Best Places to Experience Glamping in Australia

The idea of waking up in the wilderness, taking in the beautiful scenery of the outdoors before your morning coffee sounds just dreamy doesn’t it. Unfortunately a lot of the time, the reality of camping doesn’t quite live up to that rose-tinted image. That’s where glamping comes in.

Yes, we mean glamorous camping which includes real beds, mosquito nets and a proper private shower and toilet! Where better to give it a go than the sun-soaked and stunning landscapes of Australia? Here are some of our top picks of varying levels of luxury and price.

Paperbark Camp Jervis Bay

This exclusive camp is extreme luxury with a price tag to match, but if your budget can handle it we can’t recommend it enough. A three hour drive from Sydney, the camp is set in the midst of a National park so you’ll experience all the wildlife of the great Australian outdoors with the most incredible beaches on your door step.

Your accommodation comes in the form of elevated tents; yes, adult treehouses! If that isn’t enough to get you booking straight away, they all have ensuites and all the amenities you need. Some are even more luxurious with big bath tubs and an outdoor lounge area. Wow. Add the fact that the camp is all about sustainability so you can rest easy knowing you’re doing the right thing for the environment too.

Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia

An hour south of Exmouth, Sal Salis is your chance to experience this stunning coastline up close and personal in a number of ways. Not only is it the place to come for diving, with the opportunity to see all sorts of aquatic wildlife including the elusive and spectacular whale sharks, you also get to wake up on right on the beach. And we mean so close that the wooden walkway that leads from your tent ends a stone’s throw from the water! Each tent has an ensuite bathroom and the beds are so comfy they even come with a pillow menu!

Outdoor activities including fishing, canoeing, snorkelling and kayaking are all included in the hefty price tag, as are all meal in the in-house restaurant.

El Questro Homestead

A much more affordable option but still a great step up from traditional camping, this is a huge homestead with cattle and a range of differing accommodation types, including the Emma Gorge Safari Tents. Just outside Kununurra which is on the edge of the Kimberly, it’s another opportunity to explore the real Australia.

Silk Pavilions Mount Burell

Silk Pavilions is slightly more expensive than El Questro but a real gem of a place in the heart of the Tweed Valley. Its proximity to the Queensland/ New South Wales border means you can reach it from Byron Bay or Gold Coast easily. Accommodation is in Eco Pavilions; little wooden huts with large beds, private bathrooms and great views overlooking the bush. With massage services, childcare facilities and a beauty centre, this Asian themed resort is great for total relaxation.