Sydney - Cottage Point Inn
Frank's view 
lunchtime heaven
This really is very special.
Take a taxi from your hotel to Rose Bay and board a seaplane to lunchtime paradise.
As the undercarriage crashes against the water, the fuselage shakes and shudders. The flying machine bounces once, twice, three times before finally, the Harbour Bridge and Opera House become specks below and you’re on your way to Cottage Point Inn.
A 20 minute flight over the city, mountains, a little piece of the Pacific and suddenly the plane begins to drop towards an isolated creek surrounded by tree packed hills.
This is Hawkesbury River territory and we’re landing on Coal & Candle Creek.
The aircraft pulls up by a jetty. A couple, lunching, stare momentarily, then swiftly return to their Baramundi. We squidge through the seaplane door and follow the decking until a waiter casually asks for my name and points to a table.
In any other part of the universe this would be a show-stopping event.
The food is sensational. Indeed, it was here that the Camel’s companion discovered the genius combination of seared tuna with apple and wasabi sorbet.
The ambience is extraordinary. In the US this would be redneck country. Think of the movie ‘Deliverance’, with a happy ending.
Around three hours later we are ushered back to our carriage for the return flight, which climaxes with a ‘fly by’ of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.
The cost is A$445 (around £210 or US$290) which includes a 3 course lunch. Wine is extra. Try the Scarborough Chardonnay at A$54.
Sydney Seaplanes. Booking essential. Ask your hotel concierge well in advance.
Cottage Point Inn
Cottage Point
NSW 2084
+612 9456 1011
http://www.cottagepointinn.com.au/
Sydney Seaplanes
+612 9388 1978
http://www.seaplanes.com.au/
Take a taxi from your hotel to Rose Bay and board a seaplane to lunchtime paradise.
As the undercarriage crashes against the water, the fuselage shakes and shudders. The flying machine bounces once, twice, three times before finally, the Harbour Bridge and Opera House become specks below and you’re on your way to Cottage Point Inn.
A 20 minute flight over the city, mountains, a little piece of the Pacific and suddenly the plane begins to drop towards an isolated creek surrounded by tree packed hills.
This is Hawkesbury River territory and we’re landing on Coal & Candle Creek.
The aircraft pulls up by a jetty. A couple, lunching, stare momentarily, then swiftly return to their Baramundi. We squidge through the seaplane door and follow the decking until a waiter casually asks for my name and points to a table.
In any other part of the universe this would be a show-stopping event.
The food is sensational. Indeed, it was here that the Camel’s companion discovered the genius combination of seared tuna with apple and wasabi sorbet.
The ambience is extraordinary. In the US this would be redneck country. Think of the movie ‘Deliverance’, with a happy ending.
Around three hours later we are ushered back to our carriage for the return flight, which climaxes with a ‘fly by’ of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.
The cost is A$445 (around £210 or US$290) which includes a 3 course lunch. Wine is extra. Try the Scarborough Chardonnay at A$54.
Sydney Seaplanes. Booking essential. Ask your hotel concierge well in advance.
Cottage Point Inn
Cottage Point
NSW 2084
+612 9456 1011
http://www.cottagepointinn.com.au/
Sydney Seaplanes
+612 9388 1978
http://www.seaplanes.com.au/
Be Frank: agree or disagree? What do you think?
