Australia's best glamping experiences

By Jac Taylor and Allie Metz

Glamorous camping: it is not only possible, but an ideal way to see many of Australia's great sights without sacrificing comfort. You swap a sleeping bag for a bed with plump pillows and fine linen, and campfire food for three-course meals. The only thing that stays the same is that you're in a tent. This is truly a five-star way to enjoy the great outdoors.  

Nightfall Camp

A solar-powered camp in Queensland's spectacular Scenic Rim, surrounded by renowned national parks, Nightfall has only a handful of handmade canvas safari tents with timber floors, private bathrooms and rotating fireplaces. There is a maximum of eight guests at any time, so you can truly escape the chaos of everyday life. Relax with a massage alongside the river rapids, dine on fully organic camp cuisine and enjoy complimentary sparkling wine and espresso coffee.

Spicers Canopy Eco Lodge

Ten luxury safari tents are dotted in the wilderness at Spicers Canopy Eco Lodge. The glamping tents here are reserved for group bookings, or as part of the Scenic Rim Trail guided walk. Hearty meals are cooked in the fire pit and outdoor wood-fired pizza oven under a blanket of a billion stars, and the tents include a hot water bottle turndown service. Outside, guided walks of the magnificent Scenic Rim region await.

Longitude 131

In an enviable location near the famous Uluru monolith in Australia's Red Centre, Longitude 131 blurs the lines between five-star resort and camping experience. Curved timber viewing decks and floor-to-ceiling glass windows contrast with giant tent canopy ceilings over 16 decadent tents. Watch the changing light transform the landscape from your private balcony, or even from the comfort of your bed, as you feel the profound sense of place that Australia's spiritual centre provides.

Cooinda Lodge

With the epic nature and adventure on offer in Kakadu National Park, about two hours from Darwin, you'll need a great place to rest and recharge. The glamping tents at Cooinda Lodge are ideal. Featuring queen-size beds and a spacious outdoor deck, it's the perfect combination of rugged and refined. Plus, its location beside Yellow Water Billabong means easy access to Kakadu's best waterfalls, rock art and river cruises.

Bamurru Plains

The astounding Mary River floodplain, near Kakadu National Park, is home to an incredible variety of Australian wildlife. Watch buffalo, wallabies and dozens of bird species go about their daily life from one of ten luxury safari bungalows at Bamurru Plains. The camp is just a three-hour drive from Darwin, or opt for a 30-minute scenic charter flight over some of the most spectacular wetlands in the world.

Sal Salis

Swim with whale sharks or even migrating humpback whales as you stay in total luxury among the sand dunes at Sal Salis Wilderness Camp, where the remote outback meets the turquoise, wildlife-filled waters of Ningaloo Reef. If you have time, road trip north from Perth along the Coral Coast (about 13 hours) or take the short flight directly to Exmouth. Choose from an eco-luxe wilderness tent, including ensuite bathroom and handmade timber bed, or the four-poster bed of the romantic honeymoon tent.

Ikara Safari Camp

A stay in one of the 15 glamping tents at Ikara Safari Camp at Wilpena Pound Resort (a five-hour drive from Adelaide) makes a visit to the Flinders Ranges extra special. The incredible rock formations, mountains and gorges of Wilpena Pound are spectacular and this is the only resort within the national park. You'll find two-person and family tents here, making the stay comfortable and accessible for everyone. Book a scenic flight over the Pound, a 4WD tour with an Aboriginal guide to see the landscape at sunset, or just relax and watch the outback sky fill with stars.

Paperbark Camp

Classic Australian bush provides the backdrop to Paperbark Camp, a quiet escape (and multi-award-winning glamping institution) just a 2.5-hour drive south of Sydney. The camp is tucked away in a peaceful bush setting but also conveniently located less than a 10-minute drive to the stunning white sand beaches of Jervis Bay. You'll be treated to fine food and wine, cosy accommodation and incredible nature right at your doorstep.

Roar and Snore, Taronga Zoo

Knowing where the animals are is the key to a great safari experience – and it’s particularly easy in a zoo! Enjoy the beautiful city sights over Sydney Harbour at Taronga Zoo Sydney's unusual accommodation, where guests can meet the animals, enjoy a night safari, sleep in glamping tents and wake to an early morning behind-the-scenes tour of the zoo. Roar and Snore operates every weekend and during Australian school holidays.

Bubble Tents

Bubble Tent Australia's unique accommodation is located 200km (124mi) to the west of Sydney, overlooking the Capertee Valley. Take a break from the city, marvel at the panoramic views of rolling hills or see the sky ablaze with millions of stars. Head into nearby Mudgee to discover a quaint country town with lots of charm. Stock up on fresh produce and visit fantastic wineries to create the perfect picnic basket for your night under the stars.

Currajong Retreat

Currajong Retreat is all about the finer things in life, with little to no cost to the environment. At this family-run holistic farm, just three hours from Canberra, luxury and nature come together in harmony, creating an enchanting experience for couples looking to switch off and reconnect. The retreat is home to just three eco safari tents (perched well away from one another), fitted with everything you could need, including a balcony with sweeping views over the Towamba River. Spend your days bathing in your outdoor tub, walking the property's farmlands and indulging in local produce. Come evening, the only show you’ll need will be the night's sky.