If your idea of ‘roughing it’ involves staying in a hotel room without Foxtel or a mini-bar, then camping probably isn’t for you. However, glamping just might be.
In the last decade or so, glamping has really come to the fore in Sydney and New South Wales, catering to a market of those who want to bivouac in style. We are talking deluxe tents with everything from French linen bedding and bubble baths to air conditioning and electricity.
If you love the great outdoors but shudder at the very thought of pitching up a tent and going to the toilet in the woods, fear not. We’ve got you covered.
Outlined below is a list of the 14 best glamping sites in Sydney and New South Wales. Each of them offers a luxury experience, with a wow factor, that will immerse you in nature.
For those wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of city life without sacrificing comfort, they represent terrific places to go.
Turon Gates
Located on the western foothills of the Blue Mountains, just northwest of Wolgan Valley, you will find the wonderful Turon Gates.
This mesmerising place, resides on the road that connects Mudgee and Lithgow and has a real ‘pinch me’ quality. It is a cross between the Australian Bush and a European Fairy Tale, where the occasional white-bellied Australian kestrel can be seen regally gliding above you.
For those wanting complete solitude, Turon Gates offers a delightful escape just 2.5 hours from Sydney.
Address: 942 Upper Turon Road, Capertee, NSW, 2795
Phone: 02 9969 3818
Website: https://www.turongates.com/
Nashdale Lane
If you’re a wine enthusiast looking for a unique experience, Nashdale Lane also offers two elevated glamping tents.
Located in a beautiful part of regional New South Wales, this accomplished vineyard and cellar door is nestled among the rolling hills just behind Orange.
Housed in a repurposed apple-packing shed, the cellar door has a reputation for being one of the most popular vineyards in the region.
For glampers, both tents feature a four-poster queen-sized bed, a well-equipped kitchen, and an alfresco deck with a BBQ and stunning views across the vineyards. It is a perfect spot to melt your
stresses away over a fireside vino.
Address: Nashdale Lane, Nashdale, NSW, 2800
Phone: 0419 012 412
Website: https://nashdalelane.com/
The Lodge Bellingen
Over the past few years, the bohemian town of Bellingen has grown in popularity as a getaway destination, and The Lodge Bellingen has become a significant addition to the town’s accommodation offerings.
Located about 5.5 hours north of Sydney, this charming countryside retreat sits on 16 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens. It comprises a 27-room hotel, a two-bedroom mountain retreat and two glamping tents.
It also boasts a heated mineral spa and restaurant operated by the team behind the popular Three Blue Ducks venues across NSW.
Guests can spend their days exploring the pleasant town and picturesque rivers that meander through the surrounding valleys, before returning to the Lodge to enjoy a refreshing sundowner by the pool.
Address: 1381 Waterfall Way, Bellingen, NSW, 2454
Phone: (02) 6655 1599
Website: https://thelodgebellingen.com.au/
Bubbletent Australia
You might have seen Bubbletent Australia on Instagram. But its even more impressive in the flesh.
Overall, there are three bubble tents you can pick from, each one of which provides stunning 360 degree views of the Capertree Valley – which is the world’s largest valley.
All of them are well equipped with a range of luxury amenities and also offer complete tranquillity and seclusion, making them the perfect place for a digital detox. (Though you can still get a good mobile phone reception here if you want to remain connected).
Address: Secret Location, Capertee, NSW, 2850
Website: https://bubbletentaustralia.com/
Phone: 0412 133 052
Sierra Escape
Sierra Escape is a secluded glamping retreat that is a little bit removed from the centre of Mudgee. So, it offers plenty of peace and quiet for those who seek it.
Boasting a serene location, the campsite is abundant with wildlife, with everything from kangaroos, llamas and sheep to crimson rosellas, small green tree frogs and cows residing in the neighbouring fields and paddocks. It also features a landscape of dry rolling hills, swampy marshes, stringy bark gums, and plenty of bush flowers.
Sierra Escape began in 2017 with Mudgee’s first glamping tent but has since evolved into a multi-award-winning retreat. Overall, it features five luxury glamping tents, a unique swimming pool constructed from a reclaimed shipping container, and a spacious outdoor yoga deck.
Recent additions have included a stunning tiny house that boasts floor-to-ceiling windows, a high-end designer kitchen, and a fabulous outdoor bathtub which is ideally suited for relaxing soaks at sunset.
Address: 1345 Lower Piambong Road, Piambong, NSW, 2850
Website: https://www.sierraescape.com.au/
Paperbark Camp
Situated just a ten minute drive from Huskisson in beautiful Jervis Bay, Paperbark Camp offers its guests a phenomenal glamping experience.
Featuring a queen bed fitted with cotton and bamboo linen sheets, an al fresco roll-top bath and even slippers and a white cotton robe, you’ll feel like a movie star if you stay here.
Surrounded by a canopy of gum trees, the tent is elevated above the ground, which gives it more of a hotel suite feel. Its lofty position ensures its open canvas windows provide a constant breeze, which brings to mind a scene from Game of Thrones, albeit without the threat of imminent attack, and of course, with free WI-FI!
Address: 571 Woollamia Road, Woollamia, NSW, 2540
Phone: 02 4441 6066
Website: https://paperbarkcamp.com.au/
Roar and Snore
If you love wildlife, then you should check out the fantastic Roar and Snore experience offered by Taronga Zoo.
This fantastic overnight experience takes place after the gates have closed on daytime visitors and continues until they open again the following morning at 9.30 am.
The experience is a major source of revenue for the not-for-profit wildlife organisation, but at around $320 per adult (at the time of writing) for a Saturday stay, its pricing might put some people off.
That said, it does provide a unique opportunity to sleep at the zoo. During the experience, you’ll also get to meet various animals at sunset and watch as tigers, lions, a sun bear and snow leopards are fed late-night snacks.
Additionally, you’ll also get to enjoy a fabulous meal at the zoo’s restaurant.
Address: Taronga Zoo, Bradleys Head Road, Mosman, Sydney, NSW, 2088
Phone: 02 9969 2777
Website: https://taronga.org.au/
Tanja Lagoon Camp
If you are a bona fide city slicker at heart, there is no better place to go for your first glamping experience than at Tanja Lagoon Camp.
Located a six-hour drive from Sydney and about 3.5 hours from Canberra, this venue features four huge safari tents, each of which is built on permanent timber platforms that ring the lagoon in a deliberate way to guarantee you enjoy absolute privacy.
As they all have a full bathtub next to the window, you can spend lazy afternoons or night soaking in them with terrific views, especially of the stars at night.
Address: 142 Haigh’s Road, Tanja, NSW, 2550
Phone: 0477 614275
Website: https://tanjalagooncamp.com.au/
Glenayr Farm
Situated just a half an hour drive from Mudgee, the wonderful Glenayr Farm feels far enough away from the town to be remote, but close enough to enjoy the region’s celebrated cellar doors.
It resides on a 320 acre working farm which features lush fields covered in beautiful wildflowers and an idyllic dam.
Accommodations here are very much on the luxury side of camping, you’ll be able to enjoy relaxed mornings under the sun and casual nights by a roaring fire under the stars, in your own bubble of happiness.
Address: 1257 Windeyer Road, Windeyer, NSW, 2850
Phone: 0411 107 198
Website: https://www.glenayrfarm.com.au/
Jackson Ranch by Bannisters
Whilst Jackson Ranch by Bannisters is primarily a luxurious wedding venue, it is also a retreat space that you can book for a romantic getaway or girls’ weekend.
Spanning 37 acres, the property features a selection of timber-clad cabins, cottages and a little advertised glamping suite – hidden deep in the forest – that you can only book on the phone.
The great thing about staying here is that it has a lovely palm-fringed swimming pool onsite which you can enjoy relaxing swims in. However, if you’d prefer to head to take a dip in the ocean, the beautiful Bawley Point beach is just a five-minute drive away.
There are also plenty of fabulous cafes and restaurants in the surrounding area too.
Address: 101 Willinga Road, Bawley Point, NSW, 2539
Phone: (02) 4454 7400
Website: https://thejacksonranch.com.au/
The Cove
For many years, The Cove in Jervis Bay was a well-kept secret. However, the word is well and truly out now.
Nestled within the spectacular boundaries of Boderee National Park, this venue offers a fabulous selection of canvas, waterproof tents with king size beds and daybeds that can also be used as extra beds for families and friends. They also are furnished with two deck chairs, an outdoor table and even an outdoor bath.
Guests can wake up to the sound of the ocean and the site of kangaroos lazing around the campsite. They can also enjoy barbecues and pizzas directly overlooking the beach thanks to the onsite bbq and pizza oven they can use.
Address: Booderee National Park, Ellmoos Road, Jervis Bay NSW 2540
Phone: 02 4441 2018
Website: https://www.thecovejervisbay.com.au/
Faraway Domes
Located on a private 3600-hectare property in the suburb of Warialda, Faraway Domes is a unique and exclusive getaway within a bushland of leafy trees.
While it resides more than 400 km away from Brisbane and around 600 km from Brisbane, it is well worth the trek for those who want to explore the harder-to-reach regions of Australia.
The glamping site feature high-tech geodesic dome structures that are designed to withstand the toughest elements of the Australian outback, while still offering visitors a range of luxury amenities.
They provide a comfortable and secure base in which to enjoy panoramic views of the stunning surroundings and unwind in your own private sanctuary away from the chaos of the big cities.
Address: 596 Munsies Road, Warialda NSW 2408
Phone: 0421 935 843
Website: https://www.farawaydomes.com/
Tandara Glamping Tent
If you live in Sydney, you don’t have to venture too far for a spot of luxury glamping as it can be enjoyed at the Lane Cove Holiday Park, just half an hour from the CBD.
As there is only one glamping tent on site, booking is definitely recommended. If you do manage to secure a slot here, you will be able to enjoy a range of top-notch facilities and amenities in an Australian bush setting that is about as far away from downtown Sydney as you could possibly imagine.
Address: Discovery Parks – Lane Cove, 13 Plassey Road, Macquarie Park NSW 2113
Phone: 1300 072 757
Website: https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/camping-and-accommodation/accommodation/lane-cove-glamping
Zoofari Lodge
Another terrific drawcard Taronga Zoo offers is an incredible glamping experience at Dubbo’s Zoofari Lodge.
Here, you can wake up to an African safari right at your doorstep and have breakfast with giraffes, rhinos, and zebras all just an arm’s length away.
You can also choose between two styles of lodges – bushland or animal view – depending on whether you want to take in the native bushland or experience the real safari-style of the zoo.
During this overnight experience, you can also enjoy zoo entry, exclusive tours, bike hire and delicious cuisine.
Address: Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Obley Road, Dubbo NSW 2830
Phone: 02 6881 1488
Website: https://taronga.org.au/dubbo-zoo/accommodation/zoofari-lodge