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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

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.

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

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.

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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The ultimate new summer guide for the Sutherland Shire

Sunshine, sea breezes and sand-speckled locals: the Sutherland Shire is perfect for an idyllic Sydney summer.

The Sutherland Shire is one of Sydney’s most dynamic regions. Home to an eclectic mix of top-notch eateries and drinking holes, a flourishing arts scene, and striking land and seascapes, it’s a haven for foodies, culture seekers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

It’s also an ever-evolving destination with a constant wave of new places to eat and drink, and under-the-radar pockets to explore – many of which are dog-friendly.

If you’re venturing to this gorgeous part of the world this summer, here’s your guide to what’s new and worth discovering.

Savour the summer dining scene

Fred’s After Hours on the sutherland shire
Pop into Fred’s After Hours.

The Shire’s buzzing dining scene is one of its biggest drawcards, and many of the region’s culinary highlights can be found in the sun-soaked beachside hub of Cronulla. A bunch of newcomers have recently set up shop, making the area ripe for culinary adventure.

Homer Rogue Taverna is exactly as its name suggests: a cheeky take on classic Greek food. Expect meze and mains bursting with bold flavours and a wine list packed with standout Greek drops.

Freds Providore – a Cronulla favourite for casual cafe fare and excellent coffee – is now open late from Thursday to Sunday. Come sundown, it morphs into Fred’s After Hours, serving a refined European-inspired menu, wines, cocktails and a laid-back yet polished vibe.

Bobbys is a slick destination right on Cronulla Beach, where you can grab a plate of freshly-caught seafood and a summery cocktail while cooling off in the sea breeze.

And if you’re after a bit of everything, the sprawling and multifaceted Parc Pavilion is a melting pot of dining experiences. It blends a cafe, bistro, bar, Italian restaurant and a host of regular events, all tied together in a cool coastal setting.

Got a Saturday morning to spare? The Shire Farmers Market in Sutherland is a must-do ritual, letting you (and your four-legged friend) browse fresh produce, flowers and gourmet treats against a backdrop of live music and local chatter.

Dive into ocean pools

ocean pool on the sutherland shire
The ocean pools beckon.

Given its prime coastal positioning, the Shire teems with crystal-clear ocean pools and enclosed bathing spots. Silver Beach Tidal Baths offers a netted
swimming experience in Botany Bay. Tucked beside a small sandy beach, the tidal baths at Gunnamatta Park are calm and shallow – making them an ideal setting for less confident swimmers.

Just a hop and a skip away is Shelly Park Ocean Pool, a magical rock pool carved in the ocean. It’s well-suited to young kids and offers sweeping views towards the open sea.

Experience local arts and culture

Hazelhurst Arts Centre, Hazel Kitchen & Bar has curated the ultimate picnic experience
See the art at Hazelhurst Arts Centre, then enjoy a picnic with or without your pooch.

Hazelhurst Arts Centre in Gymea is elegantly positioned within a lush garden landscape, serving as the Sutherland Shire’s premier destination for arts and culture. This summer, experience the Art on Paper Award 2025 – a celebration of innovation and creativity through the versatile medium of paper.

Set within the leafy surrounds of Hazelhurst Arts Centre, Hazel Kitchen & Bar has curated the ultimate picnic experience. Think abundant cheese platters, artisan charcuterie boards, fresh OJ and a thoughtfully chosen wine list, all available to take away and enjoy in the art-filled gardens just beyond the restaurant. Best of all, four-legged friends are welcome to join the fun.

Next, venture south to the artsy village of Bundeena for the monthly Bundeena and Maianbar Art Trail . This self-guided journey through local artists’ studios offers a glimpse into their work and creative spaces.

Relish the dog-friendly atmosphere

a dog on Greenhills Dog Beach sutherland shire
Let the dog off-leash at Greenhills Dog Beach.

The Sutherland Shire is a bona fide playground for pups and their humans. Find a string of dog-friendly beaches popular with locals, visitors and pups alike. Silver Beach in Kurnell is a peaceful pocket, allowing dogs off-leash without restriction. While Horderns Beach in Bundeena and Greenhills Beach in Cronulla are equally serene and provide off-leash access (be sure to check times and seasonal restrictions before you go).

If you’re planning to make a weekend of it, book yourself and your pooch into Quest Cronulla . With stylish and spacious pet-friendly accommodation, thoughtful amenities, and a prime location just steps from Cronulla Esplanade and a variety of dog-friendly cafes, it’s the perfect spot to rest after a full day of exploring.

Get into nature

Sunrise at Curracurrong Falls and Eagle Rock in the Royal National Park, Sydney.
Find natural beauty in Royal National Park. (Image: Destination NSW)

You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to outdoor escapes: imagine rugged bushwalks, breezy beachside tracks, meandering cycling trails and lookouts galore. The best part? Many of them are perfectly suited to dogs.

Take your canine to Cronulla Esplanade – the Shire’s version of the famed Bondi to Coogee Walk. This eight-kilometre route takes you past the region’s most picturesque beaches, offering panoramic vistas and an electric energy. It heaves with locals every morning and weekend, getting their steps in with a coffee in one hand and a dog leash in the other.

If you’re travelling without furry friends, stop by the Royal National Park. You’ll be engulfed in ancient bushland, craggy cliffs, towering rock formations, diverse wildlife and twisting tracks. The Jibbon Loop Track is a highlight, with spectacular views over the sea. Alternatively, the Karloo Track forms a loop that winds through untamed bush, freshwater pools and waterfalls. Re-lace your walking shoes or grab a bike to follow The Bundeena Drive to Marley  Walk  past freshwater pools and creeks, on to scenic beach views of Little Marley Beach.

Hit up the beautiful beaches

aerial of cronulla beach and esplanade
Enjoy postcard-perfect beaches. (Image: Destination NSW)

The stretch along Cronulla bursts with postcard-perfect beaches, each offering a different flavour. With rolling waves, regular patrol and a steady stream of beachgoers, Cronulla Beach and North Cronulla Beach are buzzy and built for all kinds of swimmers. Elouera Beach is a quieter option, attracting early-morning surfers hoping to catch the perfect wave.

If you prefer a side of dramatic scenery, visit Wanda or Greenhills – in addition to ocean panoramas, both are backed by towering golden dunes and wild scrub. Looking for something more subdued? Shelly Beach Ocean Pool is a relaxed – yet no less captivating – retreat.

Start planning your Sutherland Shire summer at visitsutherlandshire.com.au.