The big chunk of land down under, Australia, is a continent of contrast. From chasing crocodiles in the Northern Territory to gawking at the sea lion colony on Kangaroo Island, snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, or checking out the quirky quokkas on Rottnest Island, there's something for everyone to get outdoors and experience nature at its best. Mother Nature went all out when creating this land of unique and sometimes scary crazy critters scurrying around. Known for having many evil creatures, they rarely bite and only do so when feeling threatened—so don't be put off by this villainous reputation.
For the adventurer and the escapist who loves a lot of luxury, sometimes a hotel doesn't equate to the dream experience of connecting with nature. Australia's diversity is impressive, whether on a beach with golden sand stretching forever, under ancient trees in a rainforest, or in a wide-open space where the stars light up the sky. Gone are the days when you had to be self-sufficient, lugging a tent and all the other necessities to get out of the urban glitz that hugs Australia's coastline. In fact, 80% of Australia's population is concentrated around its long and winding coastline.
Below are 2 incredible solutions to stuffy hotel woes where luxury is not compromised and experiencing nature is guaranteed:
In the Outback - Longitude 131, Northern Territory
Every convenience has been super upgraded from what you would expect of camping at Longitude 131—it is unadulterated outback luxury where sundowners of French bubbles will go up your nose, stargazing at night is by a campfire that you didn't have to build, dining is the best of what Australian cuisine has to offer graced with bush ingredients and dinner is washed down with Australian premium wines. It's all things Aussie: a swag with style to snuggle into, glamorous tents decorated with locals' artworks, indigenous-inspired body treatments can be indulged in at the luscious spa, and there's even a plunge pool for doing the Aussie crawl—albeit maybe two strokes will get you to the other end! The location in the desert sand dunes is perfect for exploring: take a guided hike through The Valley of the Winds, jump into a four-wheel drive on a private excursion complete with picnic goodies, ride a camel, or learn how to dot paint, are only a few of the bespoke adventures available.
Longitude 131 sits in the red outback of Australia at the foot of the iconic and mystical Uluru, formed about 550 million years ago. With your front-row seat, it's possible to witness the changing of its colors: dawn's brilliant red when the sun illuminates the rock, tinged with burnt orange around midday, then bathed in moody blues and purples at sunset when the sky comes alive with the Belt of Venus. This is the sacred heart of Australia that you can experience at your own pace while sleeping under a canvas roof of decadence.
On the Beach - Sal Salis, Western Australia
Sal Salis is the ultimate in shameless self-indulgence, a dream destination for water babies who love to eat seafood or who wish for a taste of Aussie bush magic—it's where the Aussie wilderness dips its toes into the blue water of the East Indian Ocean lapping the length of the Coral Coast of Western Australia. Famous for its marine life playing on Ningaloo Reef, Sal Salis has only 16 swish safari-style tents, all set apart for maximum privacy, providing sinful days of holiday bliss. The spacious tents ooze a luxurious camping vibe, with handcrafted beds of native jarrah wood smothered in comfy linen sheets and decks complete with hammocks. Ensuite bathrooms are a walk on the wild side with organic shampoo and native herb soap.
Off-grid and eco-friendly, the glamping experience is a beautiful juxtaposition of bush and beach combined. While an emu or kangaroo may pass by your covered deck as you lay in your hammock, the fish on the reef are busily swimming amidst a stunning array of colorful coral, waiting for your next snorkeling trip. It's where you can swim with migrating whale sharks or humpback whales depending on the time of the year, or on-land marvel at the quirky anatomy of an echidna—his back feet point backward—as he shuffles along traversing a well-worn trail in the Cape Range National Park. Bespoke excursions to fully immerse yourself in the region and connect with nature are available at your whim. Five-star dining encompasses the gamut of bush and sea tucker served spectacularly with renowned Western Australian wines against an unparalleled backdrop.
Other posh canvas roofs can be found at Paperbark Camp in Jervis Bay of New South Wales with a tree-top dining room, Ikara Safari Camp of Wilpena Pound Resort nestled into red river gums and native pines of the Flinders Ranges in South Australia, or for the serious wine lover, there is Olio Bello, a working olive oil farm in the famous wine region of Margaret River, Western Australia.
Gail Palethorpe, a self proclaimed Australian gypsy, is a freelance writer, photographer and eternal traveller. Check out her website Gail Palethorpe Photography and her Shutterstock profile.
