Driving through the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, it doesn’t take long at all before Sydney feels a world away – highways and apartment blocks replaced by towering blue gums and cosy country cottages. Just before we reach our destination, the thicket suddenly breaks to reveal a breath-taking sheet of sparkling azure water lined by bright white beach-huts peppered along the coast like little pearls.
As we pull into the drive, the Bells staff welcome us warmly and show us to our ‘Lodge’ – a new addition to the Bells at Killcare offering. These spacious two-bedroom, two-storey accommodations come with every amenity for a relaxing weekend getaway, including a heated magnesium plunge pool, daily in-suite cocktails, and a rooftop with views stretching almost all the way back to Sydney.
Discovering each thoughtful element of our Lodge is a delight, from underfloor heating and cosy fireplace, to drawers full of board games, to the fresh, home-made focaccia delivered to our door each morning. More charming still are the kookaburras and cockatoos that call the property home, perched on our balcony, surveying their kingdom.
Once settled in we head over to the on-site restaurant, Wildflower Bar and Dining. I can’t resist the crackling roast pork, which is the best I have had in a long time, paired perfectly with indulgently cheesy potatoes aligot and a glass of bold Margaret River shiraz. Wildflower focuses on simple classics executed exceptionally well, and it suits the atmosphere perfectly.
For us, this weekend is about relaxing, but there is plenty of activity to be found at Bells if you’re looking for it. The area offers plenty of invigorating bush walks, the wild vistas of Killcare beach, or hair-raising mountain bike adventures through the National Park – the staff are only too happy to give you a lift. Further afield, you might choose to try your hand at sailing, taste the freshest of oysters at the Broken Bay Marine Farm, or join an Indigenous tour of the National Park.
As our weekend escape draws to a close, it’s hard to believe we’re only a 90-minute return to Sydney. Bells feels like a secret, tucked-away pocket of calm – mornings scented with fresh focaccia, balmy afternoons lazing by the pool, evening spent chatting over an excellent glass of red. Whether an escape to you is exploration or relaxation, Bells offers the best of both worlds.
Leave a Reply