The best glamping sites in Sydney and NSW

Situated around 25 minutes north of Mudgee, Sierra Escape is an off-the-grid, camping-style experience that offers the comforts of a five star hotel. Emphasis should be placed on ‘escape’ here – the dirt road from the centre of Mudgee means it's a bit out of the way – but the journey is a small tradeoff for its secluded location. Wildlife around the camp is abundant: small green tree frogs hop along gravel roads, crimson rosellas perch in the trees just metres away from the tent, kangaroos bounce over fences and sheep, and llamas and cows graze in neighbouring paddocks and fields.

If the gastronomic element of your glamping experience is high priority, Nashdale Lane’s canvas clad, timber floored tents are your perfect base. Hidden in the vineyards, the two tents are both fitted out with well equipped kitchens and alfresco decks complete with BBQs and far reaching views across the vines. Stock up on gourmet goods from local Orange and grab a bottle from the cellar door on your way to your grape flanked home.

Only available to book via phone, there’s a certain IYKYK energy about The Jackson Ranch’s glamping suite. And though booking it might not be as easy as jumping online to book a stay at one of the ranch’s cabins, it’s worth the additional effort. Designed for couples, the private retreat is hidden deep in the 37 acre grounds, and comes complete with an outdoor bathtub and floor to ceiling windows that open up to the forest.

This glamping escape set in a 320 acre working farm just 30 minutes out of Mudgee feels totally remote, yet is still close to the cellar doors of the region's vibrant wine country. Take a walk around the fields, which are covered in rich scatterings of wildflowers, take a seat by the dam as the sun sets, and have a yarn around the bonfire. A couple of gentle, free roaming cows may even let you approach them for pat.

Turon Gates Country Resort is such a well kept secret, not even Google Maps knows where it is. It sits on the western foothills of the Blue Mountains, just northwest of Wolgan Valley, on the road between Lithgow and Mudgee. Look up, and you might catch a white bellied Australian kestrel hovering above you. Look behind you as you gain altitude and you might see a wedge-tailed eagle winging across the plain below. It looks like it was cut out of a European fairy tale and dropped into the Australian bush.

Paperbark Camp, found ten minutes’ drive from Huskisson in Jervis Bay, is the antidote to all those shoestring family camping trips (and the subsequent backache). It’s by far the most glamorous way to camp under the stars that we’ve ever experienced, from the queen bed with bamboo and cotton linen to the outdoor roll-top bath with white cotton robes and slippers. Raised above ground and surrounded by a canopy of gum trees, the tent felt more like a hotel suite with a constant breeze from the open canvas windows. Imagine camping scenes from Game of Thrones, but with less death and more WiFi access.

Roar and Snore is Taronga Zoo’s long-running overnight experience. It starts after the gates have closed on daytime visitors and continues until they open again at 9.30 the following morning. It’s one of the biggest income generators for the not-for-profit wildlife organisation, and at $320 per adult for a Saturday stay, it might seem expensive for a night under canvas – but then again, how often do you get to sleep at the zoo? You'll meet critters at sunset; see lions, tigers, snow leopards and a sun bear fed late-night snacks; and dine at the zoo’s restaurant. 

The cavernous glamping tents at this countryside retreat are sizable enough to house a family of four for a very high-end camping weekender. Both tents are home to bunk beds, a king size bed, and a full sized bathtub with views across the Dorrigo Mountains. You’ll also find a kitchenette, BBQ and outdoor dining facilities, but might find yourself dining at the on-site restaurant: a sustainability-focused eatery brought to you by the people behind Three Blue Ducks.

If you’re a deeply entrenched city slicker then there is no softer landing into a camping experience than a stay at Tanja Lagoon Camp. If you're accustomed to roughing it a little, prepare to experience camping luxury – all the good bits with no inconvenience. They’ve set up four expansive safari tents on permanent timber platforms ringing the lagoon in a manner that guarantees absolute privacy. This is especially good news given there is a full-sized bathtub next to the window for soaking with a view. 

Generally, things that look incredible on Instagram underwhelm in real life. Australia’s first bubble tent – aptly named Bubbletent Australia – is not one of those things. In fact, like the moon, fireworks and big stadium pop shows, the bubble tent is actually a lot more impressive in the flesh (well, polyurethane membrane). There are three tents to choose from, each overlooking a different aspect of the Capertee Valley, the largest valley in the world. All three offer total seclusion, which is not only pleasant but needed, since the central chamber of each one has a 360 degree view out, and in.