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The most indulgent Mudgee glamping spots

For those who love the great outdoors, just from a reasonable distance and with a little luxury, these stunning Mudgee glampsites are the best of both worlds.

Immersion in nature needn’t require being rough-and-ready. If you love the idea of syncing with the landscape, but prefer to do so from a position of comfort, these incredible glamping spots nestled in the most jaw-dropping locations around the Mudgee region will have you clicking ‘book’ in seconds.

From the ultra-luxe to the laidback, and most with some kind of outdoor bathing set-up, these glampsites unzip the canvas to reveal a refined way to camp.

Evamor Valley

Evamor Valley eco tents
Relax into nature, with all your creature comforts.

Elevate the idea of camping at Evamor Valley, where six luxury eco tents ensure immersion in nature from a comfortable and slightly pampered distance. Each adults-only tent is positioned to take in a different vantage of bushland beauty, from a misty sunrise to treescapes around the property’s dam.

Settle on the deck to soak up the scents and sounds of nature or retreat within to relish the plush, king-size bed. A generously proportioned ensuite and heating make it extra comfortable. Mudgee is only minutes away, but there’s plenty to occupy you on the 34-hectare farm, such as enjoying strolls by the river or dam and slipping into your outdoor hot tub.

Address: 109 Tinja Lane, Mudgee

Blue Wren Farm

Blue Wren Farm Glamping tent
Sleep amongst vineyards and cherry orchards.

Set amongst vineyards and cherry orchards, Blue Wren Farm offers five glamping tents with uninterrupted rural sunset views, just minutes from the centre of Mudgee.

Each tent is equipped with a private bathroom stocked with premium Salus products, a bar fridge, kettle, Nespresso machine and a selection of T2 teas and split system air conditioning. On the bedding side, expect a comfy queen bed made with premium linens and electric blankets for winter.

Of course, if you need a little extra space or luxe, you can always opt for Blue Wren Farm’s on-site self-contained farmhouse, for up to ten guests.

Hideaway Domes

Hideaway Domes Mudgee under the starry night sky
Sleep beneath the stars. (Image: Destination NSW)

A minimal footprint stay in a striking geodesic, solar-powered dome, this little ball of luxury is positioned for pondering the sky. If you’re after a couples retreat away from the intrusion of the daily hustle and bustle, this bush-set beauty places the endless and ever-changing horizon within reach.

There’s no wifi or television, but who needs it when you have the pantomime of celestial beings above you and panoramic views wrapping around you. You will, however, find hot water in your private ensuite, as well as a queen-size bed, kitchenette, indoor fireplace and outdoor fire-pit. Set on a 1000-acre property, ‘Belbourie’, you’ll feel away entirely from it all, but you’ll only be 15 minutes from Mudgee.

Address: Details are emailed upon booking.

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Glenayr Farm Mudgee

tents of glenayr farm mudgee on a misty morning
Simplicity is beauty here. (Image: Glenayr Farm)

Set on an idyllic working sheep and cattle farm 25 minutes from Mudgee, a stay in one of the four bell tents at Glenayr Farm bridges the gap between camping and cabin. While the tents may not have all the amenities other glampsites do, they’re stylishly comfortable with queen beds and lovely linens, an outdoor table and hot water bottle, as well as other small luxuries.

You’re welcome to book one or all of the tents and share the communal area, which includes hot showers and change rooms, a modern kitchen, a lounge and games room, and a hot tub (for an additional $100). If your group spills out of the four tents, you can also book the bunkhouse, which sleeps up to 16 people.

Address: 1257 Windeyer Road, Windeyer

Piambong Tops

Piambong Tops glamping mudgee
Get off-grid in country style.

An architecturally designed cabin tucked into a hillside at the top of a ridge in the middle of a picturesque rural property, yet only 20 minutes from town? Book us in. Taking design inspiration from original Australian shearer’s quarters, Piambong Tops offers rugged luxury. Add high-end finishes and designer touches to its rustic look. Then top it off with a full bathroom, kitchenette, queen bedroom and living room (which can be converted to a second bedroom).

Spend your days relaxing with a good book and maybe some morning yoga, or lace up your boots and explore the creek and rock formations around you.

Wildnest Farmstay

tent at Wildnest Farmstay mudgee region
Soak in views over the widest canyon in the world.

Folded into the achingly beautiful Capertee Valley –  which happens to be the widest canyon in the world – the glamping experience at Wildnest Farmstay enables guests to hastily abandon any tethers to daily life. It’s easy to do amid the astonishingly vast and sweeping landscape, as well as the country chic stylings of the tents that gaze beyond to the dramatic escarpment of Pantones Crown.

Complete with a king-size bed, a slow-combustion fireplace, a bathroom, a kitchen and an outdoor bathtub on the deck, it’s a diversion into nature, gilt with a touch of bush luxury.

Address: 1800 Glen Davis Road, Capertree

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Sierra Escape

Sierra Escape Elouera Tiny House mudgee
Sierra Escape has added a unique tiny house to its glamping options. (Image: Sierra Escape)

Balancing raw bush beauty with luxury, Sierra Escape invites guests to meditate on the magnanimity of nature while relishing creature comforts. Perched on a 113-hectare property, there’s ample room to roam the undulating paddocks.

Choose from one of five well-appointed safari tents, or the newer tiny home option (all fit two people). In each tent, you’ll find an indoor and an outdoor bath, a fireplace and fire pit, a king-size bed and a kitchenette. The tiny home, dubbed Elouera, is crafted from a shipping container to create something truly special. It adds all the same luxuries of the tents, plus magnificent floor-to-ceiling windows to soak up the view and a designer kitchen.

If you’d like to swing from nature to nurture, you can book an in-tent massage or, for more hedonistic pursuits, spend the day wine-tasting in the Mudgee region before returning to your deck to relish your favourite new bottle.

Address: 1345 Lower Piambong Road, Piambong

Bubbletent Australia

woman in outdoor bathtub at Bubbletent Australia Capertee Valley
RElax in your outdoor wood-fired bathtub. (Image: Destination NSW)

The double-XL beauty of the New South Wales landscape is ripe for ogling at the five domes of Bubbletent Australia. Each tent is lofty enough to feel as though you could almost touch the night sky. Bring the heavens into sharper focus with the telescope provided or, during the day, watch the wildlife of the Capertree Valley using the in-tent binoculars.

You can star-gaze from the warmth of your cosy bed with the translucent tent offering 24-hour screenings of the sky. Each bubble is complete with an outdoor wood-fired bathtub and hot shower, a firepit and, happily, an inside toilet, but you’ll need to bring all your food and drink for your stay, including water.

While located in the Mudgee region, you’ll find these tents on a property named Bubbleland, which sits halfway between Mudgee and the picturesque town of Lithgow.

Address: Details are emailed upon booking.

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Lara Picone
Working for many of Australia’s top publications, Lara Picone has had the distinct pleasure of writing, editing and curating content about the finer things in life for more than 15 years. Graduating from Macquarie University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, her editorial foundation began at Qantas: The Australian Way magazine, before moving on to learn the fast-paced ropes of a weekly magazine at Sunday Magazine and picking up the art of brand curation at donna hay magazine. Pivoting a near-problematic travel lust into a career move by combining it with storytelling and a curious appetite, her next role was as Deputy Editor of SBS Feast magazine and later Online Editor of SBS Food online. She then stepped into her dream job as Editor of Australian Traveller before becoming Online Editor for both International Traveller and Australian Traveller. Now as a freelancer, Lara always has her passport at-the-ready to take flight on assignment for the Australian Traveller team, as well as for publications such as Qantas Magazine, Escape and The Weekend Australian. As ever, her appetite is the first thing she packs.
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7 Lake Macquarie secrets the locals don’t want you to know

Credit: Beau Pilgrim

An untapped side to this popular holiday spot is hiding in plain sight.

Laidback Lake Macquarie draws in holidaygoers and day trippers with its casual coastal allure and raw beauty. But even though it’s just 90 minutes from Sydney, most visitors have only scratched the surface of what this region has to offer.

Foodie hotspots, quaint towns, tranquil waterways and compelling art are all waiting to be discovered. You just need to know where to find them.

1. Most visitors don’t make it to the western side

Explore beyond the western side. (Credit: Beau Pilgrim)

While there’s no harm in walking the well-worn path in this idyllic pocket of the world, the area west of Lake Macquarie is defined by stretches of ancient rainforests and quaint towns with a more local feel. Toronto is the largest town on this side and features a golf course and sailing clubs, while peninsula-based Wangi Wangi is fantastic for bushwalking and swimming.

2. There’s a booming arts scene

Museum of Art and Culture, YAPANG
Discover the Museum of Art and Culture, YAPANG.

Lake Macquarie is a must-visit destination for creatives. Discover the Museum of Art and Culture, YAPANG; this modern gallery is set on a five-hectare sculpture park and showcases a free rotating program of exhibitions and events, with a strong focus on contemporary Aboriginal art. In Wangi Wangi, explore the Wangi Owl Trail, which includes Dobell House, the preserved home of prolific artist Sir William Dobell. And enjoy live music every Saturday evening at the recently renovated Toronto Hotel.

3. It’s a nature lover’s paradise

three people swimming in lake macquarie
In and out of the water, find a natural paradise. (Credit: Beau Pilgrim)

Lake Macquarie is a playground for nature lovers. It’s home to Australia’s largest saltwater lake, a 110-square-kilometre haven for swimming, fishing, boating and sunset views. Another oasis is the Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area, a 761-hectare protected reserve with wildflowers, Second World War heritage sites and spectacular views to Pulbah Island. The upgraded Toronto baths, complete with jetty decking and netting, make for a sheltered spot for a refreshing dip, while the Awaba Mountain Bike Park gives adrenaline junkies their fix.

4. The dining scene is unbeatable

8 at Trinity lake macquarie
Treat yourself to 8 at Trinity.

Gourmands are well looked after in Lake Macquarie. At Emerson’s on the Lake in Toronto, the modern Australian fine dining menu spoils seafood lovers with the freshest ocean produce and stunning lake views. Sitting on Trinity Point’s waterfront, 8 at Trinity is another standout offering, serving Mediterranean fare in an open-air setting. For a more relaxed affair, the microbrewery trail lets craft beer enthusiasts sip on inventive brews from The Yard, Lake Mac Brewing and Bread & Brewery.

5. There are hidden coves and waterways

kayakers on lake macquarie local secrets
Get out onto the lake. (Credit: Beau Pilgrim)

There’s no better way to experience Lake Macquarie than directly on its waters, and in doing so you’ll discover a world of hidden coves and secluded waterways. Jump in a kayak for a tour with the friendly team at School of Yak and paddle to Cockle Creek, Awaba Bay, Green Point and Fennel Bay, discovering underwater life along the way. Or go all in and stay the night on one of Lake Macquarie Houseboats’ spacious vessels or hire a BBQ pontoon boat for the day from Lake Macquarie Boat Hire to enjoy a feast in the sunshine while admiring the marine life and picturesque waterscape.

6. It’s a birdwatcher’s paradise

ll blue wren sitting on a tree branch
Keep an eye out for local birdlife. (Credit: Walter Coppola)

Twitchers are in for a real treat as hundreds of fascinating bird species such as Australian pelicans, black swans, white-bellied sea-eagles and superb fairy-wrens call this area home. Take a self-guided tour around top spots including Bird Cage Point and Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area (near Morisset) or be guided in a clear-bottom kayak through the waterways with Lake Macquarie Kayak Adventures, observing feathered friends as you go.

7. The lake has islands

sail lake macquarie
Charter a boat to see Lake Macquarie’s islands.

Hop on a private boat, kayak or charter around the lake to discover the plethora of small islands peppered around Lake Macquarie. The largest is Pulbah Island, a 69-hectare nature reserve home to goannas and sugar gliders with secluded beaches. Sandy islands such as Spectacle Island and Pelican Island have a tropical lagoon-like look to them as they sit in the tidal path of Swansea Channel, which filters the sand and creates a pristine environment. Stop by for a dip and a picnic.

Start living like the locals at visitlakemac.com.au.