Bells at Killcare

107 The Scenic Road, Killcare Heights, NSW
phone: (02) 4349 7000
web: bellsatkillcare.com.au

Divine luxury accommodation, set on 3.5 hectares of manicured gardens and bushland, and not much more than an hour's drive north of Sydney - could Bells at Killcare be the Central Coast's best-kept secret?

The boutique resort offers 25 self-contained designer cottages, each with a sumptuous king-size bed, a double-size spa, cosy log fire and verandah with barbecue.

If you can drag yourself away from your immaculate suite, there's also a stunning colonial manor house, where you can dine at the multi-award-winning restaurant Manfredi at Bells (run by Stefano Manfredi and featuring produce from the retreat's garden), sign up for a course at the Bells Cooking School, or simply relax in the day spa or library.

Then there's Killcare itself: a gorgeous sleepy town with a minimum of shops, set on the water and unmarred by overdevelopment. The perfect weekend getaway.

Cost: $350-$700 a cottage a night, including continental breakfast (minimum two night stay at weekends).

Distance: 100km (1 /2 hours' drive) north of Sydney.

- Good Weekend

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