Breeze Magazine Central Coast Issue 15

Issue 15

Breeze magazine

Summer 2016

CENTRAL COAST NSW Flip over for our Wedding Special Dine at The BOX on the Water, Reef Restaurant, Bellyfish Cafe & Safran Restaurant & Bar Drink at Block’n Tackle & Firescreek Fruit Wines Travel to New Zealand

Explore an Avoca Beach home Discover Vintage Fair-The Collective

unsurpassed views... understated elegance, an experience you’ll never forget...

The Haven Terrigal NSW 2260

(02) 4385 3222 info@reefrestaurant.com.au

Follow us on Instagram instagram.com/reefrestaurant

Like us on Facebook facebook.com/reefrestaurant

www.reefrestaurant.com.au

www.staroftheseaterrigal.com

. 43 85 79 79

l’s a g i r Ter dy tren the of r a t S !!

Sea

A Fa i Dink r um 5 sta kid f r riend reso ly rt!!

Seriously heated indoor, outdoor and waterslide pools.

Super facilities including tennis, squash, basketball, gym, snooker, playground & BBQ area.

Units all penthouse size with large balconies and Foxtel. On site cafe with room service.

TERR ACE G RI LL restaurant

&

bar

HOME & LIFESTYLE

Shop 7 | 8 Karalta Plaza Karalta Lane, ERINA

Located In Terrigal’s Most Historic Building Only a stone’s throw from beautiful Terrigal Beach, Crowne Plaza & Star of the Sea. Terrace Grill’s Talented Chefs use Wood Fire Grills to enhance the flavour of generous portions of quality meats, freshest seafood and vegetables.

And very importantly there’s a great bar!

Homewares | Accessories Furniture | Lighting Gifts | Jewellery | Fashion Colour Consulting

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Home Interior Decoration & Styling Service ph: 02 4385 880 0 t errace grill.com.au

Ph: 4365 5195 trouvehomeandlifestyle.com.au

Welcome to our first print edition!

I wont pretend it hasn’t been a hard slog, but it’s so worth it.

Breeze always looks amazing on screens and devices, but there’s something about having it in print ... It’s long been a dream of ours and it’s exciting that it’s finally coming to fruition.

This issue has lots of great stuff! We meet local music talent Dominique Morgan and discover Block ‘n Tackle brewery at Kincumber (just in time for cool summer ales). We experience the summer degustation menu at Reef Restaurant. Oh my ...

And beautiful fruit wines at Firescreek, the stunning restaurant The BOX on the Water before lining up for Bellyfish’s all day brunch. We revisit a beautiful house in Avoca and Scott takes us to New Zealand, in style.

We also have an updated beach guide for you and we’re very excited to feature our brand new Breeze Wedding Special. Hopefully this will be an annual inclusion for us as there’s nowhere better to be married than our beautiful Coast.

Phew, it was a big couple of months. With lots of eating!

Thank you all for your support and we wish you safe and happy holidays. Enjoy our beautiful summer weather.

We’ll see you in 2016!

Breeze magazine Issue 15 COVER IMAGES: by Chasing Brightness Photography. Bouquet by Blooms & Twine Floral Studio

CONTACT: info@breezemag.com.au Ph: 02 4324 1169. www.breezemagazine.com.au

PUBLISHER: Tim Brand CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Michelle Cutler SUB EDITOR: Claire Kidd

COPYRIGHT: All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reporoduced without the permission of the publisher.

Articles express the opinions of the author and are not necessarily those of Breeze magazine.

CONTRIBUTORS: Scott McRae, Wendy Ward, Mark Holgate, Nadia Gradwell, Lisa Haymes, Linda Coy.

PRINTED BY: InTo Print Unit 22, 1-3 Jubilee Avenue, Warriewood NSW www.intoprint.com.au

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BUSINESSCARDS.pdf

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Retreat to the seclusion of an historic Lighthouse keepers’ quarters.

Beautifully restored, with uninterrupted ocean views.

The perfect venue for weddings and special celebrations.

Daily guided tours inside the working Lighthouse. l

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FO L LOW T H E LO CA L S TO B E L LY F I S H . . . ... for the best all-day brunch

Take a step back in time and experience the maritime history of our nation.

at Terrigal Beach. Made with fresh,

norahheadlighthouse.com.au

local produce and serving Single Origin Roasters coffee.

Central Coast

INTERACTIVE WAR EXHIBIT

Shop 4, 112 Terrigal Esplanade “the first cafe on the right as you come into Terrigal Beach”

Open Tues-Sat, 10am-3pm Private Tours & School Bookings Available

Open 7 days from 5am

bellyfishcafe.com

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One of the largest collections of military memorabilia in Australia. A truly unique experience, complete with lifelike scenes and sound effects from the Front Line.

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24 Tatura Ave, Gosford P: 02 4324 1588

www.cciwe.com.au

Keep in touch

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Like us on Facebook

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Hand-made wooden fashion, specializing in custom-made.

AVOCA VALLEY BED & BREAKFAST central coast boutique accommodation

A romantic retreat for couples located in the Avoca Beach hinterland.

Peaceful, tranquil and exceptionally private Avoca Valley Bed and Breakfast is the perfect base for your Central Coast getaway.

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AvocaValleyBedandBreakfast

0404 240 463 www.avocavalleybnb.com.au

stylish home decor, treasured gifts & beautiful jewellery to create a haven in your own home Open Seven Days Shop 2b, 490 The Central Coast Hwy, Erina Heights

02 4365 4618

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AvocaValleyBnB

Stylish and affordable options for: responsive web design print design social media marketing email marketing photography editorial services

(02) 4324 1169 www.designit4u.com.au

Contents Beauty: 6 Beauty Picks 10 Health: Reliance GP Super Clinic

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Motor: Toyota Camry Atara SX 16 Vintage Fair - the Collective

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Trends at the Bay

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Music: Dominique Morgan

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Books: Fantasy Series

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Movies: Holiday Releases 38 Safran Restaurant & Bar

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Block ‘n Tackle, Craft Brewery

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Summer Degustation at Reef

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Firescreek Fruit Wines

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The BOX on the Water

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All Day Brunch @ Bellyfish

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Recipes: Herbal Summer Sips

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House: Outdoor Living, Avoca 72 Travel: New Zealand in style

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2016 Beach Guide

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Flip for Wedding Special!

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PUBLISHER. TIM BRAND is a web designer and photographer, and takes most of the stunning images seen in Breeze.

His interest in online publishing (and love of the Coast) resulted in Breeze magazine.

CREATIVE DIRECTOR. MICHELLE CUTLER has had a long career in print design and publishing, having worked for many publishers within Australia and overseas.

Michelle oversees the design of Breeze and also writes many of our articles.

MUSIC. NADIA GRADWELL was born in South Africa and now lives on the Coast with her husband and kids. Nadia is a multitalented photographer who has found a specialty in music photography and interviews. simplyinfinitephotography.com

SUB EDITOR. CLAIRE KIDD is a content and communications consultant, originally from the UK via Singapore, with an impressive career in corporate business. She has a passion for words and an obsession with grammar.

TRAVEL. SCOTT MCRAE has been in the entertainment industry for over 24 years and shares his adventures from Channel Ten’s A Taste of Travel on Ben’s Menu with our readers. scottmcrae.com.au BEAUTY. WENDY WARD is a lover of all things beauty, and has written for women’s magazines and weekend supplements across Australia. She lives on the Coast and is currently working on a beauty book.

MOTOR. MARK HOLGATE has been a journalist for more than 20 years, writing motoring, motor sport and news stories for some of Australia’s biggest publications. Mark runs auto blogsite exhaustnotes.com.au

BREEZE TEAM

LISA HAYMES is a photographer and artist. Lisa often draws on the Coast’s natural landscape for inspiration in her art and is sought-after as a commerical photographer. lisahaymes.com

LINDA COY is a local wedding photographer with Chasing Brightness and vintage store owner at Dapper Darlings Vintage in Long Jetty! Linda is a lover of cats, coffee, tattoos and her husband Dan. chasingbrightness.com

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Experience a slice of

The Outlook Cabana luxury couples retreat The luxurious, self-contained Cabana, set on an 18 acre estate, overlooks the magnificent infinity pool and valley, falling away to the ocean beyond.

the Mediterranean on the Central Coast!

Ettalong Beach Tourist Resort The Outlook Cabana

#the_outlookcabana

p: 02 4384 4852 / 0427 189 567 e: info@theoutlookcabana.com.au w: theoutlookcabana.com.au

256 Scenic Highway, Terrigal / Avoca Beach

A resort styled to reflect the ambience of a Mediterranean village, with boutique accommodation and a huge range of quality dining options. www.ettalongbeachtouristresort.com.au

20% off: 60 Min Eminence Facials Luxury Pedicure Luxury Manicures LVL Lashlift

Cinema Paradiso 6 screens showing latest releases in luxurious surroundings, with fresh buttered popcorn and manyflavoured choc tops from our traditional candy bar. www.cinemaparadiso.com.au

Internationally trained beauty therapist Annette Henderson is Terrigal’s most sought-after waxing specialist. Annette and her team also offer a full range of beauty treatments and pampering.

Special discounts for Breeze readers!

Ettalong Markets

1/80 Terrigal Esplanade 02 4326 1799 w w w. b e a u t y d u . c o m . a u

Extensively renovated, with quality new stallholders, our stunning undercover market is an experience!

Open weekends and public holidays 9am to 4pm. www.ettalongmarkets.com.au

1 claim per client, please quote “Breeze” when booking

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Breeze beauty Beauty Picks

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By Wendy Ward

Loaded with naturals, these affordable beauties are destined for ‘favourite’ status in the bathroom and handbag.

Clever single shots We’re talking bath, not bar. Tiny tonics for the tub, the marie adele collection features handcrafted, all natural Bath Salts and Milk Bath in two blends. Relaxing–think vetiver, sweet orange and bergamot and adorable, minute rose buds, and energising Australian–eucalyptus, lemon myrtle and hawthorn berries. The Bath Salts merge tiny rocks of Himalayan, Mineral and other fine salts with 100% pure essential oils, and the Milk Bath is a lightly-fragranced, silky powder that dissolves instantly to soothe the soul and leave the skin gloriously soft. Mix and match with half a dose of salts and half of milk bath or use one single shot. Each blend features 3 shots. RRP $45 for pack of 6 shots or purchase individually for $7.50. enquiries@marieadele.com.au

A transforming face cream Even if your summer is more ‘hectic’ than ‘holiday’, you can get that rested and glowing holiday look with RosehipPlus Hydrating Day Cream. Certified organic, it contains one of the rockstars of beauty, rosehip fruit seed extract. It wraps many skin goodies into one–a high Vitamin C content, Vitamins A, D and E, essential fatty acids (Omega 3, 6 and 9) and anti-

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oxidant flavonoids. Add other skin lovers like chamomile, avocado oil and rose geranium and we have a super blend that works to boost hydration, repair and improve texture. The Day Cream is just one from the RosehipPlus range. There’s also a Daily Cream Cleanser, Rosehip Oil, Nourishing Night Cream and Skin Boost, a nifty Roll-on, like a spot treatment for specific concerns like lines around the eyes and scars. RRP $19.95 for 75ml tube. www.rosehipplus.com.au

Soothing shower For a gentler way to suds-up in the shower, try Dr Hauschka Almond Soothing Body Wash. Skin is sure to bloom under its tender care. It has an uplifting scent and a formula free of synthetic fragrances, dyes and preservatives, and its rich, cushiony, creamy texture cleanses without a trace of dryness afterwards. Soothing all-rounder, almond oil, rich in Vitamins A, B and E, helps relieve irritations and inflammation, and quince seed extract locking in moisture and protecting like a glove. Squeeze a little on a body cloth or puff and massage over the entire body.

RRP $29 for 200ml. www.drhauschka.com.au

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Summer hair rehab Dry, brittle and damaged locks? Not after using organic Oblepikha Siberia Hair Mask. This hit of moisture delivers nourishment to the most stubborn dry strands leaving hair soft and springy. It also makes brushing a breeze. Containing wild harvested ingredients, free of harmful substances and picked at their peak, it’s rich in nutrients and actives in their most purest form. Oils of Altai sea-buckthorn, high in Vitamin C for regeneration, Moroccan argan oil and white Siberian flaxseeds for strength and shine, Siberian dwarfpine oil to protect against the harmful effects of the sun and wind and, wild Siberian hops and silk proteins to preserve moisture deep down. No parabens, SLS, mineral oils or other nasties. Simply dig into this awesomely gooey and fruity sensation and apply to hair mid to ends.

Leave in for 5 minutes and rinse. Dry and Normal Hair, Deep Hydration. RRP $24.99 for 300ml. www.naturasiberica.net.au

Easy summer lips Colour lips happy with vibrant and gorgeous shades from the new NATIO Rich Lip Colour range.

The collection features four cute, chubby and retractable crayons that glide on to create perfectly painted lips with a velvety finish that lasts the distance (that’s something every girl wants to hear).

These buttery-textured chubsters are not only about colour, they also contain nourishing Shea Butter and hydrating Jojoba Oil to care for your lips, keeping them moist, lush and pout-perfect.

They’re free from mineral oil and parabens and are not tested on animals.

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The collection features wearable shades – Lychee (a soft pink), Pomegranate (redpink) and rich Cranberry. To be onpoint for summer go with Watermelon, a delicious coral tone that magically brightens your complexion. RRP $12.95 each. www.natio.com.au

Perfect summer hydration Pulling off soft and supple skin is easy with the Larissa Bright Lavender Flower & Sweet Orange Hydrating Body Milk which has just the right balance of moisture and fragrance. First things first, this soothing light as air lotion soaks in instantly without leaving a sticky film on the skin.

It’s supple not slippery, so you can pop on your sundress straight after (yay!).

Comforting and hydrating the driest, most sensitive and stressed bods, it’s perfect for slithering on after showering post-beach.

And the apothecary-look packaging stands out on a crowded bathroom shelf so no chance of missing it. Smelling of delicate and relaxing lavender, it also contains the pure essential oil of sweet orange, an exceptional anti-ager high in anti-oxidants, to improve skin texture and tone. Nature’s wonderful almond oil and skin smoothing grapeseed oil protect against free-radical damage and works to keep skin youthful and glowing (yes that’s what we want!). Vegan and eco friendly, plus not tested on animals. RRP $24.95 for 250ml. www.larissabright.com.au

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Breeze health

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Dr. Rod Beckwith is passionate about creating GP services for the 21st century at his Reliance GP Super Clinic.

the future of healthcare on the Coast

While medicine itself continues to make great leaps forward, very little has changed when it comes to visiting your GP, assuming you’ve had the fortune to find one in the first place – as with many other regions, doctors are in great demand on the Coast.

Addressing this demand and diverting some of the avoidable admissions to our over-stretched local hospitals is a large part of what so-called Super Clinics are about, but the greater vision is to start keeping our community healthy rather than treating it when it’s sick.

Reliance GP Super Clinic unites an impressive group of doctors and allied health professionals under the leadership of local GP and GP Supervisor, Rod Beckwith. It’s about increasing the efficiency and collaborative nature of local health care, focussing on health management and preventative health measures.

One of the country’s largest medical centres, Reliance GP Super Clinic has 18 GPs and more than a dozen health care specialists.

Within the Reliance complex you’ll find radiologists, pathologists, podiatrists, psychologists, nutritionists, gynaecologists, cardiologists and more ...

There’s even pilates classes and an onsite, late-night chemist.

I know what you’re thinking ... It sounds a little overwhelming and bustling doesn’t it? What happened to the days of going and seeing your local GP in their small surgery? Many still do, but the reality now is more likely that of an overcrowded waiting room and an over-worked and, increasingly, isolated doctor.

I suspect that Rod might be unapologetic about the impression – he’s keen to bring some “bustle” back to general practice.

The practitioners and specialists at Reliance participate in weekly meetings, a great way of learning, sharing information and collaborating on patients’ care. Rod also fosters an environment of constant learning, with regular courses ensuring knowledge is always up-to-date.

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Shared knowledge is invaluable in any industry, and in the medical industry it can literally save lives. All the professionals at Reliance have the advantage of onthe-spot specialists, whether it’s for a patient referral or for a casual question at the weekly meeting. This sharing of knowledge not only leads to better informed diagnoses but to a collaborative team spirit that is constantly striving to offer better alternatives for patients.

And that really is the crux of Rod’s vision.

For him the Reliance GP Super Clinic is about patient experience. It’s not, as you might think, a huge medical machine churning through endless appointments.

The number of doctors and the long opening hours actually means the opposite – waiting times are minimal, appointments are relatively easy to get (and can be made online!) and GPs are able to take the time to investigate your issues. And these GPs are informed, engaged and committed to giving you the best outcome possible.

In a profession that moves as fast as medicine, where knowledge is crucial, it would seem that this form of collaborative

Dr. Rod Beckwith has been a GP on the Coast for many years. He’s an ambassador for the Children’s Medical Research Institute and recently rode an impressive 4000km in CMRI’s Great Cycle Challenge, raising money for childhood cancer research.

and integrated doctoring is the way forward. A way of keeping the industry nimble and focussed on patient needs, on health and wellbeing, and not simply on band-aid solutions.

Bulk billing is offered for GP services.

Open seven days, year-round, from 7am to 10pm.

Riverside Park, Central Coast Hwy, West Gosford. Ph: 4304 1333 www.reliancehealth.com.au

READ MORE ...

Rod Beckwith is one of the founders (with daughter Sarah) of online medical company Doctus. Set to reshape the medical industry, Doctus gives patients access to online consultations creating an efficient and cost-effective diagnostic tool for both the public and the medical system. While it’s not intended to completely replace GP appointments, there are many diagnoses that can be safely made this way and treatments prescribed. All diagnoses are conducted by GPs and it is seen as a support to existing health services.

Find out more at doctus.com.au.

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B a CLUB Hardys

ELA MESA GREEK

CAFE & RESTAURANT Tasty and traditional Greek food overlooking the water at Woy Woy.

Tucked into the bush and a stone’s throw from the bay, Hardys Bay Club is a beautiful venue for a night out or your next event.

• family friendly • craft beers on tap • live music • • shuttle bus • cubby house •

Traditional favourites souvlaki and mousaka, as well as stunning meze platters and a delicious slow-cooked lamb. www.hardysbayclub.com.au or 02 4360 1072

ElaMesacafe

Open Tues to Sun for 18 The Boulevarde, Woy Woy breakfast, lunch & dinner (02) 4339 7344

Handmade Gourmet Cheeses, made here on the beautiful Central Coast.

The Fat Goose Cafe is a tranquil setting to enjoy breakfast, lunch or simply coffee and a chat. We also stock our hand-crafted artisan breads, classic European pastries and a delicious range of deli goods.

Open 7 days, 7am to 4pm (closed Xmas Day only) Shop 3, Killcare Road, Hardys Bay

www.thefatgoose.com.au 02 4360 1888

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L o c a t e d i n t h e h i s t o r i c W y o n g M i l k F a c t o r y.

Open to the public! Come visit our shop a n d f a c t o r y, a n d p i c k u p a l l y o u n e e d f o r a cheese platter and more.

Wholesale available.

141-155 Alison Rd, Wyong Ph: 02 4353 2433 littlecreekcheese.com.au

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littlecreekcheese

BREAKFAST

&

LU NC H

The perfect venue for that casual dining experience and any special occasion or function.

(02) 4384 5083 The Haven Terrigal NSW 2260 Like us on Facebook

facebook.com/covecafe

www.covecafe.com.au

Follow us on Instagram

instagram.com/covecafe

Hand-made wooden fashion, specializing in custom-made.

Showroom: 1/305 Manns Road, West Gosford P: 02 43 222 186 M: 0401 000 676 E: info@loughlinfurniture.com.au

loughlinfurniture www.loughlinfurniture.com.au

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Breeze motor

By Mark Holgate

AUTO REVIEW:

2015 Toyota Camry Atara SX it’s goodnight from the Camry, with Toyota signalling the end of their Australian-built car with the 2015 Toyota Camry Atara SX, which will see out the model right up until 2017.

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SatNav as part of the infotainment system.

Oh, and there’s no manual option - it’s automatic or nothing.

User friendly is probably the best way to describe the final Camry to be built in Australia. It’s a product we know, and many of us love, with a hint of styling in black 18” alloy wheels, low profile tyres and that funky black Lexus inspired grill that graces the ‘sports’ model - the Atara SX. It looks fantastic on the road though, and would be easy to mistake for a Lexus.

But as always, the Camry is not the most exciting car on the road, with its four cylinder 135kW powerplant being just more of the same from the previous model, and with fierce competition from the likes of the Subaru Liberty, Mazda6, Ford Mondeo, Holden Malibu, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, and Honda Accord, Toyota’s product will likely struggle to excite.

Leather accented seats and sports suspension add to the improvements made to the new look Camry, along with a rear lip spoiler and sports pedals. The standout of these is the seats, which are not only comfortable, but look good too.

There’s also smart key entry and a push button start to bring it in-line with most of its rivals, who were already there.

The driving experience is actually really nice, if you leave out the dull engine, because the handling is good, the steering is sharp, and the power and performance work very well together and are an improvement on previous models - it’s why they’re so popular as a taxi - because they feel comfortable, really comfortable, but they won’t blow your socks off.

As always, it also offers great value for money, with a great specification list including Bluetooth, cruise control, reversing camera, electronic stability control, powered drivers’ seat, custom headlights and seven airbags. The one thing that is missing, significantly, is a

It’s fairly thirsty too. With Toyota claiming 7.8L/100km we only managed a 9.1 over a week that included significant freeway driving and getting stuck in plenty of traffic. We did spy a 7.2 briefly a few times on the freeway, but overall we were on the high side of the claimed figure.

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That said, if you are looking for reliability and a known quantity, the Camry can deliver that in spades. The boot is mammoth, at 515 litres, the interior is beyond roomy, it’s got a five star ANCAP safety rating, and is in fact the safest midsized sedan on the road (compared to its key rivals).

It’s definitely family friendly, as the Camry has always been, but we found one minor beef with the clip lock system for the child seat. It was incredibly difficult to unclip as the angle of the eye hook meant you nearly had to climb on to the rear parcel shelf to angle it out.

Pricing for the Camry Atara SX starts at $34,490. It’s available in Diamond White, Silver, Graphite, Eclipse Black, Ocean Mist, Indigo, and Wildfire (as tested). It comes with a three year, 100,000km warranty (Kia and its seven year warranty and Hyundai and its five year warranty make the Toyota offering a little pedestrian).

RESULTS: Driving experience

HHHHH Exterior styling

HHHHH Interior look and feel

HHHHH Technology and connectivity

HHHHH Family friendliness

HHHHH Pros: solidly built; well priced; big on space.

Cons: same old engine; dull interior; no SatNav.

SCORE: 3.5

HHHHH

Our test vehicle was provided by Toyota Australia. To find out more about the 2015 Toyota Camry Atara SX, contact your local Toyota dealer.

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Cast Off! Sustainable Seafood Festival Last year’s Cast Off! Sustainable Seafood Festival was a huge success. It’s back again for 2016, promising to be even better.

Visitors enjoyed the best food on the Coast from restaurants and producers including Bombini, Like Minds, Jasmine Greens, Thaigar Temple, Safran, The Hungry Traveller and Woy Woy Fishermen’s Wharf, complemented by the tasting area with local beers and wines plus some from the Hunter.

Local chef-extraordinaire, Pauly Mac, hosted Tony Bilson, Julie Goodwin, Billy Law and more in the cooking demonstation tent, and the entertainment stage pumped out live music all day. Mark it in your diary, get there early and ... have a light breakfast!

Images by Lisa Haymes

: Vintage Fair : The Collective Images by Tim Brand

Tucked away, yet in full sight, an abundance of good food and beautiful things waiting to be discovered ...

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i’d be willing to bet that you’ve driven past the Fairhaven site in Point Clare numerous times, oblivious to the delights at the end of the long driveway.

For years Fairhaven Services has been providing support for locals with disabilities.

They still do, but today much of their work is of a more inclusive nature, providing a larger range of employment opportunities for their clients and drawing in the wider community as a result. One of these initiatives is Vintage Fair - The Collective, a retail precinct in characterful surroundings, filled with beautiful and covetable items.

First stop when you arrive at The Collective is Fare Cravin’, a truly delightful café with, most importantly, really good organic coffee. Barista Maddi has worked machines all over and brings her expertise to bear behind a beautiful bespoke counter. Much of the fit-out of the café has been done onsite by talented maintenence officer Chris. He’s done such

a good job that The Collective has now been commissioned to produce fit-outs for other cafés.

The café also features an area of shelving (more of Chris’ work) where you can purchase food items such as the delicious teas from local supplier Rosa Tea House that are served in the café, as well as lovely homewares and upcycled items – little teasers of what’s to come in the rest of the precinct.

A generous range of delicious sweet treats, (including paleo and gluten-free options), sandwiches and salads are on offer. But with the addition of a full kitchen and fulltime chef, Fair Cravin’ are set to crank it up a notch and become a seriously good option for breakfast and lunch.

Fair Cravin’ is open Monday to Saturday, 8am to 3pm and is perfect for a special outing or for a quick coffee as you head along Brisbane Water Drive. You can even phone your order ahead on 4349 5523.

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homewares include handmade jewellery, upcycled furniture, every conceivable type of felted object (including soap!), vintage papergoods such as wrapping paper and gift cards and so, so much more.

Signs direct you from Fair Cravin’ down a hallway to the rest of The Collective.

First is the Op Shop which has been known to bargain hunters on the Coast for years. From vintage homewares and clothes to nearly-new childrens’ toys, it’s a genuine treasure trove.

If you were a fan of The Bower Bird Project (formerly of Gosford and later Long Jetty) you will see Leanne’s influence and creativity on show in the Op Shop.

A fabulous new initiative is the ‘destashing’ area, a great source of art and craft supplies for your own creations.

Having explored the Op Shop, cross the old quadrangle to the former schoolhouse which is now home to the jewel of the precinct, Vintage Fair.

The tagline is apt, “upcycling yesteryear”.

The beautiful and unique gifts and

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Restored table lamps with gorgeous new shades from vintage-style fabrics are popular purchases, as are candles and bunting featuring upcycled pianola rolls.

Once you make it past all this abundance you find yourself in an old school room.

Take the time to stroll to the end where

you’ll see an original lesson on the blackboard, charmingly preserved under perspex. The building was formerly used as a sorting room for donated items, the chalked lesson a fortuitous find when the 70s-era shelving was ripped down.

This area is now the precinct’s secondhand bookstore, reputedly the second largest on the Coast. Among Fairhaven’s many wonderful volunteers are an ex-field researcher with the State Library and a former journalist with The Australian, making this a very well curated

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little bookstore. Books are imaginatively grouped and displayed, including the quirky and delightful “Blind Date With a Book” (right), perfect holiday reading.

The schoolroom bookstore is very child friendly, with puzzles and pencils to keep them busy while you browse the shelves. There’s also a free story-time for preschoolers on Thursdays from 10am.

Behind the schoolhouse you’ll find The Green Shed, full of secondhand furniture.

There are some serious bargains to be found here, with great quality pieces ready for a new home. And if you’re looking for something unique, you can have the Fairhaven team upcycle furniture items to your specifications. This is done onsite in facilities to the rear of the complex and under the guidance of a wonderful team of artisans.

Vintage Fair - The Collective ticks a lot of boxes by providing employment and funds for services and by recycling and reinventing unwanted goods. But most importantly for its continued success, it has provided the Coast with yet another hidden gem of a destination. It’s a wonderful space filled with beautiful things, a place to which you will want to return again and again.

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Follow Vintage Fair - The Collective on Facebook for information on their regular market, pop-up shops, new products and more.

209 Brisbane Water Drive, Point Clare.

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Interiors by

C hloe

The charming shopping village

of East Gosford, known for its quality, independent cafes, homewares and decorating stores, has an equally charming new addition. A short stroll from Victoria St, Interiors by Chloe is an Aladdin’s Cave of colour and possibility.

Chloe Stevens’ beautiful interiors shop is as fresh as a fruit stall, with zingy yellows, cool aquas, flamingo pinks and more. They vie for your attention on the impressive feature wall of scatter cushions, and in the many custom pieces of furniture that Chloe creates from vintage, second-hand and new pieces.

These include chests of drawers, desks, cupboards, buffets and more, featuring beautifully colourful patterns and painted finishes. These are striking pieces and already very popular with Chloe’s clients. The range of options is vast, making this furniture perfect for any interior and any room. From childrens’ rooms to living rooms they create a wonderfully unique feature piece.

Chloe has a good range of stock instore but you can also have a custom piece created to complement your interior. Chloe can source the base furniture for you or work with a piece you already have that’s ripe for reinvention.

Interiors by Chloe also stocks fabric throws, home décor products including mirrors and ever-popular hanging vases, soy candles and melts, and stunning artworks including those by Central Coast artist, Shane Smith of Disarming Designs.

If your home could do with some stylish colour as we head into summer, definitely visit Interiors by Chloe. I doubt you’ll leave empty handed.

6 Henry Parry Dr, East Gosford Ph: 0416 040 336 www.chloesinteriors.com 32

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Trends at the Bay:

Paying close attention to every step of the supply chain – from cotton field to store and beyond.

fashion and social responsibility

by Phaedra Pym Images Tim Brand

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Owned and managed by Lyn Olesen for 23 years, Trends at the Bay has long been a favourite fashion haunt of locals and visitors, including Freya. So it came as a relief to Lyn, who is well known within the community, to know the business she had built for more than two decades was being handed over to a new owner who she knew would put her heart and soul into it.

For a growing number of socially conscious fashion consumers, there’s a strong desire to buy garments that not only represent quality and value for money, but have also been responsibly produced. For new owner of Trends at the Bay in Toowoon Bay, Freya Cottrill, the challenge to find quality, ethically produced high-end fashion on the Central Coast led her to purchase the one local business she found had always delivered on the fashion stakes and take it to the next level.

As a fashion stylist and entrepreneur, Freya’s vision is to deliver a complete experience for her clientele, from exclusive, after-hours, private styling sessions to sourcing one-off, responsibly manufactured garments designed by both well known and up-and-coming Australian and international designers. “I wanted to offer time-poor professional women on the Coast the opportunity to spend a couple of hours outside of work and travel time to have a personal styling session and get their wardrobe for the season sorted,” says Freya.

“My clients will also enjoy the peace of mind knowing exactly where every item they purchase began its life cycle and the journey it took before arriving in the store.”

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Designer labels stocked by Trends at the Bay include Trelise Cooper, Sabatini, Gabriella Frattini and Vigorella, as well as emerging Australian designers like Pizzuto and sustainable family farming and manufacturing businesses like Goondiwindi Cotton and Hedrena Merino wool.

The store has undergone extensive renovations with extra large fitting rooms and mirrors being added. Much of the new interior fit-out continues the focus on sustainability with recycled timber used extensively as decorative features.

The plan is to gradually expand the range of clothing and footwear to include locally designed and made items like

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soaps, candles, jewellery and unique, decorative pieces for the home crafted from recycled materials, like driftwood, and quality solid timber salvaged from building sites. “My vision is to help create a unique destination shopping experience here in Toowoon Bay with an emphasis on quality, a transparent supply chain and a place where there is a great story behind every product,� says Freya.

Trends at the Bay is located at 87 Toowoon Bay Road, Toowoon Bay. To enquire about a one-on-one styling session contact Freya on 0418 223 162.

Breeze music

Dominique Morgan Words and images

by Nadia Gradwell

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Spending time with Dominique is something I always look forward too. When she walks into a room with her catching smile, she simply lights up the space. Sharing creative ideas, giggles, and photographing Dominique was one of my more inspiring photographic sessions spent with an artist. A creative funny young woman who laughs very easily, which is part of the delight of Dominique. The first time I heard her sing at the Rhythm Hut in Gosford, she stopped me in my tracks with her powerful voice, but she quickly had the entire room on their feet dancing with joy.

Dominique has been singing from the age of four and performing since age eight. She had early lessons, along with performance experience, from Australian Country singer Gina Jeffreys, being awarded a scholarship to Jeffreys’ singing school in 2010.

Dominique is currently signed with world-wide publishing company Peer music and is in the process of recording her first EP with Rod McCormack. She has exceptional experience with song writing having cowritten with professionals such as Gina Jeffreys and Simon Wilcox who’s most recent work is on the Twilight Series. He also co-wrote hit pop song ‘jealous’ with Jonas brother, Nick Jonas.

A spiritual soul, passionate musician and committed vegan, Dominique has always wanted to share her love for music with others and make people feel good. Once her upcoming EP is complete the plan is to release a video clip, meet with labels, travel overseas and keep spreading the love and passion for music!

Dominique is predominantly experienced in jazz, blues and funk but is passionate about all genres, because no matter the style music is music.

I recently spoke with Dominique about music, life, time travel and what the coming year holds for her.

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IF YOU COULD GO into a time-machine and go anywhere in the world, where would it be, who would you take and what would you do?

Oooh it would have to be either Woodstock ‘69 or back to the 1940s to a dingy, smoky bar where I’d drink whiskey and watch Ella Fitzgerald or Billie Holiday playing live.

WHAT WAS YOUR favourite concert when you were younger?

I don’t know if I actually have a favourite yet. The main three I saw when I was younger that have stuck with me were John Mayer, Michael Buble and John Butler. All really inspiring, totally different styles of music but just being in the atmosphere of such a large audience and seeing the energy and vibe they created instilled a stronger sense of motivation in me.

WOULD YOU DO anything differently if you were just entering the industry today?

In all honesty I wouldn’t change a thing.

Because every experience I’ve had has lead me to this point. I now know what I do and don’t want. I’ve had countless lessons that wouldn’t allow me to make the right conscious decisions that I feel I’m making now. It has been a long time coming but I finally feel a full sense of direction and it’s full steam ahead!

WHO AND WHAT influences your music?

What are the influences behind your upcoming album?

I’ve ventured into a few genres growing up. Singing 1940s jazz songs from age 12 to 16 with my humble local mentor, Jiri Kripac, has given me the vocal style I have now. Jazz gave me the opportunity to really experiment with my vocal range and techniques. Most of my career has been cover gigs so I’ve sung anything from blues, pop, reggae and funk. My goal as a musician is to play music that makes people forget where they are, forget their problems and just let loose, dance and feel good. That’s why I’m so excited to release my first EP, out at the end of December this year. I’ve been fortunate enough to have the assistance and guidance of the highly revered Rod McCormack, who has been recording and producing my EP. It’s been a long time coming but I’m so grateful to share my own tunes with the world. My main artist inf luences for the EP would be Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, John

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Mayer, Allen Stone and Kimbra. Even though I have a serious concoction of stylistic inf luences I still feel that the EP has my own personal stamp on it. I’m so impatient to share it with people!

WHAT DOES 2016 hold for you?

My first tour promoting the release of my first EP. This tour will be throughout January and February. Hopefully I’ll have a video clip completed next, play throughout Australia until around July or August and then head to London for more musical possibilities!

LASTLY, WHO SHOULD we be listening to?

Good question! Ha ha! I listen to all different types of music, but I guess that the tunes currently circulating my day to day life would be by Sticky Fingers, Fat Freddy’s Drop, Leon Bridges, Melody Gardot, Phil Beaudreau and Volcano Choir!! /dominiquemusicofficial

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GLAMPING ∙ YOGA ∙ SPA ∙ LOST FEAST ∙ ART ∙ CIRCUS ∙ ADVENTURE Breeze magazine - Central Coast

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Breeze books fantasy series:

discworld series Terry Pratchett Over 40 books have been published in this series. Most work as stand alone reads, but also ensure it’ll be a while before you need something new. Pratchett’s books are both well-loved and revered.

The Kingkiller Chronicle Patrick Rothfuss A bestselling series telling the tale of a magically gifted young man who grows to be the most notorious wizard his world has ever seen. It’s a gripping coming-ofage, high-action story, beautifully written.

Ensure you read this series in order. his dark materials Philip Pullman In the first book, The Golden Compass, we meet 11-year-old Lyra Belacqua who lives in a world very similar to, but not quite ours.

Philosophy, religion, history and science are all woven into an engaging narrative.

It’s wholly engaging and beautifully written.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians Rick Riordan Join the adventures of Percy and his demigod friends as they fight mythological monsters and the forces of the titan lord Kronos. Like Harry Potter and His Dark Materials, these fall under children’s literature but are great reading.

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Farseer Trilogy Robin Hobb The Assassin’s Apprentice is the story of Fitz, a royal bastard who is friendless and alone. Only his magical link with animals gives him companionship. When Fitz joins the royal household, he must embrace a new life training as a royal assassin.

A Song of Ice and Fire George R.R. Martin You’re probably already familiar with this series through HBO’s Game of Thrones series. A genuine masterpiece of modern fantasy, and already hailed as a classic, don’t commit lightly to this mammoth series, these are addictive reading.

The Temeraire books Naomi Novik This alternate history series revolves around Temeraire, a Chinese dragon, and Captain William Laurence of the British Royal Navy. A fascinating look at our world with the inclusion of another dominant species, and the differences that creates.

The Book of the New Sun Gene Wolfe A series of four volumes which follow Severian, an apprentice torturer in the far future when the Earth is dying. Filled with allegorical meaning, Severian’s journey, and the world he explores, is absorbing.

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Open for breakfast & lunch, Monday - Sunday, 7am - 3pm (breakfast from 8am) Eat in or takeaway, fully licensed Kid’s play area, outdoor function area (marquees available), corporate catering

170 Pacific Hwy, Charmhaven 4393 3100 F: 4392 8071 Interior andT:Exterior thesecretcafe.com.au Colour Consultations functions@thesecretcafe.com.au New Home Colour facebook.com/thesecretcafecharmhaven Consultations

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Breeze magazine - Central Coast

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Breeze movies holiday releases:

STAR WARS 3D: EPISODE VII - THE FORCE AWAKENS This one’s causing some excitement. The first Star Wars film since Disney bought the rights and also the first in a planned trilogy, the story is set 35 years after Return of the Jedi. Lucas’ original main cast returns. Out mid December.

THE GOOD DINOSAUR Prehistoric Pixar family adventure following the friendship between Spot, a young human boy, and Arlo, a giant friendly Brontosaurus. Out late December.

JOY Writer-director David O. Russell reteams with Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper and Robert De Niro for this comedic biopic, based on the life of Joy Mangano – inventor and founder of a family business dynasty.

Out late December.

SHERLOCK: THE ABOMINABLE BRIDE Benedict Cumberbatch is Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman is Dr. John Watson in this one-off Holiday Special spin-off from the BBC television series, which sees the pair investigating a mystery in the 1890s.

Out early January.

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CAROL Romantic-drama based on the 1952 novel by Patricia Highsmith. Therese Belivet (Rooney Mara), is working in a department store when she meets Carol Aird (Cate Blanchett), an alluring woman trapped in a failing marriage. Out mid January SISTERS Saturday Night Live veterans Tina Fey and Amy Poehler re-team with SNL writer Paula Pell for this comedy about two sisters who attempt to throw one last house party before their parents sell the home. From the director of Pitch Perfect.

Out mid January THE DANISH GIRL Eddie Redmayne and director Tom Hooper go for another Oscar with this historical love story inspired by Lili Elbe (Redmayne) and Gerda Wegener (Alicia Vikander), a married couple whose unbreakable union helped Lili transition from a man to a woman. Out late January.

ANOMALISA A stop-motion animated drama with shades of absurdist humour.

Michael Stone, husband, father and respected author of “How May I Help You Help Them?” is a man crippled by the mundanity of his life. Out early February.

food&drink The Central Coast is emerging as a major food destination, with amazing primary producers and an ever-growing choice of quality dining options. Try just a few of our local favourites.

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Safran

restaurant & bar

Dining at Safran is something of an education. Most Turkish food we’re familiar with is “fast food” like köfte, döner and gözleme, or renowned Turkish sweets like baklava and turkish delight. You’re in for so much more at Safran ...

It’s a common mistake to assume that Turkish food is hot and spicy. While spices, along with herbs, certainly feature in Turkish cooking, at it’s best it’s an exquisite blend of subtle flavours. Paprika, cumin, garlic, mint, oregano and parsley are used with a range of meats and vegetables, nuts and dried fruits to create mouth-watering dishes alive with fresh flavours.

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may think – Mengen is famous for training the best chefs in Turkey and they’re quickly snapped up for positions with the finest hotels in Turkey and abroad.

Work brought Sulo to Sydney, where he met wife Natalie. The opportunity arose to purchase Umina café, 304 on West, and after seven years in Umina, which included extremely popular Turkish Nights, the couple were ready to take on a venture that would allow Sulo’s talent to shine.

Safran opened in 2013 and, within a year, had been awarded “Best New Restaurant in the Hunter and Central Coast Regions” by the Restaurant and Catering Savour Awards.

Safran is the “real deal” when it comes to world class Turkish food – pour a glass of Raki, Turkey’s anise-flavoured aperitif, and feast on some of the best meze this side of Istanbul. Preferably as the Turkish do, sharing with friends and family.

Safran has since gone from strength to strength as Sulo and Natalie have refined the menu, which changes regularly depending on ingredients available, and the whims of the Head Chef.

But Safran shouldn’t be thought of as simply a cultural food experience, as it more than stands its ground as a fine dining restaurant. The menu cleverly combines flavours and techniques from Turkey to create dishes that are the very definition of Modern Australian cuisine.

Not surprisingly, it’s difficult to get a booking at late notice on a Saturday night.

The good news for all of us is that Safran is open from Wednesday to Sunday, so there’s plenty of opportunity to savour the unique and distinct flavours of Turkey, prepared by one of the world’s best.

At the helm of Safran is Süleyman (Sulo) Kirbancioglu and his wife Natalie. Sulo was raised in Mengen, a town halfway between Istanbul and Ankara, on the Black Sea. An interesting fact about Mengen is that there aren’t that many good restaurants ... But not for the reasons you

Open Wednesday to Sunday, from 5:30pm. Weekend meze lunches from 11:30am

Breeze magazine - Central Coast

189 Ocean View Road, Ettalong Beach Ph: 02 4342 7030

www.safranrestaurant.com.au

/safranrestaurant

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/safranturkish

Images by Tim Brand Breeze magazine - Central Coast

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BLOCK‘NTACKLE CRAFTBREWERY If the best kind of businesses come about through personal passion, then the Coast’s newest brewery is surely headed for great things.

Michael Pepper (Pep) and Al Jones have a passion for all grain brewing, and Greg Tobin and Brett Brown have a passion for drinking the resulting beer.

Not that they’re alone in that. There’s many who will attest that Pep and Al’s time spent home-brewing in the garage was well spent. But of the many willing taste testers in Avoca Beach (home to the four friends) it was Greg and Brett who decided to stand shoulder to shoulder with their brewing mates and take their beer to a wider audience.

They’re a pretty laidback bunch, and you get the impression that really they’ve just moved to a larger garage.

But the partnership of these four is a savvy move.

Images by Tim Brand

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Each business partner brings skills to the mix that have made all the difference to the venture so far.

As a town planner, Brett’s experience was invaluable during the lengthy application process. Greg is a graphic designer and responsible for the very slick visual identity of the business. And both Pep and Al work in I.T. ... when is that not handy??

Block ‘n Tackle’s brewery and cellar door is located in the industrial estate on Cochrone Street, Kincumber. something of a hidey-hole for places worth discovering, Loo Loo’s Coffee Warehouse sitting opposite the cellar door.

The fitout is charmingly simple, with a rustic bar and a few seating options. It’s primarily a retail outlet where you can sample the beers on tap and purchase some to take away. One litre peelers are available for $12.50 each, or for a refillable

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option, choose a cute, 1.89 litre metal mini keg. These are $45.00 to purchase filled, and each refill will set you back $22.00.

There’s a simple selection of food on offer to accompany your tasting paddle. We highly recommend the mezza plates – you can choose from a selection of tasty dips, cheeses and more. We had Little Creek’s feta and peppercorn cheddar, a delicious almond hummous from Jacque’s Kitchen and kalamata olives, served with bread and crackers. A great option for grazing while you focus on the main game - the beer.

A good 20 years of garage tinkering has gone into these brews. Both Al and Pep had been brewing independently before joining forces, with Pep even abandoning a work-related degree to earn his Graduate Certificate of Brewing from Ballarat University. The growing popularity of their brews gave them a fair idea of what might be possible. It was then just a small step, and some red tape, to go commercial.

Both brewers have been all-grain brewing for years - making the wort from mashed grains rather than a ready-made extract - so going into serious production was really just about choosing the specific brews and upgrading some equipment.

And moving garages.

Interestingly, the name Block ‘n Tackle, so apt given their Kincumber location and its ship-building past, is actually a nod to those home brewing days when they had to use mechanical advantage to, rather

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dodgily, haul their fermenter up high to let gravity do its thing and siphon the beer for a second fermentation. They’ve sinced embraced the connotation, naming many of their beers for pioneering shipbuilders and their ships, in the process bringing an important piece of Central Coast history back into circulation.

The cellar door has a great atmosphere, with waves of customers popping in to taste what’s new on the taps, or to have their mini keg refilled. It’s always calm, casual and convivial, welcoming of all.

Much like the four friends who started it, and who might be spotted having a milkcrate-conference out the back.

Open Wednesday to Sunday. Times may vary from week to week so check the website or call ahead.

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THE BEERS Block ‘n Tackle are committed to using the best ingredients available, including premium quality grain and hops, and all their brews are free of artificial additives and preservatives. Pep and Al have formulated their own new brew recipes based on traditional brewing styles, including seasonal brews and one-offs.

It’s worth dropping by regularly to see what’s on tap.

ROCK LILY PALE ALE Named for the last ship built by George Frost at his Kincumber Creek shipyards in 1906. An American style pale ale with a perfect balance of malt sweetness, hop bitterness and hop flavour. Perfect with a range of foods including grilled meats, pizza and Mexican.

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RIP BRIDGE GOLDEN ALE Named for the Coast’s iconic bridge, this is a great beer to start with. Lightly hopped with uncomplicated flavours it’s a great allrounder and goes with just about anything.

THE WAGGY WIT WIT BEER Named for the Wharf at Wagstaffe live music venue, a traditional, unfiltered Belgian style wheat beer brewed in the traditional way using coriander seed and orange zest.

Thirstquenching with a slightly spicy flavour.

Perfect with Thai dishes and seafood.

SIR THOMAS PORTER Named for former the NSW Governor Sir Thomas MacDougall Brisbane. Brewed in the traditional English style, subtly hopped with roasted malt flavours and a perfect dose of chocolate and coffee flavours.

Good with rich, tomato-based dishes but great with oysters!

JON PIPER AMERICAN IPA Named for Kincumber shipbuilder Jonathan Piper, Jon Piper Mark III is third in the series of specialty brew IPAs. An intense bitterness balanced by a rich, dried fruit flavour and tropical fruit aromas. The extra hoppiness complements stronger flavours like chorizo and BBQ ribs.

SHIPWRIGHT’S ENGLISH BITTER An English style Best Bitter, brewed with English hops. Easy drinking with a deep amber colour, this is another specialty brew that has proved extremely popular and has British ex-pats sweating on each new batch.

RED LIZZIE AMERICAN AMBER ALE George Frost’s first ship, named for his wife and launched in 1884. A bold, fruity citrus aroma and flavour notes from the hops carefully balanced by a smooth malt sweetness.

A great match for Italian flavours, Red Lizzie is a specialty brew.

Unit 1, 11-13 Cochrone Street, Kincumber Phone: 4368 3333 www.blockntackle.beer

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SUMMER Degustation at Reef Restaurant

Reef restaurant Images by Tim Brand

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Terrigal Haven’s Reef Restaurant has long been a favourite with visitors to the Coast and locals alike. With an exceptional setting that overlooks sweeping views of Terrigal and Wamberal beaches it’s hard to beat for a special meal.

Reef Restaurant is stunning in all weather – in winter there’s nothing more delightful than a hearty meal by the open fire as you watch a storm roll in over the sea – but summer brings something special to Reef, as the huge windows are thrown open to the salty breeze and the menu takes on the light and colour of the season.

Head Chef, Paul Bouwhuis makes the most of the sea, with seafood featuring prominently on the menu, and is committed to using market-fresh, premium produce, sourced locally where possible.

Making your choice from the a la carte menu can prove tough ... For a leisurely summer lunch or dinner we highly

recommend letting Paul and Manager Michael Hayes (and their respective teams) do the hard work for you by choosing the degustation with matched wines.

We started with an appetiser of succulent Sydney rock oysters served with verjuice, saffron and an apple reduction. These little ocean gems are so clean on the palate and perfectly accompanied by a glass of chilled French champagne.

The oysters were a superb prequel to the next dish, soft-shell crab served with a zingy Vietnamese salad, featuring green mango and a cashew nut nam jim.

The fresh flavours of the salad perfectly offset the delicately sweet crab meat and the crisp, fried shell. It was served with a Marlborough Pinot Gris that was refreshingly dry with pear and spice notes.

After a short rest to admire the view, our server was back with a work of art.

King fish, fennel lemon purée, crushed pistachio, potato croutons, quail egg and french beans. Exquisitely arranged on a Breeze magazine - Central Coast

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glass plate of translucent sea green, with nasturtiums, violas and herbs, it was almost a shame to eat it. Almost.

The king fish was perfectly prepared with a crisp outer surface and soft, moist flesh within. The creamy yet fruity Chardonnay from Mornington Peninsula matched the velvety textures of fish, quail egg and fennel purée perfectly.

The arrival of a Yarra Valley Pinot Noir signalled that heartier flavours were on the way. A beautiful arrangement of bacon and pine nut soil, pickled beetroot, parmesan velouté and the delicate blush of fresh figs, again scattered with fresh blooms. This striking little garden was home to a portion of pork belly. Crackly, creamy and melt-in-the-mouth. The delicate dryness of the pinot cut the pork, and the creamy velouté added a slight bitey note, and helped to pick up every skerrick of the bacon soil. It was an imaginative use of a typically rich cut of meat for summer.

After a sweet little palate cleanser and more quiet contemplation of the beautiful scene below our window, we were treated to another visual feast.

Rack of lamb with a vivid swirl of carrot, cumin and honey purée, and a salad of sweet potato, coriander and chickpeas.

It had a slight Middle Eastern influence, a lovely match for the tender and mouth-watering lamb, perfectly pink.

Mint tzakziki added fresh note and was a delicious accompaniment. A Margaret River Shiraz was a good choice for the lamb, with the salad being gutsy enough that the intense black fruit flavours of the wine complemented rather than overpowered it.

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Despite feeling pleasantly satiated, we were looking forward to dessert ... The white chocolate panna cotta was rich and creamy, yet light and fluffy. Accompanied by chargrilled peaches, fresh raspberries and an almond praline crumble, it was summer on a plate. Served with a deliciously sweet late harvest Chardonnay from the Margaret River, it was the perfect way to end a meal that was indulgent and yet perfect for the warmer weather.

Reef Restaurant, The Haven Terrigal.

Lunch: Tuesday to Sunday from midday.

Dinner: Tuesday to Saturday from 6.00pm.

The Degustation must be order before 2.30pm for lunch, and 8.30pm for dinner.

To make a booking call 02 4385 3222

www.reefrestaurant.com.au

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New vintages for summer release: Coffee and Blackcurrant Wine Passionfruit Wine Elderberry Wine Tangerine and Chilli Wine

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Firescreek Fruit Wines Francis and Nadia O’Connell had been dreaming of a rural idyll for the best part of 20 years when an opportunity arose to purchase a property on the Central Coast. Specular gardens, a huge veggie patch, pomegranate, fig, nut and citrus trees, and ... a boutique winery.

Award-winning Firescreek Fruit Wines was started by Ellie Walker and Peter Buteux, arising from their passion for sustainable gardening and a shared scientific background. Luckily for new owners, Francis and Nadia, Ellie and Peter were keen to pass on their skills and knowledge. They put the O’Connells through an intense training process, ensuring that their much-loved Holgate property would flourish under its new stewardship.

The art of fruit winemaking has been overshadowed by the mainstream grape wine industry. Huge sums of money go into planting row upon row of single varietals and purchasing harvesting machinery - the quantities of grape wine produced worldwide are staggering. In contrast, fruit wine production, despite its parallel history to that of grapes, has largely remained the domain of home winemakers and small producers.

The most noticeable thing about Firescreek Fruit Wines is their clean, light taste. Unlike grape wines, which use methods such as oak-casking to enhance flavours, fruit wines allow natural flavours to take the lead. They are also surprisingly dry. Firescreek Fruit Wines do make sweeter dessert wines, such as their Fig Fruit Wine that is the perfect after-dinner treat, but most of their range tends towards the soft, dry category.

Many of them are perfect for summer. The Kiwifruit Wine is a classic, light, dry wine – far too easy to drink and ideal served chilled with seafood. The award-winning Nectarine Wine is a little more sophisticated, with a longer finish and a delicious mellowness.

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Raspberry Fruit Wine is delicate and aromatic, reminiscent of a rosĂŠ and perfect with creamy cheeses and light summer meals. Elderberry Wine, with its berry and spice notes and rich colour, is a good choice for heartier dishes and strong cheeses. And for something completely different, try Firecracker. A blend of orange and chilli, it has a soft sweetness and just enough chilli for a pleasant glow. Try it with good-quality dark chocolate, or over ice as an aperitif.

As many ingredients as possible come from the gardens. A tour of these gardens is a real treat, with small plantings of numerous fruit and herbs. The entire garden is run organically and is amazingly abundant and healthy. From ground to glass, you can see the kiwifruit vines, guava trees and herb beds whose harvest is transformed into the wine you sample at the cellar door. The classic country garden, with roses and a beautiful pond, supplies rosehips and flowers used in the wine, and is also a popular venue for weddings.

Because Firescreek Fruit Wines are made in such small batches, with Nadia and Francis overseeing each one, there is always something new on the way. A new vintage of their popular dessertstyle Coffee and Blackcurrant Wine is due for release. And with stone fruit now in abundance it will definitely find it’s way into the winery. Perhaps Peach and Violet Wine. Or Nectarine and Rose Petal Wine.

Or both!

Cellardoor Wine Tastings: Wednesday to Sunday.

11am-4pm 192 Wattle Tree Rd, Holgate. NSW Phone 02 4365 0768 www.firescreek.com.au

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The BOX on the water

Images by Lisa Haymes and Tim Brand

It’s almost a shame that The BOX on the Water has such an amazing view. With stark, simple lines, lots of glass and marine ply, and replica Hans Wegner wishbone chairs to hug you at your table, this is a stunning little restaurant. But that view ... it’s really hard to look away. Luckily The BOX’s kitchen produces the kind of food that demands your attention and pulls your focus back inside.

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Part of the recent redevelopment of the Ettalong foreshore, The BOX on the Water is cleverly named, both for its shape and for nearby headland Box Head, visible from the floor to ceiling windows. As soon as restaurant owners Monique Keogh and Natasha Nicholson saw the space, they knew they had to create something special. It could so easily have become a middle-of-the-road beachside eatery but Monique and Natasha, both Peninsula residents, were determined to deliver something exceptional that both locals and visitors would embrace.

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Despite its incredible good looks The BOX on the Water is all about simplicity and has a stylishly casual vibe, not at all pretentious. Perhaps that comes from the fact that it practically sits on family-friendly Ettalong beach, has a splendid play park to one side and a cycleway to the front.

Monique and Natasha have really been very clever in creating a restaurant worthy of the tag “fine dining” but with an inviting seaside aesthetic. With the huge windows that open up when the weather is fine, there’s nothing cloistered and exclusive

about The BOX. You feel a part of the beachside goings-on as you watch children play in the water, families out for a stroll and watercraft coming and going.

The BOX epitomises a fresh, uniquely Australian take on dining, and the kitchen also reflects this. The menu is cleverly divided into snacks (for “while you’re deciding”), small plates and large plates. You can mix them up as you like. The menu isn’t exhaustive but features plenty of choice, with fish and seafood featuring prominently including a seafood platter for two.

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Much of the food is quite simple and relies heavily on outstanding ingredients and the talent back of house.

Young Head Chef David Peters has created a menu that can be shared or ordered as a traditional three course meal. There’s an emphasis on quality local and seasonal produce, including sustainable seafood.

There are beach-chic options like fresh prawns simply served with a housemade lemon aioli or a wonderful beer battered fish and chips with housemade tartare.

For something lighter, and effortlessly beautiful in presentation, the sage and citrus-cured salmon gravlax with pickled

lime mascarpone and pickled cucumber salad (pictured right) or the South Rocks seared scallops with caramelised fennel, spiced pea purée and puffed capers are both pretty hard to pass up.

Heartier dishes also feature, such as the melt-in-your-mouth Angus scotch fillet, served with hand cut root vegetable chips, a Merlot jus and frisée and radish salad, but on our visit the fish dishes were definitely a highlight. Natural king fish sashimi was simply served with a surprising and delicious ‘sorbet’ of avocado, coriander and lime, and wild barramundi, topped with sauce verte, was imaginatively served on a bed of Puy lentils and pomegranate.

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The desserts follow the trend – simply presented and delicious. We enjoyed the passionfruit tart, served with blueberries and cream and the ginger brulée, served with a ˆ zingy raspberry coulis. The cheese platter is also very popular and includes both local and imported cheeses, a divine orange marmalade and lavosh, presented with fresh figs on a rustic timber board.

There’s a small but lovely lounge bar to the rear, serving cocktails, an extensive list of wines and beer on tap from Six String Brewing Company and Balmain Brewing Company. Prices are very reasonable by today’s standards. The bar opens between lunch and dinner Friday to Sunday for Sunset Sips, serving sophisticated bar snacks.

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Not surprising, given its location, The BOX is also a popular spot for breakfast. What seems at first a sparing menu is actually a well-thought-out selection that caters to all tastes. There’s also plenty of extras that can be added to your eggs (poached, fried or scrambled) creating a lot of flexibility.

Natasha and Monique also operate the beach kiosk attached to The BOX and predictably it’s a step up from what you might expect of a beachside takeaway outlet. For one the coffee is great! It keeps beachgoers and the families visiting the adjoining playground happy with burgers, muffins, pies, cool drinks and snacks but quality ingredients are in evidence here too and it’s all delicious and freshly made.

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Both restaurant and kiosk have made a significant contribution to the revamp of the Ettalong foreshore, and that’s really down to Monique and Natasha’s commitment to creating something spectacular out of a rather stunning little box on the water.

Ettalong Beach Waterfront Reserve, The Esplanade, Ettalong Ph: 02 4339 3369

www.theboxonthewater.com

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LUNCH: Daily, 12.00-3.00pm DINNER: Thurs to Mon, 6.00-9.00pm BREAKFAST: Sat and Sun only, 8.0011.00am SUNSET SIPS: Fri to Sun, 3.00-6.00pm Closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Kiosk open daily 7.00am-4.00pm.

The BOX on the Water recently hosted a wine dinner featuring the Hunter Valley’s Bimbadgen Estate. Five courses from the current main menu were served and matching wines were presented by Senior Winemaker Rauri Donkin. Keep an eye on The BOX’s website and social media for future special events.

Dishes clockwise from top left: Sashimi style king fish, served with 2014 Vermentino; Drunken Pâté, served with 2014 Pinot Gris; Barramundi with Puy lentils and pomegranate, served with 2014 Chardonnay; Pork belly with sour plum, served with 2013 Shiraz; Ginger Brulée, served ˆ with 2011 Botrytis Semillon.

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All day brunch

Mitch Jury, with father Steve, has pretty much created his dream cafe with Bellyfish in Terrigal. Having grown up on the Coast working and learning alongside his father, partner in Bellyfish and long-term cafe owner Steve, Mitch travelled Europe before returning home with a clear perspective of what the local food scene offered, and what it lacked.

Bellyfish opened eight years ago and was an instant hit with the locals. Mitch’s vision was fairly simple – serve the best seasonal, all day brunch menu in Terrigal,

making as much food as possible on the premises, using the best, freshest ingredients on offer, in particular local ingredients. Oh, and serve great coffee.

Bellyfish sits in a generously-sized corner position opposite the beach – the first cafe you see as you come down into Terrigal. Umbrellas and an attractive mix of outdoor seating tempts you in the summer sunshine, as does the cavernous and cool interior when the weather is a little too warm, or you’ve caught enough rays at the beach.

Images by Tim Brand

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The menu reflects both Mitch and Steve’s vision with fresh and imaginative flavours.

Plus the odd indulgent note, such as the French Canadian–brioche french toast with bacon, blueberry compote, maple syrup and ice cream (lprevious page.).

The effort to seek out premium quality produce has paid off with sought-after ingredients like Margin’s mushrooms, La Tartine’s organic sourdough and Little Creek Cheese’s haloumi and feta regularly making it on the menu. Eggs come from The Egg Shed at nearby Erina Heights, seafood from Darrons at Wamberal and sweets from Constant Craving Cakes. Even many of the drinks are local including those from East Coast Beverages and Anoint Tea.

One non-local on the menu is Sydneybased Single Origin Roasters coffee, widely acknowledged one of the best for both flavour and ethical and environmental practices.

With excellent food and coffee, Mitch and Steve have created a cafe that feels like a second home. Bellyfish has a reputation for its staff – warm, welcoming and obliging even when the cafe is busy, most of them have been with Mitch for some years. They have a lovely knack of making you feel like they’ve been hoping you’d drop by, even if it’s your first time there.

There’s a gentle emphasis on good living at Bellyfish, not just good food. They keep to wholesome hours, opening early

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at 5am, much to the delight of tradies, surfers and early morning exercisers, and close mid afternoon. And there’s a palpable invitation to linger in the books and magazines scattered about the tables for lazy browsing. Then there’s that sea breeze and beautiful view ...

Bellyfish is so much more than a cafe. It’s a mini-break. And a pampering one at that.

If you’re staying in Terrigal don’t leave it to the locals!

Located northern end of Terrigal Esplanade (across from Surf Club carpark).

Open 7 days a week.

From 5am to 3pm.

www.bellyfishcafe.com bellyfishcafeterrigal

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bellyfishcafe

Left, from top: CHILI CARNE Y FRIJOLES Braised chilli beef brisket, black beans, brown rice, guacamole, salsa of corn and chilli, baja sauce, pickled jalapeños on a toasted tortilla; THE BIG KAHUNA House beef pattie, local fried egg, bacon, lettuce, pickles, cheese, onion, pineapple, beetroot, mustard and relish on a toasted brioche bun; COAST STACK Local haloumi, roast zucchini, avocado, local mushrooms, roast tomato, spinach & pesto stacked on local sourdough.

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Herbal Summer Sips Summer, with it’s long, lazy evenings, is the perfect time to put something a little different in your glass. It’s also a great time to take advantage of fresh herbs and fruit. Here are three drinks that use a herbal honey syrup and fruit, for something different to sip.

Lemon thyme 75 This is a similar to a French 75, a legendary cocktail reputed to have a kick like a French 75mm howitzer.

This one has the same kick, so be careful. It’s a little on the sweeter side, using prosecco rather than champagne, but has quite a sophisticated and subtle flavour. Nice as a pre-dinner tipple.

Bring honey, ½ cup of water and lemon thyme to the boil. Boil briefly, remove from heat and cool syrup completely (about two hours). Strain and discard herbs before using.

Build the drink in a champagne flute. Add a dessert spoon of syrup, 30ml good gin, a handful of blueberries and a sprig of lemon thyme. Top up with good quality prosecco. Bon apetit. * each syrup recipe makes enough for four to six drinks and can be stored in the fridge.

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¼ cup organic honey bunch of lemon thyme (keep some aside to garnish) good quality gin punnet of blueberries good quality prosecco

Images by Tim Brand

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Raspberry sage slush Âź cup organic honey bunch of fresh sage (keep some aside to garnish) ice cubes good quality vodka punnet of raspberries

One for berry lovers! Take advantage of the beautiful berries around in summer and make a seriously summery slushy for grown ups.

Bring honey, ½ cup of water and sage to the boil. Boil briefly, remove from heat and cool syrup completely (about two hours). Strain and discard herbs before using.

Using a blender, add a handful of ice cubes, a handful of berries, 2 tablespoons of syrup and a good slug of vodka.

Blend well. Pour into a glass and garnish with berries and sage leaves. This is an icy, pulpy drink so you might need a straw or spoon for easier consumption.

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Watermelon margie ¼ cup organic honey bunch of fresh lemon verbena (keep some aside to garnish) ice cubes good quality tequila juice of ½ a lime watermelon chunks

A pink margarita slushy is the perfect way to end a hot day.

And a great alternative to dessert when it’s warm. Omit the tequila and make one for the kids too.

Bring honey, ½ cup of water and lemon verbena to the boil.

Boil briefly, remove from heat and cool syrup completely (about two hours). Strain and discard herbs before using.

Using a blender, add a handful of ice cubes, at least a handful of watermelon, 1 tablespoon of syrup and a slug of tequila. Blend well. Pour into a wine glass and garnish with lemon verbena leaves or a lime wedge.

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Living

outdoors

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Photography Arnott Photographyby

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This house overlooking Avoca Beach is a masterful example of the architect’s craft, but for Angus Crowe of True North Architects in MacMasters Beach this was an exercise in negative space.

For the owner of this beautiful home, much of life is lived outdoors so she wasn’t looking for a home that took up the block, drinking in those stunning beach views.

She wanted a backyard, a vegie patch, outdoor living space ... All of them taking in the view that had led her to the plot originally. So the brief was somewhat back to front – a home that complemented the outdoor spaces rather than dictated them.

Connected outdoor terraces provide a dining area, sitting area and a sleeping area if you count the hammock hung between two trellises. There are substantial garden beds for vegetables which are easy to access from the kitchen. The raised planters also cleverly protect the fire pit from on-shore breezes and create a cosily sheltered suntrap in the afternoon.

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The desire to experience that breathtaking view from every part of the garden has led to an interesting cruciform building on the steep block. The ground level area forms the shorter transept section of the cross shape and follows the footprint of the site’s original dwelling. It features a double garage, the main entranceway and a selfcontained guest wing. Above, the large terrace and the kitchen follow the shape of the lower floor, with a long nave formed by the living space and bedrooms beyond.

This approach also saved time and money by utilising the space from the previous dwelling to minimise excavation and backfilling. The lower level nestles into the slope while the upper terraces join with the rear level of the garden.

FAR LEFT: The upper floor rooms all flow seamlessly onto the terraces. The trellises are planted with deciduous climbers which will eventually form screening “fins” to filter summer sun.

LEFT: The guest accomodation is directly below the huge dining deck with its impressive shelter. The hardwood in the home has been left to weather to an attractive silver and selected metal elements have been finished in Porter’s Paints Instant Rust.

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Even from the inside the home feels like an enclosed verandah. The subtle crank in the roofline maximises winter sunshine in the living room.

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This is not a large house – just open living areas, two bedrooms and bathrooms upstairs – but it has quite an opulent feeling of space. Rooms are cleverly oriented to utilise every square metre and of course there is the seamless flow to the generous outdoor living spaces.

The internal finishes and colour palette are pared back creating airy interiors with splashes of vibrant colour for drama.

It all combines to create an extremely comfortable and livable home.

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The suspended polished concrete slab of the upper rooms is insulated below to ensure heat is radiated back into the living areas in winter.

Not surprisingly, the furnishings and finishes in the home have been kept simple. It is a casual mix of midcentury and beach house aesthetics.

Cross ventilation works perfectly with the narrow form of the upper floor, utilising the cooling on-shore breezes.

Even on still days the home stays ventillated due to thermal buoyancy, the raked ceilings and high louvre windows.

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The open living room takes up most of the slim upstairs area. At the back of the building are two bedrooms and two bathrooms. These are modest in size but beautifully finished. The bathrooms in particular make clever use of small spaces, with a sliding wall revealing the ensuite off the main bedroom. A small but well planned walk-in robe off the main bedroom ensures that the modestly-sized bedroom can be given over to the bed and little else. It is a cool and calm space given an injection of warmth with a floating timber floor.

FAR RIGHT: the main bedroom sits to the rear of the upper storey.

It has a cool, calm and cloistered feel enhanced by the charcoal feature wall and the bedding. The bedrooms also have direct access onto the outdoor spaces.

RIGHT: The bathrooms are small but make clever use of the available space.

A striking splash of coloured tiles in each bathroom ensures these practical spaces don’t feel too utilitarian.

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There are so many clever ideas packed into this deceptively simple-looking home.

For example storm water is harvested to a large above-ground tank hidden under the fire-pit deck. The water is then used in the toilets and the garden. Passive solar techniques and the northern orientation ensure that the house is comfortable all year round without the need for air-conditioning, and sea breezes are manipulated to be welcomed through summer and cleverly shielded in winter.

All this makes for an extremely competent building and one of unassuming beauty.

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ABOVE: The owner has a passion for classic fibro beach shacks. Angus Crowe has created the modern equivalent with the use of weatherboard and battened fibre cement sheeting.

An outdoor shower shares the plumbing of the ensuite on the other side of the wall, and the narrow deck that joins the house to the terraces and gardens forms an outside hallway between rooms.

OPPOSITE: The main bedroom viewed from the rear of the building, through the ensuite’s sliding wall.

True North Architects is dedicated to providing sustainable design solutions for all projects. They collaboratively with clients to produce contemporary Australian architecture that aims to exceed expectation during the procurement process and more importantly throughout the life of the building.

True North Architects 2 Daniel Close, MacMasters Beach P: 0488 081274 www.truenortharchitects.com.au

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Time for a Grand Adventure?

Breeze travel writer, Scott McRae explores “the land of the long white cloud”, one of his favourite destinations, by coach.

Let me start this travel tale with a statement of fact.

Problem was it was successful! Good for my pocket, but not good for a return visit anytime soon.

I love New Zealand ... There I said it.

Really it wasn’t that hard to say. I have loved “the land of the long white cloud” since my first visit, even though I was warned not to come back for a couple of years.

You see my first visit was as an actor, hired to portray an Aussie vacuum salesman, sitting in a Kiwi bar bragging to all who would listen about how Australians had won the Rugby World Cup and the Netball and the Cricket and the Rugby League, much to the disgust of the barman and patrons. The advert was for Diflam throat lozenges and finished with the tag line, “sick of the irritation? Diflam will remove that annoying niggle”.

It was all in good fun, much like the everpresent Kiwi Aussie banter that has made our countrys’ relationship what it is.

Fast forward a few years and thankfully I was allowed back, this time as a travel show host and I was excited to get outside of Auckland and see if Aotearoa would live up to the high expectations I had set. Of course, I had seen photos and done some research, and on paper it certainly looked like a winner.

Our partners for the episodes were a mob called Grand Pacific Tours. An Australian family owned coach-touring specialist. This was a totally different experience to start with. Coach touring was an unknown quantity for me and, to be honest, something that I had never really fancied; sitting in a coach with a bunch of people I didn’t know, being shipped around the country, sticking to schedules and not being in charge of my own destiny!! Well that’s how I pictured it.

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The thing was, the people on board were all like-minded travellers excited to explore, just like me, and friendships were fast formed between us.

Okay let’s have a look at some of the inclusions and attractions. There are way too many to mention, but here are a few of my faves!

Having everything set out for you, actually gives you peace of mind, I knew most of my meals were included, my bags were taken care of for the entire journey and if I wanted to indulge in any optional extras I just had to ask the coach captain or the tour guide to organise it for me. Simple! Grand Pacific Tours have been doing what they do for years. They know New Zealand and they know the best way to showcase it to you.

They also understand that you may not always want to be on a schedule and include plenty of free time as well. This allows you to do some investigating of your own, and I’m all for that.

The North Island’s best features for me would have to start at the top end and the spectacular Bay of Islands and a visit to the The Waitangi Treaty Grounds. This is spiritual and informative without being dull. This is the place where Māori chiefs first signed their accord with the British Crown - the Treaty of Waitangi - Te Tiriti of Waitangi, New Zealand’s founding document. You will love the grounds, the surrounds and all the Maori magic of the Treaty House, Meeting House, Flagstaff and Ceremonial War Canoe.

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Hobbiton is an absolute beauty too. Part of the original movie set from the Hobbit

series and Lord of the Rings; here you will have a wonderful two hour guided tour where you will see Hobbit Holes, The Green Dragon Inn, The Mill, double arched bridge and other structures and gardens built for the films.

You will be transported to Middle Earth and feel like you’re going on your own adventure.

Rotorua’s Te Puia would have to be another North Island winner for me.

Rotorua is a geothermal wonderland and to walk amongst bubbling mud pools and geysers that shoot into the skies is a real experience, and it doesn’t take long to get used to the strange smell in the air.

You will also receive a guided tour from some very knowledgeable locals, who will engage you with all sorts of Moari

culture. That night also features a Hangi and concert and the chance to strut your stuff with the performers. And don’t be shy, its great fun!!

When it comes to the South Island, and just quietly my favourite, there are so many highlights. I will try and not get carried away and just mention a couple, you can visit grandpacifictours.com to see all the others ... okay, so which ones?

Without a doubt the cruise on Milford Sound is right up there. The first time I visited it it just smacked me in the face, in a good way! Towering cliffs that seem to reach through the sky. Waterfalls tumbling metre after metre into the deep green sea.

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that will remain in your mind for years to come. I would also suggest that you make the effort to indulge in the overnight experience on the Milford Mariner, which makes it extra special.

The journey on the TranzAlpine express is pretty special too and is a great way to travel across to the west coast. Obviously depending on what time of year you travel the landscapes and surrounds will differ.

During my last trip I was blessed with lots of green pastures out of Christchurch across The Canterbury Plains, which was followed up by impressive peaks, gorges with crystal blue waters flowing and some very notable waterfalls. When you add to this the longest tunnel in the southern hemisphere, a couple of outstanding viaducts and it’s got all the markings of a train journey of distinction. Even if you’re not a train buff.

When it came to optional extras, there was no way I was leaving without ticking

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off a few must do’s. The problem was which ones to leave out?

Jet boating on the famous Shotover River was a lay down messier and with 50 Years experience under their belts I knew I was in safe hands with Shotover Jet. Power and beauty combine together here to have you screaming in delight as you’re delivered gravity-defying spins. You’ll gasp for air as you skim past steep canyon walls and rocky outcrops by what feels like millimeters.

The west coast of New Zealand is really mind blowing and I implore you to take a chopper flight over Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers. It’s an adventure not to be missed and when you land on the top of the ice pack you will feel so insignificant while being overcome by the enormity of where you stand. Thousands and thousands of years of nature doing its thing and you have no choice but to be in awe of what she delivers. Seriously do not pass the opportunity up!

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Something far less exhilarating but still most enjoyable is a visit to the Polynesian Spa in Rotorua. Overlooking the lake you can just relax, rewind and recharge here.

The hot mineral spring pools are a delight and there are many to choose from. So if you’re not keen on joining the masses, then I suggest you grab yourself one of the private pools and enjoy the serenity.

I have only touched the surface with the touring options they have on offer so I recommend you head to www. grandpacifictours.com for a full rundown and to download their brochures, or just give them a call.

Grand Pacific Tours cater to the discerning traveller. That’s a nice way of saying they specialise in an older age group. So if you’re say, 18 to 35 years old and looking for that Contiki/Intrepid type of adventure, then these guys are not for you. However if you are entering the carefree years of life, then without a doubt Grand Pacific is the way to go.

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New Zealand for me is like Tasmania on steroids! The natural beauty is big, bold and beautiful. The native New Zealanders are warm, welcoming and wonderful. The food and wine are distinctive, delicious and delightful.

Do yourself a favour and make sure that at some time in your life you make the effort to visit our Kiwi cousins and their amazing homeland. You will not be disappointed I guarantee.

Don’t worry, there’s plenty of room too–as you know half of the country lives here in Australia!

Sorry but I had to sign off with a little joke, because that’s how we roll.

If you are after a special offer from Grand Pacific Tours, just mention Scotty McRae and Breezemag when you Freecall 1800 622 768. Its worth a shot!

KIORA!!

See Scott’s Taste of Travel segments for Ben’s Menu Fridays at 4pm on Channel Ten or on his website www.scottmcrae.com.au

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Central Coast

beach guide

Stay safe and have fun on the beach this summer with our guide to Central Coast beaches, with emphasis on those that are suitable for families.

The Central Coast is home to some of the most beautiful beaches on the east coast of Australia, with stunning headlands still in their natural state, small crowds and clean water. There is a range of sand and reef beaches, including some great spots perfectly suited to taking toddlers and kids for a swim.

We’ve all made the mistake of packing the kids up and heading for what we thought was the perfect kid-friendly beach, only to

be confronted by a one metre shore break that could scare the wits out of an adult, let alone a child. Perfect for turning your child off the experience permanently.

With this in mind, we have done a little research for you, chatting to local surfers and swimmers, to get the lowdown on which beaches are great for families and which are best left to the grownups.

Listed beaches start from the southern end.

Images by Tim Brand

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KEY l the good news l worth knowing l the bad news i All featured beaches are patrolled unless otherwise mentioned. i Always swim between the flags. i Always read the safety signs. i All Central Coast beaches are regularly monitored for water quality. Ocean beaches are currently rated Good to Very Good for the 2015-16 season. Check the Beachwatch website for daily updates. i Avoid swimming during, and up to 3 days after, heavy rain due to the possibility of pollution from stormwater drains. i Avoid swimming if you see signs of pollution in the water.

BEACHES PATONGA l Beautiful, calm beach for kids, with famous Patonga Hotel across the road. l Very protected from large swell. A good option for days when the swell is too big elsewhere. l This beach is unpatrolled. l Right near the Palm Beach ferry wharf. l Camping and picnic spots nearby.

PEARL BEACH l Southern end is protected from swell and has an ocean pool. l Close to shops, cafĂŠs and playground. l This beach is unpatrolled. l Northern end can get wild, with large, dumping shore-break waves and dangerous rips.

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UMINA BEACH l Safe and protected beach with stunning views of Bouddi National Park, Lobster Beach and Lion Island. l Ideal beach for learning to surf. l A fallen ocean pool at the southern end of the beach is a good place for supervised exploration. l Popular off-leash area. Local dogs are well behaved but worth keeping in mind if your children are frightened by dogs. l Susceptible to stormwater runoff at the southern end. Avoid after heavy rain. l A fantastic grassed reserve with skate ramp, picnic facilities, flying fox and other play equipment behind the beach.

There are a number of ocean baths and rock pools on the Coast, including this one at Pearl Beach.

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OCEAN BEACH l Protected by Broken Bay, over 2 kms of beautiful golden sand, perfect for building sandcastles. l The beauty of an ocean beach with the safety of an inland waterway, offering ideal conditions for learning to surf or building surf confidence.

ETTALONG BEACH l Protected and calm estuarine beach. l Close to shops and amenities with recently redeveloped foreshore. Play park at southern end. l Only small and can get busy in holidays and at weekends. l This beach is not patrolled.

AVOCA BEACH l A popular surf beach with generally calm, patrolled areas close to the surf club. l Aquafun on Avoca Lake has kayaks, pedal boats and surf-ski hire. l Southern end has a rock pool, great for the kids to paddle in. l This beach is popular surf spot so take

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KILLCARE BEACH l Rated as one of the top ten Australian beaches for both its beauty and seclusion. l A great beach on a calm day with rock pools to explore at the southern end. l A popular surf beach with consistent rips and regular large shore breaks. l Putty Beach, in the northern corner. has calmer conditions but is unpatrolled. l Camping and picnic spots nearby.

MACMASTERS BEACH l One of the region’s truly unspoilt and most beautiful beaches. l Safer swimming than Copacabana but small children should stick to the rock pool.

COPACABANA BEACH l Quiet and close to local shops and cafés, it is a great place to relax. l Protected from strong summer northeasterly winds. l It is known for its constant rips, so you must always swim between the flags. l Young children should stick to paddling in the rock pool.

YOUR DOG AT THE BEACH We are extremely lucky on the Coast to have so many areas where our furry family members can roam off the leash.

Most of the beaches within Gosford Shire have designated off-leash areas, excluding beaches within National Parks. In Wyong Shire, Lakes Beach, North Shelly Beach and North Entrance Beach have substantial off-leash areas.

Remember to keep to the designated areas and ensure your pet behaves. Fines apply and we could all lose these areas if the privilege is abused.

Most beaches will list the rules regarding dogs on their information signs.

Umina Beach is perfect for young children but be aware that it is a an off-leash area (dogs, not pelicans).

Check Gosford and Wyong councils’ websites for more information.

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care and stay out of the way of surfers in the water. l North Avoca Beach is renowned for its north-easterly swells and rips so stick to swimming between the flags. l Close to cafés and Avoca Beach Picture Theatre.

TERRIGAL BEACH l One of our best-known beaches in one of the most popular seaside resort towns. Many restaurants, shops and accommodation options. l Year-round patrolling makes this a safe beach for young families. Protected from large southerly swells.

WAMBERAL BEACH l A picturesque and unspoilt beach but very open and catches most swell, with a heavy shore break. Best left to experienced surfers. l Wamberal Lagoon, offers an alternative to the beach for families.

SPOON BAY l A beautiful, secluded bay. Great spot for picnicking and exploring rocks pools. l This beach is unpatrolled. Avoid when the swell is large.

FORRESTERS BEACH l Beautiful stretch of sand but conditions are suitable for experienced surfers only.

BATEAU BAY l At high tide a lagoon forms at the southern end, which is perfect for taking toddlers. l Be careful of dumpers on the main beach. l This beach is unpatrolled.

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BLUE LAGOON l A beautiful small bay. Great spot for picnicking and exploring rocks pools. l Popular caravan park behind the beach. l This beach is unpatrolled.

SHELLY BEACH l A beautiful strip of golden beach but with rips at each end. Best left to surfers.

TOOWOON BAY l Has been awarded Australia’s Cleanest Beach as well as Friendliest Beach. l Horseshoe-shaped beach within a small bay, protected from larger swells by a reef, exposed at low tide. l An adjacent grassy reserve, perfect for picnics and playing.

THE ENTRANCE BEACH l A popular area with a patrolled beach, shops, playground, cafés and picnic areas, as well as nearby Tuggerah Lake for swimming. l Be aware of the tidal flow in and around the channel, especially with younger children. l Two ocean baths (a wading pool and one for laps) are located at the southern end. Open 8.30am-5pm. Both are regularly cleaned and maintained and with their own lifeguard patrol.

The section of Terrigal Beach near The Haven is a popular spot for families with small children.

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HOW TO SPOT A RIP Rips form where water moves over sandbars towards the beach, then returns back to sea through a channel between the sand bars. Being caught in a rip feels like you are in a fast-flowing river. Try to take note of a landmark, such as a tree or a building, before you go into the water.

This makes it easier to tell if you are being swept away from the beach.

NORTH ENTRANCE BEACH l A beautiful but isolated stretch of beach.

Exposed to large swells and best left to experienced surfers. l This beach is unpatrolled.

PELICANS BEACH l Some lovely walks through the National Park but another one best left to surfers. l This beach is unpatrolled.

SOLDIERS BEACH l A popular surf beach with a patrolled swimming area. l Take care and stay out of the way of surfers in the water. Swim between the flags only. l Well worth taking the kids a little further north to Norah Head rockpool. Although it can get crowded in summer.

There are ways to spot a rip at the beach: l Dark water means deep water. You can often spot a channel dug by a rip heading away from the beach by its deeper colour. l If you notice an area of smooth water between areas of breaking waves, as in the photo above, this is a good indication of a rip. l Sometimes you can see weed and debris being carried away by the rip, showing you exactly where it’s headed. l Murky, dark water can indicate water being stirred up by a rip.

If you get caught in a rip, it is important to remain calm. Never attempt to swim directly back to shore, but go with the rip and it will slowly take you across the beach. Raise your arm to alert the lifeguard and wait for help. If you can, float on your back to conserve energy.

The Entrance has a great beach for families as well as two patrolled ocean baths at the southern end.

Overleaf: Frazer Beach.

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LAKES BEACH l Part of a long and often isolated stretch of beach including Budgewoi Beach.

Patrolled at the southern end but very prone to rips and strong shore breaks.

FRAZER BEACH l Lovely National Park camp ground directly behind the beach. l A popular beach but exposed and prone to rips. l Patrolled during school holidays. l The lagoon offers a safe place for kids to paddle.

CATHERINE HILL BAY l Patrolled but not a good swimming beach. Best left to surfers.

Frazer Beach is a great place for a family camping holiday. The surf can be rough though, so the lagoon is best for kids.

The old wharf at Catherine Hill Bay is worth a visit but the beach is not a great spot for the kids to swim.

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Hardys Bay Club

Weddings

www.hardysbayclub.com.au or 02 4360 1072

B a CLUB Hardys

E

S

in nature’s garden is the perfect wedding venue, with panoramic ocean views and a breathtaking coastline. You can retreat to the seclusion of the historic lighthouse accommodation, ensuring that your special day is one of Ample parking is available within a short walking distance.

For your special arrangements please call 1300 132 975.

E: info@centralcoasttourism.com.au

www.norahheadlighthouse.com.au

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