Insider Journeys: Pretty Beach House and Bouddi Coastal Walk

Property Overview

Pretty Beach House is a boutique all-inclusive retreat on Sydney’s Central Coast, perched above Bouddi National Park about 2 hours from Sydney. One of the founding Luxury Lodges of Australia, the property is surrounded by treetops and features panoramic views of the sparkling coast from its privileged hilltop position.

The lodge features just four luxury suites, a guest lounge, large dining room and open kitchen. There are also generous outdoor spaces with a firepit seating area by the entry and a large terrace with seating by the pool. The suites are sure to impress, with a very comfortable King bed, private bar counter, large walk-in robe and ensuite featuring a deep soaking tub – the copper tub in the treetop suites is a favourite. Some of the pavilion suites also feature a private plunge pool.

The real hero of the property though is the main pool, which is accessed from the dining room terrace or lounge. A previous winner of Walk into Luxury’s Annual Lodges List in the ‘best pool with a view’ category, the view is hard to beat.

Dining at Pretty Beach House is all-inclusive, with a generous continental and cooked breakfast to start the day, followed by a two-course lunch tailored to your preferences. Dinner is a highlight with three courses of excellently prepared local produce showcasing the region on a plate. Freshly baked morning and afternoon tea is always available, as are complimentary snacks and beverages in the mini-bar and guest lounge. Beverage options include beer, wine, champagne, spirits and all the alcohol-free options you’d expect.

What we loved

The little touches are what sets a boutique hotel stay apart, and they get them so right at Pretty Beach House. One of the details we loved were the fresh limes, soda and tonic water on the in-room bar counter on arrival, ready for us to make our own G&T or lime and soda. The generous open bar philosophy helped us feel right at home, with the option to self-serve or get help with a cocktail from the lodge team.

The atmosphere at Pretty Beach House is so welcoming, it feels a bit like a private villa stay with an in-house team to cater to your needs. Yes there are other guests, but only eight in total and with so much space on the property we often felt like we had the lodge all to ourselves. Despite the exceptional design and luxury touches, we found it was the relaxed atmosphere at the lodge that we loved most. We felt supported through our stay, with a lodge member on-hand when needed, but we loved the peace and sense of privacy at Pretty Beach House. It was relaxed and authentic Australian hospitality at its best.

What surprised us?

Having been fortunate to visit quite a few lodges in Australia and elsewhere, personalisation is something that is talked about a lot and is a hallmark of the Luxury Lodges of Australia, but they really excel at this at Pretty Beach House. The personalised approach extended to every aspect of our stay, and made our trip truly special.

Upon entering the lounge mid-morning, the chef – visible in the open kitchen – spotted me and checked in to see what I might feel like for lunch. There was fresh fish just caught on the counter to consider, local vegetables freshly pulled from the nearby garden to inspire a salad perhaps. The options were plentiful, and the personalised approach made me feel special. I sat at the counter and chatted for a bit while the chef worked too; a great opportunity to pick up some expert tips.

When it came to experiences, the lodge team helped with their local favourite beaches and walking routes and were ready to drop me to and from the trailhead - with freshly baked afternoon tea tucked in my pack – at a time that suited me. The service was exceptional, and the team worked together to ensure guests had a great stay.

Recommended experiences

The lodge sits in a perfect position for accessing the beaches and trails of Bouddi National Park. There are two good bush walks accessible on foot from the property, including Tallows Beach which is a picture-perfect spot for a dip in Summer. The hero walk of this region though is the Bouddi Coastal Walk, which spans 14km of spectacular coastline accessed via a 10 minute road transfer from the lodge (included with our Bouddi Coastal Walk package). The trail is known for its cliff-edge boardwalk, from where you can see the unique tessellated pavement along this part of the coast. Other highlights include the rainforest sections near Maitland, and the turquoise bays dotting the trail. We recommend taking a packed picnic lunch and towels so you can make a day of this special Australian walk.

What’s Nearby?

The Hunter Valley is only one hour from Pretty Beach House, so makes for a perfect day trip if you’re partial to a wine tour. Audrey Wilkinson and Brokenwood are two of our favourite winery partners in this region, with lunch and a range of wine tasting options available. Other excursion options include seaplane flights to/from Sydney’s beaches, and a visit to an Australian pearl farm on the Hawkesbury River. Another suggestion is a visit to Pretty Beach House’s sister property – Bells at Killcare, which is just around the corner. Here you can purchase the most sensational freshly baked cookies and pastries from the Bakehouse, and dine in the award-winning restaurant for a night out. As a guest of Pretty Beach House, dinner here is included. You can easily spend a week here with plenty of experiences to enjoy; you’ll just need to tear yourself away from that pool.

Photo: Bells at Killcare outdoor dining