In many ways, we really can’t complain too much about being locked down in Potts Point.
While many residents live in apartments, there are still plenty of green spaces and parks, great walks, harbour views, and secret spots we’re still allowed to explore.
Our cosmopolitan area is surrounded by great amenities including fabulous restaurants, cafes and bars, many of which are offering takeaway to keep us all well fed. There are also plenty of other excellent places to discover within our current 5km radius in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs.
Those needing an extra helping hand are still able to access the amazing services and support of the Wayside Chapel.
And we’ve also got St Vincent’s Hospital on our doorstep, one of Sydney’s best hospitals, offering both testing and vaccination, so that we can get closer to the NSW government’s vaccination levels and get closer also to regaining some level of normalcy.
It’s only natural that, as the pandemic continues, we’re all planning what we’d like to do when we can travel just a bit further afield. Maybe that’s reuniting with friends and family we haven’t seen in a while, having a meal out, going travelling or booking a holiday.
I don’t plan to go far…
Readers probably already know that I’m a super-keen surfer, and while I’m lucky that Sydney’s Eastern Beaches have been within my own 5km through the lockdown, I’m also looking forward to getting away – although it won’t be far.
When restrictions permit, I plan to holiday close to home and spend some of my holidays at Wisemans Ferry. It’s just an hour north of here on the Hawkesbury River but I’m absolutely itching to get there.
Surfing mecca
That’s because at the very top of my list is the Wisemans Surf Lodge. When it’s completed, the surf lodge will become a mecca for all of Sydney’s surfers chasing perfect waves all year round. At its centre will be a 275m long wave pool offering surfers the opportunity to always ride the perfect break no matter what season, time of day, weather or even their surfing ability.
Wave pools are relatively new, and there are only two others in Australia – one in Melbourne which is open to the public and one in Queensland which is a test-facility and doesn’t operate commercially. Wisemans will be the first in NSW. But they’re taking off in serious surfing circles in other parts of the world, especially in the United States.
The chance to always ride the perfect wave
A couple of years ago I participated in a surfing fundraiser, the SurfAid cup at Kelly Slater’s Surf Ranch in California, the world’s best-known surfing wave pool. I really enjoyed the fact that the waves are always breaking, and consistent in a wave pool.
I guess I got hooked on wave pools then and there.
This one at Wisemans Ferry is a bit different. The wave pool operates on a membership model. And – full disclosure – I’ve also invested in a property trust, which means I’ll own a tiny slice of the whole operation, once it’s up and running in 2022. Investors in the property fund are exclusively offered access to the membership, so I’m looking forward to sharing some waves with other co-owners. They say their mission is to create a community and dedicate themselves fully to the surfer experience, which sounds good to me.
During an uncertain time, it’s an alternative to your usual holiday with kids. While I’ll get to surf (and they will too), there’s something for everyone – golf, yoga, wellness, kids lessons, great food, gorgeous setting and, best of all, there won’t be any need to get on a plane.
So, that’s my post-lockdown break sorted.
Where are you dreaming of going when lockdown ends?
