My luxury wellness stay:
Bells at Killcare

Spread across the property, Bells at Killcare has 25 boutique cottages and suites, along with four new luxury Lodges – separate, tri-level homes, each sleeping up to four people. We stayed in one of the Lodges and it was the perfect place for a total switch off.

Our Lodge had two king bedrooms, each with an enormous ensuite featuring a bath, indoor and outdoor showers and direct access to the heated magnesium plunge pool. There were outdoor decks on all levels, and the styling was gorgeous – natural tones, blackwood timber, linen and beautiful artwork.

And then there were all the thoughtful touches.

Staying in a Lodge comes with a personal concierge, and the gorgeous Leslie was full of local tips and had a calming warm energy. I loved meeting Georgie from housekeeping, who prepared us a pot of ‘Good night’ tea as part of our turndown each night - the Lodge was stocked with delicious 'Buds & Beads' loose-leaf tea, a passion project of co-owner Karina Barry.

We were also welcomed with Bells’ own honey, harvested from hives on the property, sparkling tea, and fresh fruit. Oh, plus butter and jam to lather on the freshly baked bread that was quietly delivered to the Lodge each morning with the paper!

Complimentary canapes and cocktails or mocktails each evening ensured we could wind down with the sun, and the Bouddi bath products were divine.

It all felt generous, personal and beautifully considered.

After waking in the comfiest bed, mornings were deliberately slow.

Breakfast was served at Bell's world-class restaurant overlooking the gardens, where the à la carte menu was brimming with nourishing choices and the staff genuinely warm and friendly.

And because we loved nesting in the Lodge so much, one evening we ordered room service. The homemade chicken, mushroom and leek pie? Literally the best one I’ve ever eaten.

The beauty of Bells is that wellness fits naturally into the day.

Yoga mats were ready in the Lodge, and the upper deck was the perfect spot for a morning practice, and later, an evening of star gazing. The day beds by the pool became my cosy meditation spot, where watching honeyeaters feast in the Banksia trees was part of my morning ritual.

Then there was my afternoon at Bells Day Spa.

I chose the Signature Kodo Massage, a rhythmic full-body treatment inspired by traditional Australian Aboriginal techniques. Beginning with an Indigenous coolamon smoking ritual, the treatment combined botanical oils, grounding movements and massage techniques designed to bring the body back into balance. It was deeply relaxing and grounding. Afterwards, I sat in the garden with lemon verbena tea and wondered if it was too early to rebook?

I loved that here is plenty of nature to explore around the Lodge.

We headed out for a nearby coastal walk where flannel flowers and other spring blooms lined the track, and the views from Box Head were spectacular. Standing there with the ocean and bushland stretching in every direction, it was hard to believe Sydney was only 90 minutes away.

And before we left, we had to get our feet in the ocean. A pre-breakfast walk along nearby Killcare Beach was the perfect farewell.

Bells at Killcare reminded me that wellness doesn’t always have to involve a lot of planning and doing more. Sometimes it’s a beautiful place to stay, good food, nature and the freedom to simply enjoy being looked after.

The team at Bells host so many fabulous wellness experiences throughout the year and these are two of our favourites:

• Bouddi Guided Trek (5 April 2027): a 4-day guided coastal hiking experience that combines the rugged wilderness of the beautiful Bouddi National Park with a stay at Bells at Killcare.
• Yin Wellness Retreat (30 May 2027): a 4-day intimate retreat designed to nurture body, mind and spirit through Yin Yoga, breathwork, mindfulness and restorative movement practices.