With all the frills and none of the fuss, find Australia's true nature on a glamorous camping escape.
In the digital age, it’s easy to forgo our innate need to connect with nature. But the sun-kissed land down under beckons with untamed landscapes as old as time – there’s the dusty ochre dunes of the Red Centre, curious rock formations dotting the Granite Belt, unspoiled swimming spots on every coast and the distinct eucalypt sprawl linking the land. Sure, luxe resorts offer comfort and convenience, but most can’t bring you close to these national treasures. Luckily there's another type of escape that can do it all.
Read on for the best spots in Australia to go glamping.
What is glamping?
The perfect unity of glamour and camping – ‘glamping’ allows you to bask in nature without sacrificing comfort. Where high-quality canvas canopies meet plush bedding and in-tent plumbing, there's no better way to embrace some open air on a bush walk, listen to the magpies sing and spot the Southern Cross in clear night skies. Expect all the perks of a hotel stay – from air conditioning to minibars and modern furnishings. Though you may need to take the back roads to get there, glamping brings nature’s best intimacies to you.
Glamping in New South Wales
Coming from the most populated state, it's easy to see why glamping appeals to city-worn Sydneysiders. Paddle across a coastal lagoon, walk through spotted gum forests and marvel at stars in Tanja Lagoon Camp on the Sapphire Coast. This wilderness retreat is at the doorstep of Mimosa Rocks National Park, offering long tents perched atop polished wooden floorboards, complete with kitchenettes and ensuites.
Off-grid seclusion features at grassy Glenayr Farm in Mudgee’s wine region. The four exclusive bell tents onsite are simply styled, letting the hinterlands take centre stage. Each comes fitted with a luxurious queen bed and has access to the fully equipped communal kitchen and hot-water showers. Spend warm days by the dam, and cooler nights around the open fire pit.
South of Sydney, in the stunning Shoalhaven region, Paperback Camp’s lofty eucalyptus trees frame stilted safari-style tents, and you can enjoy mouthwatering bush tucker in the resort’s refined restaurant or indulge in an in-tent massage. Explore Jervis Bay just around the corner, and if you travel by night, you may just catch a glimpse of glowing blue plankton swirling against the shore.
Glamping in Queensland
Glamping retreats abound in the Sunshine State. Stay near the Granite Belt’s grapes at Sanctuary by Sirromet, set on the lawns of Sirromet Winery. Tented pavillions neighbour native bushland, creating a haven for naturalists and oenophiles alike. Spend a balmy evening near the silence of the lagoon, broken only by your clinking crisp glasses of the vineyard’s signature sparkling pinot noir chardonnay as you toast your stay.
Deeper inland, bubble away your troubles in an outdoor spa overlooking the Severn River at Serenità Stanthorpe. By day, explore the Girraween National Park’s granite outcrops and impressively balanced boulders. By night, cosy up by the fire in your fully equipped tent with a bottle of local Sicilian-style cool climate wine.
Glamping on the Sunshine Coast
Among the gums surrounding Lake Cootharaba lies Habitat Noosa Everglades Eco Camp, an environmentally friendly retreat just 30 minutes from the coast. Sip a cool one at the onsite brewery and dine at CootharaBAR & Bistro overlooking the largest lake in Noosa. Tents here feature ensuite bathrooms and private terraces with plenty of shade.
Glamping on the Gold Coast
Stay close to the action but feel worlds away at Paradise Country Farmstay. A short drive from Sea World, Movie World and Wet 'n' Wild, this family-friendly working farm offers a taste of country living with activities like feeding, cow milking and egg collecting before a wind down with some s'mores by the campfire.
Glamping in the Northern Territory
Uncover Indigenous spirituality and see stars like you’ve never seen before when you glamp in Australia’s outback. Enveloped in crimson soil, Kings Creek Station lies at the foot of Watarrka (Kings Canyon). Spend days trekking among the sandstone walls of the national park before cooling off in the onsite swimming pool and air-conditioned tents.
Sitting among the dunes of the Red Centre, Longitude 131° is your gateway to Australia’s oldest landmark. Luxuriously designed, and with uninterrupted views of Uluru and Kata Tjuta through floor-to-ceiling glass, each tented pavilion comes bedecked in Aboriginal art, creating a unique opportunity to connect.
Glamping in Victoria
Venture only 2.5 hours northeast of Melbourne and find Mansfield Glamping’s adults-only haven nestled in the high country. Picture yourself near a crackling wood fire, taking in panoramic mountain views just beyond the flaps of your bell tent. Wander a stone’s throw beyond the shared luxury bathroom and open-air kitchen to find Mount Buller’s rugged snowfields, Lake Eildon and the meandering Goulburn River.
Glamping in Tasmania
Travel 45 minutes out of Hobart and arrive at one of Australia’s first truffieres. With tents set against the banks of the Derwent River, Truffle Lodge is your ideal base to explore Tasmania. Discover luxurious amenities like handmade wooden bathtubs and rain showers in your ensuite, and forage mushrooms when they’re in season. Come armed with a camera in winter and you may just manage to capture the Aurora Australis.
Looking for more inspiration? Check out Luxury Escapes' Top Bucket-List Destinations for 2024.
