Why camp when you can glamp – the best spots for glamping in WA

A new phenomenon called ‘glamping’ (glamorous camping) is the ultimate compromise for campers and non-campers. You get all the luxuries and conveniences of home inside one very fancy (and often fairy-light-adorned) tent. It’s the best of both worlds for those that want a soft or luxury camping experience.

So if you’re keen to give it a try, here are some of the best glamping spots in our WA parks:

Drafty’s Campsite by WA Wilderness, Pemberton
Deep in the forest at the heart of Warren National Park sits Drafty’s Campsite—a cool, green campsite right on the banks of the Warren River. No planning or extensive packing is necessary, you just pull up and everything is there ready for you.  A tent has been set up, there’s a bed in there with fresh sheets, plus barbeque areas and fully-maintained cooking facilities are on-site. There are wineries, restaurants and galleries scattered around the area, so instead of wasting time packing and unpacking your carload of camping supplies, you can spend more time relaxing in nature. Seriously, why has nobody thought of this brilliant concept sooner?

Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef (Photo: Lauren Bath)

Sal Salis, Cape Range National Park, Ningaloo Reef
Imagine if you could be so entrenched in nature that you wake up to the sounds of birds singing, watch kangaroos grazing among sand dunes and catch glimpses of whales on Ningaloo Reef, all without having to pack the car full of camping gear. Imagine no more! Sal Salis is a remote beachside safari camp in the dunes of Cape Range National Park, on the shores of Ningaloo Reef, featuring 16 ‘wilderness tents’. What’s a wilderness tent, you ask? It’s a tent that sits on a raised platform fitted with a jarrah bed, cotton sheets and ensuite bathroom. Sal Salis also offers communal long table dining with meals prepared by their expert chefs, snorkelling equipment, kayaks and a library full of books, so you literally need to pack nothing, but your bathers.

Eco Retreat, Karijini National Park
This environmentally friendly retreat and campground is nestled in the heart of the spectacular Karijini National Park. You just don’t get much closer to nature than that. And you can really soak it all up by staying in one of their deluxe eco tents.  Fully equipped with beds, linen, lanterns, fans, a private en-suite bathroom, and an attached outdoor deck area so you can sit and enjoy the starry night sky. Ah, the serenity.

Nomadika Glamping, from Dwellingup to Yanchep
Nomadika is all about making something special from the otherwise mundane. They’ll come and set up one of their beautiful bell tents wherever you please, from Dwellingup to Yanchep to your own backyard. You’ll get a double bed with all the trimmings, rugs, side tables and a cushioned lounge area for your very own picnic. Speaking of, you can leave the food up to them and add a hamper to your package so you don’t have to lift a finger.

Glamping Co, Anywhere
The Glamping Co. have really perfected what is the best idea ever… awesome, comfy, boho tents set up anywhere you want. Their glamping experiences are much like having a hotel room crammed into a tent, which truly makes it the ultimate compromise if you’re a non-camper being forced into a camping situation. Their luxe bohemian bell tents feature five-star hotel beds, super soft linen, rugs, tables, chairs, candles, showers, toilets — and they can even set up power for you. Now if that’s not glam, we don’t know what is.

Soul Camping, Busselton to Margaret River
What often puts people off camping is having to pack the car full of everything you’ll need, drive it all to your destination, unpack it, set up your tent and lay out all your camping supplies.  Then in two days’ time have to pack it all down again, load it back in the car, unpack it all at home and clean all the dirt off it all. Sometimes, it isn’t worth the hassle. Which is why Soul Camping started their business of going out to wherever you want to camp and setting up an amazing bell tent complete with a bed, fresh linen, pillows, side tables, lamps, rugs and an outdoor table and chairs. All you need to do is arrive, enjoy your surroundings, and then leave again. While they do only service within the Busselton to Margaret River region, they are happy to travel further for an extra fee if you wish.

And soon, you will be able to Glamp on Rottnest Island.

(Article Source: Kirsty Petrides, the Urban List – 14 Mar 2018; Rottnest Island Authority)