Enjoy the Majesty of the Ocean: Prime Whale-Watching with the luxury that is Jonah’s!

Whale watching season generally runs from June to the end of October as the whales travel on their way up to warmer water and then travel back with their calves.

This is one of our favourite times of year as some days we can see many whales playing in the waters we look out upon. You just have to look out for the sprays of white water, a flick of a tail or a full breach.

Here are some of the best places for whale spotting:

Terrace balcony 

With 180 degree views from the central coast to the lower northern beaches, our terrace balcony gives you full spotting opportunity.

Relax here with a pre-lunch cocktail or if you are staying in our hotel, have some snacks from our bar menu and count how many whales you can spot. We have heaters and lap blankets for extra warmth with the winter sun shining on the area for the perfect place to soak in the winter warmth.

Restaurant 

Our floor to ceiling windows gives every table in our restaurant the perfect place to enjoy the entertainment from the ocean. Not only is this a perfect whale spotting location but pods of dolphins can be seen playing in the waves at the local Whale Beach, Sea birds can be seen swooping down the cliffs to scout the ocean and plenty more to spot while you enjoy your  3 course lunch or seafood platter.

Hotel Room Balcony

Every room in our hotel has a private balcony overlooking the ocean. Not only can you spot the passing whales from the balconies but many of our guests report spotting whales while relaxing in bed after watching the perfect winter sunrise. Each room has a pair of binoculars available for a close up of the whales.

Cliff top garden

Take advantage of the winter sun and have some pre-lunch drinks in our cliff top garden. Our beautifully manicured lawn offers tables for relaxing out in the open, enjoying the fresh air and full views of the ocean. Don’t forget to ask to borrow the restaurant binoculars for a close up of those breeching whales.

Whale Watching Cruise

Consider adding a Whale Watching cruise to your visit to Jonah’s. With a local Palm Beach departure, our friends at Fantasea Tours are a great way to get a close up look. Our featured picture was taken by the crew whilst on one of their tours. Learn More >

Once you have had your fill of whale spotting, our cozy bar with open fireplace is an inviting, warm and relaxing space to sit with an aperitif.

Our Winter Getaway Package is the perfect luxury escape to Jonah’s during whale watching season. With a night in an Ocean Retreat Room, a welcome glass of Champagne Bollinger, a 3 course a la carte dinner and a full breakfast all for $399 per person, twin share. Available from June until the end of August on Thursday and Sunday nights.

Book your visit now >

Born in the Philippines, Rey is a local talent having trained and lived in the Northern Beaches for the last 25 years. His impressive career includes awards such as Best Apprentice Chef and winning the CIRA Young Chefs Talent in 2015. Developing his skills at acclaimed Aqua dining at Milsons Point and the Pilu group for 10 years. Joining Jonah’s post COVID and now stepping from the Head Chef role into Executive Chef, bringing passion for flavour and quality ingredients to our menu.

Rey started his career with an apprenticeship at Aqua Dining at Milsons Point. Studying at TAFE Brookvale he completed his education with a couple of awards to his name including Best Apprentice Chef.

“I didn’t imagine my name being written on a trophy that proudly sits at Brookvale TAFE for everyone to see! I was also nominated for my workmanship and commitment to my apprenticeship and was chosen to receive the Apprentice Award from Belrose Rotary Club. This got me more motivated to pursue this amazing industry.”

Working under three different Head Chefs during his time at Pilu, Freshwater, helped mould Rey to the chef he is today. He credits cooking next to the hardest working chefs he has ever met for the values he carries, making him a strong leader for his team. Having also worked at Pilu Akuna Bay and becoming Head Chef at Pilu’s AcquaFresca when it opened in 2018.

Moving to the Head Chef role at Jonah’s post COVID and now proudly appointed to the Executive Chef position. Jonah’s management have great trust in Rey’s abilities to create the incredible menus that Jonah’s is well known for, and for being able to lead his team to create the best food experience for every guest.

Rey’s passion for food grew while traveling through Italy experiencing Michelin star restaurants such as “Antica Corte Palavicina”, giving him a love for Italian cuisine and helping to shape his food philosophy: Use exceptional ingredients that speak for themselves, sticking to classic, traditional flavours with a modern Italian twist.

Visit Jonah’s to enjoy the food that, under Rey’s direction, is some of the best food Jonah’s has ever produced.

Jonah’s Restaurant and Boutique hotel has been an icon of Sydney’s Northern Beaches since it opened its doors in 1929. In 95 years, the suburbs of Whale Beach and Palm Beach have sprung up around it while Jonah’s continued to offer a destination for Sydneysiders and travelers from afar.
A rich history at Jonah’s starting with Constance Vidal, a British widow who travelled with her daughter to Australia. They saw the increased use of the motorcar and had the vision to build their roadhouse on the cliffs overlooking Whale Beach giving us the stunning, incomparable views that Jonah’s has today.

Moving from roadhouse to fine dining following the Second World War, Jonah’s has continued to welcome guests from all over the world including many celebrities, philanthropists, musicians, actors, and athletes to enjoy the exceptional quality cuisine and wine that gives Jonah’s such an incredible reputation in the industry.

Australia Day marks the 95th celebration of Jonah’s with many of its broader “family” attending including former Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove and Lady Cosgrove, World Surf Champion Layne Beachley and INXS member Kirk Pengilly, Les and Luisa Schirato of Vittoria Coffee. Also present were 9 Olympians, including 2 Olympic Champions, surrounded by some of Sydney’s leading business figures.
Guests enjoyed a luxurious seafood station with oysters, sashimi, lobster and King prawns, and an ‘Aussie BBQ’ with scallops, lamb cutlets, brisket and chicken. Not forgetting the Australian favourites, an ode to the chiko roll and lamingtons were devoured too.
Guests were entertained by the musical talents of Opera Maestro Lorenzo Rositano supported by Jonah’s very own Sophia Reynolds and the crowd joined in to sing the National Anthem and I am Australian.

The toast to Australia was given by Australian legendary author Thomas Keneally AO who spoke of his great honour to come to Jonah’s today describing it as a “Shangri La cast above the waves and communing with the clouds and drawing all the graces from both of them”. He shared his memories of visiting many times over the years including when for him it was “the place to celebrate the night of nights”, and of his intention to visit again regularly. He presented owner Peter Montgomery with a special edition of his work Schindler’s Ark (the Booker Prize winning novel that was turned into the movie Schindler’s List by Stephen Spielberg) as a gift for Jonah’s 95th birthday and called for God to “bless Australia and may it flourish”.
Jonah’s General Manager Niels Sluiman says “I am very proud of the Jonah’s we have worked so hard to present here today. Our team of wonderful Chef’s are continually producing some of the best food we have ever had here and our service team continue to focus on providing the best, personalised guest experience. This celebration not only lets us appreciate what a wonderful 95 years we have had but it allows us to set our sights on the goals we will achieve in the new year to come. Keep watching this space as our food and hotel experiences are going to be better and better as we reach towards a spectacular year of celebration for our 100th year.”

ABOUT JONAH’S

Jonah’s Restaurant and Boutique Hotel was built in 1929 by widow Constance Vidal who had the foresight to build a roadhouse on top of the cliff overlooking Whale Beach. With spectacular views, comparable to none, Jonah’s offers a highly awarded restaurant and luxury boutique hotel. The restaurant offering a 3-course lunch or dinner with an abundance of fine dining quality cuisine. Pair this with a wine list of over 1600 labels, of which was awarded The Best Hotel Wine List in the World 2022 by The World of Fine Wine, an award winning, international magazine and website focused on the assessment of fine wine. An impressive achievement acknowledging Head Sommelier Georgina Larsson’s excellent work of curating a wine list like no other.

A place where the rich and famous have come to relax and enjoy for many years. Celebrities such as Sir Laurence Olivier, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Joan Collins, Mick Jagger, Bono, Queen, One Direction, Elle McPherson, Mick Jagger, Billy Connolly with Pamela Stephenson, Delta Goodrem, Nicole Kidman, Keith Urban, Frank Sinatra, Ava Gardner, William Holden, Members of the Royal Family of England and of Monaco and so many more, have come to enjoy the delights of Jonah’s.

The luxurious hotel offers 11 rooms, each with its own private balcony offering 180° views of the Pacific Ocean and jacuzzi spa bath. With calming coastal styling, bespoke furniture, A.H. Beard King beds and a cliff top infinity pool, Jonah’s is the perfect place for fun and relaxation.
Jonah’s is an avid supporter of bringing visitors to the Northern Beaches, offering a base to explore our unique area. From experiencing sailing on the calm Pittwater, to discovering the many beaches and their ocean pools, exploring boutique shops including art galleries and book shops, to climbing the infamous smugglers track to visit the breathtaking Barrenjoey lighthouse. All located in the area surrounding Jonah’s.

Open Thursday through Sunday each week for lunch and dinner and hotel stays including breakfast.

Choosing the perfect gift can be a difficult task. There are so many options and knowing what is going to show someone how special they are really comes down to knowing what is available.

At Jonah’s we have the perfect guide for all your needs with our Gift Vouchers and partner suppliers.

1. The Husband, Brother, Male colleague, Male friend.

It is universally acknowledged that men are the hardest to buy for! They don’t seem to want anything and you feel like you surely can’t buy another pair of socks, jocks or another gardening tool for them. We often forget that men love to experience the finer things in life too. Especially when it comes to some delicious food and drinks.

The perfect gift for the hard to buy for male in your life is a 3 course a la carte lunch or dinner with matching wines in our restaurant. Our personalised and professional service will take care of their every need while they devour their perfectly balanced cuisine and sip the matched wine, discovering new regions and varietals as they do.

3 course a la carte dinner or lunch with matched wines –$420 for 2 people

https://www.jonahs.com.au/product/three-course-a-la-carte-lunch-or-dinner-for-two-with-matching-wines/

2. The hard-working mum, daughter, or colleague that never seems to take a break.

This gift is for that person in your life that never stops. They work hard and just get everything done. They are a mother that takes care of her whole family 24/7, a daughter who takes care of her family and you, that colleague that always seems busy but will always take the time to help out someone else.

This person needs our Indulgence Package. They need time to luxuriate in their spa bath in their room, while looking out over the ocean views and sipping their glass of welcome Champagne. They need the 1 hour full body massage to completely destress. They also need to not cook, having a 3 course a la carte dinner and a two course breakfast in our restaurant. And, they need you to come with them as this package is for two!

Indulgence Package from $1742 for two people

https://www.jonahs.com.au/product/indulgence-package-2/

3. The food lover

For that food connoisseur in your life, the perfect gift has to be our Gourmet Getaway package. A stay in our luxurious boutique hotel enjoying ocean views, a spa bath, and chocolate covered strawberries on arrival. They will enjoy our Chef’s 6 course degustation menu that is only available on this package. Special fare presented by the Chef himself taking them on a flavour filled journey, discovering new wines along the way with our Head Sommelier guiding you through your matched wine list.

Gourmet Getaway from $1583 – for 2 people

https://www.jonahs.com.au/product/gourmet-getaway-2/

4. The adventurer

The Northern Beaches is the perfect place for any adventurer. These people love to be outdoors, exploring new places and what the area has to offer. Jonah’s is the perfect place for the adventurer. They can start with a swim in our clifftop pool before jumping on their private cruise along Pittwater with our local yacht partner. They will discover islands, seals and secluded beaches with a gourmet Jonah’s picnic and Champagne to add to the experience. Discover amazing local reserves, take a swim at Whale Beach or hike up smugglers track to see Barrenjoey lighthouse perched high on the clifftop at famous Palm Beach.

Stay and Play package from $2095 – for 2 people

https://www.jonahs.com.au/product/stay-play-package-2/

5. The Ocean Lover

Looking for a stocking stuffer for the person who loves the ocean? Jonah’s has recently launched our new Whale Keyrings. These metal keyrings have a stunning Humpback Whale watercolour artwork on them from local Artist Leah Ramage from Leah’s Mark Illustration. With part of the proceeds from the sales of these keyrings going to support a local Sydney charity ORRCA who are committed to rescuing injured sea life including whales.

Whale Keyring $20 – available from Jonah’s reception

6. The wine lover

After coming to Jonah’s and sampling our incredible 1600 strong wine list that has won many accolades including The Best Hotel Wine List in the World by the World of Fine Wine, 2022, many people like to continue their wine discovery at home. For the wine lover in your life, our Jonah’s branded glasses come two to a box with historical artwork showing our building after opening in 1929.

Set of two Jonahs Branded Wine Glasses in Jonahs gift box – $60 – available from Jonah’s reception

7. The one that likes things that smell nice

We all have that friend or family member that loves something that smells good. From candles to perfumes or beauty products. We have the perfect gift for them with our luxury Molton Brown beauty products. We offer these incredible beauty products in our hotel rooms and restrooms so we know they are luxurious, quality and have extraordinarily fine fragrance. The Heavenly Gingerlily Bath & Shower Gel and Coastal Cypress & Sea Fennel Shower Gel will be the perfect gift under the tree.

Molton Brown Bath & Shower Gel $40 – available from our reception

If there is another gift you need to select but you haven’t found your answer here, we have many other gift voucher options on our website where you can find the perfect match. Visit www.jonahs.com.au to make your purchase.

Christmas is a time for bringing together the people you love and creating special memories together. Food is often the centre of these memories and at Christmas, there is no better time to enjoy the fresh produce that Australia has to offer. Jonah’s Executive Chef Rey Ambas has put together 5 top tips to help you plan out your Christmas menu.

1. Keep it simple
Christmas time is about spending quality and fun times with family and friends. So, try not to make it too stressful. Home cooking should be easy and fun. I would suggest planning prior.
Pre-cooked, Pre-prepared and plated meals in the fridge ready to go, desserts are ready to go such as Christmas puddings or spiced cakes. This means more time with the family and less time in the kitchen. Things like pre-sliced salami, antipasto vegetables, pickles, cheeses, fresh fruits all plated on platters ready to go. Cooked seafood, such as cooked prawns, with cocktail sauce and nice leafy greens all dressed and ready to go in the fridge.

2. Use your Local
Keep it fresh and local. There are plenty of butcheries, seafood shops around the northern beaches. I live local to Bayview, so a short trip to Mona Vale there’s plenty of fresh produce. So don’t need to travel too far and always support and purchase from your local!
A trip to Harris Farm can get you some amazing heirloom tomatoes, some artisan cheeses like a favourite of mine is fresh heirloom tomato salad with mozzarella, fresh basil, some nice, marinated olives and aged balsamic served with some sourdough bread. Local fisheries include some cooked prawns, pre-made seafood sauces, fish which you can ask the fish mongers to fillet and portion for you to make it easier.
OR for the adventurous, some lobster tail and bugs are always available through Christmas – Quickly boiled in salted water, then peeled and then sautéed in lots and lots of butter, bit of fresh lemon juice and parsley will always be impressive at the Christmas table.

3. Include your Christmas Favourites
Don’t be shy to think back to your childhood memories of Christmas time. If there was a roast turkey, then do a roast turkey! If there was a whole baked fillet of salmon, then include it to the meal. I was born in the Philippines, so my memory always had the famous “Lechon” over the festive period. A whole spit-roast suckling pig, yum!
So, every year in my household, we try to include a nice pork roast, or a rolled pork belly roast to the meals.

4. Share the load.
You don’t have to do all the cooking yourself. You will be surprised how amazing a collection of food can be rather than planning a menu by yourself. Especially if you have friends or family from different cultures. This always brings an amazing array of dishes to try, and even better, if you have lots of Chef friends or foodies wanting to outdo each other!

5. Stress less over Christmas
As a chef I know very well how busy it can get over the holiday period, so my final tip is to stress less, breathe, enjoy the moment with friends and family and I encourage you to be comfortable! As suggested before, keep it simple, plan it. Don’t travel too far to get amazing produce, use your locals! Include family Christmas favourites and share the load between friends and family, let people do their part and let them have their input to the table! And of course, treat yourself to a nice glass of sparkling wine or an ice-cold beer.

Jonah’s Head Sommelier Georgina Larsson imparts some of her incredible wine pairing knowledge with us to help create the perfect gastronomic experience this Christmas. Whether you are a guest arriving with a bottle of something or you’re hosting a large gathering, these tips will give you some great ideas on what to pair with the special activities that make this time of year so special.

Tip 1. Gaston’s Sumptuous Guava Bellini’s – Opening Christmas presents with a glass of something fruity and bubbly, is sure to make the early morning feel rather more mirthful and less bleary eyed.  With a plethora of Non-alcoholic Sparkling wines coming to the fore, why not start with a splash of guava juice in the bottom of your Xmas flute and top it with bubbles.  Exchange the Alcohol-free nature of the bubbles with a fine Aussie Sparkling wine like Daosa Natural Reserve from Piccadilly Valley in South Australia, if you dare, and get an early buzz!

Tip 2. Rose Sparkling all day!   The subtle red fruits and spicy, savoury tones of Rose Champagne works wonders for Salmon gravlax, jumps in fruitily with the Turkey’s cranberry sauce, cuts through the BBQ lamb cutlets and basks in Dad’s ‘piece de resistance’ red berry pavlova. As people wander in at all times of Christmas day there’ll be a bottle of ‘celebration’ ready to go, to make them feel even more glad they came for a visit.  Bollinger Rose is a personal go-to, though for a over-delivering, homegrown option try Tasmania’s Arras Rose!

Tip 3. I always pre-stock some more adventurous tastes in our fridge for Christmas week to pair with cheese and fresh seafood.  A Sake is essential with a seafood extravaganza and as you compare stories of lining up at the Sydney Fish Market on Christmas eve, you can pull out a chilled bottle of Junmai-shu such as Shuzo Uehara ‘Soma no Tengu’ – viscous, almondine with a saline finish…I’m loving it with dry-shucked oysters, prawns and kingfish sashimi.  My other must-have in the fridge is a medium dry Madeira, such as Henriques & Henriques 20 yo Terrantez to enjoy with that platter of pate, cheese and quince paste, that you put together when you can’t face another, actual, “meal”.

Tip 4. Grenache & Gamay are my essential reds for the season.  Both are red fruit forward, light on tannins, generous on freshness and spice and both can be served with a light chill to make our 40°, humid Christmas day a little less overbearing.  Look for MMAD’s Blewitt Springs Grenache or perhaps a Sorrenberg Gamay from Beechworth, Victoria.

Tip 5. The markets are abundant in December with fresh tropical fruit and berries galore.  On our family table there’s sure to be plenty of Figs and Mangoes and a delicious Botrytis enhanced wine is certain to come in handy.  Try the light and fresh Heggies Botrytis Riesling or Terre a Terre’s Botrytis Sauvignon Blanc or if you want a dry but fruity tipple perhaps seek out a delicious Aussie Gewurztraminer such as Rowlee’s Single Vineyard from Orange in New South Wales with aromatic lychee and rose characters and a touch of citrus and spice on the finish.

Jonah’s has been recommended as one of the top 4 places in Australia to escape to this winter.

The Australian Good Food Guide has complied this list recommending Jonah’s as a place to while away the afternoon with someone special.

The perfect place for a winter escape, sit by the open fire place in the bar with a cocktail, or soak in the winter sun on our terrace balcony or clifftop garden. Enjoy a generous 3 course meal in our award winning restaurant and search for Whales as they migrant straight past our ocean views.

See the full article here >

Executive Chef Federico Tidu shared with us the recipe for his White Chocolate Semifreddo. This dessert is fine dining standard and something you can re-create at home. The creamy texture with small pieces of figs, a slight zing of rum, the crunchy texture of the cumble and overall is absolutely delicious. Create this for any guest at your next dinner party and you’ll have them coming back for more!

The semifreddo is a traditional Italian ice cream dessert and has been a feature on Jonah’s menu to much acclaim.

Ingredients

Serves 4

Semifreddo:
1L cream
500g dried figs
75g sugar
250g white chocolate
100mL Rhum
4 egg yolks

Golden coconut crumble:
140g cold butter
140g plain flour
140g caster sugar
100g almond meal
40g desiccated coconut
Pinch fine salt
125g white chocolate
30g cocoa butter (can be substituted 25g white chocolate)

Caramel pearls to serve

Method

Semifreddo:
Chop dried figs very small. Add to cream and refrigerate overnight to infuse flavour into the cream.
Strain figs from cream and set aside.
Soak the figs in Rhum for 10 minutes.

Using a whisk, mix sugar and egg yolks in a bowl until creamy. Semi-whip 600mL of set aside infused cream. Using a spatula, fold the whipped infused cream into the creamy yolks.

Melt the white chocolate and incorporate into cream and yolk mixture – the temperature of the chocolate needs to be warm, but not too hot.
Add 3 tablespoons of the Rhum soaked figs (strained) into the mixture and stir until gently combined.

Fill half-dome molds with semifreddo mixture and set in the freezer overnight.

Golden coconut crumble:
In a mixer, combine cold butter and caster sugar until creamy.

Add plain flour, almond meal, desiccated coconut and salt into the mixer and mix until combined.
Place the dough onto a lined rectangle baking tray and spread out.
Bake at 160 C until golden, about 20 minutes, the dough will be very soft, stir it every 5 minutes to ensure even baking.

Melt white chocolate and cocoa butter in separate bowls as they have different melting point temperatures.
Pour melted white chocolate and cocoa butter over the cooled, but still warm golden crumble and mix together.
Set in the fridge, once cold crumble into the desired size – use a food processor for a few seconds if needed.

Caramel pearls have an advanced Chef skill level, so it is recommended to buy them for the perfect result or omit them altogether.

To serve:
Turn out the set half-dome semifreddo onto the middle of the plate. For a special look, you can glaze or drizzle with white chocolate.

Sprinkle coconut crumble and caramel pearls onto the plate surrounding the semifreddo and garnish with shaved white chocolate or golden leaves.

Love this recipe? See what desserts are currently on our menu here>

Recently our Bar Manager Gaston Padovani spoke with Australian Good Food Guide about the cocktail he created called the Slow Down. He recommends this as the best cocktail to relax with after a long day. A perfectly balanced delight using Brookies Slow Gin, an Australian made small batch Gin showcasing the Native Australian Davidson Plum for a unique flavour.

Read the article here > 

See more of his cocktails in our bar menu here >

Create your own Slow Down cocktail to enjoy at home with the recipe below.

 SLOW DOWN

Ingredients

50mL Brookie’s Slow Gin
30mL pink grapefruit juice
15mL passionfruit puree
20mL honey syrup
10mL lime juice
2 dashes peach bitters
Raspberry salt and grapefruit slice to garnish.

Method

Mix all together and serve over ice.

At Jonah’s we are very proud of our wine list which has won many awards over the years and is now part of the Gourmet Traveller Wine Hall of Fame. The list spans 80 pages, featuring over 1600 wines sourced from over 100 merchants all around the world. However, now more than ever we feel it’s important to shine a light on our local producers. 2020 has been an incredibly challenging vintage for the whole winmaking industry in Australia. Our Food & Beverage Director Niels Sluiman works very closely with wine producers around Australia.

“To drink Australian wines and support our local wine industry is definitely one our of our goals going forward in 2021,” says Niels.

In fact, Niels is currently pouring a new wine by the glass to match the Wild Caught Fish on our menu, served with burnt butter, lemon and spinach. The wine is VINO VOLTA’s ‘So Well Then’ Fiano from the Swan Valley in Western Australia.

“Its purity perfectly balances out the flavours of our John Dory Filet, lifting up that touch of salinity and cutting through the delicate butter dressing,” says Niels.

Garth Cliff and Kristen McGann of VINO VOLTA have a collective four decades worth of experience in Western Australian Wine. 25 kilometres from Perth city, the Swan Valley may be considered one of the lesser known wine regions of the country when in fact, it is Western Australia’s oldest wine region and Australia’s second oldest with the first grapes being planted in 1829.

“I like the fact that this renowned winemaker is showcasing his boutique winery to the world and is an advocate for the great potential in the Swan valley area,” says Niels.

The The VINO VOLTA wines are fun, flamboyant, and contemporary, made with a sense of adventure and experimentation. Specifically, the ‘So Well Then’ Fiano that we’re pouring at the moment is an extremely pleasant wine with a lovely bouquet. Expect hints of fresh peeled lemon and grapefruit with some crunchy pear notes to catch your attention at first. The palate is vibrant and pure to start with and then develops into a generous crisp texture of stone fruit like just-ripe peach and apricot. To finish, it is well balanced and topped with a delicate floral note.

Next time you dine at Jonah’s, we recommend you try this incredible and unusual wine. This grape is slowly becoming trendy but is still out of the ordinary and shines a light on an under-rated wine producing area in our own back yard. For more recommendations, advice and direction, don’t hesitate to ask Niels or one of our knowledgeable team members about our wine list.

Learn more about Niels’ story here.

Explore our full wine list.

A stay at Jonah’s typically begins with a welcome glass of Champagne Bollinger on your private balcony, taking in the unparalleled views of the Pacific Ocean. You may wish to dine in our hatted restaurant for lunch or enjoy a dip in the clifftop swimming pool. After a blissful night’s rest with only the sound of the ocean crashing on the beach below, you may wonder how your stay could get any better. For the ultimate indulgence and a way to truly pamper yourself, there is no better way to unwind than with a spa treatment from our skilled massage and spa therapy provider Purity Pacific.

Ellie King of Purity Pacific has been mastering her skills for over 10 years and is incredibly knowledgeable, offering our guests only the best when it comes to massage therapies, beauty treatments and overall relaxation. A born and bred Whale beach local, having grown up around the area, Ellie has built her business inspired by the beautiful place she calls home. Ellie has always been fascinated with the functionality of the human body and offers a hands-on approach, attention to detail, and a genuine interest in muscle function and skin health.

When treating guests at Jonah’s, Ellie and her team work to tie in the serenity of our unique surroundings, combining both nurture and nature, which goes hand in hand with beauty, health and wellness.

“What I do is a passion for me, not a job! Working at Jonah’s in particular is nothing but a delight. There is nothing better than engaging with the clients, tailoring a treatment suited to their exact needs, then seeing the clients float away after their treatment in a whole different frame of mind, in the ‘zen’ state you hope to have whist on holidays!”
-Says Ellie

The most popular treatment at Jonah’s is the massage therapy, ranging from gentle relaxation to deep tissue. Muscles control everything we do day to day and it’s easy to build tension over time, perhaps without even realising that it’s there. A getaway to Jonah’s offers the rare opportunity to put your busy schedule on hold and focus on rejuvenating the body. The Purity Pacific team are experts in ensuring you leave feeling better than when you arrived and use only the most luxurious products.

“My go-to treatment would be the ‘Rejuvenate and Unwind’ package that includes a 60-minute full body massage and a 60-minute indulgent facial with the most divine organic, natural, globally recognised facial products from Pevonia Botanica. Skin is the biggest organ in the body so what you put on your skin is so important! Pevonia is a salon exclusive brand and my absolute go-to and has been for 7 years!” -Says Ellie

At Jonah’s we have a number of accommodation packages that include a spa treatment.

The Indulgence Package
from $743.00 per person twin share (not available during peak season 20 Dec-12 Jan) includes:
1-hour massage per guest with choice of Swedish or Aromatherapy
Three course à la carte dinner in the Restaurant
Overnight accommodation in an Ocean Retreat Room
Full à la carte breakfast
Molton Brown his & her gift
Click here to learn more about our packages

Discover our top 7 beaches for swimming, surfing, sailing and more

While staying in one of our luxurious Ocean Retreat rooms, you have the opportunity to spend some time exploring Sydney’s most striking natural scenery. Located on the clifftop overlooking Whale Beach, there are a myriad of beaches at your doorstep. The Northern Beaches has it all, whether you’re after tranquil swimming spots, big surf, ocean pools, secluded coves or even a nudist beach! Below we round up our favourites that we recommend to guests staying with us.

Whale Beach

This has got to be our number 1. Yes, we may be biased but we never tire of our unparalleled views over Whale Beach. It’s a picturesque 600m long arch of golden sand that’s made unique by the two headlands framing each end. Whale Beach was named in 1900, some say because of the shape of its southern headland that resembles a whale’s tail, others say it’s due to the whale migration that brings the mammals close to the shore. Whether you’re in the Jonah’s restaurant watching from above, or you’re sitting right on the sand, you’re likely to see whales breaching here from May to October. A pristine ocean pool is tucked into the foot of the cliffs at the South end. Whale Beach is also a haven for advanced surfers, ‘the wedge’ is an infamous break for its perfect left. From Jonah’s you can reach Whale Beach on foot or by car.

Palm Beach

Just a stone’s throw away from Jonah’s lies Sydney’s iconic Palm Beach. A popular destination for day trippers in summer. The suburb marks the Northern most point of Sydney and boasts one of the city’s most beautiful stretches of sand. So much so, it’s been the backdrop to the famous TV series Home and Away since the late 80s. This is the perfect destination for a long walk on the shore or up the headland to the Barrenjoey lighthouse. Conditions here are both safe for swimming with lifeguards and flagged areas as well as excellent for surfing at the North end. From Jonah’s you can reach Palm Beach on foot or by car.

Photo by Silas Baisch on Unsplash

Portuguese Beach

Looking for a romantic way to spend the day? Hidden in Portuguese Bay is a secluded beach just 80 metres long. It can only be reached by boat so you may find that you have the area all to yourself. With the Jonah’s Stay & Play package, our chefs will pack you a gourmet picnic hamper with a bottle of Champagne Bollinger to take with you on a cruise with Taylor Made Escapes. Put up the sails or cruise by motor to arrive at Portuguese Beach for lunch. Just when you think it couldn’t get any better, a private transfer will bring you back to Jonah’s for a three-course dinner in the restaurant and an overnight stay in the luxury boutique hotel. Discover more about the Stay & Play package.

Snapperman Beach

A quiet, narrow stretch of white sand on the Pittwater side, just up from the Palm Beach wharf, Snapperman beach has calm waters perfect for kids to enjoy swimming in the shallows. It’s also a popular beach for stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking. You can access the beach on foot between houses 100 and 102 on Iluka Road, Palm Beach.

Image credit: Taylor Made Escapes

Avalon Beach

Just a 6-minute drive from Jonah’s, Avalon beach makes for a great day out on the Northern Beaches. The beach is pristine with great surf and a flagged area for swimming. It also offers the opportunity to wander through local boutique shops, enjoy a coffee at one of the many cafes or even a gelato to cool down after a day in the sun.

Image credit: Northern Beaches Council

Bilgola Beach

Travelling by car from Jonah’s, pass through Avalon and make your way around the ‘Bilgola bends’ and down the steep hill that leads to the beach. Bilgola is generally less frequented than Palm Beach and Avalon and is quite remote other than one small café and carpark. Conditions are ideal for both swimming and surfing. If you prefer dry land, you can follow the walking track at the South end which leads to neighbouring Newport beach.

Great Mackerel Beach

Located on the western shores of Pittwater in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, Great Mackerel Beach is a secluded spot, perfect for fishing or relaxing on shore. There is no road access, so your best option is the Palm Beach ferry or even better, a private cruise with Taylor Made Escapes. Our Stay & Play package is the perfect solution for an overnight stay with dinner in the restaurant and a 2-hour cruise included. Discover the details of our Stay & Play package.

Want to know more about the area? You can find our Top Ten Things to do on the Northern Beaches here.
Learn more about our range of accommodation packages and rates here.

The team at Jonah’s is thrilled to have had a successful first few weeks since reopening after the temporary closure due to government regulations related to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a challenging few months for everyone in the industry but we are grateful to have welcomed back many old friends, familiar faces and new guests to dine and stay at Jonah’s over the past few weeks.

We are now operating in a new COVID-safe environment adhering to all government requirements and recommendations across all areas of the property. The health and safety of our guests and staff have always been, and will continue to be our first priority. We look forward to making your time at Jonah’s as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

Haven’t booked in for a visit to Whale Beach yet? The weather is warming up so there’s no better time to make the drive up the Northern Beaches for an indulgent lunch. Our new three course menu with matching wines selected by our expert sommelier features dishes such as charred king prawns, fresh burrata, wild caught fish and more. The menu is focused on seasonal produce with the freshest seafood available to market each day. View the full menu here.

In need of a weekend away? Jonah’s is the perfect place to escape, relax and unwind. Why not treat yourself or a loved one to a night or two in our tranquil hideaway just 50 minutes from Sydney’s CBD. All of our special accommodation packages are still on offer, subject to availability. Whether you’re seeking a relaxing massage or an exciting day out on a cruise around Pittwater, we have something to suit your needs. Discover our packages here.

For any further enquiries please email enquiries@jonahs.com.au and our team will respond in due course. We are very grateful for your continued support.

Jonah’s Head Sommelier Niels Sluiman gives us his top tips for matching wines with certain foods to take your dining experience at home to the next level.

During this period of temporary closure, we understand that the need to stay home and practice social distancing can mean sacrificing many of life’s pleasures. We hope to give you inspiration with these tips to bring a little piece of the Jonah’s experience to your home. While you may not have the Whale Beach views, these wine pairing suggestions might make dining-in a little less ordinary.

“When matching wines with food it’s all about creating balance between flavours and it’s important to consider both taste and smell. Scents are actually linked to memories so think about smelling flowers, fruits, herbs and spices in your garden before you start,” says Niels.

The next time you make a cheese board, think about the different cheeses and accompaniments you are using. Semi hard cheeses like parmesan pair well with an aged chardonnay like Bannockburn ‘SRH’ Museum Release 2005 from Geelong, VIC, because there’s a nuttiness that comes through in the wine. Softer cheeses like a powerful blue cheese with a port or sweet wine like Fortified Coates ‘VP Shiraz’ 2006 from McLaren Vale, SA is a classic pairing which gives a nice contrast of flavours. Add some quince paste, fig jam or even dried grapes for a winning combination.

When you’re enjoying warm weather and opt for a more delicate seafood dish like the scallop sashimi that we serve at Jonah’s with lemon and dill dressing, Niels suggests a Riesling like Robert Stein ‘Reserve’ 2016 from Mudgee, NSW which also has a beautiful lime blossom hint to compliment the dish. On the other hand, a dish with rich fish like monk fish served with a saffron butter sauce and roasted parsnip puree needs a deeper wine to cut through but also link all the flavours together to give the perfect balance. Try a complex Australian Roussane like the Yangarra Roux Beauté 2015, from McLaren Vale, SA or a delicate and precise Chablis like the Louis Michel ‘Montee de Tonnerre’ 1er Cru 2015, from Burgundy, France.

For cooler nights when you want to get cosy with a hearty meal, think red meat like the beautiful Jonah’s rib-eye. With meats, it’s important to look at the fat content. The more marbling of the meat, the stronger the wine needs to be so that the tannins and the weight cut through the fattiness of the dish. Niels likes to select a robust Malbec from Argentina like the Colomé Estate 2016, from La Salta.

Moving to dessert, at Jonah’s we have a lychee tapioca with coconut and passion fruit that Niels pairs with a sweet wine from South Australia; Henschke ‘Noble Gewürztraminer’ 2016. This wine has a great bouquet based on tropical notes like lychee, ripe apricot, candied mandarin, and rose petals mixed with a purity and freshness that allows for that perfect balance of flavours.

We all know that when staying home it’s easy to fall into some guilty snacking!

“My go-to is chocolate which actually goes really nicely with an aged Toppers Mountain Tempranillo 2010 from Tingha-New England for its Christmassy flavours of dried fruit, roasted almond, and coffee. A red sweet wine from Italy like a Passito Primitivo from Puglia is also perfect with a chocolate cake,” says Niels.

Thinking about these different elements can make cooking and using different ingredients fun. It’s easy to get trapped into buying the same wines that you’re comfortable with but you miss out on exploring the many varietals that are out there. Don’t be afraid to experiment and discover new things! With days and nights now spent at home, it’s the perfect time to find new hobbies, educate ourselves, and spend time doing things we love that our busy lives wouldn’t usually allow for. We look forward to welcoming you back to Jonah’s when we reopen to answer all of your wine tasting questions and hear about your adventures at home.

Head Sommelier Niels Sluiman let’s us in on a recipe to one of his favourite Jonah’s cocktails.

We could all use a little indulgence at the moment to lighten the mood at home with many days ahead of us to be spent inside. Although it may not be quite the same as reclining in our clifftop garden and taking in the ocean views, this cocktail recipe will bring a little bit of the Jonah’s flavour to your living room.

The Sugar & Spice cocktail is a favourite among guests at Jonah’s for its light and refreshing flavours, perfect for a sunny afternoon.

“I like to recommend a selection of snacks to enjoy with this cocktail for an afternoon aperitivo such as our Jonah’s seafood ‘fritto’, thinly sliced prosciutto, freshly shucked oysters or even grilled zucchini flowers,” says Niels.

Combine 45ml Hendricks Gin wity 15ml lychee liquor, 15ml lime juice, 4 cardamom pods, 7 mint leaves, and shake with ice. Pour into a tumbler glass and top it up with tonic water for that thirst quenching fizz!

Head Sommelier Niels Sluiman puts our taste buds to the test with blind wine tastings to do at home.

Jonah’s is renowned for its award-winning wine list. Although we might be temporarily closed, you can still enjoy a wine tasting experience at home with a blind tasting using these tips from Niels. Whether you’re social distancing at home with family, your partner, or even alone, this is a fun game that can change your perspective on the wines in your cellar.

It’s easy to become stubborn about what we do and don’t like. Blind tastings are a great way to open our minds to different wines without prejudice or judgements based on the label, age or varietal. Someone who would never order Sauvignon Blanc might find that it becomes one of their favourites after a blind tasting.

Niels suggests to start off your bling tasting with what are considered to be classic wines such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon or Shiraz. It will allow you to link your olfactory memories with the glass you have in front of you. Be sure you have enough glasses handy to pour a taste of each wine in a separate glass for each person. Mark each glass or coaster/placemat with a number that corresponds to the same number on the matching bottle so you know which wine is which. Cover the bottles with a sock or paper bag so no one can see. Now you’re ready to taste!

Make sure each person is tasting the same wine at the same time so you can discuss what you taste and share observations. You might like to write down your notes or comments to remind you of what you liked or disliked about each tasting. Niels suggests keeping the following things in mind when trying to guess which wine is which.

“First try to detect one or two fruit flavours. Remind yourself of what apple, citrus, and stone fruits smell like. These scents will usually indicate you’re tasting a white wine. Whereas, strawberry, raspberry or black current flavours would point towards a red wine,” says Niels

If you taste apple, go a little deeper and see if you can decipher what kind of apple it is. If it’s sweet like a tarte Tatin with cooked, caramelised apples it is likely to be a sweeter wine (like a mature Chenin Blanc. Is it acidic like a crunchy green apple or lemon juice? This would be a clue for a sharper white like a Sauvignon Blanc or Riesling.

“Another thing to consider when doing a blind tasting is the five different tastes. Our tongues can detect sweetness, bitterness, acidity, salt and umami. All of these tastes can point you in the right direction to guessing which wine you’re tasting,” explains Niels.

If the wine is giving hints of black pepper, then it could be a shiraz, if the wine is showing a hint of saltiness mixed with citrus it could be a Hunter Valley Semillon, if you’re tasting a hint of bitter hops then it could be a Pinot Grigio.

Now that we have many hours to spend at home, this can be a nice exercise to pass the time and create conversation at the dinner table. Compare notes and be adventurous! There’s no wrong answer. Wine tasting is subjective and the person next to you might taste something completely different to you. Online you can find plenty of descriptions of your favourite wines which you can check afterwards to see whether you were on the right track.

By the time we reopen and you make your next visit to Jonah’s you will have plenty to talk to us about and might even order something out of your usual comfort zone. Ask our expert sommeliers for their suggestions, as our wine list spans over 1600 labels and always offers something new to try.