The South Coast of New South Wales is known for its resplendent natural beauty. However, until recently, accommodation offerings comprised a scant handful of generic upmarket lodgings scattered among the numerous caravan parks, motels, and B&Bs. Fortunately, the region’s burgeoning hospitality scene has brought with it a slate of viable—and desirable—dwellings well suited to the luxury traveller. Leading the crop is The Oaks Ranch, a boutique luxury hotel in Mossy Point.
A dramatic tree-lined gravel driveway lends a sense of gravitas to one’s entry, with guest arrivals routinely witnessed by the hundreds of kangaroos—and a duo of donkeys—that roam the property. The result of a considered renovation that celebrates the classic arches, curves, exposed timber beams, and stucco cladding of the original Spanish Mission architecture, The Oaks Ranch leans into a Palm Springs meets Mediterranean aesthetic that befits its coastal surrounds.
Sitting on 300 acres, a neutral colour palette lets the impeccable landscaping provide the pops of colour, with potted cacti, native pottings, and bougainvilleas contributing to the vibe. The onsite magnesium swimming pool is surrounded by cabanas and sun loungers and overlooks the Deua Mountain Ranges, while elsewhere native plantings and cacti frame sleek whitewashed outdoor fire pits, with their clean lines and sleek forms showcasing a uniquely Australian take on desert modernism.
Despite its makeover, The Oaks Ranch doesn’t paint over its more rugged past. The name itself is a nod to the establishment’s past life as a working ranch and equestrian centre (prior to the construction of the main building, the site was home to a dairy farm), with the building’s former function evident in its elongated layout and abundant archways.
The lowdown: The Oaks Ranch
The hook; why stay at The Oaks Ranch?
Following a recent makeover, The Oaks Ranch offers a chic getaway amidst the bucolic surrounds of Mossy Point, which is ideally placed to enjoy both the beach and the bushland of NSW’s South Coast.
Tell us more
While not geographically far from the Princes Highway, The Oaks Ranch feels like a world of its own. Spread over 300 acres of rolling hills and landscaped gardens, The Oaks Ranch is a Spanish Mission-style boutique hotel that pays homage to its past as an equestrian centre while ushering in a new era of laidback luxury on the NSW South Coast.
How to get to The Oaks Ranch
The Oaks Ranch is located in Mossy Point, on the South Coast of New South Wales. It’s around a four-hour drive from Sydney or a two-hour drive from Canberra. For those flying in, it’s a mere 10-minute drive from Moruya Airport, which is a 40-minute flight from Sydney.
Rooms and suites
Interior architects Partridge Daniels are responsible for the revamp of the 14 guest suites housed within the main building, which is home to three room categories (superior bungalow, deluxe bungalow, and premium bungalow).
Certain suites boast a full-sized bathtub and a small covered patio that opens out onto the verandah area which captures stunning views of the Deua Mountain Ranges, while others feature small private courtyards with outdoor showers. All rooms feature a small kitchenette with a sink and tea (by The Tea Collective) and coffee (Nespresso machine) facilities, along with minibar snacks of Tony’s Chocolate and Yarra Valley chips.
The decor complements the Spanish Mission-style architecture while reflecting the coastal locale. Rooms take on an airy tone, with cream-toned Cultiver linen bedding and sheer curtains accented with earthy inflections of colour—think terracotta and forest green—informed by the surrounding Deua Mountain Ranges and the rolling hills around The Oaks Ranch.
The Oaks Ranch has also recently opened a three-bedroom, two-bathroom guesthouse that sleeps up to six people. Located away from the main building past the creek, the guesthouse is exclusively accessible via golf cart and offers a private respite for families, friends, and wedding parties. Prioritising indoor-outdoor living, the guesthouse features a fully equipped kitchen that opens out onto a wraparound deck, which also features an outdoor bath.
Bathroom products?
Bathroom products are by natural Australian brand Leif (one of our favourite brands to find at a hotel). Expect to find shampoo, conditioner, and body wash in the shower, as well as hand wash and body lotion by the bathroom sink and hand wash in the kitchenette.
Comfort factor
Linens were soft on the skin and beds were plush, although the mattress in our room was depressed on one side which made for a slightly less-than-comfortable sleep — this was on the side closest to the window, so can potentially be attributed to people sitting on the bed and enjoying the view.
Temperature control in the room was good and we loved how spacious—not to mention stylish!—the bathrooms were. Thoughtful touches like blankets for the patio chairs added to the comfort level and were appreciated as the temperatures dropped come nightfall.
Food and drink
The Oak Ranch’s onsite restaurant Arlo offers daily breakfast and in-room dining for guests, and is open to the public for lunch and dinner from Wednesday to Sunday.
Serving up modern Australian fare, there’s an emphasis on local and regionally sourced produce. Joyce’s Leaves is a simple yet elevated side that sees greens grown by the namesake local producer and sourced from the SAGE Farmers Markets (sustainable, agricultural, gardening, Eurobodalla) in Moruya enlivened with a lemon vinaigrette, while the Oven Baked Halloumi is topped with an assortment of herbs from The Oaks Ranch’s own herb garden just outside.
