25 Aussie Glampsites So Lush You Won’t Even Remember You’re Camping
Camping isn’t for everyone, but glamping targets that nice cushy middle ground where fussy sleepers get proper mattresses and salt-of-the-earth types still get to wake up in the middle of nature.
Enjoying all the best bits of a camping experience without sacrificing a good night’s sleep or modern conveniences is an ace way to see any country, but Australia’s incredible biodiversity and natural landscapes make it the perfect stomping ground for ‘glamorous camping’.
Brimming with myriad luxury camping options, here’s 25 Aussie glampsites to whet your appetite.
NT
#1 Longitude 131, Yulara
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Let’s kick things off with one of the most expensive options on this great southern land. At upwards of $1500 per person, per night this is no casual glamping situation. In fact, it’s one of the rarest experiences you can have in Australia.
Each of the just 16 temperature-controlled tents overlook Uluru. Swish set ups include king beds, feature fireplaces, rain showers, decks with sweeping views, Indigenous artworks and more. They’ll be re-open from August 30.
#2 Bamarru Plains, Swim Creek Station
Watch wallabies, brumbies and water buffalo while you sup a cocktail at the infinity pool at this luxury eco lodge. Set on 300km² of floodplains in the Top End, there’s so much Aussie wildlife here it’s been called Australia’s answer to Africa’s Okavango Delta.
You’ll get the chance to skim said floodplains by airboat looking for crocs, see bird migrations and more. The luxurious safari-style bungalows have plush beds and mesh walls so you’re totally immersed.
#3 King’s Canyon, Watarrka National Park
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Nestled in the Red Centre between Uluru and Alice Springs in the Watarrka National Park, King’s Canyon offers six glamping tents designed to blend in with the surrounding NT landscape. Three tents are for couples, with the others large enough for families (or groups of friends).
They’re currently open, but at a restricted capacity so you’ll want to book far in advance.
#4 Wildman Wilderness Lodge, Arnhem
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Also on the Mary River Wetlands, but just two hours east of Darwin, choose from swanky ‘Habitats’ or luxury safari tents while taking in the incredible wildlife and surrounds on the edge of Kakadu National Park.
QLD
#5 Nightfall Wilderness Camp, Lamington National Park
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In the spectacular Scenic Rim, deep in the ancient Lamington National Park, these hand-built tents are a true slice of luxury in the wilderness. There’s room for only six guests at a time and Insta-worthy tents are all timber floors, vintage tin baths, rain-head showers and roaring fireplaces.
Chow down on fully organic camp cuisine and enjoy complimentary sparkling wine. Plus, you can organise massages by the river rapids.
#6 Sanctuary by Sirromet, Mount Cotton
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Only 30 minutes from Brisbane and surrounded by paperbark trees and gums around a natural lagoon, Sanctuary by Sirromet is on the grounds of the Sirromet winery, so you can add that on your list of activities. Choose from a range of tented pavilions.
#7 Ketchup’s Bank Glamping, Boonah
Just two eco-tents await you an hour from Brisbane, with some seriously beaut views of the Scenic Rim. Your stay comes complete with a pillowtop bed, ensuite bathroom, gas BBQ and fire pit plus anything else you’d need for a super comfortable weekend away.
You even get a hammock, yoga mat, wallaby food and bird seed and can order from an array of tasty hampers.
#8 Habitat Noosa Everglades Ecocamp, Elanda Point
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A zippy 25 minutes north of Noosa, this eco camp offers 65 acres of lush green space with over 500m of beachfront on the Noosa River. You’re surrounded by natural bushland and wildlife here, but book the Paperbark tent to retreat to luxuries like a full ensuite, private deck, continental breakfast and water views.
NSW
#9 Paperbark Camp, Jervis Bay
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Paperbark Camp put glamping on the map for NSW. Close to the stunning white sands and crystal waters of Jervis Bay, these premium canvas tents are nestled between eucalyptus and paperbarks, raised above the ground to take advantage of sea breezes.
The camp has an ethos centred around sustainability and also offers a beautiful onsite restaurant and communal lounge, the Gunyah (Aboriginal for ‘meeting place’).
#10 Sierra Escape, Mudgee
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If 280 acres of rolling hills in one of NSW’s best wine regions sounds good, then Sierra Escape is for you. An adults-only eco escape, this scenic site is only 20 minutes outside of Mudgee yet brimming with native wildlife.
After a day spent at Mudgee’s award winning wineries, head back here to catch sunset at Sierra lookout. The eco tents are beyond comfortable, with insulation, floorboards, free-standing bathtubs, decks and more.
#11 Tanja Lagoon Camp, Tanja
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This camp is on NSW’s Sapphire Coast at the edge of a wild coastal lagoon, surrounded by the spotted gum forests of Mimosa Rocks National Park. Your luxury tent comes equipped with a spacious deck, queen bed, ensuite, lounge area and fire pit as well as breakfast and even a canoe.
They’re also offering flexible bookings at the moment, given the whole pandemic situation.
#12 Turon Gates Mountain Retreat, Blue Mountains
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Set on 6,000 acres in the gorgeous Blue Mountains, two and a half hours from Sydney, Turon Gates Mountain Retreat is a bush oasis with self-catering glamping tents dotted along 15km of crystal clear trout stream.
#13 Nashdale Lane, Orange
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Within one of Orange’s excellent established vineyards, Nashdale Lane offers premium glamping with tents about 900m above sea level offering crisp mountain air and scenic views to Mt Canobolas and neighbouring vineyards and cattle farms.
Think four-poster beds, toasty fireplaces, sunken outdoor lounges, custom kitchen joinery and more in this fab area of NSW.
#14 The Hideaway, Cabarita Beach
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On the Tweed Coast in Northern NSW, The Hideaway is a glamping retreat right near Cabarita Beach and a stone’s throw from famed Halcyon House. This boutique boho vibe is a great option to explore this pretty special part of the state. There are three styles of bell tents complete with Koala beds.
VIC
NB: These places are currently open to regional Victorians. However, given the current state of coronavirus in Victoria, best to check updated information and health advice.
#15 Balgownie Estate, Bendigo
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Set on a working vineyard, there are a mix of lush bell tents and safari tents (with free-standing bathtubs) with everything you need to feel sorted for a vacay.
#16 Cosy Tents, Daylesford
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Offering kitted-out bell tents on a private luxury campsite, Cosy Tents gives you the option to order a range of packages from brekkie to Moet and Chocolate to a Mineral Spa package at nearby Hepburn Springs to make your stay extra special. This is spa country, after all.
#17 Wilderness Retreats, Gippsland
Run by Parks Victoria, Wilderness Retreats is a comfortable base to explore Gippsland’s national parks. The low-impact, safari-style tents have timber floors, covered decks and a queen-size bed complete with a plump doona and fresh linens.
SA
#18 Ikara Safari Camp at Wilpena Pound Resort, Flinders Ranges
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The incredible, millions-year-old natural amphitheatre of Wilpena Pound is part of one of our nation’s most underrated natural areas, the Flinders Ranges.
The only resort within the national park here, Ikara Safari Camp is glamping without pretence. Within a bushland setting, there’s full-size king beds, ensuite bathrooms, air conditioning, private decks and your own fire pits for some marshmallow roasting.
They’re currently open, but operating at a smaller capacity so bookings are essential.
#19 Tent On A Hill, McLaren Vale
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Deep in wine country, spend the night in a cushy bell tent surrounded by kangaroos and gum trees, with a view over the McLaren Vale vineyards. You’ll enjoy comfortable beds and soft furnishings, however if you’re wanting a more ‘camp’ than ‘glamp’ experience, this could be it: solar lights, a portable loo and a simple outdoor hanging camp shower.
WA
#20 Sal Salis, Ningaloo Reef
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Another renowned spot that’ll set you back a pretty penny, Sal Salis sits surrounded by the dunes of the Cape Range National Park. It’s an epic place for a bush-to-beach adventure where the remote outback meets the turquoise, wildlife-filled waters of Ningaloo Reef. Sustainably focussed, there is a strict ethos around minimal impact, so you’ll have OTT digs and chef-prepared meals alongside solar power and composting toilets.
#21 Karijini Eco Retreat
Hidden in the heart of Karijini National Park, this retreat offers glampers a range of options in the bush around Joffre Gorge from campsites to eco-tents and cabins. The gorges in the national park are breathtaking, with hikes leading to plunge pools and waterfalls.
This greener-style accommodation is owned by the local Gumala Aboriginal Corporation, which acts according to the interests of the Aboriginal people of the region.
#22 Mile End Glamping, Margaret River
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This isn’t your usual bell tent situation. In WA’s premier wine region, you’ll be staying in the geodesic domes of Mile End Glamping that let you take in acres of a green, private estate from your bed.
They include Hamptons-style decor with luxury bathrooms, king-sized four-poster beds and full kitchens. Decks have spa baths and barbecues, too.
TAS
#23 The Truffle Lodge, Gretna
You can glamp on one of Australia’s first truffle orchards, which offers a boutique experience with five luxury tents on the edge of the Derwent River, just 45 minutes from Hobart. Each tent has its own private deck facing the water and they’ve got all the fixings to fool you into thinking you’re in a swish hotel.
They’ve currently put bookings on hold, waiting for Tasmania to re-open its borders. At the moment, that’s set to be August 31, but keep an eye on the website before you book.
#24 Huon Bush Retreat, Huonville
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Offering a level above camping at an affordable price point, Huon Bush Retreat is a carbon positive retreat offering guests a choice of contemporary, self-contained cabins, deluxe teepees and more.
Located in Huonville, famous for its apples and cool-climate wines, you’ll be nestled in an extensive private nature reserve with access to 5kms of Tasmanian native forest.
#25 Wingtons Glamping, Tamar Valley
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Vintage-style interiors take inspiration from the 1930s on this property in Tasmania’s premier wine region, the Tamar Valley.
Expect Persian carpets, steamer trunks, Italian crystal and the finest Egyptian cotton linen in the three bell tents on offer. Plus, each comes with their own personal dining area, fire pit and private ensuite.
(Lead Image: Pexels / Matheus Bertelli)
