If you find yourself driving down the East Coast of Australia, there’s a stretch of road that makes a strong case for taking the scenic route. In Crescent Head, a sleepy surf town on the NSW Mid North Coast, Sea Sea Hotel offers an especially good reason to pull over.
Once an ’80s motel, the property has been reimagined by husband and wife duo Cisco Tschurtschenthaler and George Gorrow as a laid-back 1970s-inspired surf retreat, complete with a pool, good food, oversized beds and DJs after dark.
Below, photographer Ivana Martyn-Zyznikow sends RUSSH postcards from her stay at Sea Sea Motel, capturing the details, spaces and slower moments that make it such a memorable stop along the coast.
We stopped off at the Sea Sea Motel in Crescent Head for a little rest and revive along our drive from the Gold Coast to Melbourne (via Sydney). As a destination in itself, Crescent Head is a surf town with 90s nostalgia, an epic bakery and an underground Chinese restaurant in the RSL. It’s also great for watching waves, but if surfing isn’t your vibe you never really need to leave the motel.
Designed by Cisco and George, they’ve revamped an 80s Motel into a 70’s surf haven. Set to good food, chill vibes, pool by day, and Dj sets by night. Or tuck in for a movie in the giant king beds with good snacks as we did. They serve my favourite olives in the mini bar – Acietunas Espinaler Green Olives with Anchovies.
Left: Very cool little nook. Reminded me of Gucci.
Right: The art well screams original Tsubi (emphasis on the t there). Very Gorrow, very cool surfy art, zero fucks given. This is a nice room to hang in. Including toys for kids and an old Atari. Think: Donkey Kong and Space Invaders.
Left: Locals watching the swell. The whole strip along the foreshore is littered with deck chairs facing the ocean and people set up camp out the back of their car. It’s a vibe. Reminds me of Byron in the late 80s and early 90s.
Right: Boards for hire or a surf school – I can’t remember, I just loved the colours.
Left: Sea Sea Hotel.
Right: Our room. The family suite.
Left: Communal dining table in the restaurant.
Right: Surf boards for sale in reception. Along with cool bits and bobs like Akubras, some logo tees and vintage clothing.
Left: Driving the coast South of Crescent Head. Lots of hidden beaches and an amazing walk we would have done if it wasn’t so wet!!
Right: Pool reflections.
Left: Lounges in the restaurant/bar.
Right: 70’s decor for the interiors. Bed spreads available for purchase. I thought about it.
Left: Cruised down to the sauna in the robs. Cold plunge also available if you feel. I didn’t dare.
Right: Would have definitely spent more time here if the weather permitted!
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