Beat A Rapid Retreat To Wisemans Ferry

Sydney Morning Herald

Thursday December 12, 1996

NORMAN NORTH

Discover golf, gardens and good value at the revamped Wisemans Ferry Country Retreat, advises NORMAN NORTH .

WISEMANS Ferry Country Retreat lies within a long curve of the Hawkesbury River, its nine-hole golf course and pretty gardens running down to the water's edge.

The nearby ferry takes you across to a markedly different environment: the imposing sandstone escarpment of Dharug National Park, cut over eons by the force of the river floods.

Built only three years ago, the Retreat has been revamped under new ownership and offers a relaxing short break or day out of good value and is about an hour's drive for Sydney northsiders. It is also handy for specialist conferences.

A general upgrade has included raising the ground base of the all-weather tennis courts and swimming pool to avoid periodic flooding by the river.

The Riverbend Restaurant has been turned from a serve-yourself bistro to waiter service with an appealing menu, as described by my colleague Betty Forrest last week.

The restaurant's balcony has been enclosed to increase the pleasure of a pre-dinner drink without the attention of small, winged wildlife, while you watch the setting sun on the river and sandstone cliff .

A games room, with self-serve bar for groups such as conference parties and social golf clubs, has been developed under the restaurant.

The 28 rooms and two suites, all with chairs and tables and en suites, are in brick-built blocks with balconies overlooking the golf course and river. More accommodation and a bigger conference centre await planning permission.

To justify my comment about "good value", I would cite a game on the 34-par, attractive golf course, with its mature trees and whopping water trap for anyone who slices badly off a riverside tee, plus a selection of soups, salads and pastas at a fee of $20, any day of the week. A round of golf is $10, unlimited play $15 and beginners can hire clubs for $10.

Tariffs from Sunday to Thursday are $90 a night for rooms, $130 for suites; dinner per person $35 (plus wine from an interesting list) and buffet breakfast, including hot dishes, $15. A Weekend Escape for two sharing covers two nights' accommodation, breakfasts and dinners for $390, but will be reduced to $330 for one month from January 3.

Wisemans Ferry village and the surrounding area offer the chance of a cruise on the river, visits to some early 19th-century buildings and an exploration of the fascinating, convict-built Old Great North Road, which has a series of illustrations along the way to explain the techniques of those days for getting the stone, building the ramparts and draining the road.

For more information, phone (045) 66 4422, or fax (045) 66 4613.

© 1996 Sydney Morning Herald

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