A night at Tumbling Waters Retreat, NSW

As you may or may not have seen last week, after my quick trip to Sydney for the annual Remarkables get-together, I stayed on for an extra couple of days to check out what there is do do/see/eat in New South Wales – and I found out, there’s a lot.

I’ve lived in NSW a couple of times, and driven through there plenty, but never have I stayed in such lovely places, been looked after so well, and eaten SO MUCH. Oy. NSW, you are delicious.

Saturday morning, I woke up here: at Tumbling Waters Retreat. I arrived the night before, quite late, and was treated to a delicious three-course dinner in their beautiful, cosy restaurant Dining on the Edge.  There was only me in the restaurant, but they still put on the full show! Thierry the chef came out to explain all the courses to me, and I was so very well looked after by Karen, the restaurant manager. We chatted about food, kids, the retreat, the surrounding area, weddings, wine, and the plans for Tumbling Waters expanding. For a person dining alone, I never felt weird or out of place.

And can we talk about the food for just a second? A beautiful curry puff and chickpea chip with hommous and raita as canapes, a Thai-style vegetable and noodle salad for entree, a tasting plate of vegetable curry, dhal, potato gratin and mushrooms and asparagus in Cafe de Paris butter for main, and another version all of desserts – lemon pudding, poached plum, biscotti, and a tropical marshmallow that was vegetarian. Score!

I had to take my dessert back to my room as it was getting late and I was dying to get into the bath built for two in the Bath House eco Cabin where I was staying (a beautiful, romantic place that I rattled around in solo). I even managed a session in the steam room. But it was GLORIOUS.

I actually wish I’d been able to look in the other rooms available in the main area, but there was a wedding on and the place was fully booked out. I peeked through the windows at the wedding as I went past and it looked divine – they really do a great job there! Everyone looked like they were having a blast, and the bride looked incredible. They partied on for a bit and even though I was just metres away, I didn’t hear a thing.

The next morning I had to hustle as I had a date with an apple orchard quite early, but I did not muck around with the massage situation. 8am we were booked for, and I woke up a little before that and read my book in the world’s softest bed with a hot cup of uninterrupted tea.

Yeah, and that view. Just beautiful! The massage was incredible – I can count on one hand the amount of times I’ve had just the right blend of indulgence and hardcore knot-defusion, and this was one of them. I snuggled down into the electric blanket-warmed massage table and zoned out for an hour.

A quick breakfast before I took off, but if you wanted to take your time, there was certainly plenty to eat. Cheese, fruit, muesli, yogurt, nuts, a special baked muffin and lemon and poppyseed cake, coffee, tea, juice – even a bottle of bubbles if you felt so inclined! I could have done with at least a few more hours there.

The Bath House eco Cabin is set slightly away from the main building, in front of a natural mineral pool. Sonja, the owner, has many tales to tell about the history of the mineral pool, and the surrounding area that the retreat now sits on. When you visit, be sure to read the book of the history of Tumbling Waters and how it came to be – entertaining for us, but a huge headache for the lovely owners!

My weekend escape was over, and I said a sad goodbye to the heated floor, the hydrotherapy tub, and that bed. Sigh.

 

Next time, romantical-style, I’m going to take the mister and we can enjoy it all together.

As I wheeled my bag out to the car, I snuck upstairs of the main building to see what I couldn’t in the dark the night before – the incredible view from the restaurant. No wonder they call it Dining on the Edge! That’s a sharp drop.

So sayonara Tumbling Waters, for now – I certainly hope to grace your luxurious presence again next time I’m in the area (which happens to be 40 minutes out of Sydney, you lucky folk!).

I stayed as a guest of Tumbling Waters Retreat and Destination NSW. Thanks!