A new resort with a surfing wave pool planned for the bushland wilderness north of Sydney is set to plate up with a Byron Bay hinterland institution, as Harvest Newrybar takes a dive into the Hawkesbury River.
Ahead of the 2022 opening of Wisemans Surf Lodge an hour's drive from North Sydney, the novel concept will be infused with a local foodie focus in tandem with the new Harvest Wisemans eatery, outdoor bars, a barbecue deck and kiosk.
"Our heartland is in creating experiences that redefine people's relationships with food, by building communities that honour the existing food bowl of our surroundings," says Harvest creative director David Moyle.
"Harvest Wisemans will be a continuation of this, and we're excited to welcome visitors to this new precinct that will showcase the local produce of the Hawkesbury."
The venue will also include an event space for special occasions and a discovery garden for families to explore.
"In our 15 years at Newrybar we've been able to scale up as our community grows with us. Harvest Wisemans allows us to take these learnings and build this from day one through an extensive offering unique to the Hawkesbury," Moyle adds.
"Whether you're grabbing breakfast at the kiosk, exploring the garden or enjoying a sundowner on the deck, we look forward to enabling new food experiences for the region."
Harvest Wisemans will adopt an integrated food system on site incorporating everything from production through to waste management, adding to a considered approach towards food and its provenance.
Wisemans Surf Lodge, co-founded by John Du Vernet, sources 100 per cent offset renewable energy to break waves with water sourced from the river, and powers all facilities with an on-site solar electricity system.
"Wisemans Ferry is one of Sydney's best kept secrets. This region, known for its local growers, has been fuelling the Hawkesbury and greater Sydney with high quality produce for decades," says Du Vernet, who is also a consultant with asset management and advisory business Carvet.
"In creating Wisemans Surf Lodge, we wanted to create a sustainable space that embraces the region and its sense of community, inclusive of its neighbouring vineyards, distilleries, stone fruit and citrus orchards.
"With its vast greenery and open fields, our site is reminiscent of the Byron Hinterland, home of the original Harvest location. We can't wait to bring this experience to more people with Harvest Wisemans, which will open to the public in 2022."
Announced late last year, Wisemans Surf Lodge will be Australia's first resort-style inland surfing destination, with the property also including a golf course, 54 hotel suites, conference facilities, day spa, kids care services and riverfront access.
The adaptive re-use of the hotel was spearheaded by leading architectural mind Kelvin Ho of Akin Atelier, with other partners including Will Dangar of Dangar Barin Smith.
Access to Wisemans Surf Lodge will work on a membership-model, with more information to be revealed in July. Harvest Wisemans and its food experiences will be open to the public.
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