The best glamping spots in Victoria

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A handful of the most unique glamping (that’s glamorous camping) stays in Victoria where a bottle Bollinger or a boiling billy is equally on the cards.

If you’re looking to go glamping in Victoria, you’ve come to the right place.

 

From wilderness retreats and zoo safaris to seaside valleys, here we give you the top locations for glamping in Victoria.

1. Cosy Tents, Daylesford

Cosy Tents glamping Daylesford
Cosy Tents nestled in the rarefied bushland surroundings of Daylesford.

Nestled in the hills of the Hepburn Shire, in a wide, open paddock encircled by Australian bush and a dam, the five ‘Cosy Tents’ for hire here are just too cute for words. Linen of 1200 threads, duck-down quilts, wood-fired stoves, mood-setting lanterns and Bose Bluetooth speakers to play a bit of Paul Kelly: they’ve thought of everything. Except who you’re going to bring. From $185 a night.

 

Address: 6A Kanga Rd, Yandoit

2. Pebble Point, Great Ocean Road

Pebble Point glamping, a suitable night's accommodation on the Great Ocean Walk.
Pebble Point glamping, a suitable night’s accommodation on the Great Ocean Walk.

Doing the Great Ocean Walk? (You should, it’s spectacular… just saying.) At the end, just three kilometres from the Twelve Apostles, in between three national parks, you’ll find this hidden bush retreat with five luxury tents.

 

Each tent at Pebble Point has all the glamping ‘usuals’ – king-sized beds, spacious ensuites with full-sized shower and toilet, and a private deck with stretching views of the peaceful valley – as well as a shared lounge/dining tent, with fridge, microwave, toaster and tea/coffee facilities to refuel and get out exploring again. From $140 a night.

 

Address: 20 Old Coach Rd, Princetown

 3. Wilderness Retreats, Wilsons Promontory National Park

Wilderness Retreats glamping, Wilsons Promontory National Park
Wilderness Retreats glamping, Wilsons Promontory National Park – So much more than your usual ‘two-minute noodle’ camping trips.

Spend a day walking through rainforest, snorkelling at Norman Bay, or swimming in the azure waters of Squeaky Beach, then come back to your safari-style tent and be lulled to sleep by the sounds of the boundless nature in Wilsons Promontory National Park.

 

Add in the well-equipped communal kitchen, to cook up a gourmet feed, and your usual ‘two-minute noodle’ camping trips will just be memories in the dust. From $182 a night; visitvictoria.com

 

Address: 32 Ring Rd, Tidal River

4. Werribee Open Range Zoo, Werribee

In with the animals, Slumber Safari, Werribee Open Range Zoo.
In with the animals, Slumber Safari, Werribee Open Range Zoo.

For little people, sleeping at Werribee Open Range Zoo just might be the best thing since sliced fairy bread – but this one’s for big people, too. The zoo’s ‘Slumber Safari’ package includes zoo entry for two days, exclusive wildlife viewings and an overnight experience in one of eight family-sized tents.

 

Enjoy a sunset drink on your deck overlooking the ‘savannah’, feast on African-inspired cuisine then head out on a night walk and toast marshmallows on the fire. $300 per adult, $145 per child.

Giraffe Slumber Safari Werribee Open Range Zoo
Meet your giraffe neighbours at ‘Slumber Safari’, Werribee Open Range Zoo.

 

Address: K Rd, Werribee South

5. Happy Glamper, Mornington Peninsula

Happy Glamper at Mornington Peninsula yurt style glamping
Happy Glamper at Mornington Peninsula hires fitted-out yurt-style tents and, luckily, does all the hard work for you.

Want a bit more flexibility with your location? Happy Glamper is your company: they hire out bell tents and yurt-style tents with beds, fresh linen, rugs, lighting and any other homey essentials you may need, to be set up at your chosen seaside location in the sparkling Mornington Peninsula.

 

We know what you’re thinking: setting up your own tent isn’t very glamporous, is it? Don’t worry, they do all the work for you. They’ll even tow a vintage Airstream to your chosen site if that’s more your style. From $290 for two nights plus site fees.

Happy Glamper's 'Lotus Belle' interior - this one suits a family of five.
Happy Glamper’s ‘Lotus Belle’ interior – this one suits a family of five.

6. Phillip Island Glamping, Phillip Island

If it’s views of a pristine sand and beaches you seek, rest your head at Phillip Island Glamping.

 

With three sites on offer (each as breathtaking as the next), you really will be spoiled for choice.

Phillip Island luxury

Fall asleep to sounds of the ocean and wake up just steps from the sand. You will also be right in the thick of all island activities, including the Penguin Parade and the Cowes Farmer’s Market.

 

Equipped with a Queen size air mattress, heaters, crockery and card games, these tents come with the 5-star treatment you deserve.

 

Address: Cowes Caravan Park, 164 Church Street, Cowes

7. Into the Woods, North East Victoria

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.

8. French Island Glamping, French Island

If you’re keen to truly go off-grid, what could be better than a glamping island adventure?

French Island interiors

A short ferry ride from Stony Point on the Mornington Peninsula lives French Island National Park – the state’s largest coastal island.

 

You’ll feel completely removed from crowds, truly immersing yourself in the famous natural landscape.

 

Adding to this is the lack of, well, services. There’s just one grocery store on the island, which means guests are encouraged to pack their own food to cook in the communal kitchen and barbecue area. As for everything else, well French Island Glamping takes care of it…

 

Address: 59 Barge Access Rd, French Island

9. Mornington Peninsula Glamping, Rosebud

New to the accommodation offerings on the peninsula is Mornington Peninsula Glamping. The first glampsite to pop up on the peninsula, it’s located on the Blue Range Estate Winery , run by the Melone family.

Mornington Peninsula Glamping
Blue Ridge Estate Winery now have their own glamping site

An adults-only retreat, each of the glamping tents accommodates two people maximum. Within the five-by-five-metre tents is a queen-size bed, two lounge chairs and a coffee table. You won’t need to go device-free either, with solar power to ensure you can remain connected if you desire. Within easy walking distance is a shared cooking and dining area (barbecues, hot water and boutique coffee and tea) plus bathroom facilities, which are just as snazzy and chic as the tents.

 

Between Friday and Sunday, you can eat at the winery’s restaurant if embracing the great outdoors as your kitchen doesn’t appeal to you.

 

Address: 155 Gardens Road, Rosebud

 

Megan Arkinstall
Megan Arkinstall is a freelance travel writer who you’ll often find at the beach, bushwalking or boating with her young family. She loves reliving travel memories through writing, whether that be sipping limoncello in a sun-drenched courtyard of Monterosso or swimming with green turtles in the aquamarine waters of Tropical North Queensland.
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Your guide to feeling rested and reconnected after your holiday

The wild, otherworldly beauty of The Grampians offers a perfect place to unwind, slow down and relax.

Not all holidays yield the same result; some are bustling, with endless things to do, events to book and places to see. All great things, but they leave you feeling more tired than before. Then, there are destinations that help you slow down, making real connections and participating in self-care.

Destinations like The Grampians : surrounded by untouched nature, allowing a chance to reconnect with yourself and loved ones at a slower pace.

Discover six science-backed ways to enjoy a holiday and feel restored at the end of it.

1. Practice mindfulness

Hamilton Gallery, the grampians
Be present at Hamilton Gallery. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Mindfulness – the practice of tuning into the present moment – has been found to help in reducing stress, anxiety and depression. One way to practice this art is by immersing yourself in art.

Hamilton Gallery has been in operation for over 60 years, and is not only home to many significant art pieces but also runs workshops and events for all ages to expand their awareness and understanding of art. The gallery is also the custodian of the largest collection of Gunditjmara artefacts held on country.

If you prefer to practice mindfulness through movement, visit Halls Gap Zoo to feed the meerkats – who wouldn’t feel better after focusing on these little guys? Or visit The Grampians Horse Riding Centre for an unforgettable morning ride through 10 kilometres of bushland. Enjoy the soothing movement of the horse and experience the bush anew.

2. Indulge in self-care

two people swimming in the Venus Baths, the grampains
Take an immersive bath in nature on the Venus Baths loop walk. (Image: Visit Victoria)

While the term self-care might conjure up images of indulgent bubble baths or a soothing massage, there’s more to it than pampering. Self-care is any action that protects your physical, emotional and mental well-being.

Like taking an immersive ‘bath’ in nature. Do just that on the Venus Baths loop walk – ideal for less experienced hikers or those walking with kids – stopping at freshwater-filled rockpools to cool down along the way.

Serious hikers (we’re talking some rock hopping and traversing slippery tracks) can tackle the Wurgarri, or Mount Sturgeon walk, which rewards the effort with panoramic views from the summit.

For those whose idea of self-care leans more towards arts and culture, a visit to WAMA is a must. Australia’s first national centre for environmental art is home to exhibitions that explore the natural world through film, installation, painting, performance and more.

3. Embrace nature

Boroka Lookout, the grampians
Soak in incredible views over Halls Gap at Boroka Lookout. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Spending time in nature is the ultimate way to soothe your body and mind. It’s been proven to help with all manner of things, from reducing stress to boosting cognitive function. And there’s no better place to enjoy it than among the raw sandstone, wildflowers and native creatures of The Grampians.

Rocklands Reservoir, spanning 6700 hectares, is an ideal spot. Breathe in the fresh air and enjoy the view over Grampians National Park. Cast a line, hire a canoe or follow nature trails along the water’s perimeter. How’s the serenity?

To appreciate nature’s imposing power, head to Splitters Falls. Here, find unrivalled tranquillity. Spring is the best time to visit, when bouquets of native spring flowers greet visitors.

Those with limited mobility will appreciate Boroka Lookout, a viewing platform surrounded by breathtaking views over Halls Gap and the eastern Grampians. Come early to witness a sunrise you’ll never forget.

4. Prioritise Rest

outdoor bathtub at Nook On The Hill
Recharge at Nook on the Hill. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Above all else, a holiday should be an opportunity to recharge, and there’s no better way to do it than to get a good night’s sleep. We don’t need to tell you how essential sleep is, for everything from mental health to strengthening the immune system.

Try Wanderlust Glamping , where guests fall asleep to the soothing sounds of nature after an evening relaxing around the fire pit and wake to your very own green oasis.

For pure luxury in the foothills of the Grampians National Park, look no further than Nook on the Hill – a handcrafted tiny house surrounded by rewilded, lush native Australian bush. It might be small, but Nook on the Hill has everything needed to unwind in style, including an outdoor bath for balmy nights.

For a modern farm stay, book at Mount William Station in the foothills of The Grampians. The station combines old-world charm with modern amenities and easy access to everything this region has to offer.

5. Engage Your Senses

Salingers Cafe, destinations that help you slow down
Indulge in a meal at Salingers. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Few human senses are as fun to indulge in as taste. A meal at Salingers in Great Western is the ultimate treat, and not only for the taste buds. The food is excellent, but Salingers’ really unique attraction is the bustling beehive that lives within the walls of the historic building.

For an expertly smoked burger, ribs, or beef brisket, head to Flame Brothers in Halls Gap. Tuck into delicious food while you enjoy the view.

If you prefer your senses heightened by the pump of adrenaline, Grampians Soaring Club offers an eagle-eye view of the Grampians National Park and Pyrenees Ranges from a glider. Take in the sights with a cross-country flight, ridge soar, or altitude wave flight.

6. Connect and reconnect

The Dimboola Imaginarium, Wimmera Mallee victoria
Step into the whacky Dimboola Imaginarium. (Image: Denis Bin)

Making shared memories is a wonderful way to reconnect with old friends or make new ones. These unexpected finds make it easy to discover something new in The Grampians.

Amateur geologists will delight at the Kanawinka geotrail, which covers 60 sites over Australia’s most extensive volcanic province. Visit the Penshurst Volcano Discovery Centre to learn more about volcanic activity in The Grampians, or head to nearby Mount Napier State Park for a trip into the Byaduk lava caves.

Pop in to the Ros McArthur Art Studio to peruse the gardens full of native and exotic plants and flowers that serve as the subjects of Ros’s still life paintings.

For a shopping experience like no other, head to the Dimboola Imaginarium . Far more than a shop, the Dimboola Imaginarium is an immersive experience where you’ll find all manner of quirky bits and pieces. Expect the unexpected.

Put these science-backed holiday benefits to the test during a trip to The Grampians. Plan your peaceful getaway at visitgrampians.com.au.