WATAGAN House is a place where kookaburras land on the railing and kangaroos bounce around.
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In the foothills of the Watagan mountains in south-west Lake Macquarie, life moves at a slower pace.
The resort is the latest tourism venture to showcase the area's tranquil forests and abundant wildlife.
This week a new 120-seat restaurant opened at what was formerly known as Watagan Lodge.
Watagan House director Scott Davis said the restaurant is a two-storey building on stilts, with a big verandah.
"There's loads of wildlife, kangaroos bounce around and we've seen koalas up here," Mr Davis said.
The resort has a function centre for weddings and other plans include a tea house, cooking classes, accommodation and gardens.
The resort aims to teach children the concept of "paddock to plate" with a Department of Education grant.
Event manager Amy Harvison said it would be a "boutique-style getaway hidden in the hills and away from everything".
"We want to make it something special."
"We have an ethos of sustainability and community."
Lake Macquarie Tourism Association chairman Robert Kemmis said the area offered rare commodities - peace, quiet and clean air.
Mr Kemmis, who runs Kemeys Mountain Hideaway in nearby Mandalong, said "the attraction is nature and being in the forest".
He said the area had "a massive number of beautiful little birds around all the time".
"That's because the Indian mynas aren't here chasing them away," he said.
A challenge for the area's tourism was to "get people coming here regularly".
Ms Harvison said the area was a "hidden gem".
"I think the downfall of previous operators was they hadn't advertised the fact it was actually here," she said.
"We want to make the property something people will remember."
■ HOLIDAY website Wotif.com has named Newcastle the most popular destination in the state.
The title was based on the 260,000 bookings made per month on the website in 2012.
Member for Paterson Bob Baldwin said he was ‘‘chuffed’’ and praised Williamtown airport for its management.
‘‘Newcastle is blessed with one of the country’s best regional airports, without which you wouldn’t get the sort of results we’ve seen announced this week,’’ he said.
