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.

How to spend a tasty long weekend in Geelong and the Bellarine

    Lucy CousinsBy Lucy Cousins
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    From rust-coloured foliage and foodie experiences to stunning sunsets, this part of Victoria is best explored as the mild days of winter arrive.

    As the heat of the summer sun subsides and the milder days roll in, the stunning landscapes of Geelong and the Bellarine add pops of colour. The slight chill in the air will stir your taste buds and invite you to explore the peninsula’s foodie hotspots, while the vivid sunsets and cooler evenings will draw you to cosy fireside chats and evening adventures to watch the stars appear one at a time.

    Just over an hour from busy Flinders Street, or a short 25-minute drive from Avalon Airport, Geelong is Melbourne’s cooler, more laid-back cousin with a sparkling marina, stunning surf beaches, impressive museums and a lively foodie scene.

    federal mill geelong in autumn
    Winter is the perfect time to see local sights.

    It’s also the perfect starting point from which to explore the Bellarine Peninsula. Packed full of jaw-dropping scenery, inviting townships and over 40 cellar doors serving up local cool-weather wines, winter here is distinctly beautiful with its change of colours, temperatures and produce.

    Whether you drive or catch the short but incredibly scenic ferry from the Mornington Peninsula, it’s no surprise this region offers up one of Australia’s best long weekend destinations. Here’s how to soak it all up.

    Day 1: Explore Geelong with the locals

    Morning

    Start the day by grabbing breakfast and strong coffee from Pavilion Geelong (try the braised mushrooms on toast) while watching the gentle waves lapping the edge of Corio Bay. After brekkie, join the locals walking along the scenic Art Deco waterfront to explore the historic piers, beautiful beaches and gleaming white yachts in the marina.

    Pavilion Geelong in winter
    Start the day at Pavilion Geelong.

    Afternoon

    After a morning in the sun, venture to the recently refurbished Federal Mill precinct , a grand old woollen mill built in 1915. Explore the industrial history of this area, as well as the gourmet produce on offer, before pulling up a table at the popular Paddock Bakery . Famous for their wood-fired sourdough and tasty pastries, this cafe serves up tasty dishes like their Crème Brûlée doughnuts. Chase your lunch down with an afternoon of gin tasting at Anther Distillery .

    Paddock Bakery Crème Brûlée doughnut
    Try the Paddock Bakery Crème Brûlée doughnuts.

    Night

    For an evening of frivolity and decadence, head back to Geelong for dinner and a show at the newly reopened Geelong Arts Centre . Later, enjoy a mini Negroni with a scoop of Black Pearl Oscietra Gold caviar at the sleek Non Disclosure Bar .

    Day 2: A foodie-centric day in Moorabool Valley

    Morning

    Wake up with the soft winter sun and cooler temperatures, then travel to the lush farmlands and stunning landscapes of Moorabool Valley, the home of Meredith Farm Store . Choose a seat outside in the leafy courtyard and enjoy a tasting platter of fresh produce among the flowers.

    Afternoon

    To explore the area, visit the cellar door at the Moorabool Valley Wine Collective , which encompasses three award-winning winemakers, before stopping by Austin’s Wines for lunch. Not only can you taste over 10 local wines at the dedicated tastings bar, but you can also curate your own cheese platter to eat outside on their shaded deck.

    two people trying the wine at Austin's wines
    Stop by Austin’s Wines for lunch.

    Night

    Continue on your foodie quest with dinner in Newtown at the Asian fusion Two Noble restaurant, or, inside the same venue at Sawyers Arms Tavern, dive into the European flavours of Eileen’s Charcoal Grill on your way back to Geelong.

    table spread at two noble restaurant
    The chef’s hatted Two Noble restaurant is waiting.

    Day 3: Adventures in The Bellarine

    Morning

    For a light breakfast, head 20 minutes out of town to the rustic Ket Baker , an artisan bakery known for their 100% sourdough croissants. Grab a hot cuppa under the gum trees and enjoy the morning chill in the air. Then spend the morning on the foodie-focused Bellarine Taste Trail , visiting local producers like  Bellarine Smokehouse Flying Brick Cider House  and FarmDog Brewing .

    croissants at ket baker
    Enjoy a light breakfast at Ket Baker.

    Lunch

    There’s no better way to enjoy lunch than to make it from scratch. With Harvest Experience’s Pasta & Pinot cooking class, you’ll have a genuine farm-to-plate experience as you learn to make fettuccini and filled ravioli from scratch. Once cooked, sit down, relax and enjoy your hard work with a glass of Bellarine Peninsula pinot noir.

    Afternoon and night

    Burn off your lunch with an afternoon trip to the bayside town of Portarlington , where Australian blue mussels are harvested offshore. Stop by the quirky Ducks Nuts and peruse the trinkets and treasures before making your way to the restored Portarlington Grand Hotel . Built in 1888, this beautiful building now houses four distinct dining experiences, including the new open-air spaces of The Atrium and Lawn, where you can enjoy a local gin as the sun sets over the bay.

    waiter holding mussels at Portarlington Grand Hotel
    Be sure to try Portarlington mussels.

    Start planning your ultimate Geelong & The Bellarine adventure at visitgeelongbellarine.com.au.