The luxury farm-stay tents so nice, they won gold

Glass of chardonnay in hand, I recline in an egg-shaped bathtub watching the sky fade from brilliant orange to a dusky violet. Kangaroos bound across distant slopes, while a resident herd of Dorper sheep trots past on a foraging mission.

Stepping out of the bubbles into a fluffy white robe as stars start to twinkle above, I retreat inside through sliding glass doors, the autumn chill tempered by a roaring wood fire. “Alexa,” I command, “turn the lights on.”

“I’m sorry,” the contrary virtual assistant replies. “Which light do you mean? The outside light? The deck light? The bathroom light?”

It’s a tent – but not as you know it.Credit:

Rolling my eyes, I correct myself to be more specific. “Alexa, turn on the kitchen light.” Understood.

Smart hotels may be common these days, but this is, after all, a tent – the last place I expect to be arguing with technology. However, Mudgee’s Sierra Escape is more than just a bunch of fancy-pants tents with great views – it has elevated the concept of glamping to rival the comforts of a luxury hotel.

In fact, this is done so convincingly that the property recently won a gold award for unique accommodation in the 2024 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, hot on the heels of its victory in the NSW state awards.

Outdoor fire pit for romantic nights under the stars.

What, then, makes this particular adults-only eco-retreat so special? Our home for two nights – a safari-style tent named Wirra (meaning “to rest” in Wiradjuri) – is one of five (an original smaller tent plus four premium additions), along with one tiny home scattered across 180 hectares of rolling farmland 20 minutes north of Mudgee.

With each structure perched on its own hillside, the seclusion is absolute – there’s no sign of any other tents from our elevated deck, and no one in earshot either. While staff are present on the property, there is limited face-to-face contact unless specifically requested. Access through the front gate is via numberplate recognition, entry to the tents is via a pre-sent digital code, and welcome messages are sent by text.

“You can get there and leave without interacting with anyone, to create that feeling of isolation,” Sierra Escape owner Cam D’Arcy says. “At the same time with the welcome messages, we create these touchpoints to let people know we are present and care about them but create an exclusive and private experience.”

Nature comes to life under a canvas roof.

Each premium tent is equipped with everything you need for a cozy night: a king-sized bed with an electric blanket should the temperature drop; a full bathroom with shower and another bathtub; a kitchenette for rustling up a grazing plate; and an outdoor fire pit for romantic nights under the stars.

The fact that you’re in a tent, however, is never disguised. Flaps unzip for ventilation, while the canvas is an essential part of the immersion into nature. The walls waggle and sigh with the wind, raindrops patter loudly as they fall, while you can hear the grunts of kangaroos and wombats as they potter around outside.

“Everything comes to life when you’re lying under that canvas roof, you can hear and feel every element of nature, but at the same time you’re comfortable – you’re warm, you’ve got an electric blanket, there’s a fireplace on, you have a proper bath and shower,” D’Arcy says.

Under the night skies.Credit:

“That immersion into nature was important to us. We purposely didn’t put TVs in the tents because we wanted people to spend time together and reconnect with themselves, their partner, with nature.”

Sierra Escape’s icing on the proverbial cake is its infinity pool created from a shipping container, built into yet another hillside with stunning views across the valley towards Gulgong. A covered pavilion has been constructed alongside, perfect for lounging, sunrise yoga or meditation (with exclusive bespoke sessions available for download).

While it’s hard to drag yourself away from such serenity, the property is a short (though admittedly, challenging) drive from the sublime wineries, cafes and wellness facilities of Mudgee. But if you really can’t bear to leave, Sierra Escape has teamed up with local massage therapists, yoga instructors and hamper designers to bring the good life to your door.

It all adds up to the ultimate retreat, a sanctuary in the true sense of the word, all within a manageable drive from Sydney. And that’s pure gold.

Bubble bath with sunset views.

The details

Drive
Sierra Escape is 20 minutes’ drive north of Mudgee, which is a 3½ hour drive from Sydney’s CBD.

Stay
From $790 a night for two people, with a minimum two-night stay. Strictly adults only. See sierraescape.com.au

The writer was a guest of Sierra Escape.