The last time I slept in a tent was in a field in France, during a balmy summer with my dad and younger brother when I was about 11 years old. Memories of a sun-warmed canvas, the familiar sound of sleeping bags rustling on a plastic sheet and my dad’s snores filling the stuffy space flooded back as soon as I heard I would be re-living my camping youth. However, this time it would be different. There wouldn’t be a communal shower area, burnt baked beans in a battered pan or rowdy French families in the tent next door. It would be less sweaty sleeping sacks and more luxe lodgings as I got to glamp it up at Paperbark Camp.
I’d hired a car and headed out of the city to spend two nights deep in the woods of Jervis Bay. I’d never been glamping before and honestly had no idea what lay in store. The thought of sleeping by myself in the great outdoors (as luxurious as it might be) in the Australian wilderness, knowing that most of the creepy crawlies and critters around me could possibly kill me, didn’t fill me with excitement if I’m honest.
Thoughts of the many horror films I’d seen filled my mind as I inched my way down a winding dirt track, obediently following signs to keep my speed below 20mph in case of kangaroos. I’d already heard stories of kangaroo car collisions so I was creeping along with all of my senses alert to avoid any RTA (roo traffic accidents).
Thankfully I arrived in one piece and as soon as I saw the stunning surroundings I instantly relaxed (and told myself to stop being such a drama queen). Taken to my hut in a golf cart was only the first sign of how classy camping could be. The huts themselves completely surpassed any expectations I may have had. An open deck, a full sized bed with hotel quality linen, a bathroom that had a roll-top bath, open air shower and loads of gorgeously smelling products to pamper yourself with. It was almost beginning to feel like I was in a posh hotel, not in the middle of the Australian bush.
Twelve canvas safari-style individual tents are dotted around the main camp, a gorgeous airy treetop dining room where breakfast and dinner (in season) are served. Think exposed beams, light wood and a roaring open fire. This is also the only area that has WiFi and even power sockets. I went out of season so there wasn’t any queuing to charge my phone but if you stayed here when every tent was full then prepare for a digital detox (or buy a power source charger thingamijigy like this one).
I’m not going to say that my stay in the unusual accommodation went without a hitch. I’d never been woken up by a possum drinking out of my toilet bowl before (possibly the most Australian thing I’ve said since arriving down under) nor have I ever had neighbours that had been so jumpy before. I went for a stroll around the forest and froze in shock at the sight of three kangaroos sunbathing just outside the door to my hut. It was incredible but took a little getting used to!
It also showed me how much of a wimp I am in the great outdoors as my heart raced with every strange sound, unusual crunch of twigs or leaves that fell on my roof. I think if I’d shared this experience with someone else we would have been in stitches at the amount of times I yelped and flicked my head out of my tent asking ‘what was that?!’. Luckily, no one else saw me acting so neurotic and after the first night - when I realised that I was a guest in the great outdoors and that nothing outside was going to hurt me - I definitely relaxed and enjoyed my Australian bush experience.
I’m a big fan of getting away and treating yourself to some downtime, time to just hang out with your thoughts, to read a book, to plan your next adventure or to breathe great lungfuls of fresh air. I would totally give glamping another go as being in such a tranquil place did soothe my soul (once I’d gotten used to the call of the wild) plus, you don’t have the hassle of erecting a tent or burning your French sausages on a camp fire! Win win!
Thanks to the lovely staff at Paperbark Camp (who couldn’t have been more helpful) and to Destination NSW for arranging the stay. Check out my other Australian posts here!
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