Wilderluxe: See the Milky Way from bed at new lakeside glampsite

Rethink your campground standards at these luxurious new glamping tents in the breathtaking New England region of New South Wales.

Eight commanding safari-style canvas tents sit high on the hill near the dam wall at Lake Keepit, halfway between Tamworth and Gunnedah on Kamilaroi Country in Central New South Wales, their camel-coloured walls a soft contrast with the peachy orange sunset that explodes behind them. Their guests are currently sitting on the deck of the Gilay Lounge, the central meeting place and communal kitchen for Wilderluxe, a new glamping concept by NSW campground operator Reflections Holidays.

Couple stargazing on deck at Wilderluxe glampsite at Lake Keepit — Take in sights of the Milky Way from the private deck or through the retractable skylight while snug in bed. (Image: Supplied)

Camping is a favourite travel pastime for Australians and NSW tops the nation as the most popular destination for camping and caravanning with over 5 million trips recorded last year, but soggy tents and bug bites are nowhere to be seen here. Instead, it’s all decadent details (the complimentary bath bomb next to the deck-bound private outdoor bath, fluffy robes and record player with a curated selection of vinyls come to mind) beneath a star-studded sky.

So what is Wilderluxe?

Couple on deck at Wilderluxe glamping site in Lake Keepit — The glampsites overlook the Warrumbungles and Lake Keepit. (Image: Supplied)

Wilderluxe is the newest offering from Reflections Holidays, the NSW camping outfit that operates on Crown Land (and reinvests all profits back into their campgrounds, which are in some of the most desirable locations across the state). The first Wilderluxe operation – located on a ridge above Reflections’ 102-site Lake Keepit property, overlooking the Warrumbungles and the nearby Soaring Club – is the first of five locations to roll out over the next few years.

Wilderluxe offers a refined approach to the nature-centric camp experience while elevating it with luxurious hotel-style details including kitchenettes, daily housekeeping, curated furnishings and region-specific amenities. That includes binoculars for spotting local herons, pelicans and corellas; complimentary stand-up paddleboard and bike use to explore the lake and surrounds; daily continental breakfast in your room (delivered the night before so you can partake before or after the sun spills over the horizon and onto your private patio); and a nighttime gathering of First Nations knowledge, bonfire and drinks with your fellow guests.

Guests gather around a fire pit at Wilderluxe Lake Keepit — Gather with fellow guests of an evening to hear stories shared under the night sky. (Image: Supplied)

The Lake Keepit location is pretty equidistant between rural hubs Tamworth and Gunnedah, but far away enough to avoid the noise, the hoopla and – wonderfully – the light pollution, making this location a dream destination for star-chasers and fans of the cosmos.

What’s it like?

Inside the Star Tent at Wilderluxe Lake Keepit. (Image: Supplied)

There’s only eight Australian-made canvas tents at the Lake Keepit location, lined up on the hill overlooking the glittering, cod-filled irrigation dam. After you meet your fellow guests during each evening’s sunset drinks and local canapes, you can opt to settle in for a screening of Big Sky Dreaming, a film by local Kamilaroi Elder Uncle Len Waters, and – after that – a bonfire accompanied by marshmallow toasting and mugs of hot Milo. You likely won’t see those folks again, such is the delicious seclusion of this property.

The stylish, spacious tents – which are designed and made in Western Australia – contain a king bed, two oversized lounge chairs, a kitchenette, a bathroom with mirror-flecked counter, and a dresser packed with board games, records and binoculars. Out on the private deck there’s a soaking tub, two sitting areas and a trusty Weber Baby Q to cook beneath the stars, camp-style. When you crawl beneath the sheets and look up with darkness-adjusted eyes, you’ll see a square of the Milky Way through the retractable skylight.

Couple enjoy a sunrise over Lake Keepit at Wilderluxe — Enjoy an early breakfast on the deck to watch the sun rise. (Image: Supplied)

Mornings are spent watching the dawn break over the lake while sipping on steaming mugs of tea and that sets the mood for the day, the echo of birdsong and the occasional splutter of a faraway boat engine the only backing beats to your personal glamping soundtrack. (The view from up here on the ridgeline is what inspired Nick Baker, Reflections CEO, to turn Lake Keepit into the first Wilderluxe location: “It’s camping, reimagined," he says. “Our ethos is still about bringing nature to life. It’s bringing place to life, and that’s what I think we do best.)

In crafting these spaces, and considering the broader impact of the tents on the surrounding landscape, Reflections consulted with the Kamilaroi community, liaising with local storyteller and stargazer Uncle Len. The sky and stars serve as inspiration across the project. Each room carries a Kamilaroi name and its translation and meaning is inscribed on the walls. I stay in Baiame, which means “god or sky father": the creator of all things. The landscaped path to the rooms undulates like a river, the sandstone around the fire pit is etched with Indigenous symbols of gathering – women, men, community cocooned together – and was designed with Uncle Len’s guidance to reflect a traditional campfire meeting space. The energy of something bigger looms large, and it’s not just the 10,800-acre surface area of the lake or the endless expanse of Liverpool Plains sky.

Couple on the deck enjoying the bathtub on the patio of Wilderluxe glamping tent — The patio bathtub gives guests the luxury of soaking in the serenity of nature . (Image: Supplied)

A stay here means you have access to 7500 hectares of pristine Crown land, shared only with bouncing kangaroos, gliding cod and your fellow campers. Borrow a fishing rod and head out to the dam bank, cycle along private roads, bushwalk between towering endemic Lake Keepit hakea, or cook up local lamb supplied in dinner packs for in-your-own-time evenings. Down the road at Carroll Gap Farmhouse , owner Jan Ducks runs cooking classes, after which you can recline in the gardens of what was once the local schoolhouse. Between here and there, expansive golden plains house roaming sheep and black cattle. The quietness of the landscape is luxurious.

Where to from here?

Aerial view of Wilderluxe Lake Keepit at dusk — Wilderluxe takes the nostalgia of camping and imbues it with luxury. (Image: Supplied)

In the year ending December 2024, NSW welcomed 5.1 million visitors to campgrounds, caravan parks and camping experiences for a combined total of 18.9 million nights. It’s also the top destination for domestic overnight campers, with the majority of travellers between 35 and 54 years of age. In other words, active, passionate and engaged travellers who are keen to get outside.

Don’t get us wrong: most cabin stays at Australian campgrounds and caravan parks are pretty fantastic these days, but Wilderluxe expands the brief to include the nature-centric seclusion, solitude and when-you-want-it camaraderie of camping with the finer considerations we’ve come to anticipate at modern hotels or luxury accommodation. It’s meeting Australian travellers where they are right now, combining nostalgia with fashionable nous and a desire to engage more deeply with the places we explore. Brunswick Heads, Lake Glenbawn, Eden and Lennox Heads are next.

“It’s not just stargazing; it’s not just paddle boarding or kayaking on the lake," says Baker. “It’s not just modern luxury in the bush… It’s about giving people these moments across a sort of two- or three-night stay that really make it feel like a much bigger experience, and something that sort of serves every part of who they are."

Couple staying at Wilderluxe Lake Keepit — Wilderluxe is the perfect romantic retreat. (Image: Supplied)

Tents at Wilderluxe Lake Keepit start from $1100 for a two-night minimum stay for two people, including breakfast boxes.

NSW’s beach towns take on a new kind of magic when the cooler months hit.

Autumn and winter cast a whole new light on the New South Wales coastline. The sun hangs lower, the shadows stretch longer and the air is crisp and fresh. The frenetic summer crowds are gone, and the rhythm slows to the pace of a leisurely winter bush walk through still, damp quiet. From wineries pouring winter reds to the annual whale migration up the ‘humpback highway’, here’s why winter on the New South Wales coast is better.

Winter on the NSW South Coast

Winter down south means misty dawns, sipping a flat white on the beach. The thrill of a whale spotting from the headlands and evenings spent slowly savouring Shoalhaven’s wines by the fire.

Start in Kiama, where waves crash into the famous Blowholes. This natural spectacle is achieved when underground pressure and swell unite, sending sea spray soaring above the basalt cliffs. This means, due to larger waves, you’re even more likely to see an explosive display in winter.

two people standing in front of kiama blowhole — See Kiama’s blowholes in full force. (Image: Destination NSW)

Inland, the Minnamurra Rainforest Walk in Budderoo National Park is all subtropical forest and trilling lyrebird song. Make sure to walk silently along the elevated boardwalks, past winter-swelled creeks and the tangled roots of fig trees. You might just hear one of the musically talented birds mimicking your footsteps.

Feeling adventurous? Book a session at Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures for a wobbly walk through the canopy on Australia’s highest zipline.

Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures on the new south wales south coast — Walk among the tallest trees. (Image: Destination NSW)

Next, it’s time to take the speed down a notch with a drive over to the historic village of Berry. It’s been a beloved stop for generations of Sydneysiders heading south, as has the obligatory stop at its famous doughnut van for crisped, cinnamon goodness. If you’re ready for something a little more chunky, stroll right past the boutiques (okay, go on, just one quick peek) to Milkwood Bakery . Their flaky pastries and all-day breakfasts are best enjoyed under cream-coloured fringed umbrellas.

Back in Kiama, you’ll also find modern Middle Eastern share plates at Miss Arda , and next-level burgers on The Hungry Monkey ‘s extensive menu: an ode to everything pattie-shaped.

End the day at The Sebel Kiama on the harbour. The apartment-style rooms come with full cooking facilities — a welcome addition for families looking to test out the local produce they picked up along the way. Including, but not limited to, vintages from nearby Crooked River Wines .

The Sebel Kiama exterior — Sleep by the harbour.

Winter on the Mid-North Coast

A trip up north is a gentle one at this time of year. You’ll still feel that sunshine warming your shoulders, but the lower temperatures make space for rainforest walks, vineyard lunches and long coastal hikes. All without that pesky humidity.

First stop? It has to be the town of Port Macquarie. Start by marking out a stretch of the nine-kilometre coastal walk you want to tackle (or do the whole thing), which winds from Town Beach to the lighthouse along rugged headlands and quiet beaches. Hot tip: binoculars. Don’t forget them if you want to partake in some close-up sightings of dolphin pods or whales migrating up the ‘humpback highway’.

Port Macquarie Coastal Walk, winter on the New South Wales coast — Wander the Port Macquarie Coastal Walk. (Image: Destination NSW)

Swap sea for canopy at the Sea Acres Rainforest Boardwalk , one of the last remaining pockets of coastal rainforest in the state. The accessible elevated trail passes under climbing ferns and tangled strangler figs, and is alive with scarlet robins, goannas and diamond pythons – if you’re lucky, you might see one slipping through the leaf litter.

Afterwards, lunch is sorted at Cassegrain Wines , where crisp whites and elegant reds are grown using a blend of French winemaking tradition and Australian innovation. After a tasting, saddle up for a horse ride through the estate.

port macquarie koala hospital — Meet Koala Hospital inhabitants at their temporary home. (Image: Destination NSW)

The beloved Koala Hospital is rebuilding, so meet its furry patients in their temporary bushland abode at Guulabaa – Place of Koala . Here, you can see rehabilitation up close and learn how one of Australia’s most iconic animals is being carefully rewilded and protected.

Back in town, Whalebone Wharf serves up fine dining with serious views to go with your oysters. Prefer something breezier? Bills Fishhouse + Bar does everything from blue swimmer crab toast to zucchini noodles drizzled in basil and wattleseed pesto. Down by the waterfront, Little Shack slings ceviche, mushroom burgers and fish tacos with casual aplomb.

At the end of it all, check in to Mercure Centro Port Macquarie , right in the heart of town. From here, everything’s walkable. Just park the car, pop your keys in your pocket, and stroll down to the beach.

bed at Mercure Centro Port Macquarie — Check in to Mercure Centro Port Macquarie.

Winter on the Central Coast

On the Central Coast, expect to explore oyster farms that sit on estuaries, beaches that stretch empty for miles, and the kind of surprise sightings of whale sprays that can stop a hiker in their tracks.

The best way to settle into this slower rhythm is with the Bouddi Coastal Walk , an 8.5km trail that dips through rainforest and eroding cliffs. It’s made for unhurried walkers and long-lens photographers.

Up the coast in Terrigal, it’s prime time to spot humpbacks on the move. Join a cruise or find your own perch — Crackneck Lookout and Norah Head Lighthouse are both local favourites.

a humpback whale breaching on the central coast — Spot migrating humpback whales. (Image: Destination NSW)

Travelling with kids? It would be sacrilege not to visit the Australian Reptile Park . Here, Elvis the saltwater crocodile reigns supreme, and the venomous snake talk somehow manages to be simultaneously terrifying and fascinating.

If that isn’t enough to wear them out, zip and climb your way through Treetops Adventure Central Coast , a ropes course in the canopy of Ourimbah State Forest. Afterwards, steady your nerves with a garden tasting at Firescreek Botanical Winery , where fruit- and flower-infused wines are served under the trees.

Switch earth for sea and hop on a boat tour with Broken Bay Pearl Farm . Once you’re out on the water, you’ll learn how pearls are cultivated and have a hands-on lesson in grading and shucking.

woman holding a pearl at Broken Bay Pearl Farm — Get a hands-on pearl lesson. (Image: Destination NSW)

As the day winds down, grab a seat at Yellowtail in Terrigal , which takes seasonal native produce and presents it with Asian flair. Prefer something simple? Award-winning Mount White restaurant Saddles is a quintessential Australian dining destination. Find an impressive breakfast and lunch menu, dedicated to country-style cooking and seasonal produce.

Stay the night at Pullman Magenta Shores , between the ocean and the lake. There are plenty of ways to relax, with a massage at the day spa, a poolside beanbag and a round or two at the golf course.

restaurant at Pullman Magenta Shores central coast — Eat well at Pullman Magenta Shores’ restaurant. (Image: Destination NSW)

Winter in Wollongong

Wollongong does contrast pretty well. One moment you’re walking beneath an enormous Buddha, the next you’re ordering soju a few blocks from the surf. It’s a town where skydivers land on beaches, trails lead to paddocks and winter days stretch long and clear beneath the Illawarra cliffs.

If you’re coming from the north, start by crossing over the Sea Cliff Bridge. Curving dramatically out like a jutting ‘C’ out above the water means you won’t be able to resist pulling over (safely, in designated lookouts) to gaze down at the waves crashing on the cliffs below.

Just inland is the serenity of the Nan Tien Temple , the largest Buddhist temple in the Southern Hemisphere. You can trace the prayer path, explore the temple gardens and sip delectable Kam Quat Tea in the quiet light at the Dew Drop Inn Tea House.

monk teaching tai chi at Nan Tien Temple — Learn about Buddhist practices. (Image: Destination NSW)

Next, dust off that cowboy hat. It’s time for the Darkes Forest Riding Ranch . Take a guided canter via trail rides among peppermint gums and paddocks. If you’re happier to look at animals than ride them, Symbio Wildlife Park has red pandas dozing in trees, kangaroos that hop up to you and lessons on conservation.

The brave among you shouldn’t miss Skydive Australia – Wollongong . A free fall over the coast via tandem jumps before tumbling down to the sand is a breath-stopping thrill. Prefer to keep your feet on the ground? Check out the program at Wollongong Art Gallery , which delivers contemporary and Aboriginal exhibitions in the centre of town.

monkey at Symbio Wildlife Park — Hang out with the locals at Symbio Wildlife Park.(Image: Destination NSW)

As evening settles in, nab a table at Baby Face Kitchen . It has an ever-changing set menu, with dishes like hand-picked mud crab with white asparagus and salty brown butter, to sheep’s milk and honey ice cream. For something more casual, Dagwood Bar + Kitchen brings the fun with Korean fried chicken, sake cocktails and weekly all-you-can-eat bao buns.

Check in to Novotel Wollongong Northbeach , right by the sand. With a beachfront pool and ocean views, it’s an ideal base for whatever pace you choose.

Winter on the New South Wales coast starts with a cosy place to stay. Start planning your adventure at all.com.

Gaze at the Milky Way from bed at NSW‘s new lakeside glampsite