Going bushbashing out in the sticks with our mates, partners and family has always been a strong part of our Australian culture. However, traditional camping isn’t for everyone, especially since technology and our general way of life have introduced many creature comforts that are hard to live without – even if it’s for a night or two.
Luckily, glamping allows you to enjoy the experience of camping under the stars in total luxury and comfort, without having to scavenge the outback for firewood or master the art of pitching a tent. Before we discuss the ultimate spots for glamping near Brisbane, let’s first explain exactly what glamping is and how it differs from traditional camping.
When you combine glamorous and camping together, you get glamping: the luxurious version of traditional camping. As far back as the 16th century, royals had been enjoying lavish camping experiences where instead of battling the elements, they relaxed in massive tents filled to the brim with their most prized possessions from their castles.
As you may have guessed by now, glamping is the first-class version of camping. Traditional camping involves setting up your own tent, lighting a fire for warmth, dealing with bugs, trekking to the campsite toilet or building a latrine, and crawling into a sleeping bag when it’s time to go to bed.
Glamping is all about comfort, skipping these menial tasks and focusing on providing a homely atmosphere. This means staying in big lavish canopies decked out with furniture, having private showers and toilets, sleeping in comfortable beds, cooking with gourmet cookware and so much more.
The main difference is that glamping offers a much more enjoyable experience than traditional camping – unless you enjoy rolling up your sleeves and breaking a sweat.
As with anything involving luxury, it comes with a price tag. Glamping is like staying in a 5-star hotel, except the entire Australian outback is your front door view, so it doesn’t come cheap. However, there are also more affordable places that offer glamping experiences as well.
Most places that offer glamping will have their sites connected to electricity. After all, you will have access to a sink, your own fridge, lamps, kettles, an oven, a microwave and more.
Now pack your bags and load up the car, as here is where you will find the ultimate spots for glamping near Brisbane:
Only just 1.5 hours outside of Brisbane, Spicers Canopy provides its guests with one of the most memorable and unique glamping experiences you will find in South-East Queensland. Located on a private nature refuge of 5,000 acres and offering 10 luxurious safari tents, you will have everything you need right at your fingertips.
Glamping at Spicers Canopy will see you chilling in a hot tub with a glass of champagne, relaxing on the lounge in front of your own fireplace and sleeping in an extremely comfortable king size bed – no sleeping bags here! Each of their tents features amenities such as polished timber floorboards, a private covered verandah with your own deck chairs, lamps, furniture and a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains of Scenic Rim.
As each of their spacious safari tents can fit up to 20 people, Spicers Canopy is the ultimate glamping destination for groups of friends, corporate retreats or celebrating a special honeymoon. If you feel like stretching your legs, you can also take their two-day Scenic Rim Trail Walk, which is a great opportunity to experience the great outdoors and snap some memorable photos.
Website: https://spicersretreats.com/bushcamps/spicers-canopy-luxury-tents/
Address: 1095 S Branch Rd, Tregony QLD 4370
Hidden away in an untouched pocket of Lamington National Park is Nightfall, a truly superb glamping destination that focuses on providing the perfect balance of an indulgent retreat with the unfiltered beauty of the surrounding rainforest. The most difficult thing you will encounter at Nightfall is saying goodbye.
Offering a bespoke experience like no other, you can stay in an exquisite 62m2 safari tent featuring wire-brushed timber flooring, a hand-carved stone basin, free-standing bath, the finest organic bedding and all the high-class amenities you would expect. As a finishing touch, you will also receive a delicious gourmet platter and a bottle of Australian sparkling wine as you begin to unwind and relax.
Nightfall also has private natural spa pools, creek-side massages, lazy swinging hammocks and unbeatable views of the tranquil rainforest that encompasses the horizon. To discover the epitome of luxury glamping near Brisbane, Nightfall is where you’ll find it.
Website: https://nightfall.com.au/
Address: 3009 Christmas Creek Rd, Lamington QLD 4285
Somerset is a great place to find awesome glamping experiences, and Pure Glamping Wivenhoe is definitely no exception. As the perfect home away from home, you can lay back and de-stress as you re-connect with nature in 5-star comfort.
Each of their waterproof canvas tents includes a comfortable queen size bed, your own chairs with an outdoor fire pit with firewood, a lantern for intimate lighting and more. With stunning views of Lake Wivenhoe, there are many activities to experience such as mountain biking, walking, hiking, horse riding, sailing, fishing and snorkelling.
There are also nearby taverns, cafés and bakeries if you feel like wandering into town and grabbing a bite to eat and drink. However, you will have an outdoor BBQ area if you want to cook something special. If visiting with family, then hire a couple of canoes and enjoy a day of kayaking on the lake!
Website: https://www.campingwivenhoe.com.au/
Address: Logan Inlet Rd, Lake Wivenhoe QLD 4312
Situated on Stradbroke Island, Minjerribah Camping offers 2 spectacular glamping sites that each come with their own array of exciting and relaxing activities to enjoy. Camping just a stone’s throw away from the water, you can catch the local dolphins swimming past, pelicans flying overhead and cute koalas strolling by!
Their luxurious tents are equipped with fresh cotton sheets and towels, electricity, bamboo chairs, microwaves, full-sized fridges, bathrooms, TVs and more. Staying at Amity Point provides close access to great fishing spots, whale watching, snorkelling and scuba diving, cycling and walking tracks, kayaking and canoeing.
Their Adder Rock glamping site provides close access to beaches perfect for swimming and surfing, a large range of wildlife interactions, sandboarding, stand up paddling, a bowls club and nearby markets if you’re wanting to go for a stroll.
Website: https://www.minjerribahcamping.com.au/
Address: 100 East Coast Road Dunwich, North Stradbroke Island QLD 4183
Home to Queensland’s first vineyard glamping experience, Sanctuary by Sirromet is only 30 minutes from Brisbane airport and offers 560 acres of beautiful grounds to explore. With breathtaking views of the surrounding giant scribbly gums and paperbark trees, their enchanting tented pavilions appear as if to float from the ground.
Their family pavilion option is perfect for a family vacation and spending quality time together. It features a spacious king size bed for the parents and two comfortable king single beds for the little ones. Each pavilion comes fully equipped with heating, air conditioning, a minibar fridge, ensuite showers and toilets, hairdryers, furniture, a microwave, coffee maker, free WiFi and your own balcony area.
If you’re looking to enjoy a glamping experience with your partner, then their laguna suite is ideal. Featuring all the included amenities, it’s like staying in a 5-star treehouse that overlooks the incredible panoramic views of Mount Cotton.
Website: https://sanctuarybysirromet.com/
Address: 850 Mount Cotton Rd, Mount Cotton QLD 4165
Just 1.5 hours outside of Brisbane is Lake Somerset Holiday Park, a popular and affordable glamping destination that features a great selection of luxurious safari-style tents and cabins to choose from. And even though it is a more affordable glamping option, that doesn’t mean it’s any less special.
Make sure you bring your fishing rod as Lake Somerset Holiday Park is located right on Australia’s most popular freshwater fishing destination: Somerset Dam. Their safari tent options comfortably fit up to 4 people and overlook the beautiful freshwater lake just metres away. You will still have access to all the basic creature comforts such as a bar fridge, kitchen, tea and coffee makers, bathroom and more.
If you don’t have a boat to bring, there are places nearby that offer boat hire so you can cruise around Lake Somerset. You can also enjoy an exciting day of fishing, with plenty of fish to catch such as some of Australia’s biggest freshwater bass or try and catch some delicious red claw crayfish!
Website: https://www.nrmaparksandresorts.com.au/lake-somerset/
Address: 78 Kirkleagh Rd, Hazeldean QLD 4515
As the Scenic Rim’s best-kept secret, Ketchup’s Bank Glamping is the perfect glamping spot for a romantic getaway. Just under an hour from Brisbane and nestled in secluded beautiful bushland, a truly decadent and glamorous camping experience awaits you.
For the ultimate couples getaway, we recommend booking a stay in their baya tiny house eco-retreat. With an entire ridge all to yourself, your stay will be spent in absolute comfort. It includes a fully furnished kitchen with a gas stove, your own ensuite bathroom and shower complete with a large rainfall shower head, free WiFi, a private fire pit, a giant loft bed, private deck, indoor fireplace and so much more.
Ketchup’s Bank Glamping understands exactly how glamping should be – a luxurious camping experience where you can gaze up at the night sky in complete comfort from your own bed.
Website: https://www.ketchupsbankglamping.com.au/
Address: 726 Green Hills Road Cannon Creek, Boonah QLD 4310
Camping isn’t for everyone – but glamping is! Why put up with bugs flying around you, having to arrive early to set up tents and deal with the hassle of packing everything away when you can avoid all that fuss?
Create a truly magical experience by booking a trip to one of the best spots for glamping near Brisbane and discover why so many people choose to glamp instead of camp. When returning from your staycation, why not bring back a fresh punnet of strawberries by checking out some of the best strawberry picking farms around Brisbane?
