By Jana Pearce
Many Sydneysiders don't know just how lucky they are to be just one and a bit hours away from one of the newest resorts on the Central Coast, the Mantra Ettalong Beach Resort formerly knows as the Outrigger.
This resort has 236 suites over eight floors, and is the area's tallest building. It looks like a runner who got to the finishing line first, looks around, and finds he is miles ahead of other competitors. Maybe the others will never catch up as the Mantra has set a second-to-none standard that is going to be hard to beat.
It was far more stylish than what I'd expected and the one-bedroom apartment was modern-sleek and large. The kitchen was functional and contained everything you'd need to prepare a meal. Each apartment had full laundry facilities and a small spa in the bathroom. The large balcony overlooked the pool and for visitors to relax and soak the brilliant view of Lion Island and Broken Bay.
Available are all the services of an international hotel; room service, 24-hour reception and concierge, digital in-room movies, high-speed internet connection, huge resort-style pool, heated pool and jacuzzi as well as offering a haven for health and rejuvenation, the Jhalu Day Spa.
Jhalu features a full range of beauty and treatments including a Quit Smoking or Weight Loss program, a three-day Wellness program to recharge your body and spirit, spray tan, manicure, foot therapy, and massages.
If you don't want to drive to Ettalong, you can catch the ferry from Palm Beach and take in expansive views of Broken Bay, Patonga, Pearl Beach, Lion Island and Umina. The round trip costs $17.
Broken Bay/Brisbane Waters was one of the first regions explored by Governor Arthur Phillip who in 1788, just six weeks after the arrival of the First Fleet, led a search for agricultural land and more likely, anything edible to feed the first settlers and his troops.
During this voyage, Phillip's party landed at Ettalong Beach but it wasn't until about 50 years later that Surveyor-General Sir Thomas Mitchell named Ettalong after the local Aboriginal word for 'place for drinking'.
With origins such as this it is only appropriate, that the Mantra is attached to a modern day watering hole, an RSL Club.
What I liked best about the Mantra is you don't have to catch a plane to get to a place a million miles from care. In just one day of absorbing the view and tranquillity, I felt totally relaxed. From the time I parked my car in the secure underground carpark, checked in, settled into the apartment, and checked out again two days later - absolutely nothing went wrong.
Mantra Ettalong Beach Resort is part of the Stella Resorts Group which provides access to over 100 resorts, retreats, hotels and apartments in Australia and New Zealand.
What's on at Ettalong
The charm of Ettalong is it is not overrun by cafe society with its Paris Hilton and Justin Timberlake look-alikes. Everything you need for a holiday in the sun is here. Within a short walk there's a large supermarket to stock up if you want to cook meals in your apartment, pharmacies, a boutique cinema, bottle shop, fast food places and excellent restaurants like Thein Thai and the Cat's Pyjamas.
Unlike Port Douglas and Noosa, Ettalong is also for locals, which means prices are not based on 'tourist dollars'.
If you are not into kayaking, scuba diving, boating or swimming, there is still much to do. You can go for a sunset stroll along the Esplanade, hike the trails of the Brisbane Water National Park, take in local wildflowers, visit the weekend markets or pop into the many unusual and interesting craft shops.
Or visit neighbouring Woy Woy to find out why famous Goon Spike Milligan liked to come here to spend time out with his mother.
Tip:
If you can afford it, pay the extra and book a suite with a view of Broken Bay and Lion Island - there's not much in this world more beautiful than waking up to watch the sunrise across the bay and sea. |
