‘Glamping’, or ‘glamorous camping’, is a luxury travel trend sweeping the world.
Glamping destinations offer a way to experience remote and wildly beautiful locations and get close to nature without sacrificing any creature comforts or going to the effort of pitching a tent and lighting a fire. At a luxury glamping destination, you can enjoy all the creature comforts of staying at a luxury hotel with the adventure and serenity of being immersed in nature.
Many places around Australia offer some amazing glamping stays such as Cockatoo Island in Sydney Harbour and at Taronga Park Zoo.
However, if you want to stay at the premier glamping locations, here are our top four picks:
Paperbark Camp was one of the first glamping destinations in Australia.Complete with luxury African-safari style tentsand private outdoor ensuites, this stunning accommodation set in a peaceful bushland location also features fine dining with an emphasis on local produce.
Here you can watch whales migrate along the coast, watch dolphins at play and walk and swim at exquisite and secluded white sand beaches lapped by clear waters. Stay at Paperbark Camp from $395AUD per night twin share. Paperbark Camp is closed during the winter months.
Silky Oaks Lodge, North Queensland
Spectacularly situated on the Mossman Gorge River, Silky Oakseco luxury lodge is the ideal location to appreciate an exotic tropical environment from your own luxury tree house. The open sided Treehouse restaurant perches high above the surrounding rainforest and river and offers an award-winning dining experience with innovative seasonal menus.
Relax and unwind at the Healing Waters Spa, explore the adjacent World Heritage Listed Daintree National Park, enjoy a guided rainforest walk and connect with thebreathtaking beauty of the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest reef system. Rates are from $398AUD per night for a Studio Treehouse.
Spicers Canopy, Maryvale, Qld
Escape city life and enjoy luxury beneath the stars in an intimately unique camping experience at Spicers Canopy, in the heart of the spectacular Scenic Rim region just two hours' drive south west of Brisbane.
Spicers Canopy offers just 10 luxury tents to ensure your stay is personal and private. The tents are fully furnished, offering a king bed (or twin beds), luxury bed linen, lamps, armchairs, bedside tables, polished floorboards, and a covered deck with deckchairs. A rich eco-tourism experience and up close and personal encounters with Australia’s unique flora and fauna are very much part of the Spicers Canopy experience, as the fabulously well-appointed permanent campsite lies close to the rich 8,000 acres of one of Australia’s most unique private nature refuges.
For a truly special glamping experience, try the three-day Scenic Rim Trail package, including guided daily walks, all meals and beverages, for $1899AUD per person.
Longitude 131, Northern Territory
Longitude 131 offers a total immersion in the spectacular Australian outback, a true sense of stillness and beauty in a timeless desert landscape, rich in cultural heritage and history. Luxury tented pavilions float over rust-red dunes and are complete with classic touches from bygone eras melding with indigenous textures to create a sanctuary of elegance and comfort.
A private glass wall in each luxury tent offers views of iconic Uluru. Explore Uluru and Kata Tjuta, spend time learning the ancient stories of the traditional owners or exploring the flora and fauna with expert guides, enjoy an outback sundowner at the convivial open and savour exceptional cuisine celebrating a fusion of modern and local flavours. At night, dine under a glittering canopy of stars at Table 131°. Rates are from $1100AUD per person per night.
KEA Campervan
While all of these stays offer a unique style of camping, if you are on the road, you can glampin a luxury campervan from KEA. Your KEA campervan comes fully equipped with everything you need on the road, including quality bedlinen, towels, cooking equipment, cutlery and crockery, right down to a corkscrew, matches and a coffee plunger. Personal service is available at KEA depots around Australia, with some depots also offering business centres and shower facilities.
KEA campervans are Australia’smost fuel-efficient and environmentally-friendly and KEA is Australia’s first campervan hire company to receive the Leave no Trace rating for environmental responsibility.
