Central Coast Life & Style | Edition 3

EDITION 3

central coast

LIFE and STYLE

IDYLLIC ESCAPES

COUNTRY DRIVES FOODIE FAVOURITES 1

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t h e b e h o l d e r. c o m . a u

central coast

LIFE and STYLE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF CATHY BAKER GENERAL MANAGER MELANIE HOOLE EDITORIAL SALLY MACMILLAN, TRISH ARNOTT PHOTO EDITOR JOSEF NALEVANSKY CREATIVE DIRECTOR KRISTIE LOWE ADVERTISING AMANDA NALEVANSKY PHOTOGRAPHY JOSEF NALEVANSKY CATHERINE WINNARD ALEC BAKER, MONIKA MLINARIC, JOSIE CLOUGH, NIKKI TO DIGITAL MEDIA JULIANA DORNELES

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ADVERTISING to advertise in the next issue of Central Coast Life and Style please email amanda@centralcoastlifeandstyle.com.au

EDITOR’S LETTER Welcome to the autumn edition of Central Coast Life & Style.

After all the dramas of the past few months – lockdowns, floods and wild storms – I’m sure I’m not the only one looking forward to the traditionally mellow autumn season. And while our beautiful beaches and waterways make the Central Coast a renowned summer holiday destination, there’s lots more to explore year-round.

Coming up in June is the 5 Lands Walk, a fantastic community initiative that has been going for 15 years. It’s timed to coincide with the winter solstice and this year thousands of people are expected to join the 10-kilometre walk from Macmasters Beach to Terrigal. Along the way, each coastal village welcomes you with music, art exhibitions, Indigenous dance and traditional ceremonies.

Find out more on page 22.

Horse-riding is a wonderful way to enjoy the glorious rolling countryside that lies beyond the beach. Check out our story about The Outlook Riding Academy on page 25; this friendly, family-run establishment offers lessons, holiday camps and equine-assisted coaching and therapy. Or if a country drive is more your style, join us on an eco-friendly journey to an unusual alpaca farm in the peaceful Dooralong Valley (page 28).

The foodie scene on the Coast is going from strength to strength, with cafes, restaurants and bars appealing to all tastes and budgets. On page 15, we take a look at some local cooking schools – joining a class is a fun way to hone your culinary skills, make some new friends and learn how to make the most of the amazing array of seasonal local produce that’s grown nearby. Belle Retreats is running a series of culinary events with superchef Dimitris Aronis at the fabulous Killcare Beach House – see page 14 for more info.

Waterfront dining is one of life’s great pleasures and arriving by boat makes it even more special. Check out our selection of waterfront restaurants on the Coast and nearby Northern Beaches on page 18. Talking of eating out, the Broken Bay Pearl Farm recently launched a new seafood delicacy – akoya oyster. You can find out more about the pearl farm and its fascinating operation on page 10.

Autumn’s cooler months also offer the opportunity to spend some time refreshing your home. You might want to highlight areas with the new season’s colours, choose a striking ‘hero’ piece to set off a particular space or call in an expert to help with interior styling. We have some inspiring ideas for you on page 38.

The Coast has many scenic spots to explore or revisit year-round. Why not take a luxury break in a stunning holiday home for a long weekend, school holidays, a special occasion or for an overnight retreat? Turn to page 32 to see some of our favourite Belle Escapes.

And for your chance to win a luxury break with Belle Escapes, subscribe to our free newsletter at centralcoastlifeandstyle.com.au, follow us on our Instagram page @centralcoastlifeandstyle and like us on Facebook. Too easy!

From all of us at Central Coast Life & Style, we wish you the very best for the upcoming months.

Cheers, Cathy Baker

Central Coast Life and Style Magazine has taken all reasonable precautions and effort to ensure the accuracy of material contained in this magazine is correct at the time of publishing. The views expressed in our articles do not necessarily reflect that of the editor and publisher. All adverts and editorial features are published in good faith. Central Coast Life and Style Magazine cannot guarantee and accept no liability for any loss or damage of any kind, errors or inaccuracy of claims made by the advertisers.

Cathy

CATHY BAKER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF 3

PEARL FARMING ON THE COAST

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FINDINSIDE 06

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CLASSIC AGENDA HEROES’ PHIL HARTE

JOIN THE COAST’S 5 LANDS WALK

MEET ELLE EFFECT’S DYNAMIC FOUNDER ELLE FERGUSON

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SADDLE UP AT TERRIGAL’S THE OUTLOOK

NEW SEASON HOME STYLING TIPS

08 SPOTLIGHT ON FROZEN ACTRESS JEMMA RIX

10 EXPLORE BROKEN BAY PEARL FARM

15 UNLEASH YOUR INNER MASTERCHEF AT COOKING SCHOOL

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28 ROAD-TESTING AUDI’S NEW ECO-FRIENDLY E-TRON

32 BEAUTIFUL BELLE HOLIDAY ESCAPES

43 COAST STYLE: FIVE FAVOURITE BOUTIQUE BUSINESSES

46 BOOK CLUB: GREAT AUTUMN READS

SIX OF THE BEST WATERFRONT RESTAURANTS

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU GET NOTICED? Central Coast Life & Style is so much more than just another magazine – we are currently one of the largest social media influencers on the Coast, with a following of more than 60,000 users across our digital platforms. With our Editor-in-Chief, Cathy Baker, at the helm, you will also have access to Belle Escapes’ majority stake in the Central Coast’s holiday and weekend traffic, a significant contributor to our region’s success. Offering a unique, distinguished style like no other, we are the integrated solution to your advertising needs.

Please contact amanda@centralcoastlifeandstyle.com.au to find out how we can design a tailor-made solution that’s right for you!

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ABOUT OUR COVER: Mia Woolrich is an Australian-born international model who has worked for big-name campaigns such as Ralph Lauren, DKNY, Tommy Hilfiger and L’Oréal.

New York has been home for some time but now Mia is back in Australia, our photo editor Josef Nalevansky snapped up the chance to do a shoot with her. Josef took this gorgeous cover shot at a stunning Belle Escapes holiday home in Killcare, which features on page 34.

Hair & Make Up by Emma Spotswood of All Made Up – www.allmadeup.com.au.

Styled & Dressed by Weave Dibden Neck of Ukiyo-Co – www.ukiyo-co.com.

Represented by Chadwick Models.

WIN A LUXURY BREAK

ON THE CENTRAL COAST WITH BELLE ESCAPES Simply enter our prize draw by subscribing to our newsletter at www.cc-style.co Head to our Instagram page @centralcoastlifeandstyle to check out 12 prizes we are giving away, with the final prize being a fantastic offer for our readers – a luxury escape to the Central Coast.

This amazing vacation package is provided by Belle Escapes and the lucky winner will enjoy: • A two-night escape for four people at Ku De Ta, Terrigal • Stunning four-bedroom, three-bathroom house with pool • Mid-week date of your choice (subject to availability) • Gourmet picnic hamper • Gold Class tickets for Event Cinema, Westfield Tuggerah • Dinner for four at The Bavarian, Westfield Tuggerah • Must be over 25 years old • Abide by house rules • To be used by year end 2021 Hurry, register at www.cc-style.co/website for your chance to win.

CENTRAL COAST

T&C’s apply. Usage dates apply 5

FORCE OF NATURE

Award-winning chef, entrepreneur and global networking supremo Phil Harte introduces Classic Agenda Heroes 2021, a magnificently photographed book celebrating the achievements of Aussie women from all walks of life.

International jetsetters will know the glossy coffee-table book Classic Lifestyle – it’s on the shelves of first-class and business airport lounges around the world and covers the best of everything about fine dining, prestige travel and ultra-luxury living.

Phil Harte’s company, Harte International Consultancy, released the 25th edition of Classic Lifestyle in March. While every edition is a visual feast, Classic Agenda Heroes 2021 is the latest in a series published to celebrate inspirational women, in conjunction with International Women’s Day (IWD).

Sixty guests at Bells at Killcare were among hundreds of people who attended lavish IWD 2021 lunches across the country, fundraisers organised by Harte International.

Phil and his wife, uber-talented photographer Danielle Harte, hosted the events; wellknown TV presenter Sandra Sully and former Governor-General Dame Quentin Bryce are deeply involved with the Agenda books, which sell for $100 to support the Women’s Legal Service Queensland (available at wlsq.org.au).

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EVENT

While previous editions of Agenda showcase Danielle’s stunning blackand-white portraits of high-profile women – Cate Blanchett, Turia Pitt and Tina Arena among them – Classic Agenda Heroes 2021 marks a change of focus. The book devotes many of its weighty 350-plus pages to the uplifting stories and amazing portraits of the unsung heroes who have been the “invisible backbone” of our country during a year of devastating drought, bushfires, floods and the Covid-19 pandemic.

You’ll meet firefighters (including a 91-year-old Rural Fire Service volunteer), farmers, small business-owners, artists, a Royal Flying Doctor Services pilot and the founders of the Empty Esky campaign, to mention just a few. “These women represent the tens of thousands, just like them, who have all simply put their heads down, without accolade or fanfare, and got on with the job at hand,” says Sandra Sully. “They are the indestructible thread that is the lifeblood of our communities, yet their kinship and enduring spirit have enriched us all.”

on a global scale – and along the way, the company raises at least $1 million a year for numerous charitable foundations.

Highly recognisable women who also appear in Classic Agenda Heroes 2021 include Celeste Barber (the author and comedian who raised $51 million for bushfire relief), Maggie Beer (cook, author and restaurateur), Sam Bloom (world champion canoeist, whose story was portrayed by Naomi Watts in the movie Penguin Bloom), Sam Kerr (soccer star, former Matildas Captain and Young Australian of the Year), Ellie Cole (Paralympic swimmer and wheelchair basketball player), Cate Campbell (Australian swimmer), Lauren Parker (elite para-triathlete), Wendy McCarthy AO (founder of the NSW Women’s Electoral Lobby) and Pip Harrison (Head of Tourism Australia).

But behind this larger-than-life success story is one simple philosophy: doing it for yourself. Phil says that when he was a teenage apprentice chef, “I decided I would never work for anybody, answer to anybody, or rely on anybody else for the success or failure of my business.”

HOW DO THEY DO IT?

He made sure the Long Room was adorned with blown-up photographs of notable women, many of whom were at the event – possibly outshining dusty portraits of all those male MCG members. The icing on the cake was the Australian women’s cricket team beating India in front of a record crowd.

Phil and Danielle Harte spend weeks of every year – except 2020, for obvious reasons – travelling to exotic destinations in all corners of the globe, reviewing hotels and airlines, cooking with chefs at the world’s best restaurants (Phil) and photographing everything from those fabulous dishes to hotels, palaces, street markets, famous landmarks and remote villages (Danielle and, sometimes, Phil).

They lead glamorous lives, mixing and mingling with elite businesspeople, top chefs, movie stars, sporting greats and big names in the music world.

The core business of Harte International Consultancy is event management,

This indefatigable, self-described “egomaniac” doesn’t take no for an answer and his support of women’s causes is well known. Last year, he was invited to organise an IWD brunch for 100 women at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where he found the ideal venue – the hallowed Long Room. He was told tradition dictated that women weren’t allowed in; let’s just say Phil got his way.

Although Classic Agenda Heroes 2021 was not the book Phil and Danielle originally envisaged – who knew Covid-19 would shut down international travel from Australia for more than a year, and counting – it is a wonderful testament to women from all walks of life, long-lasting business collaborations and personal friendships. We look forward to seeing the 2022 edition. – Sally Macmillan. Photography by Josef.

“Inspired by Food of the Sun” SEAN CONNOLLY Culinary Director

107 The Scenic Road, Killcare Heights • 02 4349 7000 • bellsatkillcare.com.au 7

HOT PROPERTY Meet Jemma Rix, the talented singer-actor who grew up in Avoca Beach and is now starring as Elsa in the Broadway musical spectacular, Frozen.

On the beautiful Central Coast, we can claim many talented young people and the hot property right now is Avoca Beach’s own Jemma Rix. Currently starring as Elsa in the musical Frozen, Jemma took time away from her busy schedule to talk to Central Coast Life & Style.

Performing eight shows a week, including two matinée days, this talented actress is taking Sydney by storm.

Warm, with an engagingly bubbly personality, Jemma recalls her early life growing up on the locally.

“I grew up on Avoca Beach with my parents and my younger brother, Riley, all of whom still live on the Central Coast, although my parents moved to Wamberal a few years ago. And since starting dance lessons at the age of about four, I had the performing bug.

“We threw ourselves into the dancing; I did Highland Dancing for a while and performed in all the dance competitions.”

Kids who grow up by the beach tend to follow a tried-and-true path of Nippers, the training ground for young lifesavers, to surfing and lots of beach time.

“But I’m a redhead,” Jemma says with a laugh, “so I had to be more careful than most about avoiding sunburn. Of course, we still had an outdoors life, going waterskiing and camping with friends, which was great fun, but I was never going to follow the traditional Central Coast lifestyle.”

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School was Avoca Beach Primary, where Jemma took every opportunity to sing. Once at Terrigal High, Jemma had many more opportunities to flex her musical muscle.

“I chose Terrigal High over Kincumber High because Terrigal offered more performance-related activities. Every year, we’d enter the Australian Rock Eisteddfod Challenge plus I got to sing at other events and shows.

“The first time I performed in front of a large audience (I think) was at a school assembly when I was in Year 7. What I remember most about that was how supportive everyone was, from the other students to the school staff.”

Stardom didn’t arrive quickly. Jemma’s aunt, a beauty therapist, inspired Jemma to do a beauty therapy apprenticeship at TAFE, an occupation she loved. However, the burning desire to perform hadn’t been quelled by roles with the Gosford Musical Society or singing in a band and in local restaurants. At the end of her four-year apprenticeship, at the tender age of 20, she was off to Melbourne (sharing the long drive with her father) to seek her performing fortune.

Sometimes our lives are affected by just being in the right place at the right time.

“I hadn’t really thought about musical theatre as a career opportunity because I didn’t think I had the right kind of voice. Then along came Idina Menzel and I thought, ‘I could do that!’”

SPOTLIGHT

“I auditioned for everything, sang where I could and took dance lessons”

Jemma Rix and her on-stage co-star Courtney Monsma

As Jemma relates, “While I had a job in a cafe, I auditioned for everything, sang where I could and took dance lessons. Not long after I arrived in Melbourne, I landed a role in The Monster Rock and Roll Show at Universal Studios in Osaka, Japan.”

“I just wanted to be in the show, even if I were only part of the ensemble, so I really landed on my feet.”

But wasn’t it hard living away for a year?

And what does Jemma have to say about Frozen?

“Living in Japan was such an amazing experience. I’d been to Europe when I was 18 but had never lived outside Australia. There I was, surrounded by this incredible group of talented young performers from all over the world. It was such a melting pot of talent, we all supported each other and we actually got paid for it.

“The Japanese really took care of all the performers. We all got a phone, and a bicycle, our own apartment – it was pretty wild for a young woman from Avoca Beach.”

Roll on one year and Jemma was back in Melbourne, where her experience in Japan performing in a cut-down version of Wicked saw her accepted as the standby for the Elphaba role.

“Because I’d already proved I could sing ‘Defying Gravity’, which is notoriously difficult, I got to be in the show and learn from Amanda Harrison, a seasoned musical theatre professional. Because I was the standby talent, I could use my time to focus, listen to the director’s calls, watch and absorb everything. It was such a fantastic training ground where I could learn on the job, which is more my style anyway.

As history shows, Jemma went on to share the role, singing at four performances a week and getting top billing.

“The role is fantastic and I love it but I really want people to understand how much more the musical is compared with the film. The score is longer plus I get another belter of a number in ‘Monster’.”

When asked if she experienced the energy of an audience, Jemma replies, “Oh, yes! Especially when we did our first shows of the season.

The audiences were so starved of entertainment, they were so happy to be in the theatre and we could feel them willing us to do our best.

That energy – we feed off it.”

Clearly, even without the audience factor, this is a stupendous production.

Comments Jemma, “It’s a Broadway musical and it couldn’t be more obvious, with lavish sets and costumes (and my costume transformation is extraordinary). The characters have more depth and because we’re real people, not animations, audiences can feel the emotion in this powerful story of sisters overcoming adversity to be fully themselves.”

In a post-2020 world, don’t we all need some magic?

–Trish Arnott

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THE SECRET LIFE OF

Oysters

Below the tranquil surfaces of the Hawkesbury River and Brisbane Water lies a treasure trove of oysters, quietly working away to produce lustrous akoya pearls.

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EXPLORE

“A woman needs ropes and ropes of pearls.” So said fashion’s classic disruptor and perennial style-mistress, Coco Chanel, sometime last century. Pearls have been in vogue for millennia and are officially the world’s oldest gems; they are also the only gems to be formed by a living creature rather than dug out of the ground.

Central Coast Life & Style is exploring Broken Bay Pearl Farm – the only one of its kind in NSW – to find out more about the glamorous jewel. Our day of discoveries kicks off at the humble public jetty at Woy Woy to sample the specially tailored private VIP Experience; in the afternoon, we take the boutique company’s excellent two-hour tour from the Shellar Door at Mooney Mooney.

We jump into a punt with pearl farmer Ashley Evans (above) and gemologist Celeste Boonaerts, who take us to two leases on Brisbane Water to demonstrate the difference between one- and two-year-old akoya oysters. As our expert guides outline what’s involved in producing the precious gems, we start to gain an insight into how intensive and long term this pearl farming business really is.

“Oyster leases are like submerged farms,” says Ash. He is responsible for about 10,000 square metres of leases in Brisbane Water and the Hawkesbury River, along with overseeing oysters throughout their development from spawn to microscopic spat (essentially babies, millions of them) to maturity about five years later.

These remarkable little bivalves are liable to be picked off at all stages of their lives, by birds, fish, worms and barnacles, and keeping the survivors barnacle-free is an ongoing labour of love. Oysters also make a vital contribution to the health of the waterways: they act as filters, storing algae and carbon in their shells, and interact with oxygenating seagrasses to help keep the water clean.

PEARL SEEDING Ash and Celeste whisk us off to the seeding shed, a rustic shelter in the mangroves, where we watch two farmers transferring spat from mats to frames inside fine-mesh nets. These are then submerged in water and the mesh is cleaned every couple of weeks to keep them free of silt and weeds. As the oysters grow, they are hand-sorted by size, usually when they are being scrubbed clean, and moved to bigger baskets on the leases. This process continues every three months, until they are two years old and ready to seed.

The seeding shed is also where the all-important ‘pearl-seeding’ procedure happens. Celeste is more than five years through her 10-year apprenticeship – it’s an extraordinarily specialised, technical job – and she explains that it takes three shellfish to create a pearl.

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First is the Mississippi freshwater clam, whose hand-sanded, pure white shell ‘balls’ form the nuclei of all cultivated pearls. Second is a two-year-old oyster, selected among other things for the colours of its shell; its mantle is removed and cut into 3mm pieces, which are ‘donated’ to a second oyster to encourage the growth of the pearl. The nucleus is inserted into the gonad of the second oyster, along with the tissue graft. The tissue dies if not used within 20 minutes, and skilled technicians work with one shell a minute.

Of course, this is a very condensed version: you’ll learn a whole lot more when you take one of Broken Bay Pearl Farm’s Shellar Door tours at Mooney Mooney.

Once the oyster has had its ‘operation’, it goes into a recovery box for a week, then it’s back to the nets on the leases for three years. Five years is considered the optimum age for harvesting akoya pearls – the shells are bigger and heavier than three years before, but if they’re left much longer there’s a risk of losing the pearl due to degradation.

THE BIG REVEAL Harvesting a pearl is a gentle, gooey process. Once the oyster is prised open, you feel around the flesh with your fingers, hoping for that all-important hard bit – and if you’re lucky, you’ll squeeze out a perfect pearl. It’s a thrilling experience – suspense followed by elation, or possibly disappointment if there’s no pearl – and skilled technicians such as Celeste can tell by the quality of the pearl how well it was seeded in the first place.

Akoya pearls are smaller than the South Sea pearls (pinctada maxima)

cultivated in Western Australia, ranging from 4mm to 10mm with an average size of between 6.5mm and 8mm. The world’s biggest pearl measures 22.24mm and was produced at Broken Bay Pearl Farm’s sister operation at Cygnet Bay, WA, in 2004; it is still there, under lock and key, and is absolutely priceless.

Seeing how pearls are graded (and ultimately priced) in the Shellar Door grading room is the grand finale to the afternoon boat tour around the Hawkesbury leases. The five ‘virtues’ of a pearl are its lustre, surface, shape, size and colour. Pearls of Australia adds another two virtues that are unique to this company: provenance and purity.

And then it’s time to go shopping – for exquisite, handmade pearl jewellery, rainbow-coloured shells, books and more.

NEW SEAFOOD SENSATION Not all oysters produce pearls, but their flesh is a succulent delicacy.

Broken Bay Pearl Farm is now cultivating the akoya pearl oyster. Just like a Sydney rock oyster, the Akoya pearl oyster can be eaten raw and whole.

Its flavour has been described as stronger than the very subtle pearl meat (from Broome) and its meaty consistency is similar to a scallop.

For those wanting to sample this new seafood, it’s on the menu at local dining venues including Saddles at Mount White, Bells at Killcare and the Hawkesbury’s Marramarra Lodge.

For more details about the Broken Bay Pearl Farm, call 02 9985 1479; see pearlsofaustralia.com.au – Sally Macmillan. Photography by Josef.

WHAT IS AN AKOYA PEARL? The pearls produced at Broken Bay Pearl Farm are saltwater cultured pearls, grown in the Akoya oyster (pinctada fucata martensii). Naturally occurring pearls are extremely rare and extremely expensive; other types of cultured pearls are saltwater South Sea, Black Tahitian and freshwater pearls.

Akoya pearls were first grown and harvested by Japanese pearl farmer Kokichi Mikimoto in 1893 and today he is often called the ‘father of cultured pearls’. A surgical grafting technique known as the Mise-Nishikawa method took the process a step further, resulting in the spherical Akoya pearl recognised the world over.

Mikimoto pearl necklaces started to become particularly sought-after in the 1940s and Marilyn Monroe famously received one as a honeymoon present from husband Joe DiMaggio in 1954.

Akoya pearls are considered to be the classic pearl for use as jewellery because of their often-perfect round shapes, mirror-like lustre and neutral colours. The lustre of top grade Akoya pearls is unmatched in the pearl world and colours range from gold to ‘classic’ cream, white, silver and blue. Pink hues are rare and deep blues fetch the highest price.

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B E L L E E S C A P E S I N C O L L A B O R AT I O N W I T H P R I V AT E C H E F C AT E R I N G P R E S E N T

Join us for a series of exciting culinary workshops at Killcare Beach House, where you’ll create an Autumn Degustation menu with Dimitris Aronis from Private Chef Catering.

BOOK NOW – Friday July 30, 2021 FOR MORE INFORMATION AND BOOKINGS CONTACT BELLE ESCAPES CENTRAL COAST: 02 4360 1717 Cost $200pp • Limited to 25 guests • Champagne and Chocolates for all attending

Small exclusive style catering to the Sydney, Newcastle, Hunter Valley and Central Coast regions of NSW. Perfect for small intimate dinners with a focus on impressing.

0414 754 834 www.privatechefcatering.com.au

BUILT

TO INSPIRE

RENOVATIONS & EXTENSIONS RISING DAMP. UNDERPINNING. CONCRETE DECKS. RETAINING WALLS. MICHAEL BAKER 0425 22 03 01 E: BAKERMICK8@GMAIL.COM License: R88908 ABN: 92298084850

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EAT + DRINK

Lori’s Sense for Taste

FOODIE

FAVOURITES

Unleash your inner masterchef and join a cooking class – you’ll learn new techniques and skills from the experts while sampling delicious cuisines.

The Central Coast has hosted master cooking classes by Tetsuya, among others. Christine Manfield owned a beach house at Wagstaffe for many years, where she wrote three of her many best-selling books. Sean Connolly, culinary director of The Wild Flower Bar & Dining at Bells at Killcare, was hand-picked by adman and developer John Singleton to run Bon Pavilion, the restaurant in his Gosford development – Sean also has starring roles in some very well-known restaurants in Sydney, Byron Bay, Adelaide and Auckland. And we mustn’t neglect to mention that the inimitable Nigella Lawson has visited to dine at several Central Coast restaurants (after hanging out with Christine Manfield in Sydney).

CENTRAL COAST COOKING CLASSES Especially as the weather cools down, we look forward to succulent food and experiences beyond the beaches and waterways. An escape from the city need not mean only sun and sand. Cooking together is a great bonding experience for small teams (and you might be surprised at what cooking skills and food handling can tell you about your colleagues).

So scrub up, put on the gloves and let’s get cooking!

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Julie Goodwin, perhaps the best-known of our local celebrity chefs, offers cooking classes at her eponymous Julie’s Place cooking school in North Gosford. Julie’s signature cooking style is uncomplicated and unfussy, which chimes with those of us who are time poor but need to create delicious dishes. Passionate about Central Coast people and produce, she and her team liaise with farmers, producers and providores to provide guests with fresh, ethically raised local food in a delicious four-

course menu. Thursdays are Love Local days but if you’re keen to extend your skills, then choose from classes such as an Italian Feast, Tapas and Sangria or the ultimate High Tea. Visit juliesplace.com.au/events, call 02 4337 0777 or email cook@juliesplace.com.au Can’t make a class? Then check out some scrumptious recipes or dive into one of her best-selling books, available at juliegoodwin.com.au.

Ali Bishop of Pachamama Catering is renowned on the Central Coast for her home-grown organic produce and plant-based cuisine.

Her eight-hectare property, Greengate Farm in Killcare, provides the fruit, vegetables, herbs, flowers and leafy greens she uses in the Pachamama dishes at markets, home-delivered meals and in beautiful wedding feasts. Keen to share her philosophy and educate would-be cooks, Ali holds semi-regular cooking classes at the Killcare farm and Killcare Surf Club, led by well-known chefs such as Osteria il Coccia’s Nicola Coccia.

Look out for classes in early June and a Christmas in July special – you’ll find the details on the Pachamama website, pachacatering.com.au, nearer the time.

At Lori’s Sense for Taste, based in Terrigal, budding chefs are invited to enhance their taste for various featured ingredients and develop a signature cooking style. In the cooking classes, which are held for a maximum group of four participants to ensure everyone enjoys individual attention, you’ll prepare and cook dishes from the ingredients supplied, then feast together at the conclusion of the class. Lori also runs private sessions for one or two students and she specialises in Italian, Mediterranean, Thai, Chinese and Vietnamese cuisines. Keep an eye out for upcoming classes at lorissensefortaste.com.au or call Lori and her team on 0414 721 656.

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COOKING WITH

Chef Nico

Always on the lookout for inspiration, our editor Sally Macmillan recently joined a cooking class hosted by Pachamama’s Ali Bishop and Osteria il Coccia’s chef-owner Nicola Coccia.

CLASS RECIPE

Fourteen keen foodies gathered at Killcare Surf Club – what a glorious setting on a late summer’s evening – and Chef Nico prepared and cooked four different dishes in front of us. While it wasn’t a hands-on class, we were encouraged to wander through the kitchen, smell and look at the ingredients, ask lots of questions and, of course, eat every dish.

Serves 8

Nico shared some secrets about making egg pasta – he buys organic eggs from Erina’s Egg Shed and flours from Young Barons in Woy Woy – and resting the cling-wrapped dough in the fridge for at least an hour is essential.

He sprinkled the demonstration with personal cooking stories; for example, his grandmothers, one from Naples and one from Puglia, taught him how to make pasta when he was a boy and his 84-year-old mother still hand-rolls her own pasta every morning.

The pasta was served with an enoki and oyster mushroom and spinach sauce, seasoned with plenty of garlic, fresh thyme and grated parmesan cheese.

Next up was swordfish caponata (adapted from the recipe at right). We learned that swordfish skin is packed with bacteria and not usable even in stock and that the garlic oil that Nico used to coat the skinned fish steaks must be home-made.

The swordfish steaks needed just a couple of minutes on each side in a hot-tosmoking pan. The resulting dish was delicious and one that is very achievable for the home cook.

And while brussels sprouts aren’t the most glamorous vegetable, Nico’s side dish of burnt Brussels Sprouts with Turmeric Yogurt and Finger Limes made them quite irresistible.

Fig-lovers were in for a treat – for the evening’s finale, Nico cooked halved fresh figs (flesh side down) in a hot pan with a little butter, then served them with a tangy ricotta and orange cream topped with a rich balsamic glaze.

EGGPLANT CAPONATA

3 eggplants 2 onions, finely diced 2 sticks celery, finely diced 50g capers, chopped 100g black olives, pitted and chopped 500g tinned tomatoes 50ml white vinegar 50g white sugar 1 bunch basil leaves, chopped 100ml olive oil sea salt Cut the eggplants into 2cm cubes and place into a colander.

Mix with 1tbsp of salt and set aside for 30 minutes. This will draw moisture out of the eggplant and add flavour. Transfer onto some paper towel and pat dry. Heat 50ml of olive oil in a frypan over a medium heat, add the onion, celery, capers and olives and cook for 4 minutes. Add the eggplant and cook for 5 minutes. Add the vinegar, sugar, basil and remaining olive oil and cook for another 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes and combine, reduce the heat to very low and cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Reproduced by permission from Farm to Flame: Cooking without rules in the Bistro Officina Kitchen, by Nicola Coccia (book available at Osteria il Coccia, Ettalong)

For bookings at Osteria il Coccia, call 02 4327 8952, see osteriailcoccia.com.au

PREMIUM DINNER and wine experience We get it. Sometimes you’d rather have all the decisions made for you. If this sounds like you, keep an eye out for wine-pairing dinners on the Central Coast that are sure to appeal to foodies and oenophiles.

–Trish Arnott 17

EAT + DRINK

Peats Bite

WATERFRONT

DINING

BY BOAT

What could be more special than arriving at your favourite waterfront restaurant by boat – your own cruiser, yacht or privately chartered vessel?

The dining scene on the Central Coast is going from strength to strength and the region is particularly blessed with restaurants that boast beautiful water views and cuisine to suit all tastes. And don’t forget that Palm Beach and all that Pittwater offers are only a short boat trip across Broken Bay – set off in your own boat, take the ferry or talk to our good friends at Zephyr Charters for a customised group cruise, restaurant transfers and lots more (call 0450 96 5656, see zephyrcharters.com.au).

It’s not just the views we love – here are six of the best fabulous eateries where you can sail right up to the deck.

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PHOTOS; NIKKI TO

PEATS BITE, HAWKESBURY RIVER

WOY WOY FISHERMEN’S WHARF

Peats Bite has been welcoming guests to its gorgeous Hawkesbury Riverfront restaurant since the early 1980s and is one of a very few dining venues in NSW that is exclusively accessible by water.

Founders Tammy Miljoen and her late husband Rod established Peats Bite in the aptly named Sunny Corner, and it is now owned by Tammy’s daughter Tanya Miljoen and Geoff Milner.

This family-run restaurant, seafood market and takeaway fish-and-chip outlet is a local institution with a far-reaching reputation.

Woy Woy Fishermen’s Wharf has been operating for nearly 50 years, starting off as a fishmonger, then over the decades adding takeaway fish and chips and a simple seasonal restaurant to its core seafood business.

This once ‘well-kept secret’ is renowned for its long, leisurely lunches and selection of boutique Australian wines and more-ish cocktails that are served up in a relaxed, friendly indoor/outdoor setting. It is very much designed with groups in mind – you’re more than likely to end up mixing and mingling with fellow diners or even taking a dip in the pool on a hot summer’s day.

Peats Bite is also a popular wedding venue – a full wedding package can be organised and six waterfront bungalows are available for overnight and longer stays.

The restaurant offers set, fixed-price menus featuring seasonal local produce and is open from Thursday to Sunday, for lunch only.

Bookings: 02 9985 9040; email bookings@peatsbite.com.au; see peatsbite.com.au

In 2017 the old wharf restaurant was rebuilt and today it is a stylish but informal venue that’s open seven days a week for lunch. It doesn’t pretend to be a fine-dining restaurant but its reputation for top-quality, locally caught seafood is second to none.

The restaurant menu features all types of seafood, from Sydney rock and Pacific oysters to prawns, crab, lobster and a terrific selection of fish-of-the-day dishes, as well as generously sized hot or cold platters for two. There’s a comprehensive and well-priced wine list that includes boutique beers and ciders.

Fish and chips are cooked to order from the blackboard menu, or you can choose whatever fish you fancy from the market. Classic!

Bookings: 02 4341 1171, 02 4344 5143; email info@woywoyfishermenswharf.com.au; see woywoyfishermenswharf.com.au 19

COTTAGE POINT INN, COTTAGE POINT

THE BOATHOUSE HOTEL PATONGA

Cottage Point Inn began its life as a boathouse, general store and post office for local residents of Cowan Creek in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Over the years it has transformed from a casual bistro into a respected fine dining restaurant – it received a coveted Hat in the 2020 Good Food Guide. Owners Shane and Ally Olesen took over in 2016 and today it is open seven days a week for lunch and three nights a week for dinner, offering an à la carte menu and seven-course degustation menu.

As well as arriving on your own boat, if you’re coming from the Northern Beaches you can take the ferry from Palm Beach to Patonga – a scenic 30-minute trip. Patonga, which means ‘oyster’ in the local Guring-gai language, is a peaceful coastal community surrounded by the Hawkesbury River and Broken Bay.

Chef Kevin Solomon has an illustrious CV, having worked for many prestigious restaurants in London and Sydney, including Tetsuya’s, Est. Restaurant and Guillaume at Bennelong in the Sydney Opera House.

Head sommelier Jim Sanders oversees an extensive wine list.

Diners often take the seaplane from Rose Bay, but Ally says, “We have guests arriving on their own boats, on chartered vessels and even on jet-skis and stand-up paddleboards.” It’s that kind of place – haute cuisine served up in idyllic, laid-back waterfront surroundings.

If you’re looking for a romantic getaway, two apartments are available for overnight guests; both are for adults only and there’s no internet access – bliss!

Bookings: 02 9456 1011; email info@cottagepointinn.com.au; see cottagepointinn.com.au 20

The Boathouse Hotel has become a major drawcard since opening in 2018 and in 2020 the adjoining Patonga Cottage opened for guest accommodation. The contemporary, beachy style of the restaurant (hotel) – a former pub – is similar in look and feel to other venues in the Boathouse Group and there’s still a takeaway fish and chip shop.

There are plenty of outdoor tables with umbrellas but, because you can’t book, it’s advisable to turn up early for a good lunch spot.

Lunch and dinner menus offer a range of Mod-Oz dishes, including share plates, pizza, pasta, seafood and fish of the day. Servings are generous, so beware of over-ordering! You can choose from a wide selection of wines, beers, ciders and cocktails, and happy hour runs every day from 4pm to 6pm.

The hotel is open for lunch and dinner 11am to 8pm daily and the takeaway menu is available from 7am to 3pm daily.

Walk-in only: 02 4379 111; see theboathousehotelpatonga.com.au

PHOTOS; SNAPPYSTREET

PHOTOS; SNAPPYSTREET

PASADENA SYDNEY, CHURCH POINT

BARRENJOEY HOUSE, PALM BEACH

Set in a prime waterfront location at picturesque Church Point on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Pasadena Sydney is well and truly open for business again. It has taken owners Paul and Sheridan Peterkin some years to bring the property, which has been through a few incarnations since its inception as the Pasadena Roadhouse in 1935, back to its former glory.

This well-known heritage property on the tip of the Northern Beaches peninsula joined The Boathouse Group in July 2018. It has long been a favourite venue for weddings and honeymoons, a tradition that continues with a range of event packages and boutique guest-house accommodation. Barrenjoey House also offers a pick-up or delivery service for meals and drinks, plus catered events in your own home. And if you want to add some Boathouse style to your own place, the Boathouse Home store is about 10 minutes’ walk away at Beach Road.

Today it operates as a restaurant, entertainment venue and boutique hotel with 14 guest rooms. Pasadena Sydney also hosts private parties, corporate events and weddings – call the events team for details. The restaurant serves ‘fresh, modern seaside cuisine’, including tempting small plates such as arancini with aioli, crab toast with crème fraiche and burrata with pea guacamole.

Mains include very reasonably priced pizzas as well as classic dishes such as eye fillet, roast pork belly and fish of the day.

Barrenjoey House is just across the road from the Palm Beach ferry wharf and is within easy reach of Wagstaffe and Ettalong by ferry.

The restaurant/bar is open for lunch and dinner every day from 11am to 3pm and 5pm to 9pm respectively – check the website for seasonal happy hours and Sunday night specials.

The restaurant is open for lunch Wednesday to Sunday; dinner Thursday to Sunday; and breakfast Saturday and Sunday from 8.30am. Pasadena Sydney is also a great spot to spend a Friday night or weekend afternoon listening to live music while enjoying a cocktail or a refreshing cold beer – check the website to see what’s on.

The cuisine is fresh, sophisticated Mod-Oz and all courses include vegetarian options. There is an impressive wine list and cocktails include the beachy-themed Barrenjoey Margarita, Lighthouse Calling and Old Man and the Sea – perfect for slipping into the relaxed vibe.

Bookings 02 8998 7810; see pasadenasydney.com

- Sally Macmillan

Bookings: 02 9974 4001; see barrenjoeyhouse.com.au 21

5 LANDS

WALK This year marks the 15th anniversary of the 5 Lands Walk, an extraordinary community event that was originally inspired by the famous Cinque Terre hiking trail on the Italian Riviera.

The first 5 Lands Walk, back in 2006, attracted about 200 local enthusiasts – in 2019 more than 22,000 people from all over NSW turned out for the 10-kilometre walk that connects five coastal villages between Macmasters Beach and Terrigal.

The 2021 event – a day-long celebration of art, dance, Indigenous ceremonies, surf culture, food and music on June 26 – promises to be bigger than ever.

“It’s not a race,” says Pauline Wright, one of the organisers. “You can do the whole walk, jump on a shuttle bus between beaches or just check out what’s happening at any one of the places along the way. However, completing the walk certainly maximises the experience.

“It’s all about taking a journey at your own pace through and with the communities of the Central Coast, experiencing their diverse cultural offerings and the landscape they live in.” Indigenous people from the 5 Lands will be present throughout the walk, sharing their cultural understanding of the country, its environment and its spiritual significance to us all.

And by the way, there is no entry fee or charge to jump on the shuttle buses – the 5 Lands Walk is a “gift from the community to the broader community”.

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Thousands of people take part in the 5 Lands Walk, where you’ll discover stunning scenery, meet local Indigenous people and celebrate the community.

EXPLORE

© MONIKA MLINARIC AKINOM PHOTOGRAPHY

OPENING CEREMONY

2. COPACABANA

The spectacular multi-media Opening Ceremony kicks off at 5pm on Friday June 25 at Avoca Beach. Overseen by well-known composer and filmmaker Yantra de Vilder, the ceremony will feature the 50-piece Ephemera Choir, some of the Coast’s finest musicians and a host of multicultural performers.

Expect an entertaining and highly interactive evening!

The second stage of the walk is Copacabana, known by residents in early European settlement days as Tudibaring (an Aboriginal word meaning ‘where the waves pound like a beating heart’). It was also known as Judi Barn, Allagai (‘a place of snakes’), Kincumber and Macs – today, everyone calls it Copa.

1. MACMASTERS BEACH 5 Lands Walk starts at Macmasters Beach Surf Life Saving Club, a popular community hub set on land that was an important occupation site and meeting place for the Darkinjung people. On Saturday June 26 the registration desk at Macs will open at 7.15am, and earlybirds get to dig into the famous free breakfast, which starts about 7.30am and is limited to the first 550 walkers. At 8am, the Beginning Ceremony starts on the grounds of the Surf Club.

You’ll be Welcomed to Darkinjung Country and entertained by the talented children from Kincumber Public School and pre-schoolers from Imagine@MacMasters, and local performers will be busking around the surf club. Cleanse your spirit in the Aboriginal smoking ceremony as you start your journey along the beach, where you’ll see art installations and The Beginning of Macmasters Beach photo exhibition on the sand.

The walk is held on the Saturday closest to the winter solstice when humpback whales, a significant totem of the Darkinjung people, are migrating north. Captain Cook Lookout on the headland above Copacabana is a top whale-watching spot, so there’s a good chance you’ll see the mighty marine mammals swimming past on their way to Queensland.

Local naturalist and whale expert Jeannie Lawson will be on hand to share her knowledge about whales, dolphins and the natural environment – look out for Jeannie at the Marine Touch Table. Copa residents will also present art and photography exhibitions, and there will be plenty of live music featuring emerging artists alongside some seasoned performers from the Girrakool Blues Festival Band Challenge.

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3. AVOCA BEACH Avoca Beach celebrates the 5 Lands Walk each year with art and music. The Connections art exhibition in the Surf Club, live music on the Bulbararing Stage in Hunter Park and the Ephemera exhibition of sculptural installations on the beach are regular fixtures. You can take a break from walking and wander around the Community Fair while kids will enjoy a dip in the rock pool.

4. NORTH AVOCA The Indigenous people of Darkinjung Country have chosen North Avoca as their place to participate in ceremony and cultural activities, and everyone is welcome to join in. You’ll hear about the importance of dreamtime stories such as the celebration of whale migrations and learn about age-old customs and practices in one of the most glorious settings imaginable. The surf club will host demonstrations of traditional weaving

by Mirring women, canoe-making workshops and an exhibition of works

by Indigenous artists.

Meanwhile, on the beach you’ll see a colourful display of giant kites; enthusiasts come from all over Sydney to show off their kite-flying skills and you can also join a kite-making workshop to learn the basics of building and flying your own kite.

5. TERRIGAL A highlight of the day will be the arrival of the Message Stick at Terrigal, the final stage of 5 Lands Walk. The Message Stick is an important symbol of connection in Aboriginal tradition and is carried through each of the 5 Lands by its Guardian, an Aboriginal Youth, representing both the Central Coast and Aboriginal community.

Once you’ve finished the walk, check in to the finish line marquee to collect your certificate and free souvenir photo – and then relax and enjoy all the activities laid on at one of the Central Coast’s most popular tourist spots.

The Terrigal Live Stage will feature a talented line-up of musicians and performing artists throughout the day. Around the foreshore you’ll find buskers, artworks and installations from professional artists and local schools, free community activities, and a live Triple M radio broadcast, culminating in a spectacular Closing Ceremony.

THE DAY AFTER Why go home on Saturday night after the 5 Lands Walk? There’s plenty to do on Sunday June 27, so stay another day!

5 Lands Walk is proud to promote the literary arts with 5 Lands Words.

Writers present their works to an audience, who have the opportunity to meet the authors and discuss their works.

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An art trail will be held from 10am until 2pm, where you can meet artists in their studios and buy amazing original artworks; for more details, see 5landsartstudios.com.

And if you’re keen to take your whale-watching experience further, join a whale-watching cruise organised by FantaSea; for more details, see fantasea.com.au/palm-beach-ferries/whale-watching.

– Sally Macmillan © MONIKA MLINARIC . AKINOM PHOTOGRAPHY

EXPLORE

HORSE POWER Not only is The Outlook a renowned holistic riding school, the property also comprises an equine-therapy and coaching practice, a boutique guesthouse and a family home… to humans, horses, chickens, four wallabies, a dog and a cat!

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The Outlook’s setting is nothing short of sublime. The 18-acre property on Darkinyung land borders Avoca Lake, neighbouring bushland, and is positioned halfway between Terrigal and Avoca on the Central Coast.

Owners Tim and Sam Rémond established The Outlook Cabana in 2010, followed by the Riding Academy in 2018 and Outlook Ecotherapy in 2019. The first three years involved clearing lantana, planting native trees and grasses, establishing a fruit and vegetable garden, and setting up a sustainable water system, including enviro-cycle and rainwater tanks.

And the work never stops. Husband, father, gardener, country larrikin and (free) entertainer Tim roars past on a ride-on mower, while Sam shows us around the Cabana, a fabulous guesthouse for couples.

Horses have been a part of Tim and Sam’s lives for more than 50 years.

Both grew up on remote, rural stations, where horses were both transport and company when out mustering stock, particularly overnight. For their four children, who completed school-of-the-air (distance education) for primary school, horses were their school friends, extended family members and favourite sport, as they toured across the state (and at times country) to compete in polocrosse, cross-country jumping and agricultural shows.

Sam says, “We now have four ponies and four horses, including a BFG (Big Friendly Giant) Percheron (Clydesdale) thoroughbred stock horse, and an Australian riding pony. The ponies and horses are very well mannered, which is essential for our students who can start lessons from age two-and-a-half upwards to senior years.”

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The Outlook Riding Academy offers private and group lessons for all abilities (including those with higher needs), trail rides, holiday camps, gourmet picnics and pony parties. “One of the key differences with our riding school is that we offer holistic horsemanship, which means students learn about horse health, nutrition, grooming and daily care, as well as advanced riding skills,” Sam says.

Meanwhile, Tim and Sam’s daughter, clinical psychologist Anna Rémond, joins us to talk about the therapy and coaching programs she runs at The Outlook.

THE OUTLOOK CABANA This luxurious self-contained hideaway offers accommodation for couples looking for a private country and coastal escape. It overlooks the gardens and grounds of The Outlook property. Features include an 11-metre infinity salt-water pool, king-size bed, fully equipped kitchenette, barbecue and kayaks (it’s a 10-minute paddle to Avoca Beach). The Cabana is a five-minute drive from the beaches, shops and restaurants of Avoca and Terrigal.

For bookings, see theoutlookcabana.com.au.

for life – helping to regulate our nervous systems, offering emotional safety and confirmation, promoting whole-body awareness, modelling healthy boundaries and authentic leadership. When clients are offered mounted sessions, these may occur without reins or a saddle.”

WHAT IS OUTLOOK ECOTHERAPY? Anna explains that she and Dan Sheptooha (pictured above) offer psychology, corporate coaching and research into the practice of equineassisted psychology and ecotherapy.

Regarding equine-assisted psychology, Anna explains, “Depending on what the client presents with, we offer one-on-one sessions, which draw from traditional evidence-based interventions with the Equine Psychotherapy Institute’s version of equine therapy, which has roots in Gestalt Therapy, Buddhism and I-Thou Horsemanship. Horses function as co-therapists, supporting clients to regulate, seek honest feedback, and practise new skills without judgement.”

There are no weird couches or foggy windows at Outlook Ecotherapy.

Instead, “We don’t wear uniforms and we practise in the paddock, shed or stables. We promote learning by doing (rather than talking about), and our sessions may involve horses, chickens, or a dog; indoor and outdoor games, arts, bushcraft; walking and talking along a forest track, climbing fence rails, and/or sitting inside with a cup of tea.

“Our clients, who are mostly children, teens and young adults with emotional, behavioural, and relationship difficulties, greatly benefit from the connection with horses, as well as through whole-body movement and play.“ Notably, equine-therapy is not horse riding. “Rather, the practice is about connection – seeing the horses as other beings, who can teach us lessons

Anna refers to the pioneering work in equine-assisted therapy qualifications Meg Kirby is doing at the Equine Psychotherapy Institute she founded in Victoria. Meg recently released a book called Equine Therapy Exposed: Real Life Case Studies of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Equine Assisted Learning with Everyday People and Horses, which delivers fascinating insights into the practice for both experts and lay people.

TEAM-BUILDING PROGRAMS One of the more positive effects of the covid pandemic is that there is a much greater awareness of mental health, particularly in the workplace.

Anna is developing one-day corporate workshops that focus on three specific areas: Leading Through Change (effective leadership); Connect and Cultivate (team building); and New Outlook (corporate retreat).

The one-day experiential workshops will be held for up to 16 people, so they can work with the eight horses in pairs. “Participants will learn core skills from clinical psychology and equine therapy, including somatic, emotional and relational skills, and are designed to create meaningful and sustainable change.”

Programs will be tailored to specific briefs, and follow-up sessions are an important component. Anna remarks, “It’s an exciting, fun way to develop life skills and learn how to connect with yourself, others and the changing environment – with the help of horses.”

And couldn’t we all do with more of that!

For more information about The Outlook Riding Academy, call 0427 189 567, see theoutlookridingacademy.com.au. For more information about equine therapy, email anna@outlookecotherapy.com, see outlookecotherapy.com.

– Sally Macmillan. Photography by Josef.

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ECO-FRIENDLY

ROAD TRIP

We take Audi’s new E-Tron for a leisurely drive from Sydney’s North Shore to an unusual alpaca farm in the peaceful Dooralong Valley.

As the family climbs into the brand-new spacious Audi E-Tron, we check our route on the NSW road trip planner from the northern suburbs of Sydney. Heading out from our home in Turramurra, we’re on a Central Coast road trip. Our final destination is Iris Lodge, an alpaca farm with homestays just 76 kilometres away in Jilliby, but we have plenty to do along the journey.

Cruising up the Pacific Motorway, the Audi E-Tron SUV 55 Quattro is whisper quiet due to the finely tuned and engineered wind tunnel modifications and a windscreen made from noise-insulating glass.

The aerodynamics of the E-Tron are not just aesthetically pleasing; they play a key role in the top speed of the vehicle and the low drag coefficient increases efficiency and allows for the maximum range possible.

As we head north, we continue along the ridge that forms the spine of the highway, we admire the many extraordinary sandstone formations and caves, along with varieties of eucalypt, angophora and our beautiful, resilient Australian grass trees. These wonderful plants burst into flower after bushfires and are known to live up to 450 years. Not just beautiful, 28

the grass tree had a number of uses for Aboriginal people; the flowers soaked in water provided a sweet drink, parts of the tree are edible and the resin from the flowers was used to make tools.

Descending to the Mooney Mooney Creek Bridge, we gaze at the small river town of Brooklyn, noted for its oyster farming community. We can’t stop today, though. We’re due for lunch at The Springs at Peats Ridge, just off the Calga interchange. Although The Springs is nominally a golf course, today we’re headed for The Sitting Duck, their rural restaurant where Chef Dan sources fresh produce for his farm-to-plate menu.

Open from Friday to Sunday, the restaurant can be booked online through The Springs website.

With so many delicious options, it’s hard to choose but we eventually decide on the rabbit terrine with shaved fennel salad and chorizo vinaigrette and some sourdough bread to share while we wait on our mains. The Hiramasa kingfish with seaweed salad, dashi potatoes and Wasabi mayonnaise and the roast lamb rump with white bean puree, spiced carrots and lamb juices are worth the trip. The kids are happy

DRIVE

with their grilled chicken and chips and pasta with Napolitana sauce.

All is quiet as we devour our food in the peace of this rural escape from busy Sydney.

We’ll try to get to all of them to support our local producers after the disaster that was 2020. For more details nearer the time, see visitnsw.com and navigate to Central Coast, Gosford area, events.

While the dessert menu (that includes delights such as apple tart with miso butterscotch and sour cream, Nutella sandwich with bacon praline, dolce and sea-salt ice cream and the cake of the day with whipped cream and coulis) is tempting, we’re on a mission today.

Leaving The Sitting Duck, we head north again along the highway.

We’re early for our final destination so we turn off the highway to sleepy Wyong, home of Little Creek Cheese (Building 12, 141-155 Alison Road).

We look for the old Wyong Milk Factory and pull in to rediscover the award-winning gourmet cheese factory and outlet. We’ll stock up on the BBQ haloumi (winner of three gold medals and two silver at the Sydney Royal Easter Show and numerous other awards around Australia), some handmade goat feta marinated in Aussie bush lemon myrtle and mountain pepper (that contributed to Little Creek being a champion in the Dairy Industry of Australia non-bovine dairy products three years in a row) and the totally delicious fig and walnut Cheddar. The kids settle for Little Creek’s bacon Cheddar. We pop all our treats into a cooler in the roomy boot. We have plenty more space in the front end – an additional 60 litres – due to the E-Tron’s electric drive system freeing up space.

However, come the June long weekend (June 12-13) and the Harvest Festival, we’ll be back to sample the harvest trail menu and take advantage of the activities on offer. The Springs is just one of the many venues participating in the 2021 Harvest Festival trail, which takes you through Dooralong, Jilliby, Yarramalong, Kulnura, Mangrove Mountains, Peats Ridge, Somersby and Calga.

The two-day event includes fresh food and country markets, food and wine events, factory tours, pick your own experiences, bush tucker tours, working farm tours, ‘pick your own pecans’ and tree-shaking demonstrations.

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Back to the highway and turn off shortly to Jilliby, a rural village with many grand homes on large acreages. Our quiet Audi E-Tron doesn’t disturb the tranquillity (or the many thoroughbred horses spotted along the route). Travelling along Hue Hue Road, we veer left into Jilliby Road until we come to Watagan Forest Drive and Dunks Lane.

We arrive at our final destination, Iris Lodge Alpacas, in time for afternoon tea with the alpacas.

Iris Lodge is a labour of love for its owners who have a passion for alpacas and want others to share the experience of living and looking after alpacas. ‘Afternoon Tea with Alpacas’ is a beautifully curated animal experience. We meet Billy, the guard alpaca, who must be bribed with a banana before he’ll allow you to pass. Billy’s best friend is Ellie, a wiltipoll sheep. The wiltipoll has unique sheep characteristics but we won’t give the secret away here. We were asked beforehand to bring bananas for the leader animals and sliced carrots for the other alpacas. Alpacas have a high degree of cuteness and if you visit in late summer you’ll get cuteness overload as the crias (baby alpacas) come into the world.

Once we finish with the alpacas, it’s the horses’ turn (apples and carrots) before we go into the stables with them while they have their dinner. After the horses come the sheep, then we’re off for a walk over the farm to visit the cows and possibly some calves. The end to tramping around and feeding the animals is afternoon tea. We had to head back to Sydney but had we not had plans, we could have rented one of the reasonably priced cabins and woken with the farm animals.

Sadly, it was not to be on this visit so back into the E-Tron for our home run.

LUXURY YARN

FUN FACT: Australia has the largest population of alpacas outside South America, according to Iris Lodge

Alpaca yarn is recognised worldwide as a luxury fibre, being softer than wool, lighter and more durable. Consumers look for purity of product and they are prepared to pay a premium. Alpaca fibre, however, isn’t as luxurious as vicuña, the fleece ‘worth more than gold’. Vicuñas, considered now to be the wild ancestors of the domesticated alpacas, are known for being providers of the most luxurious fibres in the world, with a black market price of nearly $1,000 per kilo. After being hunted and killed for their fleece, by 1960 there were fewer than 5,000 animals left in the wild.

Photography by Josef.

Audi Alto Central Impressive

by Coast any standard RURAL DEALER OF THE YEAR 2020

Audi Alto Central Coast 303 Henry Parry Drive, North Gosford NSW 2250 Ph. 4312 5617 audialtocentralcoast.com.au

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A LITTLE TASTE OF THE AUSSIE BEACH LIFE WHEREVER YOU LIVE. Fabrics that move with you and designs that invite both fun and sexy to the party.

Our first collection includes a variety of shapes and inclusive fits so you can live the beach life your way.

For those who choose a swim suit and sandals as their uniform of choice, welcome to the family.

APOLLOANDSAGE.COM 31

Idyllic

HOLIDAY

Bikers and hikers will find plenty of challenging trails along the coast and further inland; check out alltrails.com for grades of difficulty, directions and maps. National parks in the Central Coast region include Bouddi, Brisbane Water, Popran and Wyrrrabalong; apart from swathes of unspoilt bush, attractions in the parks include historic Aboriginal sites, spectacular waterfalls, horse riding trails, kayaking trips on the Hawkesbury, whale- watching, and lots more.

A mid-year break is just the thing for relaxing, exploring new or favourite places and recharging your batteries.

Here, we take a look at two popular spots handy for Belle Escapes holiday homes. Belle Escapes’ concierge team is ready to help you make the most of your time on the Coast and organise unforgettable luxury experiences for you. A romantic weekend away? They will arrange an in-house chef and a home visit by one of their expert massage therapists. Hosting an intimate corporate retreat? The team can cater to your needs, supplying retreat-style yoga, fitness trainers or cooking classes at one of the stunning Belle Escapes properties.

HIDEAWAYS 32

There’s a lot more to the Central Coast than beautiful beaches, much as we love them! The lush hinterland, tranquil waterways and rugged bushland offer year-round attractions and activities, all within easy reach of Sydney. Perfect for an autumn getaway.

KINCUMBER The name Kincumber is believed to derive from the Aboriginal word ‘Kincumba’, which can be translated as ‘towards the rising sun’ – probably applying to the view from Kincumba Mountain.

The neighbourhood is located at the southern end of the Central Coast and is easily accessible through Gosford from the Sydney-Newcastle M1 motorway. Kincumber is within about 10 minutes’ drive from the magnificent ocean beaches of Macmasters, Copacabana and Avoca; Brisbane Waters suburbs such as Saratoga and Davistown; and even closer to Kincumber Broadwater, for fishing, kayaking and a lovely waterfront walk.

You can stock up for your holiday stay at Kincumber Village shopping centre; it has a good Coles supermarket as well as the superb Saratoga butcher and Fresko Fruit, a top-quality fruit, veg, coffee shop and deli.

EXPLORE: Kincumba Mountain Reserve Boasting many hiking and biking trails, Kincumba (or Kincumber) Mountain Reserve – featuring 700 hectares of rugged terrain – is easily accessible by car from Island View Drive. Largely untouched, the reserve is host to one of the largest undisturbed rainforests on the Central Coast. Walk quietly through the bushland to check out local wildlife as you explore palm groves, caves, extraordinary rock formations, and Aboriginal carvings and axe-grinding grooves.

EAT: Kincumber Post Café Owners Kimberley and Jacob rescued the old post office building a couple of years ago and have transformed it into a relaxed, friendly allday breakfast and lunch venue. Great-value specials change daily and cakes, relishes, sauces, jams and dressings are all made in house. Coffee is supplied by local company Glee, a range of teas comes from Tea Tonic in Melbourne, and they whip up an amazing selection of smoothies and shakes. Regulars, new visitors – and their dogs – are all made very welcome. See kincumberpostcafe.com.

DRINK: Block ’n Tackle Brewery Tucked away in a small industrial estate in Cochrone Street, this boutique brewery produces a range of craft beers – and a small-batch apple cider – which you can sample during an organised tour, during a casual lunch or a Sunday afternoon session with live music in the laidback tap room.

See site.blockntackle.com.au.

SHOP: The Petal Sisters Next door to the Post Café is a lovely bespoke florist shop, run by Petal Sisters Bree and Hollie. If you’re celebrating a special event on your Coast weekend that needs spectacular floral displays – or just looking for a sweet posy for yourself or a friend – the Petal Sisters will create the perfect arrangement. See thepetalsisters.com.au.

GALLERY: John Woulfe The Kincumber Boatbuilders Memorial, pictured above, was created by renowned local sculptor John Woulfe. To find out more about John and Christine Woulfe’s work, or visit their gallery in Daleys Point, see johnwoulfe.com.au.

BELLE ESCAPES FEATURED PROPERTY

KILLCARE BEACH HOUSE This is quintessential Australian coastline living at its purest and most awe inspiring.

This three-level glass encased home is surreal.

While away the hours in this luxury beachfront retreat, watching natures wild, beauty and everchanging panorama. Killcare views are so close it feels you could touch them and in fact you can, with direct beach access only footsteps from the property. Located just over one hour from Sydney yet a million miles from the bustling CBD. Contact Belle Escapes – 02 4360 1717 www.belleescapes.com.au/central-coast 33

KILLCARE AND KILLCARE HEIGHTS The charming village of Killcare is home to Putty Beach, often named as one of the most gorgeous beaches in the region. Lying between peaceful Hardys Bay and the Pacific Ocean, Killcare is on the Bouddi Peninsula and has easy access to many of the superb walking trails in Bouddi National Park. For a more leisurely day, head to Hardys Bay Boat, Bike Paddle Hire to explore peaceful Brisbane Water by kayak, stand-up paddleboard or small boat – fishing licences, bait, tackle and rod hire are available from the booking office. See bbphcc.com.au.

EXPLORE: Bouddi National Park Grab your walking shoes and hike to Bullimah Lookout in Bouddi National Park. Bring your binoculars to spot humpback whales that make the long journey north from the Southern Ocean to the Great Barrier Reef between late-April and September to give birth, then return to their Antarctic home from September through to November.

EAT & DRINK: Hardys Bay Bistro Live like a local and join the community buzz at this ever-popular venue located in a heritage building that overlooks Hardys Bay Reserve and the wharf. Drop in to sample the all-day breakfast, book for a leisurely lunch or join the sundowners to take in the glorious sunsets.

See hardysbistro.com.au.

SHOP: Bouddi Gallery A leisurely escape means stocking up on experiences. Bouddi Gallery is the Central Coast’s premier Aboriginal arts and crafts gallery and showcases a range of contemporary lifestyle products and homewares that will surprise and delight discerning shoppers.

See bouddigallery.com.au.

BELLE ESCAPES FEATURED PROPERTY

TOMMY’S, KILLCARE HEIGHTS Claiming spectacular views in two directions, this luxurious residence set against a magnificent coastal backdrop feels like a five-star retreat. Refined and polished, the Thomas Hamel-designed interiors offer elegant opulence to frame those unforgettable views. This is your home away from home, a place to relax and reset in one of the most exclusive settings on the coast.

And as we head into winter, the home offers an ideal setting for a full pampering experience.

Take a weekend off and spoil yourself… talk to the Belle Escapes team to arrange an in-house chef, massage therapists and more.

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THE KILLCARE COTTAGE, KILLCARE

CLARE DE LUNE, POINT CLARE

Newly renovated, this delightful character-filled cottage sits directly opposite the tranquil waters of Hardys Bay, just a stroll from cafés and restaurants. Nearby Killcare village offers basic shopping and service needs and features an art gallery, general store, hair salon, and boutique shops. Up to six guests. Contact Belle Escapes – 02 4360 1717.

A dream holiday house, featuring absolute waterfront, private jetty, heated pool and stunning views from every level. This beautiful ultra-modern property was only completed in 2019. Its stunning interior design and luxurious furniture will have you feeling a million dollars within minutes of entering. Up to eight guests. Contact Belle Escapes – 02 4360 1717.

WATERS EDGE, FORESTERS BEACH

BOOKER SEASIDE, BOOKER BAY

Floor-to-ceiling glass, understated luxury and panoramic ocean views are a dream combination for this newly built holiday house.

Upstairs features a chic modern kitchen overlooking an airy lounge and dining area that opens to a large deck with barbecue and 180-degree views. Downstairs are four beautifully designed bedrooms, a huge alfresco space and sandstone path leading to the beach. Up to eight guests.

Contact Belle Escapes – 02 4360 1717.

This magical holiday retreat, set in lush lawns and manicured landscaping flowing to a pristine stretch of beach, is close to more than 30 restaurants, bars, cafés and a cinema. Designed by renowned architect Darren Tye, interior design by Coco Republic, and privacy, the ultimate luxury, keep this property in demand all year round. Up to six guests.

Contact Belle Escapes – 02 4360 1717.

LA BELLE, WAGSTAFFE

KU DE TA, TERRIGAL

La Belle in peaceful Wagstaffe sits among the trees and offers waterfront views and entertaining options from a series of outdoor decks.

Add a sleek, well-appointed kitchen and luxe finishes and it’s easy to see why La Belle features on the ‘must stay’ lists of many a Sydneysider.

Up to eight guests. Contact Belle Escapes – 02 4360 1717.

Blending light-filled interiors with generous proportions and contemporary styling, this gorgeous property is the perfect retreat to share with friends and family. Within walking distance of Terrigal and North Avoca beaches, the home also allows easy access to Terrigal’s bars, cafes and restaurants and is a short drive to Avoca and the coast’s other attractions. Up to eight guests. Contact Belle Escapes – 02 4360 1717.

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ELLE Effect THE

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BEAUTY

Keep your skin glowing year-round with a little bit of help from one who knows all the tricks: super-influencer and businesswoman Elle Ferguson.

Elle Ferguson, whose name is known to gazillions of fans of her self-tanning products, grew up in the beachy burb of North Avoca where a suntan is almost inevitable. In fact, if you’re from these sunny shores, a tan could be regarded as an obligatory accessory. But what if you want year-round golden skin without risking sun damage?

Rest assured, Elle has you covered. After a successful career in fashion and publishing a blog that attracts more than 670,000 followers, Elle used her smarts gained from qualifications in design and her experiments creating the perfect sun-free tanning product to launch her ELLE EFFECT range in 2016.

However, there was a long road to travel before she struck gold. From her North Avoca home, Elle travelled daily to Newtown High School of the Performing Arts – and continued the commute when she embarked on a year-long Diploma of Visual Merchandising at Ultimo. Following that, Elle completed a three-year bachelor of design (interior design) at the highly respected Enmore Design Centre, where she was awarded ‘most promising student’ at the end-of-year exhibition.

With that solid design background under her belt, Elle made her first foray into fashion in her role as national visual merchandising manager at OneTeaspoon, home of the ‘original cult denim’. Fast-forward a few years and Elle is co-founding the wildly successful blog, They All Hate Us before her sister introduces her to Instagram and the exponential value of personal connections in real time with her followers.

Elle is well-known as a successful influencer and, as she has noted, the free merchandise was great but she had higher ambitions. Looking to her peers, she saw they were creating their own brands and taking charge of their destiny. So Elle worked like a Trojan for 18 months and saved, saved, saved so she could be the one making the decisions, not the bank or a backing angel investor.

Why tanning?

Elle’s research into how her followers described her revealed that the top three attributes were “tan, blonde hair and denim shorts”. And, as Elle confessed in an interview, her golden glow was always from a bottle so she could keep her skin in tiptop condition. It was a natural progression to create a universally effective self-tanning range – products that deliver a streak-free effect and smell heavenly.

Having to work with a chemist in California slowed the process of creation, plus Elle, her sister, her boyfriend and her manager tested every formulation to ensure each would work on all skin types. It took almost 18 months until she received her first shipment of the long anticipated product.

Elle’s self-tanning range, and her almost cult following, has propelled her into the top echelons of beauty entrepreneurs, with the likes of Jen Atkin – a personal friend and one of the most influential hairstylists globally – and Kim Kardashian adopting and recommending her original product, the rose-scented Self Tanning Mousse.

Keen to create the best self-tanning products on the market, Elle uses natural ingredients such as rose oil, aloe leaf juice, tangerine oil and coconut oil. Her range is vegan, cruelty-free and is kind to your skin.

Top of my list has to be the Self Tanning Mousse, which Elle’s website promises is ‘goofproof ’ if you use it with the ELLE EFFECT Mitt.

And for those special nights out (remember those?), a light covering of ELLE EFFECT – The Tint provides a subtle sparkle, which makes your skin look healthier and brighter. And even make-up tragics like me should be able to get it right using ELLE EFFECT – The Brush.

The proof is in the sales and the many five-star ratings and testimonials.

It appears that ELLE EFFECT and her star are on the up and up – what’s next for this super-smart global influencer and entrepreneur, we wonder?

Watch this space.

ELLE EFFECT products are available online at elleeffect.com and mecca.com.au.

– Trish Arnott

PHOTOGRAPHER: JOSIE CLOUGH. MAKE-UP: ANIA MILCZARCZYK

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in the

MOOD

Belle Property Central Coast’s Cathy Baker, who can add interior designer to her string of qualifications, shares some classic advice about styling your home.

Not many people are aware, but before becoming a real estate agent, I worked as an interior designer. Once learned, the principles of interior design stick with you. And one thing I learned is that interior design trends tell us more about where we’ve been than where we’re going.

The colours and styles are what we need to heal, whether it’s minimalist in reaction to our over-complicated lives, or the colours and styles we’re seeing now that show we need our homes to be protective spaces.

The pandemic conditions over the past year have redefined our idea of how a home, even a holiday home, needs to work. As we’ve spent more time in our homes and holiday homes, we’ve needed to ensure that we can zone our homes for work and rest, or make zones multifunctional.

Making your home your own While the ubiquitous ‘coastal chic’ is never going away, there’s no reason your home must follow the dictates of popular opinion.

Most property buyers on the Central Coast in the past have bought a white box. There’s a good reason for this; property sales agents know that white will show well in marketing photography. And it does; white sells homes. But a white box can be hard to live with.

Minimalist all-white or all-neutrals might not suit the way you feel or the way you wish to live. This year, you might want to think about adding more colour.

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Colour affects our emotions Take a look at the 2021 colour palettes of any paint company in the world and you’ll notice that the palette is markedly warmer than it has been in previous years. That’s because colour trends, just as for other interior trends, reflect where we’ve been. The past 12 months have seen us retreating into our homes; we want colours and textures around us that nurture and protect.

Globally, the trend is towards a warmer organic palette (look out for turmeric, sage, cinnamon and peach among other on-trend colours, which sound less like paint colours and more like a recipe). However, we have to decorate for our Australian light and more relaxed lifestyle.

The Hamptons style is increasingly popular, with warmer tones but still with crisp white that looks clean and bright. For example, the 2021 Dulux blue, Five Fingers Peninsula, is more of a blue-grey that will sit well alongside the softer whites of 2021. For more drama, but still with a warm undertone, go for Winter Sea. Who are you styling your home for?

If your home is to be your retreat, whether permanently or as a getaway, create the mood you need rather than trying to emulate what you’ve seen on Pinterest or Instagram. This is your home and it needs to work for you.

If you’re styling your home to prepare it for sale, then take inspiration from homes for sale or for rent on the Central Coast.

PROPERTY INSIGHT

Curating your possessions After the past 12 months, most of us are over minimalism, except to minimise cleaning.

However, this isn’t the time to clutter your home with every piece you’ve collected on every holiday you’ve ever been on. While the flight to the familiar has encouraged us to surround ourselves with much-loved objects, the secret to a home that looks relaxed and styled is careful curation of your prized possessions.

Following interior design rules Obviously, interior design has rules but, to my mind, there are three key rules to keep in mind when you’re styling your home: 1. Choose a signature or hero piece of furniture for each room and give it space.

2. Use texture and layers to create interest and add comfort.

3. Get the lighting right.

My next ‘rule’ would be to get a great interior stylist on board to help with your project. For more than 10 years, Belle Property Central Coast has partnered with the team at The Beholder to create luscious interiors that transform houses into homes. As Belle Property Central Coast prepares to open our new Terrigal office, we’re delighted to be close neighbours to The Beholder Styling + Design, who will take over our former Terrigal office to open their signature homewares store The Beholder at Home. Leah from The Beholder has a mantra of ‘designing spaces that evoke emotion and bring joy’. We look forward to seeing the transformation of their new home in Terrigal.

Looking for more home-styling inspiration?

Check out some top interior designer homes and properties that have been professionally styled for Belle Escapes at our website, belleescapes.com.au, or visit thebeholder.com.au.

We want colours and textures around us that nurture and protect.

COMPLIMENTARY HOME STYLING CONSULT Receive a complimentary home styling consultation with Cathy Baker – Belle Property Central Coast and The Beholder Styling + Design.

Call today to take advantage of this limited offer

0447 600 117 or email kiara.fardnava@belleproperty.com 39

Exclusive Waterfront Architecturally designed to take full advantage of a deep waterfront setting, this stunning residence boasts dazzling views across Brisbane Water to Bouddi National Park.

118 Daley Ave, Daleys Point Set on 1,790 square metres of bush and mature gardens, with its own private deep-water jetty on Brisbane Water, this is the dream holiday escape or family home. Private and secluded, the house’s fluid, open interiors are wrapped in galleries of glass, while expansive decks create an effortless indoor/outdoor flow. Dual level with a superb master retreat on the main floor, it has a designer kitchen featuring dark stone benchtops and butler’s pantry, four spacious bedrooms and three bathrooms. The house has a double garage and is just a few minutes’ drive from Ettalong Beach, Umina shops and Woy Woy station. Contact Cathy Baker 0414 241 005.

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PROPERTY INSIGHT

PRIVATE AND SECLUDED, THIS IS A DREAM HOLIDAY ESCAPE OR FAMILY HOME.

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Rural Bushland Retreat 741 The Scenic Road, Macmasters Beach This stylish family home, set on a 2.32-acre block, is ideal for those looking for space and privacy with a touch of elegance.

Surrounded by landscaped gardens, protected bushland and an abundance of birdlife, it’s a nature lover’s dream – you will feel a million miles away when you arrive at ‘The Scenic Retreat’.

Contact Baraka Leporte 0459 996 464 Baraka.Leporte@belleproperty.com

Pure Coastal Style 58A Wagstaffe Avenue, Wagstaffe Set to capture stunning views across the bay to Bouddi National Park, this striking weekender teams up pure coastal style with polished interiors and great entertaining space. Lofty cathedral ceilings, gleaming hardwood floors and wraparound verandas create a sense of scale and dimension, while the open-plan design and newly renovated island kitchen delivers easy liveability. The guest suite/ studio on the ground floor is ideal for weekend visitors. Whisper-quiet, save for the sounds of birdlife, the elevated position is perfect for watching the Palm Beach ferry make its way to Wagstaffe Wharf – just 200 metres from the door.

Contact Cathy Baker 0414 241 005 Cathy.Baker@belleproperty.com 42

COAST STYLE

HIDDEN

TREASURES Boutique businesses are popping up around the Coast, catering for discerning shoppers who are looking for special pieces for their homes or wardrobes. Here are five of our favourites.

TROUVÉ HOME & LIFESTYLE Following on from the success of their original Trouvé store at Terrigal’s Crowne Plaza, in 2017 sisters Sue Fairbairn and Jenny Addison opened a new, bigger store at Erina: Trouvé Home & Lifestyle. Browsing the lovely clothes (think luxe-boho styles in all-natural fabrics), furniture, bath treats and jewellery is always a joy – Sue and Jenny clearly relish curating their ever-changing collections. Sue, who has been decorating homes for 20 years, says her aim is to help clients create timeless interiors and beautiful spaces. “From colour schemes, furniture selection and placement, soft furnishing, prints and lighting, every room should reflect your personal style.” Sue and Jenny are committed to bringing clients the highest quality, ethically sourced and sustainable products from their suppliers. They are keen supporters of local businesses – check out beautiful candles from the Poet Candle Anthology and Kloth Emporium’s range of linen fashions, to name just two.

For more details, phone 02 4365 5195, see trouvehomeandlifestyle.shop

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CACTUSILK Jess Henderson set up Cactusilk, a business specialising in exquisite handmade Moroccan silk cushions, vintage Moroccan rugs and rug cushions, a couple of years ago as a “side project” – a stall at Avoca Beachside Markets. Since then, Cactusilk has expanded to a sizeable online store.

Jess first visited Morocco on a retreat for women in business but had no thoughts about establishing a business – she just wanted to experience the culture, shopping and food.

“Well, it seems I fell hard for this country!” she says. “I was inspired at every turn by the beauty, colours and chaos of the medinas, the warmth of the people and the artisans’ creativity.”

When Jess returned home, she realised she wished she’d brought home more of the pieces she loved and re-contacted some of the suppliers she had met to organise a few shipments of rugs, blankets and cushion covers.

“I didn’t want to lose touch, so I kept ordering things – both for myself and friends – then decided to start the stall at Avoca … and it’s just grown from there.”

Cactusilk is available online at cactusilk.com.au, by private appointment in East Gosford (call 0418 964 775) and at the Avoca Beachside Markets (on the last Sunday each month from 9am to 2pm).

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PIECES TO TREASURE Whether you’re an accomplished quilter, a beginner keen to learn more about sewing or just searching for some special fabrics, Pieces to Treasure is your go-to spot. Jenelle Kent runs sewing classes, workshops and an on-site (as well as online) shop that stocks fabrics, patterns, kits and more at her peaceful cottage and studio in Macmasters Beach. Jenelle is a qualified teacher, author and one of Australia’s leading patchwork designers; her latest book, Farmhouse Fresh, is a collection of projects using Moda fabrics and it includes beautiful photographs and clear instructions.

Day and weekend retreats are held for groups of up to 10, while regular weekly classes cater for all sewing abilities and styles. Pieces to Treasure is hosting one-day Christmas in July events, where you sew a Christmas themed project, are served a lovely Christmas lunch and have a wonderful day full of creativity. Dates available are July 20, 24, 29 and 31.

For more details, call 02 4381 2337, see piecestotreasure.com

UNTRASHY Do your bit for the environment and check out Untrashy’s stylish range of sustainable alternatives to single-use plastic products. Founded by Ness and Tim Hefferman, Untrashy is an Ettalong-based store and online marketplace that stocks a range of products for the kitchen, bathroom, picnics, shopping and travel. The plastic-free starter kit contains everything you need to start your plastic-free journey, including organic cotton produce bags, bamboo cutlery, stainless-steel straws and clothespegs, while eco-friendly bathroom accessories include reusable make-up remover pads, washable buds (U-tips) and bamboo toothbrushes. Colourful squishy silicone wine glasses are perfect for camping, boating and barbecues and from $8 a pop they’re very affordable.

Untrashy is available at Avoca Beachside Markets, Umina Beach Markets and Terrigal Beach Markets and online at untrashy.com.

KLOTH EMPORIUM Lynda Paloma, who many people know as the organiser of the French Country Market that’s held on the Coast every May, also owns the thriving online business KloTH Emporium. KloTH is a luxury clothing brand designed for women of all ages to suit all occasions; Lynda, her daughters and grandchildren are pictured, left, wearing her relaxed, classic designs. Natural fibres such as linen, cotton and silk are the hero fabrics of the KloTH collections – fabrics that allow your body to breathe and feel beautiful to wear. The KloTH range also features leather accessories such as bags, belts and shoes, handmade jewellery, homewares and luxury, eco-friendly body products. For stockists in Queensland, NSW and Victoria, check out the website, or place orders online.

In keeping with Lynda’s philosophy of using ethical manufacturing practices and reducing plastic waste, packaging is recyclable and compostable. See kloth.com.au.

– Sally Macmillan 45

BOOKCLUB

A rich harvest of autumn reads FABULOUS FICTION

CHILLS & THRILLS

Emily Maguire, acclaimed author of An Isolated Incident, brings us the story of Nic and her beloved niece Lena in her latest novel, Love Objects.

The two meet for lunch every Sunday until one day, Nic fails to show up. When Lena arrives at Nic’s house, which she hasn’t visited since she was a child, she discovers her aunt buried under a pile of stuff she’s been collecting for years.

As Nic is hospitalised, the family’s dysfunctional history is revealed through flashbacks and present-day events that include Lena’s battle with an all-too contemporary revenge-porn issue and Nic’s sympathetically treated hoarding disorder.

Allen & Unwin, RRP $32.99.

Allie Reynolds’s debut thriller, Shiver, is set in the French Alps, a place the former professional snowboarder knows well. Five friends meet for a reunion at an isolated mountaintop lodge, 10 years after the disappearance of the enigmatic Saskia. But when an icebreaker game turns menacing, they realise they don’t know who has really gathered them there and how far they will go to find the truth. Narrated by Milla in chapters alternating between the present day and the events of 10 years ago, Shiver is an atmospheric page-turner. Hachette, RRP $32.99

A compelling historical novel, The French Gift brings together events from World War II and their repercussions decades later. In 1940, two women meet in prison in France, one a former maid (Margot Bisset), the other a French Resistance fighter and famous novelist (Josephine Murant). They spend four years in a German work camp, where the secrets they share will be unravelled by Evie Black, a bookshop owner in modern-day Paris. Kirsty Manning’s previous historical fiction include The Midsummer Garden and The Lost Jewels. Allen & Unwin, RRP $32.99

Fans of Joël Dicker’s literary crime epic The Truth about the Harry Quebert Affair (now a TV miniseries) will be just as gripped by his new offering, The Disappearance of Stephanie Mailer. In the summer of 1994, the quiet seaside town of Orphea reels from the discovery of two brutal murders. Two young police officers, Jesse Rosenberg and Derek Scott, crack the case but 20 years later, Rosenberg is approached by Stephanie Mailer, a journalist who believes the real murderer is still out there. Stephanie then mysteriously disappears, forcing Rosenberg and Scott to confront the possibility that her suspicions might have been proved true. Hachette, RRP $22.99

REAL-LIFE READS

HAPPY HELPERS

Sharon Stone, Emmy and Golden Globe awardwinning actress (Total Recall and Basic Instinct) was one of the most renowned actresses in the world – until a massive stroke in 2001 cost her not only her health, but her career, family, fortune and global fame. In her honest, often painfully funny memoir, The Beauty of Living Twice, Sharon talks about her pivotal roles, life-changing friendships and her efforts to rebuild her life post-stroke.

A truly heartfelt and inspiring read.

Allen & Unwin, RRP $29.99

How to Fake Being Tidy is a collection of hilarious true stories by award-winning feature writer Fenella Souter that will have you laughing out loud. Subtitled And other things my mother never taught me, the book celebrates the highs and lows of domestic life – from the author’s attempts to run the house like a grown-up to lessons in good cooking; from accidentally killing her wisteria, divorcing the cat and shirt-fronting bossy tradies to wondering if the ‘hostess gift’ is still a thing or why some people have impeccable taste.

Allen & Unwin, RRP $29.99

Dublin-born actor Gabriel Byrne has appeared in some 80 movies during his 40-year career, but until he was 15, he was headed for the priesthood.

Walking with Ghosts is Gabriel’s beautifully written autobiography, taking readers from his working-class upbringing in 1960s Ireland to finding his love of acting and subsequent rollercoaster life as a Hollywood and Broadway star. He writes about his battle with alcohol addiction and the ambivalence he feels about fame as well as painting unforgettable pictures of the people and places that helped shape his life. Pan Macmillan, RRP $39.99 46

The Secret to Superhuman Strength by Alison Bechdel explores the bestselling, award-winning graphic novelist’s lifelong love affair with exercise, set against a highly entertaining chronicle of fitness fads over the past few decades. Ultimately, she discovers the secret to superhuman strength lies not in six-pack abs, but in something much less clearly defined: facing her own nontranscendent but all-important interdependence with others. Penguin/Jonathan Cape, RRP $35

For a day out the whole family can enjoy Event Cinemas Gold Class & Vmax H&M The Bavarian westfield.com.au/Tuggerah

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COMING SOON

Belle

Lifestyle

PRECINCT The Belle lifestyle precinct is a new indulgent social destination that is opening soon in Terrigal.

Surrounded by bespoke stylist and homewares store The Beholder at Home and the Central Coast’s premier French patisserie, Bouffant, Belle Central Coast has created an inspiring and comfortable environment to discuss all your lifestyle and property needs.

To find out more about upcoming events please call Cathy Baker on 0414 241 005.

7/6 Pine Tree Lane, Terrigal NSW 2260 48

02 4385 2141 | centralcoast.info@belleproperty.com