I love camping, but it can be such a hard slog!
Fortunately for this busy, working mum, the luxury tents at Paperbark Camp provide all the camping fun minus the hassle.
Situated just outside the picturesque New South Wales South Coast village of Huskinsson, Paperbark pioneered the concept of “glamping” in Australia more than 15 years ago. Camp owners, Jeremy and Irena Hutchings, were inspired by the safari tents they encountered on their travels in Africa and wanted to bring to magic to their coastal town.
We arrived at Paperbark mid-afternoon on a Friday. Driving down a long country laneway we had our first glimpse of the luxury tents, which are hidden amongst the eucalypts and paperbarks.
There are 13 safari tents and three different options – Original Safari, Deluxe Safari and King Deluxe Safari.
Our Original Safari tent had a private open-air ensuite, wraparound deck with outdoor furniture, solar-powered lighting and luxury linen.
But, in the spirit of true camping, there is no TV, power points, fridge, air conditioning or heating. We were warned to keep our insect screens shut to keep out mosquitos and the friendly possums – who will happily nibble on anything from candle wax to your lipstick!
After settling in, we wandered down one of the bush tracks to Currambene Creek. Guests have the option to paddle a kayak to Jervis Bay, but we were happy to just enjoy the view and take some snaps of the dusty pink sunset.
Dinner is served in the Gunyah restaurant, built high off the ground amongst the tree tops. We put our phones on the charging station before enjoying a pre-dinner drink next to the cosy open fire. There is a delicious set four-course set menu, which changes every night, and includes such delights as lemon myrtle and pea risotto with sous vide salmon and crispy skin, slow cooked beef cheek with carrot and sherry puree with winter kale and kaffir lime and coconut tart with mascarpone sherbet.
It’s a chilly evening, but we’re sent back to our tent with a Thermos for our hot water bottle. Staff kindly delivered another hot flask to our front porch in the morning for a pre-breakfast coffee!
After a lazy sleep in, we enjoy a yummy breakfast in the restaurant, before picking up our pre-ordered picnic basket and heading to the magnificent Booderee National Park for a full day of adventure. There are bushwalks, secluded beaches with turquoise water and the ruins of Cape St George lighthouse – which has a fascinating and spooky history!
If you’re feeling active, Paperbark provides free bikes. It’s a short ride into Huskisson, where you can enjoy the stunning scenery, cafes and local markets or do the beautiful White Sands Walk along the coast to Hyam’s Beach – said to have the whitest sand in the world. Or, you can also choose to do nothing, and laze away in the hammocks or onsite bar.
Two nights in these scenic surroundings felt like a much longer break and was just the reprieve we needed from our busy lives in Sydney.
For more on glamping experiences head to https://glampinghub.com/australia/newsouthwales/woollamia/luxury-tents-nsw-jervisbay/
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