Business Details
Your Trusted Accessible Accommodation in Rathmines, NSW
Established by David and Heather Hagen, Catalina Lakefront Retreat is a purpose-built accessible facility dedicated to enriching the lives of people with disabilities and those facing mental health challenges. Our single-level, fully accessible venue on Lake Macquarie offers spacious accommodation for up to 100 guests, complemented by modern conference facilities and catering services. With over a decade of experience, we combine hospitality expertise with a charitable mission, ensuring every guest enjoys a comfortable, inclusive environment. Our team of dedicated staff and volunteers prioritises guest comfort while fostering community engagement through Disability Life Enrichment, our registered charity. Strategically located in Rathmines, NSW, we provide serene lakeside surroundings with easy access to local amenities.We maintain rigorous accessibility standards across all 28 bedrooms, including 54 bunk beds, 42 king singles, and 8 queen beds, many with private ensuites and air conditioning. Our commercial kitchen and dining areas support self-catering flexibility, while our 100-capacity conference room with multimedia facilities caters to corporate and community events. As a fully vaccinated guest facility, we prioritise health safety without compromising hospitality. Through partnerships with schools, churches, and corporations, we sustain our vision of creating inclusive spaces that promote well-being and social connection.
Services
Group accommodation
Conference venue
Catering services
Accessible facilities
School camps
Highlights and features
- We offer purpose-built accessible facilities for guests with disabilities
- Our team has extensive experience in inclusive hospitality management
- We operate in partnership with Disability Life Enrichment charity
- We provide integrated conference and accommodation services
- Our lakeside location combines tranquility with practical amenities
Services
Group accommodation
Spacious accessible lodging options for groups of all sizes. Our 28 adaptable bedrooms include private, double, and bunk configurations with air conditioning and lakeside views. Designed for disability travel groups, school camps, and corporate retreats, our single-level layout ensures easy navigation for all guests. Commercial kitchen facilities support self-catering while maintaining accessibility standards.
Conference venue
Versatile event spaces for business conferences and community gatherings. Our 100-capacity main hall features multimedia projectors, sound systems, and Wi-Fi. Multiple breakout rooms and outdoor spaces accommodate various event formats. Located in a tranquil lakeside setting that promotes productive meetings and networking opportunities for corporate and community organisations.
Catering services
Flexible dining solutions for residential groups. Choose from full-service catering with custom menus or self-catering using our commercial kitchen. Our facilities include multiple dining areas and outdoor BBQ spaces. We accommodate special dietary requirements and ensure accessible dining experiences for guests with disabilities.
Accessible facilities
Comprehensive accessibility features throughout the property. All areas have wheelchair access with wide doorways and level thresholds. Fully equipped accessible ensuites, tactile navigation aids, and visual fire alarms ensure safety. Our design prioritises sensory considerations and physical accessibility to create inclusive environments for guests with diverse needs.
School camps
Specialised accommodation for school groups and educational programs. Our bunk-style rooms sleep up to 54 guests with dedicated supervision areas. Located near natural attractions that support outdoor learning. Staff experienced in supporting school excursions with safety protocols and accessible facilities for inclusive student participation.
People
David Hagen
Founder
Co-founder with Heather Hagen, David established Catalina Lakefront Retreat to create accessible spaces for people with disabilities. His vision combines hospitality expertise with charitable purpose, driving initiatives that promote social inclusion through purpose-built facilities.
Heather Hagen
Founder
Co-founder alongside David Hagen, Heather brings extensive experience in community development and disability support. Together they established Disability Life Enrichment charity, ensuring the retreat's mission aligns with practical needs of guests while maintaining operational excellence in hospitality services.
Questions
Is Catalina Lakefront Retreat fully accessible for guests with disabilities?
Yes, our single-level facility has fully accessible ensuites, wide doorways, and level access throughout the property.
What group sizes can you accommodate?
Our venue sleeps up to 123 guests across two wings with flexible room configurations for different group needs.
Do you offer catering services for events?
We provide full-service catering options or guests may self-cater using our commercial kitchen facilities.
Are conference facilities available for hire?
Our 100-capacity conference room includes multimedia equipment, PA system, and free Wi-Fi for business events.
What nearby attractions are available?
We're adjacent to parklands with walking paths, near Toronto's shops, and close to Hunter Valley Gardens' attractions.
Do you require guests to be vaccinated?
Yes, we currently operate a fully vaccinated guest policy for health and safety reasons.
Reviews (2)
Susan McCabe
Feb 09, 2020
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Had the most best weekend Lovely clean & tidy Great atmosphere Friendly staff Rooms are spacious and well equipped Spacious kitchen that is well equipped with cooking/kitchen utensils so you can deliver the best food to your group. Will certainly return Very highly recommended to anyone with interest for group stays Craft or other groups
Deidre Ellem
Apr 11, 2019
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What a beautiful tranquil place. Had a wonderful picnic lunch with lots of amazing people and perfect weather. Would highly recommend Catalina Lakefront Retreat for any social or business functions. Disability friendly.