Hot Property

Sydney Morning Herald

Saturday June 9, 2007

Angie Schiavone

Spacious accommodation isn't the only thing for sale in Terrigal, writes Angie Schiavone.

Terrigal Pacific Motel

224 Terrigal Drive, Terrigal.

I spy with my little eye something beginning with "S". There are the obvious answers - sun, sand, surf, seafood - Terrigal is a top spot for all of those things. But what really catches my eye as soon as we arrive in town are all the signs - real- estate agents' signs.

They're at bus stops, outside houses and businesses, on the surf patrol shelter at the beach. Realtors must make up about a third of the Central Coast's population. It's no wonder board shorts are going two for the price of one; too much selling and not enough swimming.

Whatever the case, we're not here for real estate. Terrigal, just over an hour's drive from Sydney, is the perfect place for a relaxing weekend away.

The Terrigal Pacific Motel is one of the first places to stay on the way into town and is a couple of minutes from the northern end of Terrigal Beach. We check into a loft apartment and are amazed by how spacious it is. With a queen-size bed, bathroom and balcony upstairs, plus a sofa bed, bathroom, balcony and kitchenette downstairs, it's more than enough for one happy couple.

"This will be good if we have a fight," my boyfriend says as we explore the apartment. "We can have one level each." We rarely argue, so it's funny that I'd been thinking the same thing. With all this space, it almost seems wasteful not to quarrel.

We part the heavy curtains and open the folding doors to the balcony, grinning as brilliant, warm sunshine floods through the apartment. "What do you want to fight about?" I ask. The balcony overlooks a heated swimming pool, complete with waterfall and fringed with deckchairs and palms. A spa and sauna are tucked away to one side and there's a barbecue on the other. It's hardly cause for conflict.

There are a few other guests around the pool when we head down to take a dip. A group of twentysomething girls are gossiping in the spa and a mum and dad take their baby for her first swim. It seems there are no arguments brewing between any of the other guests, either (though the baby wasn't too keen on the pool).

Our room is air-conditioned and soundproofed. Despite being on a busy road, we aren't disturbed by the traffic. On the downside, it's not easy for housekeeping to hear when you call out from inside.

The only real complaint is the shower, or I should say, showers - since our room had two. The water comes out in streams fine and fast enough to sting.

We're tempted to spend the entire weekend sitting by the pool but there are Terrigal Beach and lagoon to explore (with pedal boats for hire for the nostalgic). The woman at reception is friendly and helps us out with maps of the area and suggestions on where to eat. For extra information and ideas on more athletic pursuits, the Tourist Information Centre is directly across the road.

There's no shortage of good places to eat in Terrigal - we love the homemade banana choc-chip muffins and great coffee at Greens & Grind on Kurrawyba Avenue. Or you can pick up gourmet deli goods from DG's on Terrigal and walk across the road for a picnic on the beach. For something more sophisticated and still with the spectacular beach view, it's hard to go past Reef Restaurant and Grill at the Haven, the southern end of Terrigal Beach, for a fancy lunch.

If the weather doesn't suit beach bumming or lounging by the pool, Erina Fair shopping centre about 10 minutes' drive away will keep you busy. You can shop until you drop or watch a movie. Alternatively, stay in and enjoy the comfort of your room at the Terrigal Pacific. Or, since this is such a fantastic place to get away to, how about visiting one of those real- estate agents?

VISITORS' BOOK

Bookings

4385 1555, www.terrigalaccommodation.com

PRICES

Studio $125-$195, loft apartments $155-$225, two-bedroom apartments $185-$225 (prices for two people, one night, minimum two-night stay on weekends)

HOW TO GET THERE

North on the F3 from Sydney, take the Terrigal exit and follow Central Coast Highway. The closest train station is Gosford.

CHILDREN

They're welcome and will love the pool.

WHEELCHAIR ACCESS

Four rooms on ground level. Bathroom facilities are not specifically wheelchair accessible but they're large and may suffice.

SMOKING

Not inside but all rooms have a balcony where smoking is permitted.

PLUSES

Well-appointed, modern and comfortable accommodation.

MINUSES

Painful shower.

Rating 15/20

Ratings Guide

19-20 Outstanding. Can we move in?

17-18 Great.

15-16 Very good. We'd do it again.

13-14 Good. Comfortable, clean, well-run.

10-12 Adequate.

1-9 Stay at home.

Next week

A truly Pretty Corner of Murrumbateman.

© 2007 Sydney Morning Herald

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