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ArticleLiving Well

In-tents experiences in Gippsland.

If you love camping, without really camping, then this is for you.

Dec 1, 2019


Words: Asheda Weekes

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I’m not one for roughing it. You won’t see me muddied at a three-day festival rave, moving the cattle to the back paddock or even pitching a tent on a camping trip. Don’t get me wrong, I love the great outdoors. I’ll happily lounge on a lilo as the river slowly drifts me between the trees, laze on a grassy plain staring up at the clouds or float near the shoreline with salty water gently kissing my skin. I’m all in for a good day hike or a road trip, but there is no way I’m sleeping on a blow-up mattress or going without a hot shower.

If you’re like me and want to love camping, without really camping, I’m here to help. I’ve cast my curious eyes over Gippsland for accommodation options that put the gorgeous, glorious and glamorous into glamping. Here are some of the best digs in our region to rest your head.

Ross Farm Cabin — Meeniyan

A small, disused dairy farm has been transformed into a mod Airbnb that showcases an aesthetic mix of Scandi chic and Japanese simplicity (Japandi?). Architect Andrea Moore and her father, Lindsay, have blended this welcoming style with the Meeniyan landscape to create a cosy and earthy, yet refined, space for guests.

All design elements have been created intentionally for the space, including handcrafted fixtures or one-offs created by our local Gippsland makers.

After a day out exploring, wind down in the Japanese bathhouse and make a farmhouse fry-up from the stocked kitchen that’s full of locally sourced products and ingredients.

Currently only the Cabin (one bedroom) is available to book, with the Barn (two bedrooms) and Dairy (three bedrooms) nearing completion.

www.rossfarm.com.au

Instagram: @rossfarm_

Wild Valley Gippsland — Budgeree

Perched on a ridge near Budgeree’s valley sit some decked-out retro vans, glamping bell tents and friendly alpacas. This is a cute little getaway spot that sits smack bang in the middle of some of Gippsland’s finest national parks and walking trails.

Samantha and Eric set up Wild Valley guided by their love of clean air and quirky upcycled style. The vans and tents are located on their lush 120-acre property, giving you ample space and opportunity to explore their cherished backyard and beyond.

Both types of accommodation are styled for comfort and secluded to ensure maximum privacy during your stay. After some exploring, you can settle in with a cheeky bev and soak in the sunset with panoramic views of the Strzelecki Ranges. Also, your fur babies are most welcome to come along and keep you company — what a win!

Places to check out around Wild Valley that are one hour or less driving distance away include Grand Strzelecki Track, Lyrebird Walk, Morwell River Falls, Grand Ridge Rail Trail, Morwell National Park, Wilsons Promontory and Tarra-Bulga National Park.

www.wildvalleygippsland.com.au

Instagram: @wildvalleygippsland

Prom Coast Eco Glamping — Various Locations

Step up your glamping game and go eco. Prom Coast Eco Glamping invites you to enjoy the beautiful Promontory Coast without harming its ecosystem. This glamping option has been built from a love of nature and sustainability and aims to share South Gippsland’s gorgeous coastline in style. All tents are decked out with the (glam) essentials sourced from close by.

There are various locations where you can pick to pitch your homely tent: for example, Yanakie Caravan Park or the Tarra Valley Caravan Park “Fernholme”, which is situated near the Tarra Bulga-National Park and the Grand Strzelecki Track. Hello to hiking through some lush greenery! You can also go mountain biking, fishing or just kick back and relax.

What about glamping without the travel? Easily done. If you live in South Gippsland and have some private land, you can arrange to have the tents set up and fully equipped for your function. It’s a great option if you have friends or family visiting the region and want them to experience the wonderful area we live in.

www.promglamping.com.au

Wilderness Retreats — Various Locations

How do you get close to nature without causing damage? Book yourselves in for another great glamping option out in South Gippsland, thanks to Wilderness Retreats. With options of staying in the Wilsons Promontory National Park, Cape Conran Coastal Park or near Buchan Caves, the wilderness team will keep you in high comfort while you’re immersed in some of the most beautiful settings around.

The luxurious safari-style tents are accompanied with a fully equipped kitchen to whip up a hearty feast to accompany a jammy local red wine. Parks Victoria have outdone themselves here, crafting this accommodation with the goal of low impact tourism that integrates into the environment while still allowing for monitoring of the site’s surrounding plant life.

The buildings and furniture have been made locally from sustainably grown hardwood.

The Wilderness Retreats are Advanced Ecotourism Certified, having met global standards for environmental sustainability. Very cool! There are a few tents at each site, so it’s a great option for bigger groups that want to relax in the great outdoors with a sprinkle of splendour. Be warned — these tents get snapped up quickly, so book well in advance.

www.wildernessretreats.com.au

Instagram: @parksvic

Phillip Island Glamping — Various Locations

The team behind Phillip Island Glamping promise you a ‘glamorous’ camping experience in one of our state’s most popular locations for a beach getaway. Their bell tents are cosy yet modern, so you can really indulge with a romantic night under the stars, a fun weekend by the sea with friends, or even spoiling yourself on a solo trip to recharge.

After years of working in the hotel and tourism industry, Serena and Alejandro Cabello knew this low-impact style of accommodation was perfect for Phillip Island. They work a bit differently to your standard glamping operation. The tents aren’t permanently set up in a single location, meaning you get to pick where your tent goes on the island (with a powered campsite within arm’s reach, of course).

The best spots to book include Cowes Foreshore Tourist Park, perfect for beachside glamping; BIG4 Phillip Island, the place for a family vacay; and San Remo Holiday Park for a more secluded stay near the seaside. Whichever site you choose, you get stunning views and that lovely, refreshing and slightly salty beachside air.

After a day of surfing you can crawl into a ‘canvas cocoon’ and melt away into a deep sleep with the sound of soft waves as your soundtrack.

www.phillipislandglamping.com.au

Instagram: @phillipislandglamping

The Inverloch Glamping Co. — Inverloch

This up-and-coming venue offers a different experience for a very popular beachside destination. Tucked away in rural Inverloch, these handcrafted cabins and luxury bell tents are surrounded by farmland and ocean views to offer you solace in style.

Each piece of accommodation comes with gorgeous fittings, including bespoke bathrooms, to heighten your glamping experience. They offer a lovely social twist with their central cooking hub, where you can socialise with other glampers over some outdoor cooking or warm up by the wood fire.

The secluded space offers guests a welcome sense of privacy and solitude, but it’s only a seven-minute drive from the town. You can head out on wine tours, browse the shops or hit the beach and then return back to this little piece of heaven.

www.theinverlochglampingco.com.au

Instagram: @theinverlochglampingco

Kånvas Village — Gippsland & Surrounds

Gippsland, have you met your local tipi hire, glamping and caravan bar provider? Well, here they are! Kånvas Village is a mobile event hire and glamping service that travels to you. They’ll create a dreamy, sumptuous experience for your outdoor wedding (or ‘wedstivals’ as they like to say!) or a classic weekend activity with all your pals.

They create an ambience of boho-luxe meets Nordic charm as their tents tick all the luxury boxes, including dreamy bedding, a raised queen-sized mattress, furniture, a grazing box and bubbles, a music player and some moody lighting. They have alternative options available depending on your taste. You just need to find a stunning location and call in the Kånvas Village team.

To get inspired by their dreamy glamping experience (or even some wedding inspo), check out their Instagram — it’ll have you longing for a Kånvas Village escape in no time.

www.kanvasvillage.com

Instagram: @kanvasvillage

Have we missed someone? We’d love to hear more about the latest accommodation hot spots in Gippsland. Drop us a line and let us know. Also, if you’d love to go glamping beyond Gippsland, check out www.glampinghub.com (but we all know the best adventures are right here!).

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