With lush forests, vast mountain ranges and spectacular beaches, there’s no shortage of places to get back to nature in New South Wales. From repurposed shipping containers to enormous safari tents, they are all set in incredible locations with breathtaking views. Here’s how to get away from it all and hole up in one of southeast Australia’s best glamping spots.
In the heart of the Australian countryside, among towering gum trees with views over rolling bushland, sits this high-end covered pavilion, providing the perfect spot to enjoy a book or a glass of wine (or both) as the sun goes down. Relax into life without internet here, and explore the various tracks and trails that run through the surrounding bushland.
If you’re hesitant about glamping, this ultra-luxe treehouse is the perfect opportunity to dip your toe in without sacrificing any creature comforts. It’s set high up on stilts, with wall-to-wall glass doors that blur the lines between indoors and out, so you’ll feel like you’re floating among the tops of the eucalyptus trees. It overlooks Kangaroo River, with plenty of water-based activities to keep you occupied, or, if you fancy a road trip, the white sand and crystal-clear waters of Jervis Bay are just a short drive away.
This is glamping at its best – while technically a tent, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d booked a room in a boutique hotel. Built-in insect screens mean you can drift off to sleep, safe in the knowledge that nothing will creep or crawl its way in, but even the most sceptical camper will find it hard not to fall for the dreamy alfresco bathrooms, complete with hot showers. Solar-powered lighting keeps things ecofriendly, and you can round off each day with a delicious dinner among the trees at the onsite restaurant.
This is another option that transcends the traditional camping stereotype, with huge windows, an indoor kitchenette and a deep tub to soak in out on the deck that looks over the hills towards Lake Burrendong. Despite such upscale digs, you’ll still wake up to the peaceful sights and sounds of nature. Stock up on supplies at the picturesque colonial town of Mudgee nearby.
Perfect for those with a destination in mind, this Airstream can be moved and set up for you in any location around the Byron Bay area. Choose between rustic secluded hinterlands with only wildlife for company, or beachfront campsites where you can be surfing at sunrise. As Instagram-friendly as they come, the Airstream is done out in a serious boho-chic style – think crisp linens and monochromatic woven pillows. The mobile home even comes complete with an Armadillo & Co rug for picnics and alfresco dining.
Lounging above a textured topography of peaks and valleys and bathed in light, the spectacular setting of this glamping spot is hard to beat. The tent is an enormous canopied space with minimal furnishings, including a king-size bed and easy storage, but it’s the outside that really sings. A number of alfresco dining spaces, patio chair setups and a covered cooking pavilion allow you to spend as much time as possible soaking up the incredible environment and admiring the panoramic views.
This tipi-cum-cabin is the ultimate romantic getaway. Set deep amid the greenery, it has floor-to-ceiling windows, bringing the outdoors in and allowing for uninterrupted views of the Blue Mountains‘ lush flora. There’s a small kitchen and lounge, complete with a woodburning fire, while the tipi tent contains a cloud-like bed, hardwood floors and relaxing furnishings. The spa bathtub is the cherry on top, and a dreamy spot to while away a few hours, drinking in the tranquility of it all.
Grab five friends and head to this three-bed cabin in the heart of Kangaroo Valley. Perfect for a group you want to spend long, balmy, summer nights with, it has masses of dining space plus an outdoor pizza oven. What was once a machinery shed has been lovingly converted using recycled and reclaimed materials, to create an offbeat vibe. A huge walk-in rainshower, full coffee machine, wifi and air-conditioning are just some of the mod cons on offer, but you’re equally able to immerse yourself in rural life – you’re free to collect eggs from the chicken coop and herbs from the onsite garden.
Taking space maximisation to a whole new level, this light and airy cabin looks out over baby pine trees and 11 acres (4ha) of bucolic farmland. If you visit during the warmer months, you can take advantage of the onsite shared saltwater pool, while the woodburning stove in your cabin keeps things toasty in winter. It sits on the doorstep of Gulga National Park and Tilba Lake, so you can spend days exploring the miles of hiking trails that wind their way around Mount Dromedary – an extinct volcano with spiritual significance for the Aboriginal peoples.
Hidden among the dense New South Wales bushland, these shipping containers are a unique and ultra-contemporary take on glamping – we’ve yet to find another site that offers complimentary bubbly and cheese platters on arrival. Radically renovated, they hardly resemble their original form, and the result wouldn’t be out of place on the pages of an interior design magazine. A shared magnesium swimming pool and the potential for in-room spa services give you little reason to leave this serene bubble, where you could easily spend the duration of your stay relaxing before views of the rainforest as it rolls towards the Pacific Ocean.