Novotel Pacific Bay Resort, or Pac Bay as its affectionally known in our family circles, has been our go-to Christmas holiday spot for some years. Located on the beautiful Coffs Coast of NSW, which boasts a wonderful rainforest feel mixed with sub tropical waters and sandy beaches, the resort is an oasis of fun and frolic no matter what the weather. Its temperate climate makes it an enjoyable location for holidays all year round.
The resort features a spa, gym, beauty salon and good quality restaurant and bar. The kids game room is well equipped with a pair of pool tables and some electronic game machines. The sail covered outdoor deck overlooking the waterfall feature, as it replenishes the top lake, is a mesmerizing, ever refreshing image of cool tranquillity. Its also a great spot to enjoy the luncheon bar menu, have a coffee or afternoon glass of bubbly.
Pac Bay’s two swimming pools are crystal clear and blue and one is even heated. The resort is located 300m from the nearest beach, and nestled into the hillside on both sides of the resort are well constructed walking tracks that take you to higher elevations with views out into the waters off Charlesworth Bay. It also features a beautifully maintained 9-hole par 3 golf course which not only surrounds the resort, but enhances the well manicured look of the immediate surrounding landscape. Further ringing the resort is bushland that hides bellbirds, kookaburras, water dragons, blue tongue lizards, finches, rainbow lorikeets and even the occasional wallaby. The obligatory ducks, pee hens and eels also grace the beautiful water lily filled lakes.
Once you’ve ensconced yourself at the resort, it’s not easy to leave. Every where you go, there are seats, chairs, lounges and other structures of repose, so its recommended to always carry a book or e-book device, because under the shade of one of the towering gums, gently swaying palms or monster tree ferns a gentle breeze will seduce you into a cessation of movement and you will be hypnotized into a state of contented relaxation. The rooms are spacious, beds are comfortable, self contained kitchenettes workable, however the balconies have the allure of a greek siren. I have found myself unable to resist the temptation of the elevated panoramic views, the sea breezes and the semi-reclined angulation of the provided deck chairs on each balcony. Combined with an icy beverage this constitutes a kind of heaven on earth.
If, however, the natives in your family do become restless, the Solitary Islands Aquarium and Science Centre is located less than 100m from the resort. It’s a wonderful aquarium with a feeding regime each day to watch, and only costs $10 to go in and stay as long as you like. The local Coffs area offers a myriad of activities and places to visit. As our family have grown, we’ve moved through the Butterfly House stage, the Big Banana and onto the Dolphin Marine Magic show phase, and are now enjoying civilized cafes like the Butter Factory in Bellingen, Split@Sawtell and Food Angel in Dorrigo with our adult children. We’ve even ventured out to the Nymboida River district to see Russell Crowe’s Museum of Interesting Things!
