tell someone you’re off to byron, or noosa, for the weekend and they’ll thrust their chin forward, open their mouth and make that deep “ohhhh” jealous noise.
tell them you’re off to coffs harbour and you’re likely to see the head moving back and chin dip towards the chest in mock shock. they’re also almost certain to make some sarcastic sounds involving the words “banana” and “big”.

there seems to be a widely shared misconception that coffs offers only those old style beach holidays where the best accommodation features a kitchen table that folds into a bed and the best meal you can get comes wrapped in newspaper and grease.

certainly, along with a banana – seemingly sized to feed king kong – that is the coffs of childhood memory. but it has a very different feel – and taste – today.
for a start, the coastline is peppered with resorts of varying scales, all of them rather grand.

if you want something a little more exclusive, however, you’ll want to check out the only five-star accommodation on the coffs coast, and you’d better book ahead because it’s only got one room.

beachculture bedandbrunch is perched atop sapphire beach, just north of central coffs, and is run by joe beaini and mark bowman, who used to live in sydney and holidayed regularly in coffs. lured by the lifestyle, one day they just stopped going home.

from a distance, their seemingly suburban brick palace does a great job of hiding the treasures within.

it’s quite common to want to steal towels, or even pillows from hotels, but in this case you want to nick the fixtures and fittings.

both the bedroom and the huge dining room/entertainment area manage to be cutting edge modern without being so cool they feel cold.

the bedside lamps, for example, are the next step up from clapper switches: to switch them on or off, you merely wave your hand in front of them, jedi style (apparently it’s not necessary to say “these aren’t the droids you’re looking for”).

it took all my restraint not to steal the retro-chic radio, and i stayed in the giant shower for hours, playing with the joystick-style tap.

as über-chic as your room is, the real highlight is to bathe in the view on your balcony, or to wonder through the coastal rainforest to the vast, empty beach.

if you’re wondering what differentiates bed and brunch from traditional b and b, the answer is twofold. firstly, and most wonderfully, it means you can sleep in really late.

but it also means you can forget about cardboardised orange juice and fry panned fare. instead you are treated to the four courses: raspberry and rosewater lassi, shaved melon with lemon and mint granita (aka flavoured ice); a cous cous cake topped with local prawns in chilli and coriander and enough pastries to frighten a frenchman.

nothing is too much trouble for your attentive hosts, including arranging a chef to come in and cook you dinner if you don’t fancy going out, or a lift to the best restaurant in the area.

* the writer was a guest of beachculture bedandbrunch

the sun-herald travel april 9th 2006
by winsor dobbin

coffs coast - a change of pace

a new wave of boutique accommodation options is redrawing the face of tourism on the coffs coast. with chic bed and breakfasts, luxury holiday homes and couples-only retreats booming. coffs is no longer just a destination for families wanting to camp, or motorists looking for a motel/fast food stopover on their way north.

scratch under the surface and you'll find a growing number of slick cafes and terrific places to stay; particularly in sawtell to the south, and emerald and sapphire beaches to the north. day spas and a range of art galleries point to the regions growing sophistication.

here's some great places to stay on the coffs coast if you are looking for a little more than a bed for the night...

beachculture bedandbrunch

no ordinary bed and breakfast this, with its luxury fittings, sensational wide-screen ocean views and magnificent brunches. the entire operation oozes sophistication and luxury. it is like a five-star resort for two. there's only one bedroom, complete with $15,000 bed, ultra-modern fittings and high tech en-suite, but there is also access to a guest lounge with tv, internet, modern art on walls and dining facilities overlooking the ocean. there's direct access to sapphire beach via a pathway through rainforest. everything here is top-notch, from robes and slippers provided, egyptian cotton sheets and a telescope for whale watching to the four course degustation brunch. a private chef can be arranged to cook for the guests in the evening or prepare a beach picnic. deliciously different and both gay and straight friendly with variable check-in and check-out times. doubles from $375-$450 per night including brunch.