Just 45 minutes from Sydney, Saddles Mount White is expanding from a beloved dining destination into a full-scale luxury escape.
The bushland property, already home to The Homestead and one of the Central Coast’s most talked-about restaurants, is set to open The Grand Saddles Lodge this spring—a luxury hideaway with 20 private villas, a fine-dining restaurant, a piano bar and a spa designed for proper switching off.
Conceived by entrepreneur John Singleton, the new lodge is the latest move in a precinct that has built a reputation for polished hospitality with a distinctly regional feel.
The setting shapes the entire experience, with a winding drive through native bushland welcoming guests on arrival, sandstone and warm timber defining the architecture, and the entire property designed to feel more like a retreat than a traditional hotel stay.
Villas in the bush
Inside, the mood prioritises soft landings. The villas will come with separate living spaces, fireplaces, private terraces and plunge pools, while a communal infinity pool and pool bar look out over the surrounding bushland.
Moreover, the idea is to make the landscape part of the experience, with native birdsong replacing the usual soundtrack of city traffic. Local craftspeople and artists from the Central Coast will also feature throughout the design.
The in-house restaurant will focus on Australian produce, with seafood, organic beef and poultry anchored by herbs and vegetables grown on site.
Then when the sun goes down, there’s Ned’s, an Art Deco-inspired piano bar that will bring cocktails, live jazz and a late-night atmosphere to the lodge. The space sets the tone for slow evenings, beginning with a martini and ending with a nightcap.
A wellness reset
The spa will form a key part of the offering, featuring five treatment rooms, saunas, ice baths and restorative treatments inspired by native botanicals.
It fits perfectly into the growing appetite for wellness-led getaways close to Sydney, where people want something that feels indulgent without requiring a tedious trip.
Things to do nearby
Beyond the lodge, guests can discover the natural beauty and local character of the wider Hawkesbury and Central Coast region. Days can begin with bushwalks through the ancient landscapes of Brisbane Water National Park or the coastal trails of Bouddi National Park, where sandstone cliffs, native wildlife and panoramic ocean views showcase the region’s wild beauty.
Guests can explore the waterways of the Hawkesbury River by private boat, kayak or guided river cruise, discovering secluded bays, historic settlements and riverside landscapes. For a true taste of the region, visits to local oyster producers around Mooney Mooney and Broken Bay offer the chance to sample freshly harvested Sydney Rock oysters while overlooking the waterways that sustain them.
Further north, guests can explore the vineyards, hinterland scenery and farm experiences of the Central Coast, or venture to destinations such as Glenworth Valley Outdoor Adventures for horseback riding, kayaking and guided outdoor experiences.
From rainforest walks and river journeys to farm-to-table encounters and coastal escapes, each itinerary reveals a different side of the landscape surrounding The Grand Saddles Lodge.
Bookings for The Grand Saddles Lodge are due to open this spring 2026.
