“What are you possibly going to do there”.
That was the question I got asked multiple times when I told people I was headed to Gosford for the weekend.
Sure, it doesn’t often make the list of must-see travel destinations – but perhaps it should.
As it turns out, Gosford indeed offers the perfect weekend away, especially when you’ve got voco Gosford as your central destination.
This was the first new hotel in Gosford in more than a decade when it opened last year to considerable fanfare, promising a swim-up bar and notes of luxury at every turn.
And while there is indeed plenty to do in Gosford and nearby – like the Australian Reptile Park or great picnic and hiking spots, or the footy stadium that hosts A-League and NRL games – voco Gosford has been designed to be the centrepiece of your stay, almost to the point where leaving the hotel feels criminal.
The hotel is located in the Archibald Precinct in the Gosford CBD. It overlooks the shimmering expanse of Brisbane Water and surrounding national park, and is just a few minutes from the waterfront.
Just over an hour from Penrith, parking is easy and upon arrival you’ll quickly find yourself in the impressive reception area; where check-in is a breeze and the staff friendly and welcoming.
There’s about 130 rooms all-up. Our digs for the night were the very impressive King Suite, overlooking the city.
While this was a night away for my wife and I without our five-year-old in tow, it could have easily been turned into a family trip away – the room was large enough to cater to a family and judging by the amount of children at breakfast, plenty make the most of this being an affordable getaway with little ones.
The rooms are brilliantly presented – the addition of a bar cart felt luxe, and a full-size TV that didn’t require a Master’s Degree to operate was a bonus when we wanted to relax in bed with a movie later in the night.
We kicked off our afternoon with a swim and a drink at the aforementioned swim-up bar.
The pool is heated, but it doesn’t get the afternoon sun – so it’s still a little chilly on entry. Still, it’s a good size and a great way to spend a relaxing afternoon. The cocktails were spot-on.
Before dinner, we headed to level 28 to enjoy a pre-dinner drink at Astra. The Japanese izakaya inspired menu celebrates Japanese technique with a fire-driven edge, delivering an elevated yet high-energy space, perfect for cocktails, share plates and late-night bites– all prepared with precision and flair.
Try to get a spot by the window – the view from up there is awesome.
After a couple of cocktails, we headed downstairs to Paolo’s for an Italian meal that was to die for.
Locally sourced ingredients are prepared daily, with pizzas made from Italian flour, fior di latte mozzarella, and seasonal toppings, all cooked to perfection in the pizza oven. Fresh pastas are paired with slow-cooked sauces, while seasonal cocktails and a curated wine list showcase the best of Italy and Australia.
The wood fired bread with black garlic oil is a must to kick things off. We enjoyed a Meat Lover pizza – which was delicious – and the Spaghetti Carbonara. We literally fought over who got the last bite.
A local told us the Squid Ink Spaghetti is one of the restaurant’s best dishes – a must-try for next time.
We relaxed in the adjoining pub with another couple of drinks before heading upstairs for that movie and a bit of relaxation.
The next morning, it was off to Saltfire for breakfast. It’s a modest buffet, but won’t leave you feeling hungry.
Before checking out, we gave the sauna by the pool a crack, admired the gym from afar and noticed some aquatic activities happening at the pool – well worth adding to the agenda if you have time.
So what are you going to do in Gosford? Relax, eat good food, down some delicious cocktails and soak up the luxury that comes with a new hotel build. What more could you want?
Troy Dodds
Troy has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia's leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.
