Tuggerah Straight. But, when we took a drive in the Hinterlands in an X-Trail, the memories of slow drivers faded away. Well, until Monday that is.
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This article has been sponsored by The Springs Peats Ridge, Waterfall Springs, and Central Coast Motor Group.
Words by Kate Stevens
Image: Supplied/ Kate Stevens
