13 unforgettable places to stay for big groups in NSW
Il Delfino, Yamba - Credit: Anna Pihan | Il Delfino
Travelling with a large family, wedding party, work team or big group of friends? It can be tricky finding somewhere not only spacious enough, but special enough, to stay. These places fit the bill.
- 5 min read
Trentham Waters
Why book here: On the banks of the Murray River, Trentham Waters brings pastel-toned, retro, palm-tree vibes to the region. Alongside the personality-packed three-, two- and one-bedroom villas, you’ll also find riverside retreats and drive-through caravan sites, including pet-friendly sites too. Bring your boat and gear for wakeboarding and waterskiing, and don’t miss the 48-metre lagoon pool made for relaxing, or the splash park and kids' pool.
Facilities: Self-contained villas, lagoon pool, splash park, riverside hot tubs, gym, sporting gear hire shop, tennis and pickleball courts, outdoor theatre
Group size: Seven people in a three-bedroom villa
Trentham Waters, Trentham Cliffs - Credit: Aaron Hawkins | Trentham Waters Mildura
Somnium at Bingie
Why book here: Tranquil, rural extravagance awaits at Somnium at Bingie, tucked away on a private lakeside peninsula on NSW’s South Coast. This luxurious sanctuary, sleeping up to 14, has two bespoke dwellings: a four-bedroom house and a two-storey barn. Both have oodles of space and are fit with floor-to-ceiling windows (excellent for catching those lake views), polished concrete, marble textures, bespoke joinery and brass finishes.
Facilities: Aesop amenities, outdoor fire pit, barbecue and outdoor dining, mountain bikes, kayaks
Group size: Up to 14 people
Somnium at Bingie, Bingie - Credit: Somnium at Bingie
Wandha Myall Lakes
Why book here: The eco-certified Wandha Myall Lakes is a home among the gumtrees on 25 acres of bushland on the Barrington Coast, which is also eco-certified. A stay here is ideal for families and those with pets. The three-bedroom house has all its amenities on the ground floor (with only a loft bedroom up top), stunning views all around, a toasty log fire, swing set, and orchard, citrus grove and harvest garden. Throughout your stay make use of the surrounding national parks including Wallingat National Park and Myall Lakes National Park, and the many local water spots such as Seal Rocks, Blueys Beach and Smiths Lake.
Facilities: Dog-friendly, hammock, bush views, log fire
Group size: Six people
Wandha Myall Lakes, Bungwahl - Credit: Wandha Myall Lakes
No. 52 Bowral
Why book here: Fans of cricket or Aussie legends of times gone by shouldn’t look past a stay at Bowral’s No. 52 Bowral. The 1890s, stunningly restored weatherboard abode was the childhood home of Sir Donald Bradman. With capacity for eight guests, No. 52 offers insight into the home of a sporting hero, local artwork and furnishings, myriad fireplaces, iconic cricket and sport artefacts, and plenty of nooks and crannies to nestle into with a book.
Facilities: Outdoor barbecue and entertaining, collection of sporting memorabilia, indoor fireplaces
Group size: Eight people
No. 52 Bowral, Bowral - Credit: No. 52 Bowral
All Seasons Houseboats
Why book here: Take your holiday to the water with All Seasons Houseboats on the Murray. With a vast array to choose from – most accommodate up to 12 people, but eight is the smallest – you may be overwhelmed with choice. Bedding arrangements can be altered to your booking’s needs and all boats have barbecue facilities and a spa. If you want to bring your pooch, that’s not an issue – some of the fleet is pet-friendly. There is also a series of accessible boats for those with varying abilities.
Facilities: Accessible and pet-friendly options, panoramic views, cocktail bar, spa
Group size: Up to 12 people
All Seasons Houseboats, Mildura - Credit: All Seasons Houseboats
Somerton Collection
Why book here: Set on 300 acres in the heart of the Southern Highlands, Somerton Ridge of the Somerton Collection is a luxurious farm stay experience. The contemporary four-bedroom home is ideal for those seeking rural relaxation. Find an outdoor bath, expansive views, an abundance of wildlife and farm animals, plenty of areas to relax in and a well-equipped kitchen ideal for entertaining.
Facilities: Outdoor bath, entertaining and fireplace; sweeping views; indoor fireplace
Group size: Up to eight people
Somerton Collection - Southern Highlands Farmstay Experience, High Range - Credit: Somerton Collection - Southern Highlands Farmstay
The Brooklet
Why book here: Set in the Byron Bay hinterland, The Brooklet is set up to entertain and rejuvenate. A booking into the Three Bedroom Villa offers three king bedrooms, a bath, open-plan living and expansive views. While staying you’ll also have access to the property’s shared facilities including a heated mineral pool (there’s also a private one at your villa), mineral hot tub, outdoor rain shower, infrared sauna, gym, tennis court, ice bath and other communal spaces.
Facilities: Private heated magnesium plunge pool, wood fireplace, bath, barbecue, outdoor dining
Group size: Up to eight people in the Three Bedroom Villa
The Brooklet, Brooklet - Credit: The Brooklet
Soul of Gerringong
Why book here: Fifteen minutes' walk to Gerringong’s Werri Beach, 10 minutes to South Werri (Ourie) Ocean Pool and just a short drive to the famous Seven Mile Beach, Soul of Gerringong is, as the name suggests, right in the centre of the South Coast town. The property is split in two. There’s the spacious, open-plan, 1800s-refurbished Soul Farmhouse with seven ensuite bedrooms, an outdoor deck, pool, garden and outdoor stone fireplace. Then next door is the Soul Cottage (it accommodates up to seven people), home to three bedrooms, an entertainment space and firepit. The space's design is coastal-inspired, maximising natural light and materials, making both your post-beach afternoons feel like you’ve been tossed into the pages of a luxury magazine.
Facilities: Indoor and outdoor fireplaces, swimming pool, outdoor shower, bathtub
Group size: Up to 16 people in the Soul Farmhouse
Soul of Gerringong, Gerringong - Credit: Citizens of Style
Guestlands Italia B&B
Why book here: Guestlands Italia B&B is a sprawling Italian-inspired retreat less than an hour’s drive northwest of Sydney’s CBD in the Hawkesbury. Guestlands has been built so every inch feels like an Italian village: manicured gardens that weave between Italian-style villas and the village’s miniature lake, an open-air dining area with a traditional pizza oven and bar, rooms with terracotta tiles and balconies that open to a paved main ‘street’ only wide enough to scoot down on a Vespa. Plus, there are free mini-bar snacks, and a daily breakfast hamper and antipasti platter.
Facilities: Mediterranean-style gardens, swimming pool, outdoor kitchen including a woodfired pizza oven
Group size: Up to 10 people with whole village exclusivity
Guestlands Italia B&B, Arcadia - Credit: Guestlands Italia B&B
Banjos Bushland Retreat
Why book here: A stay at Banjos Bushland Retreat in the Hunter guarantees an activity-filled time. First send the kids to the onsite playground, then set up for a game of tennis, mini golf, pool, table tennis or a giant outdoor chess. Following that, you can explore the nearby bushwalking trails, yabby fishing ponds and saltwater pool. Finish the day with a dip in the spa with bush views and a session in a Scandinavian-style wooden sauna. Rest-wise, across three lodges 24 people can be welcomed (they can be booked individually, or all three together). If all the home activities aren’t enough to keep you busy, you’ll be an hour from Barrington Tops National Park and the region’s best wineries and cellar doors.
Facilities: Tennis court, mini golf course, children’s adventure playground, sauna, indoor spa, saltwater swimming pool
Group size: Up to 24 people across all three lodges
Banjos Bushland Retreat, Vacy - Credit: Banjos Bushland Retreat
Sona Molong
Why book here: Step into Sona and you’ll wish it was your forever home. A thoughtfully restored bank and manager’s quarters in Central West town, Molong, this bespoke and creatively styled accommodation by the founder of Orange’s boutique store Jumbled sleeps 10 people across five artfully designed bedrooms. There’s an indoor fireplace and outdoor fire pit, plenty of living spaces, a no-expense-spared kitchen and three bathrooms. Sona’s interior design is a design-fiend’s dream – the entire space is curated with modern Mediterranean touches and Art Deco influences.
Facilities: Fireplace and firepit, bathtub, garden
Group size: Up to 10 people
Sona, Orange - Credit: Clancy Paine
Talits Estate
Why book here: Talits Estate, a family-run winery in the Hunter, is centred by a magnificent vine-covered, French-designed replica of a chateau in Aix-en-Provence. Inside, the 10-person-capacity manor is all about rural elegance (check the antique copper tub and farmhouse-style kitchen), and outside, there’s a pristine garden on one side, traditional pétanque court and rows of vines on the other. Spend your days exploring the area, lounging by the pool and enjoying a Talits Estate Single Estate Merlot.
Facilities: Swimming pool, outdoor dining, garden and olive grove, fireplace, bathtub
Group size: Up to 10 people
Talits Estate, Fordwich - Credit: Talits Estate
Il Delfino
Why book here: At Il Delfino, it’s all about pursuing that sweet life: la dolce vita. The beautifully restored Yamba villa looks, feels and seems as though it’s been plucked from an Italian coastline – all whitewashed, bright umbrella-ed, set on a stunning shoreline. Stay in one of four suites, a bungalow or book out the entire villa with friends and you may never want to return home. Suites are beautifully appointed with balconies overlooking the ocean, luxuriously soft robes, Art Deco archways, coloured checkered tiles and Aesop bathroom amenities.
Facilities: Ocean views, Aesop amenities, outdoor balconies and terrace
Group size: Up to 16 people with whole villa booking
Il Delfino, Yamba - Credit: Anna Pihan | Il Delfino
