Ultimate Glamping Escape—Currajong Retreat, NSW

If you love the freedom and fresh air of the Great Outdoors, but don’t particularly want to be in it all the time, this all-inclusive luxury glamping escape in the verdant hinterland of the Sapphire Coast is for you.

As we trundle over the low bridge spanning the stony shoals of the Towamba River, which flows from the Great Dividing Range all the to Eden on the southern limits of New South Wales, the feeling of remoteness and the beauty of the region really takes us.
This road, magnificently named the Big Jack Mountain Road, bends and flexes its way along the valley beside the river, snaking its way to Currajong Retreat : our hideaway for the next few days.
Check out our walkthrough video of Currajong Retreat.

Glamping on the Sapphire Coast—Currajong Retreat
So here’s the deal.
Currajong Retreat is a family-run high-end glamping retreat on 100 acres of beautiful wooded farmland on the edge of the valley of the Towamba River. It’s some 45 minutes west of towns like Eden, Merimbula and Bega on the aptly named blue waters of the Sapphire Coast midway between Sydney and Melbourne.

At the moment there are three luxurious safari style ‘tents’ on the property, though there are plans for another two—one of which will be fully accessible.
The cost of the two-night minimum booking includes all meals and drinks, with add-ons that we’ll come to later.
There’s a homestead on the property, which acts as reception, and it’s also where the majority of the goats live.
Oh, didn’t I mention? This is a working Angora goat farm. More about these woolly little treasures later too.
Currajong Retreat’s accommodation
It’s really hard to call these retreats ‘tents’. Indeed, the roof and three of the four walls are canvas like a tent, but that’s where all camping similes end.

Through the front door, a partition wall hides the entrance to the fully tiled spacious bathroom, complete with native flower arrangements and a walk-in shower, fluffy gowns and slippers.
In the main section of the room is a large queen bed, a comfy sofa and a glass dining table for two.
Along one canvas side is a kitchenette with a sink, refrigerator and microwave, as well as a portable electric stove in the cupboard. You also have a kettle, toaster and pod coffee machine at your disposal.

This is all moot really though, as the lovely Forsdick family, who own and run the retreat, bring all your meals to the door.
Also inside the retreat is a wood-burning heater, which would be amazing to fire up in the cold winter months. Its chimney pokes out of the canvas roof, making this impressive build feel even less like a tent.
But the best is still to come.
Have you ever been camping in a tent with a veranda?
As you push through the giant flyscreen curtain at the back of the retreat, the countryside opens up to you. Beyond the wonderful comforts and cosiness inside, the back of the retreat is impressive.

The timber deck, some 9x4m, juts out over the valley giving you immaculate views of the river below, the trees and fields on the far bank and in the distance, the mountain silhouettes of Egan Peaks.
On this veranda, which seems to float into the valley, is where we spend most of our time at Currajong Retreat. Loungers and the outdoor table setting are perfect for relaxing and watching the birdlife—there’s even a pair of binoculars and a spotters book in the room for this very purpose.
But best of all, at one end of the deck, is a huge deep-fill bath big enough for two people. It’s open to the sky, beyond the cover of the canvas shade. It’s easy to picture yourself soaking in warm water staring up at the stars on a cool evening!
And if you happen to want more food than the retreat provides for you, there’s also a very neat gas barbecue on the balcony too.

The way these safari tents are built remind us of the beautiful retreats at Cooinda Lodge in Kakadu. Though, while those in Cooinda are a perfect base to explore the national park, these at Currajong Retreat are far more spacious and restful.
Building your nest here and making yourself at home is the main aim of Currajong Retreat.
What Is There To Do At Currajong Retreat?
Currajong Retreat is built for comfort, romance and relaxation. But there’s still enough to do here to keep even the most active-minded happy.

For us, the digital detox was more than enough to keep us occupied. Currajong Retreat is completely off-grid and out of network range. The reception, however, does have signal if you need to deal with something urgently.
Venturing beyond the walls of your sanctuary, there’s plenty to see and do.
Goats—but no ordinary goats
This 100-acre property is not just for the Forsdick family and Currajong Retreat. It is a working farm .

Over 400 head of specialty Angora Goats live here, raised for their unique and valuable hair. Coming out in tight curls, Angora ‘wool’ is used in luxury textiles—the best of it going to suit makers in Italy.
But these goats are the friendliest we’ve ever come across.
You can organise a tour of the farm, where you can meet the young ones and nannies, who quite literally come running over for a cuddle and a stroke. There is also a paddock for the billygoats, and in spite of their intimidating horns, many of these big males enjoy a good head-scratch.
The Towamba River
The Towamba River, which you first cross on the Big Jack Mountain Road on the way in, and that you can see from the deck of your retreat, is safe to swim in.

During the summer, its cool waters are a welcome antidote to the heat of the day. In winter it’s probably a bit cold to swim, but still worth the short walk to its stony banks. The views from the water are stunning.
Bushwalks
While you’re at Currajong Retreat, you’re free to explore the acreage, which flows down the river valley and extends through woodlands and fields.
There’s plenty of wildlife to spot as you’re going, including snakes, so make sure you go appropriately attired.
Nature-spotting
As we mentioned, there’s so much wildlife around here. We put the binoculars in our room to good use, seeing all kinds of birds from the balcony, including a pair of rare gang gang cockatoos, kites and even a white bellied sea eagle, reminding us that the coast is still not far off.
We also found a discarded snake skin and spotted a large monitor lizard clinging to the side of a tree having a nap.
Add-On Experiences
The Sundowner Cocktail Hamper is a brilliant idea. Your hosts set up the drinks trolley in your retreat with all the ingredients for the cocktails of your choice.
You then put the components together to enjoy a romantic drink at your leisure.

Currajong Retreat can also organise a candle-lit dinner on your balcony (weather permitting), which includes the sundowner cocktails, and is the height of romance. Arranging lanterns around your table, they set out an amazing three-course spread for you to feast on.
This was such a memorable experience, we can’t recommend it enough.
There is also an option for a picnic on the grounds. Everything is organised for you; you merely have to arrive and enjoy the beautiful al fresco lunch laid out for you.
Currajong Retreat can also organise an in-room massage for you. I love a massage, even more so when the treatment table comes to me! You can have specialist mobile massage therapists set up in your retreat and really enhance your relaxation.
This is something we’ve had a couple of times before—in Gerringong on the South Coast and in the Hunter Valley —and it is absolutely divine!
Although this is an all-inclusive experience, these extra-cost options really are worth it.
While this might not be camping in the broadest of senses, Currajong Retreat allows you to experience the wonderful nature and countryside of this beautiful part of New South Wales. As far as we’re concerned, this is the only way to camp!

We stayed at Currajong Retreat as media guests, but our experiences and opinions remain our own.
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