Glamping with the Stars

Forget about camping. The best way to experience the Australian Outback is in luxurious tents surrounded by nature and a starry night sky

By Ann-Marie Cahill

Imagine yourself stretched out on a comfy bed with nothing between you and the sparkling dust of the Milky Way galaxy above. This is my happy place. I can lie here for hours, gazing at the majestic southern skies and feel at peace in the Australian Outback.

My childhood was filled with extended road trips across Australia, traversing long distances between small townships, and nights camping under the stars. Few things in our travelling lives can beat this fantastic feeling. If you have an opportunity to upgrade your Outback experience from camping to glamping, say yes.

As much as I loved adventures with my family during the day, nothing was more exciting than the soft fall of dusk and waiting for the stars to appear above us. Sometimes, we stayed in roadside hotels, but I was happiest when we camped near Dubbo, and I spent the night under the biggest sky I had ever seen.

Fast forward 25 years. Now I am the driver on epic road trips. I can still hear the call of the Outback like a siren – a voice on the wind rolling over the dusty red roads telling me it’s time to return. It’s the same voice that’s calling to many travellers, encouraging them to go glamping in the region and immerse themselves in nature.

Hands down, the Australian Outback is the most magnificent stargazing adventure you will ever experience, thanks to the low levels of light pollution. The Northern Hemisphere has famous constellations, but the Southern Skies glitter with the tail of the Milky Way galaxy, Magellanic star clouds, and the Jewel Box, a 160-million-year-old star cluster. You don’t need any special equipment to spot most of these. A good set of binoculars can provide enough detail, but often I find myself staring up at the sky and enjoying the natural beauty.

ULURU-KATA TJUTA NATIONAL PARK

Glamping is the perfect travel experience to immerse yourself in the outdoors without sacrificing any of the luxuries.

Glamping is the perfect travel experience to immerse yourself in the outdoors without sacrificing any of the luxuries. It’s the ideal way to dip your toe in the world of camping without being overwhelmed by all the preparation needed. You can take all the best parts of camping – the outdoors, the open space, the serenity, and then make it a little more comfortable.

MIRUMIRU BUBBLE TENTS

˝ SERA J WRIGHT / MIRUMIRU BUBBLE TENTS

Unique stargazing tents like Mirumiru Bubble Tents are perfect. These heavyduty camping domes look like igloos with a transparent roof for an unobstructed night sky view from your bed. Or you can soak in an outdoor bathtub to catch a meteor shower or see planets twinkle far off in the distance. The swags create a thick comfy bed with warm cozy blankets for when the weather cools. Everything is ready to go from the minute you arrive.

PAMPER YOURSELF AT MIRUMIRU BUBBLE TENTS

MIRUMIRU BUBBLE TENTS

I think I fell a little in love with glamping in the Australian Outback purely from these tents. The best part is the location – Tenterfield, New South Wales. It’s along the same central highway from my childhood, and yet still close enough to Sydney and Brisbane to make it a worthwhile visit. Here, you can do bush walks and explore the same small towns I did as a kid.

Bald Rock National Park is the best bush-walking destination, just 30 kilometres from Tenterfield. Named after the largest granite monolith in the Southern Hemisphere, the mighty Bald Rock towers 260 metres above the sweeping bushland. As a child, I would climb the summit with my family and feel like I was on top of the world.

KINGS CANYON

˝ TOURISM AUSTRALIA

Australia’s second-largest granite boulder is also nearby but gives you a slightly different experience. The Mount Mackenzie Scenic Drive follows around the high country encompassing Tenterfield, passing by sheep and cattle who don’t appreciate the amazing views as we do. Giant granite boulders mark the road to the lookout at the top of the tablelands. It’s the ideal place to stop for a picnic and simply take in the breathtaking vistas.

When you’re ready to come back down to Earth, Tenterfield hosts a sweet collection of cafés and museums. The Railway Museum was always a family favourite, while Sir Henry Parkes School of Arts Museum is filled with inspiration from the natural surroundings.

LUXURY BATHROOM AT LONGITUDE 131

˝ LONGITUDE 131

When it’s time for sleep, the outback has other glamping spots, like Longitude 131 o and its luxury camp overlooking Uluru. It has 16 tented pavilions in the Central Desert’s redrust dunes. Or keep cool in air-conditioned glamping tents for couples or families at Kings Canyon, complete with outdoor decks and en suite bathrooms.

PLUNGE POOL AT LONGITUDE 131

˝ LONGITUDE 131

When asked about travel in Australia, I always say to get out of the city. Jump in the car, or take the bus, train, or whatever will take you outback. Make yourself comfortable. Find a place to glamp and soak up the starfilled sky.

RELAX AND ENJOY THE BREATHTAKING VIEW OF THE DESERT

˝ LONGITUDE 131