The Classy Outdoors: Glamping in Melbourne and Beyond

Tucked away on Mornington’s Bass Strait coast, just 90 minutes from the city, this glamping spot near Melbourne, Peninsula Hot Springs is the perfect place to relax. Ten chic tents – dotted among hot springs in the shade of eucalyptus trees – come with split-system air-con and private verandas, thermally-heated polished concrete floors, spacious ensuite toilets, and comfy beds with selectable sheets. You can slip on your robe, let twittering birds enchant you, and kick back in dozens of geothermal pools around the clock.

Snuggled into Bendigo’s Yarra Valley on a 30ha (74 acres) vineyard overlooking Myer’s Creek, Balgownie Estate Vineyard Resort and Spa puts the glam in glamping. Choose between safari-style or bell tents, kitted out with kitchenettes, split-system air-con, sofas and four-poster beds, with private patio baths overlooking rows of vines. Various experiences such as breakfast, wine, or cruise packages will scratch your travel itch – the latter of which includes a three-night stay on the Murray River aboard the world’s only wood-fired cruising paddle steamer.

Half the hassle of camping is unpacking, but at Happy Glamper, someone else takes care of the heavy lifting. Since 2013, Jessie and Scott Curtis-Griffiths have been offering a mobile camp service on the Mornington Peninsula. All you have to do is pick from one of five sites and choose your glamping experience near Melbourne, and they’ll do the rest. You can choose from vintage camper vans, including the 1966 Peggy Sue, which can sleep up to four people – or the 1955 Miss Myrtle which sleeps two. If tents are more your style, Happy Glamper has cosy bell tents available in three sizes and the lotus belle tents, which can sleep up to five people. The campers and tents come complete with complimentary magazines, colourful mats, board games, chairs – and much more.

For those looking for a luxury getaway in the mountains, Wanderlust Glamping is a set up and pack down service in the Grampians National Park. Wanderlust Glamping near Melbourne – run by Lisa Eastick – allows you to choose from a vintage caravan named Clementine, fitted with cooking appliances and a double bed, or the four-metre bell tent which can sleep up to four people. Deluxe packages are also available for newlyweds. There are a number of extras to choose from, including a portable DVD player for those late nights, and if you prefer to camp on the Great Ocean Road, arrangements can be made for Melbourne Cup weekend.

As of August 2016, guests can virtually check into a space age caravan park on a nondescript rooftop overlooking Flinders Lane. James Fry came up with the idea to hoist six chrome trailers shipped from America onto a Melbourne rooftop to be refurbished and transformed into a Notel – not a hotel. Choose from one of five Airstream suites, complete with a Barbie pink shower, deck area and an iPad pro loaded with Netflix for some serious chillaxing. Alternatively, you can choose the Airstream with benefits, which includes a private Sapphire Spa and overlooks Flinders Lane. Red carpet running throughout the rooftop and a mural by Ash Keating finish off the vibrant space.

For a truly Aussie adventure, you can’t pass up bush glamping when staying in Melbourne. With two locations in the Macedon Ranges – Daylesford and Blackwood – Cosy Tents brings all the comforts from a luxury hotel into the wilderness with sophisticated sleeping spaces. Your hosts, Jarek and Eva, have a selection of 16ft (5m) and 13ft (4m) canvas bell tents which include a queen bed with luxe linen, a variety of pillows, Bluetooth speakers and an esky – plus brekkie boxes can be requested for an additional cost. Both campsites come with a communal BBQ area and cosy – we couldn’t resist – fire pit.