Overview
If you needed a new reason to make the journey to the historic fishing town of Patonga, then the recently renovated Boathouse Hotel has you covered. Located along the Hawkesbury River and Broken Bay, the spot relaunched last year with all-day dining, seaside views and a large outdoor deck overlooking the water — and now its revamped rooms are available to stay in as well.
It's the first Central Coast venue for the Boathouse Group, which originated in Palm Beach back in 2008 and now boasts eight venues to its name. The stunning new interior is similar to the group's other beachside venues and resembles the inside of a luxury yacht, while the large outdoor deck offers prime seating for the warmer months.
On the food front, the menu spans breakfast through dinner with a focus on quality produce and fresh fare. For brekkie, there are healthy options like the granola ($18), bircher muesli ($18) and green bowl (avocado, kale, broccoli, seed loaf and cashews, topped with a poached egg — $22), along with more decadent eats like the croissant French toast ($22) and sausage sangas with manchego, caramelised onions and chilli ($16).
For lunch and dinner, classic pub grub, including parmas ($26), pork ribs ($44) and burgers ($26), sit alongside more refined fare — think snapper ceviche with cucumber and sesame ($24) or yellowfin tuna pasta with capers and herbs ($32). A takeaway shop turns out finger food like fish and chips, too.
The classic cocktail list continues the beachside vibes, with a frozen watermelon margarita, cucumber cooler and pomegranate mojito all making the list at $19 a piece. Other drink specialties include a rare magnum offering and 17-strong beer list. Non-alcoholic options range from cold press juices and smoothies to tonics and kombucha.
If you're eager to stay for a night or several — and willing to pay between $240–850 per night — the hotel's accommodation includes three one-to-three bedroom guest apartments, each with waterfront balcony views. The trio of rooms sit on the structure's upper level, and also feature separate living and dining areas, marble bathrooms, and either a kitchenette or kitchen. Decor-wise, they're unsurprisingly coastal-themed, complete with timber and terrazzo flooring, nautical-inspired fabrics, handmade shell mirrors, and rope and cane pieces.
Located a 90-minute drive from Sydney, or 30-minute ferry trip from Palm Beach, it's the perfect spot to build a weekend getaway around. If you do, here are a few more Central Coast spots to check out while you're there.
The Boathouse Hotel Patonga is now open at 6/8 Patonga Drive, Patonga. Open Monday through Tuesday from 7am–3pm and Wednesday through Sunday from 7am–9pm.