Wolgan Valley: What it’s really like to stay in one of Australia’s most luxurious bush retreats

Winding through bushland bend after bend, a hidden retreat awaits that’s normally filled with A-listers. This is what Australia’s poshest bush retreat is really like.

When it comes to the past year, there’s no denying that Australians have been served up a whole bunch of lemons on the travel front.

Borders have closed, then they’ve opened. There’s been overseas travel dates dangled in front of us, and quickly snatched away again. And the biggest slap of all? Well, that month of island hopping in Greece or the Cali-coast road trip with your girlfriends is all but a distant dream (well, until mid-2022 anyway – but who’s counting?)

But if there’s one win to take away from the flight bans and border closures that have plagued our travel plans for the past 12 months, it’s that the money once saved to splash out on a month in Europe or perhaps two weeks living large inside a Balinese villa can be used right here in our own backyard.

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This is a glimpse inside the ultra-exclusive One and Only Resort, Wolgan Valley.

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And if you are ready to throw that piggy bank of overseas holiday coin at a few nights of utter, quintessential Aussie luxury – this hidden valley in NSW is where you’ll want to put it.

Snaking through Katoomba, into Blackheath and breezing through the township of Lithgow, the Great Western Highway will eventually lead you to Wolgan Valley on the cuff of the Blue Mountains. Formed by rugged mountain ranges and flanked by the Wolgan River, the valley is home to one of the most picture-perfect eco-resorts you’ll find in the country.

Emirates One and Only is a known escape for those looking for the utmost in privacy and the absolute best in luxury.

I got to check out one of Australia's most exclusive resorts in style.

This is a glimpse inside Wolgan Valley

Serene and secluded, the resort is hidden in an undisturbed part of the Greater Blue Mountains valley – with the 40 private pool villas surrounded by acres of natural wonderland that is World Heritage listed for its unique beauty and abundance of wildlife.

There's not a chance you won't spot an Eastern Grey Kangaroo during your stay.

You won't find a valley with so many wombats.

Bordered by cascading cliffs and canyons, the property is home to thousands of wild Eastern Grey kangaroos, an abundance of wombats (with the valley itself boasting the highest density population of the mammal in the country) and even the odd black wallaroo. And among the wild faces you’ll likely see some famous ones too, with the resort hosting A-listers from around the country – and even the world.

The valley is serene and secluded, making it the perfect hangout for some of Australia’s most famous faces.

The all-inclusive retreat dotted with private pool pavilions isn’t your last minute budget weekend away, with a starting price of $2950 a night. But with almost everything included in the rate (meaning all meals and snacks, an extensive wine and beer list, your own private pool, fireplace and ample bike and walking tracks) it takes a bit of the sting out of the final bill.

With views like this, the almost $3000 per night bill is worth it, right?

Once a sheep and cattle station, the 7000-acre property was converted into the luxury eco-retreat in 2009 — with 3000 acres of conservation land available for guests to explore on foot, bike or horseback during their stay.

Every corner of this resort is mind-blowing.

It’ll be hard to peel yourself away from your villa with own private pool.

Prior to the pandemic, the resort predominantly hosted international arrivals, but walking around the grounds, the villas are now filled with local visitors spending their holiday savings at home. Honeymooners unable to spend two weeks in Fiji lazed around their private pool, young families getting out of their city apartments for a long weekend of luxury, biking and hiking — and even families using the current interstate border openings as a special opportunity to reconnect around a fireplace once again.

I mean, would you want to start your morning any other way?

And can you picture ending your day any other?

As a first time visitor to the region, the moment I drove through the One and Only gates – it was like being transported into a pocket of Australia only a select few know about.

Checking into the resort, I was visiting as a guest of the Lexus Encore Owner Benefits program, which is a free rewards scheme offered exclusively to the brand’s high-end vehicle owners. It means these guests receive a welcome wine on arrival, a signature sunset tour at the property for two as well as a Lexus vehicle to use on site.

Take a swim in the resort pool.

Or perhaps a bike ride or walk in the valley.

Every guest to the retreat is assigned a lush villa, kitted out with a heated lap pool, gas fire place, walk-in wardrobe and the sound of complete silence by day and star-filled skies at night.

All meals and an extensive selection of local and international wines and beers are already included as part of your stay, so you can literally #RoseAllDay if you want to.

Each villa has their own set of bikes, so you’re able to explore the manly kilometres of individual trails that snake throughout the property.

Select Chris – one of the best guides at the resort.

The resort also offers bush rides for guests.

But if you’re keen to mingle with fellow guests, jump on one of the free optional activities like the stargazing excursions, hands-on conservation work or a guided nature walks (request tour guide Chris for the most informative walk on the property).

All food is included in your stay.

The food is fresh and full of colour.

But if you’re wanting to experience a sunset sighting like no other (and a bottle of champagne to match) nothing will beat a private wildlife and sundowners drive in one of the retreat’s Lexus LX450ds.

Sit back and watch as the valley and surrounding cliff faces turn from gold to orange, while sipping champagne and indulging in your very own picnic basket.

The tour around the property while sipping champagne in the passenger seat is something very special.

Enjoy the sundowners drive in one of the retreat’s Lexus LX450ds, the brand’s four-wheel-drive SUVs, and an indulgent picnic at sunset.

Our guide Alicia taxied us between the best vantage points on the property while talking through the history of the valley, pointing out wildlife and topping up our glasses with champagne when they hit empty.

The tour bends through the valley and up past Donkey Mountain and Mount Wolgan, two clifftops still recovering from the bushfires that ripped through the valley over a year ago. Green regrowth breaks up the charred trees as the sun sets, turning the clifftops an almost fluorescent orange – a sight that won’t leave me for years to come.

The valley cliffs turn a stunning orange at sunset.

Winding back to the main grounds of the resort, passing a wombat enjoying dinner alongside a few grey roos, it’s a wonder why we decide to spend so much time – and money – abroad, when all you really need is right here in our own backyard.

Villas at Emirates One & Only Wolgan Valley start from $2950.

The writer stayed as a guest of Lexus.