Top 8 glamping spots in Australia

Are you hesitant about going camping for the first time? Perhaps glamping is more your style.

Australia has some of the best luxury camping experiences anywhere in the world. Think fine dining, exclusive access to sublime locations and higher standards of comfort than the average hotel and you’re on the right track. We’ve selected seven of the most unique options that you and the family can visit this year.

Sal Salis, Western Australia

Sixteen wilderness tents positioned on the shore of Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia’s Cape Range National Park make for a secluded glamping experience that is situated at the top end of the luxury scale. Sal Salis is renowned not only for its wilderness accommodation complete with awe-inspiring sea and land views, comfortable accommodation (including handmade jarrah beds fitted with 500 thread count organic cotton sheets) and an eco-ensuite bathroom, but also its prime location for unique animal encounters. Nestled discreetly among sand dunes, guests can hope to catch glimpses of kangaroos grazing in the morning, in addition to the 500 species of fish and 250 varieties of coral in the reef. It is also famously known as one of the best places on earth to swim with whale sharks which migrate past the reef between April and July and can grow to 12 metres in length.

O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, Queensland

Every child has jungle-clad dreams in which they have a tree house to call their own. Fantasies reveal themselves at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat in Queensland’s Lamington National Park. A touch over a one-hour drive from the Gold Coast, O’Reilly’s offers two- and three-bedroom villas tucked away in the canopy that are entirely self-contained with an ensuite in each bedroom, full kitchen and undercover parking. Natural timber and expansive private decks strike a perfect balance with modern features such as the high-definition LCD TV in either the Rainforest or Valley View Villa, the latter positioned higher on the mountain with views of the McPherson Range. Although it’s tempting to remain in the canopies, those that explore the National Park are rewarded, with over 20,200 hectares of forest home to countless Australian wildlife and 500 waterfalls.

Karijini Eco Retreat, Western Australia

Western Australia is proving to be ‘the’ destination for luxury camping, with the Karijini Eco Retreat pronouncing itself as another of the state’s noteworthy camps. Set in Karijini National Park – an iconic outback landscape that draws thousands of national and international visitors each year – 40 eco-tents with ensuites and 10 dorm-style tents are available to adventurous families. Although your choice of accommodation may be green, the rest of the onsite luxuries are a far cry from the basic facilities of traditional camping. The Alfresco Restaurant serves tasty meals with an Australian flavour, and can even cater for your daytime explorations by preparing packed picnic lunches and snacks.

Kings Creek Retreat, New South Wales

New South Wales also boasts a nostalgic interpretation of the glamping trend, with accommodation reminiscent of childhood days spent making blanket forts in the living room. At Kings Creek Retreat, families can settle into spacious tipis fitted with a solid raised floor and carpet, soft furnishings, comfy beds (linen, pillows and blankets provided), electricity and plenty of insulation to protect campers from the elements. Located in the Great Lakes Hinterland, halfway between Forster and Barrington Tops, this cosy retreat is a farmstay and campsite combined, with a range of old-fashioned favourites to entertain nature-lovers. Inside, an antique pianola, hockey table and board games occupy little ones, while outdoors there’s a swimming pool, lawn and ball games, a creek to explore and even the chance to feed the animals and paint a pony’s portrait.

Gawler Ranges Wilderness Safaris, South Australia

The remarkable outback scenery of South Australia should be on the must-see list for all Australian families. The terrain of the Gawler Ranges on the Eyre Peninsula changes from semi-desert, to eucalypt woodland, to volcanic gorges. Explore it on a two- or three-night tour with Gawler Ranges Wilderness Safaris and choose from two luxurious camping options. The Luxury Safari Tent offers outback glamour, while those with a fondness for the unique may want to opt for the ‘Swagon’ at Kangulana, equipped with a swag bed that enables you to stargaze long into the night. In fact, if the family is fascinated by all things cosmic, the camp is home to an eight-inch computer-controlled telescope, making viewings of Saturn’s rings and the moon’s craters possible. Spring is the recommended time to visit, as wildflowers carpet the landscape.

Bumurra Plains, Northern Territory

The private buffalo station that borders Kakadu National Park, Bamurru Plains, was born from the concept of ‘wild bush luxury’ and its safari bungalows certainly reflect this. Set on stilts that overlook a floodplain, little campers are enchanted when they realise that floor-to-ceiling mesh screens are the only barrier between them and the sights, smells and sounds of the surrounding wilderness. With organic cotton linen, an ensuite bathroom with high-pressure shower and decor that serves to enhance the already enchanting landscape, these luxe tents are the ultimate escape from reality (the lack of internet, television and mobile phone coverage only adds to the tranquillity). Open-top safari vehicles and airboats navigate the wetlands and savannah woodlands teeming with wallaroos, dingoes, birdlife and the elusive crocodile, which, if spotted, makes for an unbeatable classroom tale.

Paperbark Camp, New South Wales

The Paperbark Camp offers guests the opportunity to get lost amongst the eucalypt and paperbark trees before returning to the luxury of their own private safari tent. Each tent features the glamping necessities: raised wooden flooring, quality bed linen, ensuite with hot shower, insect screens and solar powered lighting.

Roar and Snore at Taronga Zoo Sydney, New South Wales

The centre of Sydney might not seem like the easiest place to pitch a tent, but Taronga Zoo Sydney has proved otherwise. Their Roar and Snore experience is designed to help visitors get the very most out of their trip to the zoo, with behind-the-scenes experiences and glamorous safari-style tents to unwind in. Enjoy an exclusive night safari with some of Taronga’s passionate keepers and guides, tuck in to a delicious buffet dinner and breakfast and make the most of the campsite’s incredible harbour views. It’s the perfect family camping trip: a short journey, minimal packing and stunning views.