The luxury farm-stay tents so nice, they won gold
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?'
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.
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.
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The Advertiser
18-07-2025
- The Advertiser
Orange or Mudgee: which regional NSW town wins the wine-and-weekend crown?
They both have food, wine and views, but which country town wins? Tasting at Printhie Wines in Orange. Picture: Destination NSW By Mal Chenu and Amy Cooper Updated July 18 2025 - 9:06am, first published 10:00am Two of NSW's most beloved wine and food destinations - Mudgee and Orange - have been battling (politely, of course) for the title of the state's best country escape. Subscribe now for unlimited access. or signup to continue reading All articles from our website The digital version of Today's Paper All other in your area So which one deserves your weekend? We break down the case for each. The case for Mudgee: warm, welcoming and full of flavour I do love the name Mudgee. Simultaneously snuggly and tasty, the sound of it conjures up fresh scones and sun-ripened fruit, handwoven blankets and blooming flowerbeds, warm hearths and happy hearts. A place where people have time to chat, make jam, bake bread. And drink bucketloads of wine. The real meaning isn't far off. In the local Wiradjuri language, Mudgee's a word for "nest in the hills", or "contented". Better still, the reality matches up. Of all the charming country towns dotted across the bucolic NSW Central Tablelands, Mudgee best personifies the rural idyll imagined by wistful urban dwellers sitting at traffic lights surrounded by road rage and existential despair. Mudgee's scenic countryside. Pictures: DNSW Mudgee doesn't have traffic lights. It has wide tree-lined streets with pubs on most corners and fine old heritage buildings dating back to the 1800s. It nestles in a patchwork quilt of vineyards, fields and orchards, and boasts both a beer and a wine school, educational assets absent from even sophisticated cities. Coincidentally (and perhaps regrettably, given his troubled relationship with the bottle) the great poet Henry Lawson spent his school years in Mudgee. You can see the remains of his family home at the Henry Lawson Memorial and his name now belongs to Mudgee's lovely Lawson Park where you can picnic on the banks of the Cudgegong River. You'd better bring a big basket. Food and wine practically spring from the soil in this furiously fertile region. More than 35 cellar doors beckon at some of Australia's oldest vineyards, with some established more than 150 years ago. Scenic Mudgee. Picture: Destination NSW Whether you're chatting with Burrundulla's award-winning viticulturalist Ted Cox, whose family were among the town's first settlers in the 1820s, or Robert Stein's Jacob Stein, whose forebears brought Rhine riesling to Australia in 1838, you'll find a welcome from winemakers eager to share generations of passion for the land. Lowe Family Wine Co has turned a dedication to biodynamic and organic farming into an epicurean epicentre where vineyards and market gardens sprawl around The Zin House restaurant, holder of a chef's hat for 10 years in a row. You can taste wines and produce in historical former horse stalls at Gooree Park Cellar Door at The Stables, and wander through cherry, fig and citrus orchards with a glass in hand at 10's Estate. Wherever you wander, Mudgee's artisans, growers, farmers and shopkeepers greet you with the genuine hospitality that scored Mudgee fourth place and top NSW town on 2025 Friendliest Towns list, while Orange scraped in at number 10. As Henry Lawson famously said: "Beer makes you feel the way you ought to feel without beer." And I say: Mudgee makes you feel the way you ought to feel without Mudgee. The argument for Orange: cool-climate class and endless choice Orange and Mudgee are fine destinations for wineries or romance, or both, and in that order, as God intended. Separated by just two hours, these towns sit on the traditional lands of the Wiradjuri people and boast lovely colonial heritage buildings and robust art, food and wine scenes. Tasting at Swinging Bridge Wines in Orange. Picture: Destination NSW So, what's the difference between Orange and Mudgee? Well, besides the spelling and pronunciation, Orange rises head and shoulders above Mudgee with an elevation advantage of 400 metres. The superior altitude (along with the rich terroir) produces excellent cool-climate wines, as you will find at the region's wineries (there are more than 80, and about 30 of them have cellar doors), including well-known purveyors Printhie, Philip Shaw, Ross Hill and Swinging Bridge. Four times as many people choose to live in Orange as they do Mudgee, and this is reflected in the accommodation options. Another top-end winery - Nashdale Lane Wines - offers luxe glamping cabins with views across the vineyards and out to Mount Canobolas. Pinnacle Reserve and Lookout, the Spring Glade walking track and Nangar National Park offer similarly fab views. Back in town, the 1876-built Duntryleague Guesthouse is the most elegant landmark in Orange, while Yallungah Boutique Hotel, where original architecture meets mod-cons and mod art, is the go-to digs for a heritage-comfort blend. Tasting at Philip Shaw Wines in Orange. More epicurean art can be appreciated at the Orange Regional Gallery, Corner Store Boutique Gallery and The White Place. The Orange Botanic Gardens and Cook Park offer a colourful taste of the local flora, and you can explore limestone caves at Borenore Karst Conservation Reserve and Federal Falls in the Mount Canobolas State Conservation Area, play a round at Duntryleague Golf Club and watch dragon boat racing on Lake Canobolas. Fancy a bevvy? Start at local institution Ferment the Orange Wine Centre & Store, then push on to the tiny wine bar Hey Rosey. For fine dining, check out The Peacock Room, Whitney's Restaurant, Sisters Rock Restaurant, Lucetta Dining or The Schoolhouse Restaurant. Everything F&B in Orange is superb, a function of the local produce and intense competition. The spot where the town sits was originally called Blackman's Swamp but was quickly renamed to honour William, the Prince of Orange of the Netherlands. This makes Orange the new Blackman. "Orange" has suffered from some recent dubious associations, and the burghers of the town want to make it abundantly clear they are not affiliated with any presidents or face-tanning products. While Orange is the more a-peel-ing option for your Central West getaway, I would never be judgy about Mudgee.
West Australian
09-07-2025
- West Australian
HeliSpirit Cygnet Bay Base unlocks access to West Kimberley with helicopter tours
As tourist demand for helicopter tours continues to soar, the timing could not be better for HeliSpirit with the launch of its first base in the West Kimberley. The award-winning helicopter tour operator has officially opened an outpost at Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm, situated at the tip of the picturesque Dampier Peninsula. HeliSpirit is already known for providing unrivalled aerial access to the Kimberley and Northern Territory, with bases in Kununurra, Lake Argyle, El Questro, Mitchell Falls, Katherine Gorge, Purnululu National Park and Warmun. The Cygnet Bay base will serve as a gateway to exploring the magnificent coastal landscapes of the West Kimberley. Scenic flights including the Cygnet Bay Coastal Explorer, Kimberley Coast Discovery and the Ultimate Cygnet Bay Loop take guests over rugged red cliffs, pristine islands, azure bays and other hidden treasures of this remote region. The more adventurous among us can choose to have the doors off the helicopter for a thrilling experience, or opt to add a sunset landing to capture a postcard-worthy shot. HeliSpirit general manager Paul Cripps says the Cygnet Bay site represents a significant milestone in the operator's expansion. 'This region showcases some of Australia's most spectacular coastlines, and our flights offer a unique opportunity to witness raw beauty from above,' Cripps says. 'To be able to partner with another national award-winning business, Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm, is a fantastic opportunity and we are excited about the future working collaboratively.' HeliSpirit claimed a major victory last year when it won the national gold award for major tour and transport operator at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards. The company has been heralded for its commitment to safety, innovation and eco-accredited tourism. To book a scenic flight from Cygnet Bay with HeliSpirit, visit or email
The Age
06-06-2025
- The Age
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?' 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. 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.
