Are these Australia’s ultimate glamp-sites?

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Love the outdoors, don’t care for camping but still need your luxury? Amp your next adventure with these Australian glamping holiday sites…

A deluxe view of Uluru: Longitude 131

Antique trinkets, earthly furnishings in 15 tented pavilions that raise the concept of ‘camping’ to another universe. The best bits about Longitude 131 ? – the view of Uluru, guided walks and a champagne-lined experience.

Plunge pool. Longitude 131, Uluru, Northern Territory
Longitude 131, Uluru. Photo courtesy of Tourism NT.

Urban zoo camping: Taronga’s Roar & Snore

Sydney’s Taronga Park Zoo after dark: an intense in-tents experience. Roar & Snore’s luxury tents offer front-row harbour views and a lullaby of exotic animal noises to fall asleep to.

Experience 'Roar and Snore' at Taronga Zoo, Sydney.
Experience ‘Roar and Snore’ at Taronga Zoo, Sydney.

Outback glamping under the stars: Wilpena Pound

Deep within the Flinders Ranges most spectacular land formation this glampsite is closer to a hotel than a tent city with awe inspiring views from its timber decks. Wilpena Pound Resort is a grand place to base yourself for exploring all the outdoorsy options of this accessible-outback hub. All without banging a tent peg in anger.

Ikara Safari Tent Interior.

Stylish sea views: Sal Salis

The place to base yourself for everything that Ningaloo and Shark Bay have to offer including, of course, those majestic whale sharks. Set on the dunes of remote Cape Range National Park, Sal Salis eco bush camp limits its intake to just 18 guests at any one time, with en-suite luxury and plenty of opportunity for exploring during the day.

Wetlands luxury: Wildman Luxury Lodge

Halfway between Darwin and Kakadu National Park, Wildman Wilderness Lodge is a great base to explore NT’s tropical wetlands. King-size beds, plump pillows, ceiling fans, en suites and its own infinity pool – you get the picture. Watch out for the resident croc, the five-metre ‘Big Arse’.

Under Sky at the Mountain, Vic

Under Sky is offering luxury camping within Mount Buffalo National Park. the site consists of 10 canvas bell tents and operates until 17 December. In addition to queen-size beds, plush interiors and daily housekeeping, the tents also come with gas cookers, pots and cutlery. There are bathrooms on site, and a communal area for guests to gather.

Bubble Tents, NSW

Located in the Capertee Valley in the NSW Central Tablelands (referred to by some as Australia’s Grand Canyon – it’s the widest canyon in the world), Bubble Tents’ glamping experience involves sleeping under the stars in one of three see-through igloos – Virgo, Cancer and Leo – with en suite toilet (thankfully not see-through), telescope and a generous deck area with fire pit.

Glamping With Nature, Vic

Until 13 December, Glamping With Nature’s glampsite at Devil Cove in the Lake Eildon National Park, just two hours from Melbourne, offers couples’ and family tents complete with comfortable beds, all linens, towels and toiletries, a goodies basket of local produce and cooking utensils; there are shared bathrooms, barbecues and fire pits on site.

Into the Woods, VIC

The glamping concept from Into the Woods involves picking the luxury tent that suits (all are decorated in a cosy Scandi style) then choosing between campsites at Yackandandah Holiday Park and Discovery Parks Lake Hume, both in the Albury-Wodonga region. Or for something different, Into the Woods will bring glamping to you, setting up camp on your property.

Sanctuary at Sirromet, Qld

Located just 30 minutes from Brisbane at Mount Cotton, Sanctuary at Sirromet is a glampsite of 18 tents set up among the vines of this family-owned winery. In addition to luxe appointments – king-size bed, en suite, air-conditioning, locally sourced breakfast hamper – there’s TV-free solitude, stunning landscapes, lots of wildlife and a well-stocked cellar door just five minutes’ walk away.

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Discover the Yarra Valley town made for slow weekends

Once a service town for gold miners, Healesville has evolved into a destination brimming with character.

If you trace your finger to the heart of the Yarra Valley on a map, you’ll land on Healesville – a charming little town framed by towering gums and rolling hills. Its main street is lined with cosy cafes, a bookshop, silversmiths, boutiques and a providore stacked with artisan breads and cured meats. In other words, all the essentials for a leisurely weekend. Just beyond the shops, parklands invite picnics, bush trails suggest a wander, along with an old tourist railway, distilleries and award-winning vineyards. Originally a service centre for the goldfields, the railway soon brought visitors seeking fresh mountain air. Today, it’s the kind of place that rewards a slow stroll.

Staying in Healesville

the lounge in one of the cosy villas at Healesvillas
Inside one of the cosy villas.

If sweeping mountain views are part of your accommodation prerequisite, Healesvillas are two architecturally designed villas sleeping six guests, complete with landscaped al fresco areas and a fire pit. Wander into town to visit Cheesemonger Sophie to help craft the perfect platter, and Barrique Wine Store for a local red, before returning to soak up the views.

Dining out in Healesville

small plates at No. 7 Healesville
No.7 offers small plates and tasting menus centred on seasonal produce. (Image: Ben Frazer)

For breakfast, head to My Little Kitchen Cafe , a cheerful spot on the main street known for its strong coffee and warm hospitality. Herd is a low-lit spot with serious style, serving up modern comfort food, or to sit beside wine barrels and underneath chandeliers head to No. 7 Healesville , a wine bar and restaurant in a converted warehouse.

Drinking in Healesville

a cocktail at Four Pillars Gin Distillery
Enjoy a cocktail at renowned Four Pillars Gin Distillery. (Image: LVDI)

Take a tour or sip your way through a tasting paddle at one of Australia’s most famous gin distilleries, Four Pillars Gin . If visiting a boutique winery is on the list, Boat O’Craigo wines has sweeping views over the vineyards to the hills beyond. The newest addition to the local drinking scene, Zoncello Yarra Valley serves a must-try Limoncello Spritz.

the Boat O’Craigo winery
Boutique winery Boat O’Craigo. (Image: Rob Blackburn)

Healesville highlights

If you’re after a one-of-a-kind piece of jewellery, Silvermist Studio designs beautifully unique pieces. Lifestyle store Morris et al is filled with women’s fashion and homewares, and because everyone deserves a good book, Verso Books is a cosy independent bookshop with carefully chosen titles.

Head to Healesville Sanctuary to get up close to some of Australia’s wildlife. If the weather is on your side, pack a picnic and head to Maroondah Reservoir Park to climb the steep dam wall, where kids and adults alike can’t resist testing out the booming echo. And if you feel like stepping back in time, board a vintage train at the Yarra Valley Railway .

the Puffing Billy Railway
Step back in time at the Puffing Billy Railway. (Image: Visit Victoria)