Novotel Wollongong Northbeach

More than a camp.
A pickleball retreat.

Play indoors, sleep by the sea. Your days are on the eight purpose-built, air-conditioned courts at House of Pickle Bellambi — Laykold Advantage surfaces, high ceilings and generous run-off — with lunch catered courtside each day. Your nights are nine minutes down the road at the Novotel Wollongong Northbeach, metres from the sand, where the restaurant looks straight out over the Pacific. Across three days you'll work with PCI-accredited coach Kelley Keyes in sessions tailored to your level, from serving and return of serve through dinking, volleys and the mental game.

Between sessions, enjoy a fun tournament with prizes and evening strategy talks over dinner. Leave a sharper, more confident player — with a new premium paddle in hand.

Kelley Keyes

A fully accredited pickleball coach with over two decades of experience developing athletes across tennis, netball and pickleball. Kelley's approach blends technical skill development with tactical strategy and sport psychology — creating confident, disciplined players in an environment that's educational, challenging and fun.

“I encourage athletes to back themselves and always bring their best effort, both on and off the court.”

Coaching & Play

Stay & Dine

We welcome all levels except perfect beginners. You just need to know the rules and have played a little bit of pickleball beforehand to enjoy this camp. Sessions are tailored to your current skill level after an initial assessment on Day 1.

This is our first indoor camp, and it is exactly why we can run one in December. The courts at House of Pickle Bellambi are fully enclosed and air-conditioned, so a hot Illawarra afternoon or a summer downpour makes no difference at all to the schedule — and the beach is still right there when you finish.

Absolutely. Many attendees come solo and leave with new friends and doubles partners. The social element is a huge part of the experience.

Comfortable court shoes with non-marking soles, athletic clothing and a water bottle. The courts are indoors and air-conditioned, so you will not need a hat or sunscreen to play — though you will want both for the beach across the road. We provide a premium paddle worth $145 and it is yours to keep, but you are welcome to bring your own as well.

You stay two nights at the Novotel Wollongong Northbeach. A hotel room is $1,970 pp twin share, and you can upgrade to an ocean view room with a balcony for $2,070 pp twin share. If you would like a room to yourself, the single supplement is $240 for a hotel room or $340 for an ocean view room.

You pay a $500 deposit online to secure your spot. Once we receive your deposit, we'll email you within 24 hours with a booking info sheet confirming your accommodation choice and all the details. The remaining balance is then invoiced by email and payable before camp start. Your deposit is refundable up to 30 days before camp start, or later if we can secure a replacement booking.

Two full buffet breakfasts at the hotel on Sunday and Monday, two catered lunches courtside at the courts, and two dinners at the hotel on Saturday and Sunday evening. You won't need to worry about food logistics at all.

House of Pickle Bellambi is at 2/16 Bellambi Lane, Bellambi, roughly 90 minutes south of Sydney via the M1 Princes Motorway, with free parking on site. The Novotel Wollongong Northbeach is at 2-14 Cliff Road, a nine-minute drive away. If you are coming by train, North Wollongong is the closest station to the hotel. We recommend arriving at the courts by midday on Saturday.

House of Pickle Bellambi has 8 indoor, air-conditioned courts with Laykold Advantage surfaces, high ceilings and generous run-off, plus a bar, cafe and pro shop on site. It is a brand-new, purpose-built venue and the whole camp runs there.

The camp is open to all adults, men and women. We welcome anyone who wants to improve their pickleball game in a fun, supportive environment.