Who cares if you leave your 'other' at home to find their own socks and undies?
Sometimes you just need to be surrounded by ‘your girls’ for a few days of laughter, workshopping relationships and kicking back a cocktail or two.
Ladies-only holidays are certainly on the rise and shine. Whether it’s a fastidiously mapped out sisterhood adventure or an ‘on the whim’ challenge to dive in the deep end and take a spontaneous vacation with your best friend. All you really require is fellow women wanderers with an exploratory nature and a general lust for life.
Maybe your idea of holiday heaven centres around relaxed beach day haze buffered by health and wellness activities. Or perhaps it’s a combination of action-packed outdoor adventurers of the surfing, kayaking and hiking kind. Whichever your style, you’re bound to find one of the following female friendly Barrington Coast getaways very appealing.
Luxe is good right? The answer is always yes, especially on holidays. There’s a huge selection of deluxe accommodation in the Barrington Coast so you’re sure to find the right one for you and your girls. The accommodation examples listed below are just a few of the many options available, check out our website and use the filters to narrow down your perfect holiday break.
The private holiday home: Umi Boomerang Beach
Boomerang Beach is a worthy winner in the getaway stakes. How about a starlit dinner together with your female friends on a sprawling veranda with a bountiful seafood feast? Or a therapeutic body treatment followed by a sunset beach stroll and self-mixed cocktails aka happy hour at home? However you may have to draw straws for the master bedroom with sunrise views over the beach with your morning cuppa.
There’s no need to overthink an itinerary at Umi Boomerang Beach with its four bedrooms and multiple living spaces, sun-soaked decks and grassy verge overlooking the beach. Just think: long stretches of sandy beach meeting lush subtropical landscapes, plenty of recreational activities and an Insta-worthy dreamscape home where modern minimalism meets luxury and comfort.
The resort-style retreat: Moby’s Beachside Retreat
Looking for a coastal luxe feel with all the facilities but not wall-to-wall rooms? Moby’s Beachside Retreat offers architect-designed beach houses set in manicured resort gardens with all the trimmings for an easy getaway: café with bar for breakfast, lunch and dinner, a lagoon pool with heated spa, gym, tennis court and just 50 metres from Boomerang Beach.
You’ll settle easily into the one, two or three-bedroom stylish beach houses and did we mention the day spa for that must-have massage? Book me in.
The boutique motel: Blueys Motel
In Blueys Beach you’ll find Blueys Motel, a super cute motel for your besties with retro cool vibes, poolside rooms and a brief 200 metre walk to an incredibly pretty secluded beach. There’s only 10 rooms available at this intimate boutique motel, so definitely book ahead to secure a spot with your best-of-the-best girlfriends.
Tip: your Barrington Coast home away from home is right by Blueys Beach village which has a cellar, an epic pizza place plus Jenz at Blueys Beach for gourmet coffee, cakes plus gifts from around the world. Now that’s getaway perfection!
The riverside cabins: Barrington Hideaway
Go west - life is indeed peaceful there. Adventurous women who appreciate time spent in the great outdoors will adore the country charm of Barrington Hideaway. Primely located on the banks of the Barrington River near Gloucester, these deluxe cabins offer guests a relaxing environment to connect with both nature and your friends.
It’s an ideal base for exploring the three Tops nearby: Copeland Tops, Gloucester Tops and Barrington Tops. Think: magical waterfalls, taking gentle nature hikes and curling up by the firepit come evening. Mornings here are special, greet the platypus from your verandah. And if your friends enjoy photography, they’ll totally love it here in the Tops. The scenery literally offers picture perfect views from any view finder angle. Frame, grab and snap!
The glamping tents #1: Myall River Camp
This award-winning camp ticks all the boxes for your best-ever glamping getaway beside the Myall River at Hawks Nest. Perfectly located, it's just a stone's throw to white sandy beaches and Myall Lakes National Park.
Indulge in this glamourous spin on camping with safari-style tents suitable for any movie star with all the conveniences you crave.
Or if prefer, swap your canvas-covered dreams for one of the supremely comfortable tiny eco homes on wheels. You’ll holiday sustainably in style at Myall River Camp.
And they've just won Gold at the North Coast Tourism Awards 2023 for their glamping... now you really should come see why.
The glamping tents #2: Simple Pleasures Camping Co
Who cares if you can’t set up a tent, here’s the very best way to immerse yourself oh-so-stylishly in the bush and under the stars. Simples Pleasures Camping Co offers fully-furnished bell tents that easily conjur up romantic notions of desert wanderers on white steeds but without the effort of setting up camp.
Currently locates at Sandbar Holiday Park on the shores of Smiths Lake, these are truly stylish tents with comfort and luxury, completely arranged for your holiday pleasure with bedding, linen, floor coverings, lighting, cookware, utensils and gorgeous outdoor furniture. Upon your arrival all you need to do is drop your bags and relax.
The glamping tents #3: Crowdy Bay Eco Resort
If you have a handful of girlfriends looking for that getaway then here's a place with plenty of gorgeous glamping tents to keep your whole crew housed and happy.
Crowdy Bay Eco Resort provides experiential eco-glamping for a getaway that's relaxing, fulfilling and sustainable. Here you can skip barefoot from your glamping tent's deck to the resort pool to the uncrowded beach at Crowdy Bay. Perfect!
The farm stay: Mansfield Cottage, Barrington
This country cottage alongside the Barrington River is a great place for a getaway with your girls... even their Facebook page is called Girls Weekends - In The Mountains On The River so you know you'll be getting the right sort of experience.
This delightful unpretentious cottage was once a dairy farm, with grassy expanses to walk, sit or lay upon. Wander down to the river with a rubber tube or just enjoy the views from the outdoor bathhouse. The claw foot bath also has two back-to-back showers that make back-scrubbing your partner a breeze! Even the adjacent toilet has a view through its barn-style doors, and will keep your girlfriends giggling all weekend about the "loo with a view".
The Forster apartment stay: Sails, Sevan or Beaches International
The Gold Coast may have given highrise holidays a bad name but in Forster it's different. Here it's low key, where the apartments don't dominate but you'll still get a great view perched above the beach, ocean or lake. A Forster holiday apartment means you can park the car for a week and be handily walking-distance to everything you need for your catch-up time with the girls: restaurants with delicious cuisines from around the world; bars for a cocktail or two; casual cafes for that hangover brunch; and takeaways when you can't be bothered going out and just want to admire the view from your balcony.
For entertainment you can walk to, the main street has great shopping for clothes and homewares; visit one of the wharf businesses to hire an aqua bike, kayak, SUP or barbecue boat; and stroll across the bridge to Tuncurry Rockpool or the fabulous Thirty Three Degrees waterfront restaurant. Hot tip: splash out on a 3 bedroom apartment, each bedroom with ensuite and views for days across ocean and lake.
Something a little different #1: Kings Creek Retreat
How about a country-western themed break where you can stay in fully furnished tipis? Kings Creek Retreat is an absolutely unique farmstay experience for small groups from 10-30 people. It boasts a fully equipped kitchen, barn-sized games room, arcade games, juke box with 7,000 songs, lawn games, swimming pool, wood fired pizza oven plus an undercover podium for that Shania Twain 'Man, I Feel Like A Woman' musical moment.
To complete your country-western getaway you can create your own dream catcher or feather head dress. This girls-only getaway will be ringing with laughter the whole weekend!
Something a little different #2: Boogie Woogie Beach House
Ok, the name alone should get you interested and then you’ll probably get hooked with the music icon themed rooms: the Ziggy, the Blondie, the Nick Cave, the Dave Grohl and the Louis Armstrong. If you and your friends love live music then you’ll love this beachside gem, happily married to Flow Bar at the village of Old Bar.
Flow Bar is famous for regular live music gigs with local and visiting performers, plus the food is just awesome, always. After your sunset drinks, delicious dinner and music-filled night ends, simply head upstairs to your Boogie Woogie rooms. Are you (Sky)hooked yet?
Something a little different #3: Sunquncha Temple
Pronounced "soon-qoon-cha in the Quechua language of the Andes, Sunquncha Temple is an inspiring new wellness retreat. The retreats here allow you and your friends to gather for gentle rejuvenation, growth and transformation. Try yoga, mindfulness, drum crafting, initiation or (our favourite) Awaken the Witches: a gathering of women to "heal self, connection to land and awaken the wild woman within". The space includes a stunning 10 metre dome (with air conditioning and a cosy fireplace), 180-degree peaceful rural views plus glamping bell tents with all the creature comforts for overnight stays. I'll leave my broomstick at home but book me in!
Fall in love with these ideas
Already have your accommodation sorted and looking for inspirational things to do? Here are some suggestions to get you out and about in our region, before you settle in later for that soothing glass of red or white or in between:
Aaqua Marine Medi Spa - If rejuvenation is what you need, here it is: massage, facials, spray tanning, spa packages, cosmetic tattooing, manicure and pedicure, skin rejuvenation and those all-important designer eyes.
Bent On Food and Bent On Life – Two awesome Wingham businesses from the same owner and both worth spending a whole morning at. Order perfect coffee and delicious food at the award-winning café Bent On Food then a few doors up you can spend time browsing the designer homewares available at Bent On Life. Eating and shopping, done well.
Bohemian Spirit - If you're free-spirited and a little unconventional then you'll love the Bohemian-inpired fashion and lifestyle pieces at this gorgeous boutique at Tea Gardens. Bring the girls for a great day of retail therapy in your own eclectic style.
Coastal Cosmetic Injectables – Too many big nights? How about anti-wrinkle injections, dermal fillers and IV vitamins from this Forster clinic.
Elk & Willow – A beautifully curated collection of top quality, super stylish clothing is available at this adorable Gloucester store. Resisting is pointless, you’ll love it.
Forster Yoga Studio - Choose from a selection of yoga styles to suit absolutely everyone in your group, but if you really want to make the most of your holiday time, Forster Yoga Studio also offers massage, facials and infrared sauna. Grab a Holiday Pamper pack of a week of bliss.
Solder and Stone - Create your own personalised jewellery pieces: earrings, rings, necklace pendants. Utilise a huge stone and sea glass collection for these workshop classes but also feel free to bring your own sentimental treasures to create into your very own jewellery creation. Choose from: Stamped ring workshop, Ring with stone setting workshop, Earring workshop and Two day silversmithing workshop.
Tea Gardens Ice Cream Shack – Offering 40 different flavours of Norgen Vaaz ice cream, gelatos and sorbets. Superb coffee, slices and sandwiches and an extensive selection of lollies for your sweet tooth friends, enjoy them as you stroll the gorgeous northern shores of glittering Port Stephens.
The Farmers Wife Distillery - The ultimate destination for anyone (girls or boys) who likes gin, especially if it's a world-beating award-winning gin made locally right here in the Barrington Coast! Their new distillery door, tasting room, cafe and bar at Allworth offers a stunning space to enjoy their multi award-winning gin, recently named Australia's best! Who’s ready for some summer spritz, cheese boards or even some gourmet pizza? Bookings are strongly recommended: for girls weekends, boys weekends, birthday lunches, couples time or just a special treat.
Wild Cosmo Flowers - The talented staff at Wild Cosmo Flowers are now also offering workshops, their first is an Everlasting Flowers workshop where you create your own everlasting arrangement. You'll have unlimited access to their dried flower bar with full support and guidance from their team to ensure your creative vision is brought to life. Plus you'll enjoy cocktail on arrival, tea & coffee, a grazing board of delicious nibbles and sweet treats too, all included.
Weddings, parties, anything.
Planning a hen’s weekend away? Perhaps you’re looking at hosting your upcoming nuptials in the beautiful Barrington Coast? Fabulous flowers and fabulous food are a must:
Wild Cosmo Flowers - A girls’ getaway will always benefit from a bouquet of delightful flowers and Wild Cosmo have the best. We’re talking artfully created floral blooms set to induce giddy moments of visual pleasure. Tip: they deliver flower bouquets and gift hampers throughout Taree, Old Bar, Wingham, Forster and Gloucester.
Deluxe grazing platters – Here’s something to make your friends’ jaws drop and ensure your girls-only getaway will always be remembered. Indulge in ‘wild luxe’ grazing tables, picnic spreads, oversized platters and food boxes. You’ll all feel like Instagram influencers at play!
