Australian eco-luxury glamping retreat offers authentic local experiences
Mudgee, a town northwest of Sydney in Australia and known for its colonial architecture and wine-growing region, is now home to a new eco-luxury glamping retreat. Sierra Escape includes a pool, outdoor lounge and WiFi; it also offers a range of authentic experiences hosted by local businesses such as yoga, horseback riding and cooking classes.
Now open for 2021 bookings (the property is already completely booked up for 2020), Sierra Escape has upped its game since winning gold two years running at the NSW Tourism Awards and silver at the Australian Tourism Awards for “unique accommodation.” An added pool and outdoor lounge set into the hillside lets guests revel in the upcoming summer season.
The pool, constructed from an old shipping container, offers natural countryside views to help guests reconnect with nature while unwinding in the secluded setting. Private, guided yoga classes run by local instructors are available in the outdoor lounge. There are in-ceiling speakers available so guests can play their own music and dedicated WiFi so they don’t have to feel completely isolated from the rest of the world.
This unique accommodation renovation comes as a welcomed feature to the Mudgee tourism industry, which has been affected by the 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns. Owners Cam and Tasch D’Arcy hope that the retreat will entice more travelers to visit the area and help stimulate the economy. Apart from yoga, available locally-sourced experiences will include in-tent massages, horseback riding tours, wine tours and gourmet culinary experiences with local restaurant The Zin House.
All three options for glamping accommodations on the property are adults-only and limited to a capacity of two people. By 2021, each option will feature an outdoor bathtub and firepit, a king-sized bed, a fireplace and either 27 or 54 square meters of floor space.
Images via Sierra Escape
Written by Katherine Gallagher