Just a hop, skip and a jump from Sydney CBD sits Bells at Killcare – a quaint coastal retreat that provides an escape from city life on a Friday afternoon.

On arrival
Hidden away in the woodland solitude of Killcare are 25 self-contained boutique cottages and super-sized suites that line a sprawling compound. Bells at Killcare is all Hamptons-inspired rooms, decked out with Ralph Lauren coastal furnishings right down to the seagrass matting. The comfortable cottages feature chic living areas to entertain groups of up to eight. Marble slab vanities, gas fireplaces, king-sized beds and (most importantly) a well-stocked mini bar are the final luxe touches from owner Karina Barry.

The location
A short walk will take you to the sun-drenched Bouddi coastal cliff top walk, overlooking craggy beaches and bays of the NSW central coast. It’s a tranquil pocket of the world, and at the right time of year, you might be lucky enough to witness a magical display of migrating whales breaching off the coast. Before setting off to explore the Bouddi National Park wilderness, you can collect a bespoke kitchen hamper from the Bells kitchen, containing ciabattas with soft curd and smoked salmon, or prosciutto, tomato and buffalo mozzarella, seasonal fruit and house made biscotti.

The food
Newcastle boy Dean Jones has recently taken the reins in the kitchen, a mentee of former executive chef Stefano Manfredi. Dean spent a few years cutting his teeth in London at the famed River Cottage before returning to Bells, the place of his apprenticeship, to take the helm of the Italian restaurant.

Spuntino (Italian for snack) is in the form of kingfish tartare, seasoned with finger lime pearls and wrapped in garden nasturtium. For classic Italian primi, fresh pastas are rolled out daily in-house, with the cacciatore ragu a must-try.

Visit in the winter for a special three-cheese risotto doused in thick shavings of black truffle, while for secondi try crispy-skinned local duck served with freshly picked beets and braised green lentils. The breakfast offering is a buffet-lovers dream, with the usual continental breakfast accompanied by plates of prosciutto di parma and Italian cheeses as well as a hot savoury menu where a warm mushroom ragu and barley with a runny fried egg provides the perfect wholesome winter treat.

The garden
A walk through the garden proves that Dean knows his apples from his oranges – or rather his cumquats from his four different varieties of garlic. The team of chefs can be seen out in the gardens regularly, harvesting vegetables, flowers and leaves right before service. Woody lemon and bay trees surround the vegetable beds bursting with of beets, radishes, rhubarb and chard. Fennel that won’t see out the winter drops precious seeds onto the ground that the chefs then collect and store for the rest of the year.

The spa
An idyllic sanctuary after a day of adventure, no weekend away is complete without a rejuvenating spa treatment. Treat your winter skin to a hydrating facial using Australian-made LI’TYA products, crafted from indigenous ingredients such as lilli pilli and fragrant lemon myrtle, or enjoy a calming rhythmic massage with native aromatic oils for mind and body wellness.

107 The Scenic Road, Killcare Heights, New South Wales, bellsatkillcare.com.au