THE BOATHOUSE PATONGA
At the end of a winding road past surf beaches, serene inlets and bushy hills is the sleepy fishing village of Patonga - one of the furthest points south on the NSW Central Coast bounded by the Brisbane Waters National Park. With the threat of a second wave of coronavirus hanging ominously over NSW, this was exactly the sort of place I pictured venturing post lockdown. Briefly we had toyed with the idea of flying to Melbourne before realising that would involve getting on a plane and navigating an airport, which we weren’t quite ready to do. Holidaying in Sydney was also an option but post lockdown the sheer number of people seemed overwhelming compared to Newcastle’s empty beaches and space to socially distance.
Patonga seemed the ideal place to dip our toe back in the travel waters and proved to be. Here the ever-expanding Boathouse Group has opened coastal luxe inspired accommodation where you can wine and dine downstairs then conveniently sleep upstairs. It’s the ideal place for an old-school family holiday where kids jump off the wharf, run barefoot on the beach and build cubby houses in trees along Patonga Creek. Sydneysiders flock here on weekends, many via the wooden ferry from Palm Beach which toots to let you know it has arrived. Mid-week however, there are no crowds and you often find yourself the only one strolling the sandy shoreline collecting shells and driftwood that has washed ashore.
This is our second visit and we hole up once more in the spacious two bedroom apartment (Apartment 1) overlooking Brisbane Waters. There are another two apartments: a one-bedroom, a three-bedroom and a cute beach house which opened while we were there. Each is kitted out in the Boathouse Group’s signature navy blue and white hues. There are nautical fabrics, handmade shell mirrors, white washed timber and terrazzo flooring, spacious living and dining areas, washer and dryer and either a kitchenette or full kitchen. A mini bar is stocked with complimentary drinks. The one and two bedroom apartments can also interconnect. Far and away our favourite aspect of our apartment is the full width balcony with its low swing chair, lobster pot lights and dreamy sea vistas framed by Norfolk pines. There are also two TV’s with Netflix if you want to kick back on the couch for the afternoon.
Downstairs the restaurant and bar churns out pub classics with a contemporary twist include woodfire pizza, burgers, pan fried fish, seafood platters and simple pasta dishes and salads. The takeaway fish and chip shop does a roaring trade and also offers breakfast and coffee in the morning. It’s a good spot to meet the locals, who drop in for their morning takeaway and to pick up the paper. While you’re a captive audience at the Boathouse Patonga - given there are no other eateries within cooee - I’m a happy hostage. The menu offers plenty of choice, there’s a decent and affordable wine list, great cocktails and friendly staff who are more than happy to run food and drink up to your apartment - something we made good use of to avoid the weekend crowds.
By the time the last ferry has departed for Sydney for the day, Patonga returns to its sleepy self. Dogs and kids run along the sand, fishing boats bob on the tide and pelicans perch on lamp posts keeping an eye out for scraps the local fishermen might throw their way. High in the Norfolk pines we hear the call of Whistling Kites as we pour a glass of Pinot Gris and plan our next trip back.
Wish you were here? From $450 per night (check the website for mid week specials). See theboathousehotelpatonga
