Raffertys Resort, Lake Macquarie review: For the kids, Raffertys rules

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This was published 14 years ago

Raffertys Resort, Lake Macquarie review: For the kids, Raffertys rules

All access ... one of the pool areas.

All access ... one of the pool areas.

Melissa Gaudron discovers a lakeside resort that encourages a family affair.

Unlike most, the thought of heading to a four-star resort with the family makes me feel slightly nauseous. With energetic boys aged 10, seven and five to consider, I keep asking myself: how "resort-y" can it be?

Will it be filled with lovesick couples who won't be charmed by my seven-year-old's ability to burp the alphabet? Will the rooms be stuffed with Hamptons-style, white couches festooned with cushions that fall apart at the first mention of a pillow fight? Will my fellow resort-ees adorn their offspring in Armani swimming goggles and Manolo Blahnik thongs in stark contrast to my un-branded boys?

At the road gate to Raffertys Resort, however, is a bespoke traffic speed sign declaring: "CAUTION: Free-range children about."

I breathe a sigh of relief - looks like this place is doing it for the kids.

The further we drive on, the better it gets. On the way to reception, we pass a swimming pool, slippery dip, tennis courts, a massive adventure-style playground, a sign for kayak and paddleboat hire and a Tour de France entourage of children on bikes. Our rugrats are itching to get among it."This place is so cool," the eldest declares. "Can we stay here all the time mum?" Big words, considering we're not even out of the car yet.

We throw our gear into our cottage. While the decor seems to borrow from the caravan movement (the console-like lounges and two of the beds are built into the walls), the two-bathroom, two-bedroom plus loft cottage is large, clean and stocked with trappings such as a dishwasher, microwave, washing machine, dryer and enough crockery to serve the Last Supper.

The layout provides stairs for the boys to throw themselves up and down and a loft balcony for them to throw things off. Luckily, there's a veranda and adults can sit outside with the door closed, pretending none of this is happening.

In an era where size matters, the only downer was the television, which was positively old-fashioned in its small-scale appearance. But there is no desire to play couch potato with so much to do at the resort. We head to the main pool and immediately assume we're in the wrong spot when we are met by a group of people in formal attire. It seems Raffertys is also a hot spot for the wedding crowd.

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Is this a good or bad thing? Well, for starters, the dining room is closed during the reception (though takeaway is available) and you can't help but feel self-conscious in your boardies while others are in penguin suits. But I'd have to say the impact is surprisingly positive.

From poolside conversations and snippets overheard at the communal breakfasts, we glean plenty of information about this weekend's bride and groom, David and Sharyn: how they met on a cruise, share a bevy of grandchildren between them and how David's speech didn't leave a dry eye. It was like we got all the good bits of a wedding without having to put up with the boorish uncles and judgmental aunts.

The celebratory atmosphere is only enhanced by the other party groups we stumble across at the resort: separate tribes for a 21st birthday, a family reunion and an annual friend's get-together.

During the weekend, the children try three of Raffertys' four swimming pools (the heated one is a popular pre-bedtime choice), play tennis on the floodlit courts, try beach volleyball, roll down the manicured lawns and feed wildlife.

We were too relaxed to tackle a kayak ride on the choppy lake, nor did we adults sneak in a massage at the on-site day spa.

The resort's buffet breakfast is a huge hit, as is the takeaway menu, which includes the usual suspects of pasta, pizza, wedges, fish, chicken nuggets and chips. With the main dining area closed on wedding nights, the eating options are thin on the ground and thankfully the on-premises Thai restaurant manages to fill the void.

Raffertys' owners are putting the property through the cleaners: refurbishing rooms, overhauling the popular school-holidays Kids Club and converting the pool bar area into a new Italian-style restaurant. These enhancements will only add to the value-for-money appeal of the resort for young families. It's the kind of place you can see yourself coming back to year after year to meet up with like-minded folk.

The writer was a guest of Raffertys Resort and Tourism NSW.

TRIP NOTES

WHERE Wild Duck Drive, via Raffertys Road, Cams Wharf, Lake Macquarie. Phone (02) 4972 5555, see raffertysresort.com.au.

HOW MUCH A two-bedroom cottage with loft is priced from $289 a night. Sleeps six.

BEST THING The main pool's fountains, heated spa and whirlpool entertain children for hours.

WORST THING Limited food options that leave you desperate for decent vegetable dishes.

LOCAL SECRET Watching the sun set over water is a rarity on Australia's east coast, but entirely possible here. Sipping a cocktail while viewing its descent is decadently relaxing.

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