If you're keen to reconnect with nature but don't love sleeping on the floor, glamping is the weekend adventure for you. Essentially fancy camping—rather than complicated tent building—you'll be treated to plush four-poster beds, spacious safari tents, and luxe add-ons like outdoor baths and fire pits.
Luckily, there are some excellent glamping options in NSW. Think sweeping vistas, bubble tents under the night sky, luxurious dining, and so much more. Here is Urban List's pick of the best glamping spots near Sydney.
Urban List's Top Picks
- Best Overall Glamping In NSW, Paperbark Camp
- Best Ultra-Luxe Glamping, Marramarra Lodge
- Best Beach Glamping, Bangalay Retreat
- Best For Stargazing, Bubble Tents
- Best For Wine Tasting, Nashdale Lane
The Best Glamping Spots Near Sydney
Jervis Bay, NSW Paperbark Camp
Paperbark Camp is one of Australia's best glamping experiences, mixing luxury tent accommodation and delicious food and wine with a peaceful bush setting. Here, you can embrace a safari-style camping experience amongst the beautiful eucalypts and towering paperbarks.
Shower in an open-air private ensuite while watching kangaroos, peep the Milky Way from an open-air stargazing deck, and be lulled into a peaceful sleep in a king-deluxe bed without the fear of literal bed bugs biting. Forget canned beans and other regular camping snacks, Paperbark's onsite restaurant, The Gunyah, has you covered for fancy chef-prepared, three-course meals (market fish, duck, lamb rump and more are regular features on the seasonal menu).
INSIDER INTEL
- Distance from Sydney: 2.5 hours
- We love: The outdoor bathtub looking onto pristine bushland
- Pro tip: Book with Luxury Escapes for three nights or more to score complimentary dolphin-watching tickets
Orange, NSW Nashdale Lane Glamping
If you think glamping and drinking wine go hand in hand, then this one is for you. Nashdale Lane's glamping tents are pitched on one of Orange's fully-fledged vineyards (and one of our favourites).
Here you’ll be glamping right beside the vines and Nashdale Lane's incredible cellar door, set on the rolling green hills that rise up to beautiful Mount Canobolas. Each tent is decked out with a four poster queen bed, a monsoon shower, a sweeping verandah, a kitchenette, and a lounge and dining area. There's also a BBQ if you want to cook up your own meals.
INSIDER INTEL
- Distance from Sydney: 4 hours
- We love: This is an adults-only spot with maximum privacy—AKA a perfect escape
- Pro tip: Glamping guests can experience an upgraded wine tasting at the Nashdale Lane cellar door.
Maitland, NSW Donnybrook Eco Retreat
Set on a 100-acre farm near Maitland and the Hunter Valley, this two-person glamping tent is an idyllic country escape for two. It's set up beside a dam with ample views across green rolling hills, paddocks, and bushland.
As well as being close to the region's famous wineries and high-octane activities like hot air ballooning, sky-diving, and flying lessons, here you've also got the best of both worlds with the op to read a book beneath the tree or catch the sunset over the farm with a glass of wine.
INSIDER INTEL
- Distance from Sydney: 2 hours
- We love: The friendly alpacas, goats, and Shetland ponies
Sydney Harbour Cockatoo Island Glamping
Don't want to travel too far? Only have one night to spare? No worries. Cockatoo Island, or Wareamah in the local indigenous language, is the largest island in Sydney Harbour. And it offers some pretty spectacular, award-winning glamping options.
With full views of one of the world's most famous harbours, you're in for a real treat. Tents come furnished with Appellees Apothecary toiletries included. Obviously, New Year's Eve on the island would be life-changing (front-row seats for the fireworks), but with lots of events being hosted on the island, it pays to check what's on to see if it's worth adding in a stay-cay.
INSIDER INTEL
- Distance from Sydney: 30 minutes (ferries depart from Circular Quay)
- We love: Those harbour views
- Pro tip: Check out what's happening on the island here
Bawley Point, NSW Bangalay Retreat
For a beachside glamping experience, Bangalay Retreat features five luxe African safari-inspired tents just 90 metres from the sand of Racecourse Beach in Bawley Point. It's adults-only here, with accommodation available for couples looking to do a romantic getaway, or small groups seeking a peaceful weekend.
The tents offer true privacy and seclusion, and each is kitted out with an ensuite, a fully equipped kitchen, and a spacious deck facing the morning sun.
INSIDER INTEL
- Distance from Sydney: 3 hours
- We love: Close proximity to the beach makes this a perfect summer getaway
Mdugee, NSW Luxe Tents At Parklands Resort
These newly unveiled eco-friendly glamping tents are on the outskirts of Mudgee as part of Parklands Resort—so they're perfect for a weekend exploring the charming town and surrounding wineries. Each of the 15 tents has a luxurious four-poster, king-size bed, ensuite, and a private deck for watching the sunset with a glass of local wine in hand, and pets are welcome too.
Breakfast is delivered to your door—a curated selection of gourmet local treats—and access to a private tennis court, indoor pool, fitness centre, and heated spa is included, as well as 30 acres of gorgeous manicured gardens and NSW countryside to wander or picnic on.
INSIDER INTEL
- Distance from Sydney: 3.5 hours
- We love: This is glamping with hotel amenities at your finger tips.
Capertee, NSW Bubble Tents
For one of the best novelty getaways around, Capertee’s insane "bubble tents" are an absolute must. There are only three tents to choose from, but each tent gives you panoramic overviews of the second-biggest canyon in the world.
Aside from lapping up all the luxury of outdoor baths and a transparent tent made for all the midnight stargazing, you’ll be in the prime spot to watch the sunset, go on a number of hikes, use the on-site telescope to spot your favourite constellations or take a helicopter tour.
INSIDER INTEL
- Distance from Sydney: 2.5 hours
- We love: Each tent is named after an astrological constellation. Oh, and the stargazing is next-level!
Hawkesbury River, NSW Marramarra Lodge
Framed by the stunning Marramarra National Park, this luxury lodge is only accessible by boat from Mooney Mooney and Brooklyn, and is just one hour from Sydney. At Marramarra, you’re in for two different types of accommodation: the high-end Hawkesbury Bungalow, or the ultra-luxurious Peninsula Tent.
Each room features a balcony with river views where you can scheme your grand kayaking adventure down the Hawkesbury. There's also a gorgeous pool area, restaurant, mini day spa and luxe add-ons like private helicopter charters to wine tastings in the Hunter Valley.
INSIDER INTEL
- Distance from Sydney: About one hour
- We love: The luxury inclusions, like a fully stocked mini-bar and nightly degustation dinner
- Pro tip: Book with Luxury Escapes for package inclusions like a champagne and oyster river cruise
Header image credit: Paperbark Camp| Supplied
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