Tilley & Wills Hotels renovates iconic Aanuka Beach House at Coffs Harbour

A major city hospitality group has breathed new life into a Coffs beachside resort which once played host to hundreds of weddings a year, but was showing its age recently. Find out more.

Nick Wills and Simon Tilley.

A major city hospitality group has breathed new life into a Coffs Coast beachside resort which once played host to hundreds of weddings a year, but was showing its age recently.

With a stunning beachside location not far from Coffs Harbour CBD, Aanuka Beach House has undergone a $5 million renovation by hospitality group Tilley & Wills Hotels.

“The location is one of the best we’ve seen on the east coast. It’s just steps from Diggers Beach, offering simply stunning views,” chief executive officer Nick Wills said.

“We know how special this place has been for the Coffs community and generations of holiday-makers, so we’ve had both locals and visitors at the front of our minds in creating Aanuka Beach House.”

Aanuka Beach House grassed area leads right to the beach.

The hotel group is behind a number of successful venues in Sydney and Brisbane including Cabana Bar, The Greenwood Hotel, The Prince Consort and Verandah Bar.

Mr Wills said Tilley & Wills Hotels felt Coffs Harbour was a natural choice for the group to set up its first beachfront resort venue, considering the city has a population of more than 78,000 and the wider region attracts about 900,000 visitors each year.

Aanuka Beach House renovations at Diggers Beach, Coffs Harbour.

“We know so many Aussie travellers are now choosing their holiday destinations with fantastic dining options at the very top of their wishlist, so we’ve worked really hard to make sure Aanuka Beach House offers something for everyone visiting this stunning region,” he said.

Aanuka Beach House renovations at Diggers Beach, Coffs Harbour.

The extensive build and fit-out was completed in just three-and-a-half months and 90 per cent of the tradespeople hired were from the region, according to Mr Wills.

“In terms of the design, there’s an incredible natural beauty here that we’ve fully embraced – think hammocks, day beds, sunken lounges, fire pits and fairy lights,” he said.

The transformed Aanuka Beach House will be open 365 days of the year for breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks.

The new-look Aanuka Beach House.

Guests can expect regular promotions and events, including regular happy hours, live music every weekend and bottomless brunch for $79 per person every Saturday. Coffs residents will be able to sign up for a locals membership card for discounts.

Aanuka Beach House sits alongside the Breakfree at Aanuka Beach Resort, which has hosted some of the world’s most famous faces since the mid-1980s.

Heading up the culinary team at the renovated Aanuka Beach House are executive chefs Brad Sloane and Richmond Rodrigues.

Lisa Zuvela, the resort’s original owner and local resident, said the renovation of Aanuka Beach House could not be more fitting.

“Aanuka has always had a special kind of energy and I’m thrilled to see that spirit carried forward in this new chapter,” she said.

“Over the years, we’ve had celebrities like Bob Geldof, Helena Christensen, John Farnham, Jimmy Barnes and Michael Hutchence all come through the doors.

“I can’t wait for people to fall in love with this incredibly special place all over again.”

Heading up the culinary team at Aanuka Beach House are executive chefs Brad Sloane and Richmond Rodrigues.

“Our goal with the menu was to capture the amazing legacy of Aanuka while celebrating the incredible local produce this region has to offer,” Mr Sloane said.

Aanuka Beach House renovations at Diggers Beach, Coffs Harbour.

Food highlights include an Italian wood-fired oven serving up Napoli-style pizzas, paellas on the lawn for big events and even pigs on the spit for special occasions.

There are five function spaces all with breathtaking views, including a chapel, large event space catering for up to 250 guests and a sundeck with fire pits and fairy lights. An on-site day spa will open in 2025.

“This place once played host to over 200 weddings a year and, given how stunning the setting is, it’s not hard to see why,” Mr Wills said.

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